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The web site for corvette trader asked about the popularity of vettes by categorty--c1,c2 etc . The results so far out of 1730 votes. c1-7%,c2-19%,c3-40 %,c4-12%,c5-15%,c6-7%. Does this look like the oldies are slipping?
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Re: popularity contest
I have followed the car collector hobby for longer than I want to think, something over 45 years. I got my first Corvette 42 years ago this month. When I started (I helped restore three before I even got my drivers license) there were quite a few brass era cars. As the people that could relate to those cars aged out the next era came in. It keeps going generation by generation. We seemed to have lost one generation of car enthusiasts as they are more interested in music, computers, etc. I have read that the generation coming up now will be car oriented, but it remains to be seen if they are interested in the collection and preservation of the vintage cars or are they going to go with the newer modern cars.
The older cars have become so expensive in relation to the late models. I think that the prices have been somewhat artifically inflated by the Barrett-Jacksons, Mecum's, Kruse auctions. This has been good for the seller, but the entry level cars are getting above and beyond what a lot of people have for descresionary funds. Try to buy a mid-year roadster for under $35,000. If you are into restorations, a quality restoration can cost well over $40,000.Dick Whittington -
Brass Era Cars??!!
"...before I even got my drivers license there were quite a few brass era cars."
Is that the kind with the old brass squeeze bulb horn beside the driver's seat?Comment
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Re: Brass Era Cars??!!
Ya got it! 1900's and 19teens cars. Tin Lizzies, Hupmobiles, etc. First restoration that I helped with was a 1909 IHC AutoWagon, 2 cylinder opposed, air cooled engine.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Brass Era Cars??!!
Chuck, "Brass Era" cars are those with brass radiators, headlight housings, trim, etc. They were built before chrome or even nickel was used for automobile brightwork. These cars are also commonly called "horseless carriages".Comment
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Re: Brass Era Cars??!!
Yeah, I know...I was just needling Papa Smurf, who may have learned to drive on a horseless carriage with a tiller instead of a steering wheel.
Getting back to Don's original topic, I doubt that much can be made of these popularity percentages because it's like comparing apples and oranges.
The average person that is interested in Corvettes will to be younger than the average NCRS member, so they are more likely to be interested in the cars they can remember when they were young, i.e. C3s. C3s also had a very long run...there are lot more years for potential buyer interest.
Also C3s have only hit the bottom of the pricing structure in the past decade and now getting more valuable; consequently, more younger people can afford to own a C3 than C2s or C1s. C4s, which also had a pretty good run, are now hitting the bottom, but are probably not perceived by the young as "classic cars" yet. It'll be interesting to see what happens with them.Comment
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Re: popularity contest
I don't think the older cars are losing in popularity as much as affordability! I have been buying Vettes and GM muscle cars for 35 years and would love to own a few that I had back then!! C1 and C2's have gotten to the range that only the elite can own. C3's are quickly getting there too. While it's nice to be on the owner end of these cars, it puts the future hobbyist in a position that they may not be able to afford one of these older gems.Comment
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