Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

[Roger W.]

Re: Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

That is a trick that the lawyers have caught on to. A local talk show host was involved in an accident on his motorcycle that was the other drivers fault. He was shocked to find out that his insurance company had paid the other driver some money and asked the company why they would do that. He was told that is was cheaper to "just pay" than to fight it in court.

[Gary R.]

Re: Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

Interesting comments and some that have come to light in many places around the country.

Specifically,
1- Driving our old vettes is like wearing a bullseye on our back. I have noticed I have to be much more defensive driving the past 8-10 years then ever before. My son was hit when a pizza loser ran a stop sign and wacked his 75 in the nose and totaled it. The cop on the scene was the losers buddy and played on the same baseball team, no ticket was issued even though the kid clearly and admitted running through the stop sign. My son was not hurt, the kid was bragging back at his job he took out a corvette. I have a gun permit but do not own a gun.

2- The interest level of the younger generation really is not there, just a Gene mentioned. My son is 31 now few of his friends can afford a corvette and those that could -buy new cars for less that will out perform a 50 year old car. Just about any new car will blow by me on the highway unless I want to run about 4k RPM to keep up- I do not.

3- Young people driving an old vette, the original topic. Well it depends on the person. I grew up wanting a vette because an older brother had them. They were not collectible cars back then, they were used cars. A near mint 63 SWC for $1800 in '68, a 59 driver for $800 in 1966, etc. My son grew up around my c3's and got the bug. He was out working on them with me when he was 14. He learned to drive stick on my 69 and built his first 75 from the ground up at 17. He isn't into old stock cars much since they're dead slow compared to new cars. He built his 75 into a drag car, well too deep into but had to get an old vette into the 10's. He respected the cars and I let him take them out. His friends, either had everything given to them or just have no clue, I would not trust with a tricycle!

The catch, without the younger guys interested the bubble is going to burst. Between parts coming in from outside the USA that are just not that good to losing the old experienced guys to retirement or death the future doesn't look too bright in my opinion and I sure hope I'm wrong. How many have gone to Carlisle the past few years?

[Jim D.]

Re: Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

The catch, without the younger guys interested the bubble is going to burst. Between parts coming in from outside the USA that are just not that good to losing the old experienced guys to retirement or death the future doesn't look too bright in my opinion and I sure hope I'm wrong. How many have gone to Carlisle the past few years?

Nope, you're 100% correct. I've seen it happen to all generations of cars of different makes. We're seeing right now in the depreciation of C-1 car prices.

[Russ S.]

Re: Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

I bought my first corvette when I was still a teen. I still own it today,have driven them all my life, and never had so much as a scratch put on them from careless driving or an accident. And yes I put them thru the paces. My son had one while in high school and never had an incident either. Absolutely teens who love these cars should not be deprived of the wonderful experience driving and owning them presents. If they don't love them, then they probably wouldn't respect and care for them.

[Gary R.]

Re: Teenagers and Corvettes: Does it make sense?

I forgot, I don't know if Hagerty changed their policy but when I gave my son his first 75 to build he was 18. The car was in my name, another reason to trust him, but he was covered to drive the car as long as I agreed. When the car was wrecked by the pizza kid they covered the claim without issue. I stayed with them as a loyal customer ever since.