Future of car clubs and NCRS

[Thomas C.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

This is an interesting thread. I've said for years that a vehicle's value will increase as long as the people who have a connection to them continue to have more disposable income. I have a 1969 that happened to be assembled the same month I was conceived, so there is my connection to my car that I've owned for over 25 years. Do I have a connection to anything older? Not really. They're cool looking and I would cherish owing one because I love all old cars and especially Corvettes, but I wouldn't drop the type of coin that it takes to buy a 57......too many old rich guys buying those up and keeping the prices too high.

If a sub-30s individual can't hook up a laptop and adjust the fuel trim settings to get a few extra psi out of their turbo, do they care how cool it looks? Sure, it may be a factory 427, 4-speed, but have you seen what they can do with a Subaru WRX? There are lots of those clubs out there, and they're getting more popular.

In my opinion, the Corvette hobby will continue but it'll be very interesting to see if my theory about the car values holds true. Now, when one of you graybeards are ready to pass on your prize possession, you can will it to your 30-something grandson who may trade it in on a Tesla, or you can look me up....I'll be here waiting (and I'll probably still be asking stupid questions about q-jets).

And I'm willing to help you pull that 4-speed if you're willing to teach me how to rebuild mine.

- Tom

[Thomas S.]

[Bill M.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

You are very correct. Look at where the "old/classic" car the market is going. I listened to a talk show on old/classic cars. The narrator said that the older generation of "gray hairs" were the true buyers and many were walking books of knowledge. He stated that if you own a ie 1953 Dodge, 1949 Ford, etc that most likely it would be past on to the grand kids as the buyers market is just not there anymore for them. He gave an example of his kids (late 20's and early 30's) who would rather have a sun roof car with a gazillion options. He then stated that the future market will just be 1960's cars.

I go to many Cruise Ins and for the most part the owners are up there in age and the rest of the crowd of younger people are there for a burger/hot dog with the kids in tow. At least I had fun for the last 50 years with old/classic cars. Great memories and good times.

[Don H.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Well, for sure, someone is interested in our old Corvettes at the moment, if the marketplace is any indication...Good solid axles, mid-years, and C3s are bringing big bucks right now at the auctions and elsewhere. I say don't worry about what the future might be like. Get out and enjoy what this club has to offer right now. The Iowa Regional is two weeks away. And then the National Convention in July. I hope everyone in driving distance of both of them is registered to attend. See y'all there.

[Joe L.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Good morning,

Hope everyone is doing well. I was helping my grandma go through some of my grandpas old things over the weekend and she made the comment that he thought that car clubs and big judging events would die out and she felt the same. I wanted to see what all of you thought of this. As a younger adult I can see the reason why my grandparents believed so judging solely by the value of some of these older cars and the fact that I cannot see a majority of todays cars ever getting to the status of the old muscle cars. How do you all feel about the future or car clubs, collectable cars, and big societies like this?

Take care,
Mike

Mike------


The greatest muscle cars of all time are being made today, not 50 years ago. There's really no comparison. Some ordinary "grocery getter" cars of today are faster and, overall, perform better than what are regarded as muscle cars of 50 years ago.

Don't misunderstand me, though. I love 50's through mid-70's cars. But, I'm not naive enough to think that those cars were the epitome of performance for all-time. If one likes the old cars, particularly those regarded as "muscle cars" strictly because they regard them as the last great performance cars ever built, they're fooling themselves. Even some 4 cylinder cars of today will out-perform many of them.

[Don H.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Joe,
this may be true, but they are "styled" by algorithm, can't be tuned or worked on by ordinary people, and in most cases have no "soul".
Very soon they will drive themselves while they run on electricity. Will they become anything that someone would want to collect?
Who knows. I'm hope I'm around to find out.

[Frank D.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

I can only speak to my locale and my experience but the hobby has changed in central Florida, "gettting out an enjoying the cars" is a nail-biting autocross event with Bubbas in dualie trucks cutting in front of you and distracted drivers migrating in and out of their lanes. I've had another car pal die and two more sell out since this thread started. And I'm not able to do the heavy work anymore so getting quality help on big jobs is a 6 month wait at the few, really good places or rolling the dice on somebody else. I'm basically done too and haven't been to a car show/event in 18 months.

[Bill L.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Keith:

I think you touched on a key issue. It does however, range beyond the issue of age. The age issue is just one aspect. There are a lot of good folks in the organization....and there a few "not so good" .... The problem arises when one of the more grumpy or just plan condescending members start misbehaving. It does not take much to turn someone off at a meeting, judging or social event. A couple of bad experiences and some folks are simply going to walk away. It is too bad there is not some way to stop or even limit this type of behavior. I know in the past some of the more observant members have taken people to task (albeit - pulled aside and done quietly) over bad behavior.

I have ben a member for quite some time.... and it is frustrating to see the behavior of a few grumps / bad apples that spoil the fun for others.

Hang in there...... Hopefully, this thread will get the attention of some of the senior administrators of the organization....and general membership as well.

Regards
Bill

[Harry S.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Keith:

I think you touched on a key issue. It does however, range beyond the issue of age. The age issue is just one aspect. There are a lot of good folks in the organization....and there a few "not so good" .... The problem arises when one of the more grumpy or just plan condescending members start misbehaving. It does not take much to turn someone off at a meeting, judging or social event. A couple of bad experiences and some folks are simply going to walk away. It is too bad there is not some way to stop or even limit this type of behavior. I know in the past some of the more observant members have taken people to task (albeit - pulled aside and done quietly) over bad behavior.

I have ben a member for quite some time.... and it is frustrating to see the behavior of a few grumps / bad apples that spoil the fun for others.

Hang in there...... Hopefully, this thread will get the attention of some of the senior administrators of the organization....and general membership as well.

Regards
Bill

Bill, I think the problem is already addressed. It starts at a Chapter Level, then Regional, then National. There are statement in the by-laws at all levels to address problems. They just need to be executed. We had a problem at a chapter event, the board took tough action at the event and the following week. The problem went away.

All you need is leadership at the right level to take action when the problem occurs. The Boards need to be responsible and the members need to be held accountable for the actions.

[Steven B.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

I'm just getting into the hobby so to speak. I live near a medium/large city but out in the far rural suburbs. There are Amish buggy's driving the roads near me so I do need to watch out for them but I generally feel safe when driving. I signed up for my first NCRS meet to be an observer judge this August. I'm planning to attend as many local shows and cruise-in gatherings as I can this summer.

I drove a highly modified 68 Firebird back in the late 70's that my dad and I did most all maintenance on. I helped a mechanic buddy build the engine after I blew up the stock motor street racing it. Then I went to college, became an engineer, got married, raised kids and did all the things many of us do. I bought a couple high performance American brand cars over the years but did none of my own work on them.

Finally as I near retirement with enough time and money I bought my C2. There's a couple long standing car clubs near me that I'm considering joining primarily to meet local contacts that can help me refresh my mechanic skills. I've had my car at D&B Corvettes for the past several months getting most of the difficult improvements done moving it toward a correct restoration. Now I'm looking forward to enjoying the car, tinkering as necessary and getting to know a few other classic car owners around me. I'm also looking forward to meeting some of you in person at NCRS events. I'm not a youngster by any means but God willing, I've got a good 12 - 15 years of helping to keep the hobby going in my neck of the woods.

[Don H.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Great to have you on board, Steve
You're starting out the way all of us did.
At that August meet, take the initiative to meet a couple people with mid-year cars, and I'm sure you'll feel welcome.
Drop an email or a pm by clicking on my name above this post if you want more information about activities coming up,
or finding your way around this Discussion Board.
And thanks again for joining NCRS.

[Michael J.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Yes welcome, we are a great group, IMO, but the best way to get as much as possible out of us, and enhance your knowledge and enjoyment, is to be involved in the many events we have that are now back in action. It had been 18 months since I attended a regional judging meet when we made the event in Scottsdale, Arizona last week. I really didn't realize how much I missed all of it during the plague until seeing so many friends and fellow Corvette nuts in one place again!

[Steve B.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Welcome Steven, as said by Michael attend the events and I am sure that you will enjoy it immensely. As for the future, there will always be turnover but in the end there will always be car clubs/events so we will be just fine. On a separate note, there was a 32 Ford collection that was liquidated this past weekend of mostly stock models and a few hotrods. To say that they hit it out of the park is an understatement and they made a ton of those cars. We will be fine.

[John F.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Car shows are going gangbusters here in Central Texas. A lot of old timers as well as young kids with the Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, etc. A lot of the young people I talk to, respect what us old farts have done over the years. But they are the next wave, and I try to encourage them in any way that I can. I started with a 55 Ford that I paid $75 for and have never turned back. I also let the youngsters that show a little respect for cars to sit behind the wheel and have pictures taken. They are just cars that we really love!

[Daniel S.]

Re: Future of car clubs and NCRS

Hi @MichaelWahl, good to see other young guns around these parts! My brother David and I represent the younger generation of members who not only judge but also show Corvettes actively in the NCRS. I'm 34 and brother is 31. We have goals to make it to master level judge and we're close with about 70 or so judging points earned to date each.

There is no other make or model of car that has been studied like the Corvette which in large part has made the following impressive in size and global in following. Like others have stated, the organization is only what you make of it - be sure to spread the word about the NCRS, participate in Chapter events @ local levels and if the budget/time permit it, attend your Regional and National events. Follow the Instagram page! As a teenager I remember participating in judging schools, observing judging when I could, and best of all, spending time with my family in various locations throughout the US (and Canada) showing our Vettes. Bring the young ones to the NCRS too as it only strengthens our membership.

Hi @KeithBrodbeck - We just completed showing our former '67 L36 convertible survivor which achieved the NCRS Top Flight, NCRS 5 Star Bowtie, BG Survivor, MCACN Triple Diamond and Legends Time Capsule awards. We faced some adversity along the way and heard lots of interesting chatter about us and the car too - here is my advice. Have tough skin and do you research. Take time to get educated about the cars and process. Ask questions as needed but never get discouraged. I can be a resource for you too. PM me if needed.

Regards,
Dan