Gen Z Wants Classic Cars, Not Overpriced Projects! скачать в хорошем качестве

Gen Z Wants Classic Cars, Not Overpriced Projects!

Younger enthusiasts are more interested in classic cars than ever—but traditional shows and some race events are empty. The data says around 60% of Gen Z wants to get into classic cars, more than double the rate of boomers. Yet cruise nights full of lawn chairs and silent showcars aren’t where they’re hanging out. The hobby isn’t dying—it’s changing. Why Entry-Level Classics Disappeared Twenty years ago, a rough but drivable El Camino or G-body Regal could be had for $1,500. Today, that same car is five to seven grand, and even once-forgotten econoboxes like Chevettes have sold for silly money. For younger builders, that means the “dream” ’60s Ford, GM, or Mopar is simply out of reach. So they’re getting creative. Gen Z is flocking to: Late ’80s and ’90s cars: Fox-body Mustangs, third- and early fourth-gen Camaros OBS Chevy trucks and other square-body pickups Unloved four-doors and oddballs like Ford Fairmonts and cast-off mini trucks If it’s rear-wheel drive and cheap, it’s fair game—LS swaps, turbo builds, and weird powertrain combos are turning “junk” into legit hot rods. Innovation Over Nostalgia The aftermarket is booming. Restoration and restomod parts are everywhere, events like SEMA are thriving, and affordable tools, 3D printing, and home fab gear make it easier than ever to build custom parts. Gen Z excels at this: designing brackets, trim pieces, and one-off solutions for cars the aftermarket forgot, like ’50s four-doors or niche imports. They’re not waiting for someone to reproduce parts—they’re making their own. Car Shows Are Empty, But Tracks Aren’t The real divide in the hobby isn’t old vs. young—it’s static vs. active. Many younger enthusiasts don’t want to park and polish; they want to use their cars. They’re gravitating toward: Autocross at Goodguys and similar events Index and heads-up racing Big “show and go” events like FL2K, TX2K, LS Fest, Street Car Super Nationals, and Snowbirds Even bracket racing—often dismissed as “boring”—is an incredible entry point when people understand it. It lets you be competitive with what you already own instead of chasing a specific ET. Gatekeeping vs. Mentoring One major obstacle is attitude. When Gen Z shows up online asking, “How do I do this? Where do I start?” too many older voices respond with, “If you don’t know, don’t touch it.” That mindset kills curiosity. Keeping the hobby alive means: Welcoming questions instead of mocking them Sharing old-school tricks with new-school builders Inviting kids into the garage, handing them a grinder or welder, and building something together Middle-generation enthusiasts are the bridge—old enough to know the “traditional” way, young enough to embrace modern tools and platforms. The Future of the Hobby The new face of classic and performance cars might be a four-door ’90s sedan, an OBS truck, or a beat-up mini truck with a wild swap. That doesn’t make the hobby weaker—it proves it’s alive and evolving. What “unloved” car are you turning into your dream build? Whether it’s a Fox-body, Fairmont, or faded family sedan, you’re part of the future of this hobby.