Is this true in your camp??

Mike Pearson · 09-10-2025, 09:40 AM

I only have one race car. I do have a big garage full of race car stuff and tools. I can tell you there is no one in my family that will want my race car. Once I decide to retire i will have to liquidate all my possessions to be able to live my final years. Once I am gone someone can liquidate what is left.
Any true Muscle car in good condition is always going to be worth a decent price. The junk that is being built since the mid 70's will not be worth much other than scrap. Prices will vary with demand. There will alwasy be collectors of things old.

Jeff Niceswanger · 09-10-2025, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

I only have one race car. I do have a big garage full of race car stuff and tools. I can tell you there is no one in my family that will want my race car. Once I decide to retire i will have to liquidate all my possessions to be able to live my final years. Once I am gone someone can liquidate what is left.
Any true Muscle car in good condition is always going to be worth a decent price. The junk that is being built since the mid 70's will not be worth much other than scrap. Prices will vary with demand. There will alwasy be collectors of things old.

We sold when Brother John died of black lung. I'm asking this question of all my tools. A lifetime of Snap-on that I brought home with me @ retirement. Box and contents weighs 1200 lbs. My son doesn't even change his oil. He's a keyboard guy, not a wrench.

GUMP · 09-10-2025, 10:49 AM

In his bio, he talks about sometimes teaching shop classes to High School kids. If he really thought it was all over, why does he bother? Like I said, contradictions.

There is a really good chance that your kids won't follow in your footsteps. That doesn't mean that nobody wants your car.

alex33 · 09-10-2025, 11:11 AM

I believe the point he's trying to make is that this will not be a Middle Class hobby much longer, the younger generation has an entirely different outlook on life.

Jeff Niceswanger · 09-10-2025, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUMP

In his bio, he talks about sometimes teaching shop classes to High School kids. If he really thought it was all over, why does he bother? Like I said, contradictions.

There is a really good chance that your kids won't follow in your footsteps. That doesn't mean that nobody wants your car.

Hi Daren! This guy isn't talking about our race cars. He's a restorer of some sort.
It's common to have kids follow the excitement of being IN Dads race car someday, knowing someday you're going to be the one in that seat. The ones I see are kids put in cars by their race driving parents and supported by either the parents or gandparents,or both. Cheering them on from the track, or home. He is talking about mainly classic cars, after pop is dead. Dave Frick, a really close friend, just died of a Parkingtons brought on (only) by agent orange. (The ejected Eddie from this forum really helped Daves family in his last years with money from the VA) Dave bought a 68 Camaro as soon as he got home from Nam., And then to the dealer and purchased a new 1st Design L-88. 5:13's, Hookers, Creager's, Super Shifter. Later took it to Kronenbitters and had mini tubs put in it. Yellow with a black vinal top. Very nice piece. The one and only time at the track it ran 10.90's. Now his kids (in their 40's) are in a huge fight over it. It most likely will get sold after the dust settles. It has caused a huge family feud. At one time this car was the envy of Maple Avenue. Something for us old guys to consider....
This video is coming from someone in their 40's. That means his kids more resemble my grandkids. My grandkids are exactly as he sounded off about. Neither of my grandkids like cars, one of them hardly ever even drives. I think he's right ...

Mike Pearson · 09-10-2025, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Niceswanger

We sold when Brother John died of black lung. I'm asking this question of all my tools. A lifetime of Snap-on that I brought home with me @ retirement. Box and contents weighs 1200 lbs. My son doesn't even change his oil. He's a keyboard guy, not a wrench.

There is someone that will want that tool set. Its rare to see a son follow in his fathers footsteps. My dad was a nuclear physicist. He worked for General Electric in their nuclear weapons department. He was very handy. his main tools were a hammer, vise grips and a crescent wrench. He could do damn near anything with those tools. He fixed everything he owned. If he threw something away no one could fix it.

I did not follow his path. I went right from High School to working construction. I excelled at my construction career and it has been very good to me. He saw a car as transportation. I liked hot rods and race cars. I too am a DIY guy. When my dad died i got a few things from him. I got his 2004 Silverado pick up. a few hammers and vise grips and his dreams. I never dreamt before he died. Immediately after he passed i started to dream all kinds of things. He told me many time he dreamt like a full color movie. I always expected to see him riding with me in the truck. That never happened though. Truck was totaled about a year ago. Now i just have the dreams, vise grips and the memories.

rboyle · 09-10-2025, 12:43 PM

I think he is 100% correct in several ways. How many engine builders are under the age of 50 years old out there? How many young chassis builders? When I started racing Stock in 2015 I was one of the younger drivers. Not the youngest but on the younger side at 48 years old.
I?ve watched and helped clean out several of my father?s friends estates. Their kids or loved ones have either no interest, can?t afford it or can?t store the stuff. Numerous racing friends have kids that don?t go racing with their parent (Jr dragsters started changing that trend) and have no intent of ever racing that car. The why question is out of my pay scale. I can only say it is definitely happening. NHRA has a similar issue. Even though the Jr program has brought in some of the racers kids to follow in the footsteps it seems to miss on the ?new? blood, kids whose parents were not racers already.
Maybe having a Junior rental or driving school program would help, maybe having shop class in HS, or more trade schools represented or ?
It?s an ongoing problem, the pool is drying up and needs to be addressed.
No tracks in the NYC metropolitan area is a local concern but I think it may be in other cities too. I wish I had answers. Long Island?s Race not Street program has had some growing success but it?s a year to year program that has a very limited season, late Aug to Oct.

GTX JOHN · 09-10-2025, 02:26 PM

Well, I guess that I am really Blessed!

My Pops was a racer and a car guy

I am a racer and a car guy myself
(Went to my first race over 70 years ago)

My son Jon is a racer and a car guy
(Won his 1st Wally @ 15)

My Grandson Logan is a racer amd a car
guy (Won his first Wally at Div. 7 finals last
year @ 9)

Wesley 7 another Grandson has his Jr. Dragster
and will be starting next year.

My 3 years old twins Grandkids Trevor and Rosie went
To Div. finals with us last weekend and now sit in the race
cars and dream about their turn coming up.

Our dozen race cars and old muscle cars will get used
for a long time and stay in our shop.

Life is Good!

Jrh5220 · 09-10-2025, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Well, I guess that I am really Blessed!

My Pops was a racer and a car guy

I am a racer and a car guy myself
(Went to my first race over 70 years ago)

My son Jon is a racer and a car guy
(Won his 1st Wally @ 15)

My Grandson Logan is a racer amd a car
guy (Won his first Wally at Div. 7 finals last
year @ 9)

Wesley 7 another Grandson has his Jr. Dragster
and will be starting next year.

My 3 years old twins Grandkids Trevor and Rosie went
To Div. finals with us last weekend and now sit in the race
cars and dream about their turn coming up.

Our dozen race cars and old muscle cars will get used
for a long time and stay in our shop.

Life is Good!

You are a lucky man John,very few have someone to follow in there foot steps.

Frank Castros · 09-10-2025, 05:37 PM

How about this;

How many ads have you seen where they have two or three times invested than the asking price.
Or, beautifully rotisserie restored cars asking astronomical prices that they will never see.
Or, absolute rust buckets asking 10K or more.
I follow BAT and other sites daily and the market is all over the place.

Most twenty somethings want a BMW not a Duster or a G1 Camaro.

09-10-2025, 09:40 AM	#1
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,470 Likes: 630 Liked 1,983 Times in 597 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? I only have one race car. I do have a big garage full of race car stuff and tools. I can tell you there is no one in my family that will want my race car. Once I decide to retire i will have to liquidate all my possessions to be able to live my final years. Once I am gone someone can liquidate what is left. Any true Muscle car in good condition is always going to be worth a decent price. The junk that is being built since the mid 70's will not be worth much other than scrap. Prices will vary with demand. There will alwasy be collectors of things old. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

09-10-2025, 10:49 AM	#3
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,832 Likes: 2,196 Liked 2,364 Times in 560 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? In his bio, he talks about sometimes teaching shop classes to High School kids. If he really thought it was all over, why does he bother? Like I said, contradictions. There is a really good chance that your kids won't follow in your footsteps. That doesn't mean that nobody wants your car. __________________ Daren Poole-Adams NHRA Stock/SS 2007

09-10-2025, 11:11 AM	#4
alex33 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 7 Likes: 3 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? I believe the point he's trying to make is that this will not be a Middle Class hobby much longer, the younger generation has an entirely different outlook on life.

09-10-2025, 12:43 PM	#7
rboyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 609 Likes: 1,463 Liked 602 Times in 165 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? I think he is 100% correct in several ways. How many engine builders are under the age of 50 years old out there? How many young chassis builders? When I started racing Stock in 2015 I was one of the younger drivers. Not the youngest but on the younger side at 48 years old. I?ve watched and helped clean out several of my father?s friends estates. Their kids or loved ones have either no interest, can?t afford it or can?t store the stuff. Numerous racing friends have kids that don?t go racing with their parent (Jr dragsters started changing that trend) and have no intent of ever racing that car. The why question is out of my pay scale. I can only say it is definitely happening. NHRA has a similar issue. Even though the Jr program has brought in some of the racers kids to follow in the footsteps it seems to miss on the ?new? blood, kids whose parents were not racers already. Maybe having a Junior rental or driving school program would help, maybe having shop class in HS, or more trade schools represented or ? It?s an ongoing problem, the pool is drying up and needs to be addressed. No tracks in the NYC metropolitan area is a local concern but I think it may be in other cities too. I wish I had answers. Long Island?s Race not Street program has had some growing success but it?s a year to year program that has a very limited season, late Aug to Oct.

09-10-2025, 02:26 PM	#8
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,741 Likes: 2,832 Liked 2,517 Times in 701 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? Well, I guess that I am really Blessed! My Pops was a racer and a car guy I am a racer and a car guy myself (Went to my first race over 70 years ago) My son Jon is a racer and a car guy (Won his 1st Wally @ 15) My Grandson Logan is a racer amd a car guy (Won his first Wally at Div. 7 finals last year @ 9) Wesley 7 another Grandson has his Jr. Dragster and will be starting next year. My 3 years old twins Grandkids Trevor and Rosie went To Div. finals with us last weekend and now sit in the race cars and dream about their turn coming up. Our dozen race cars and old muscle cars will get used for a long time and stay in our shop. Life is Good! __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

09-10-2025, 05:37 PM	#10
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 3,011 Likes: 2,703 Liked 2,767 Times in 979 Posts	Re: Is this true in your camp?? How about this; How many ads have you seen where they have two or three times invested than the asking price. Or, beautifully rotisserie restored cars asking astronomical prices that they will never see. Or, absolute rust buckets asking 10K or more. I follow BAT and other sites daily and the market is all over the place. Most twenty somethings want a BMW not a Duster or a G1 Camaro.