what will happen to the hobby if....

gas prices continue to rise? I don't mean $3-4/gallon, but what if say in 5 years, gas is $6-7/gallon. I know alot of us don't drive our classics very much and the cost of fuel isn't a big consideration, but it gets to the point where you ask yourself "do I really need to go cruise tonite?" "Can I really afford to go to the dragstrip this weekend?" "Can I even even afford to tow my car to the dragstrip?" If it gets to that point, what do you think will happen to the value of these old cars? Will the bottom fall out of the market?

I've always been one to look ahead to better things, but I tell ya its hard to see things looking good for the classic car world in the next 10-20 years. I've been looking forward to building more cars and getting more involved in racing, but sometimes I feel like I'm making an unwise decision. I don't really know what I'm trying to say here....just wondering if anybody else feels like I do.

I'd guess that more of us would have more motivation to spend more time making our cars pretty. Which in turn would make the cruise that much more enjoyable when we do decide to spend the money on gas.

Im really not to worried about it, as toys are toys, and as such, take their place behind other priorities in life. Doesnt cost anymore too keep em insured, so its not like it costs more to own.
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oh boy, the joys of owning a garage stored trailer queen...[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_ghey.gif[/img][img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

In all of my years, I have seen highs and lows in the economy. I have always been optimistic that things would get better. Now I am wondering if I should sell my 64. I Think it will deffinately get worse before it gets better.

To speculate on the old car hobby's future is just a guessing game at any time. I agree with luv79sfords that it is just a hobby. So enjoy it while you can afford it.
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the problem is the money that it costs to build something only to later run the risk of not being able to drive/use it. It costs too much to do this stuff if the car will be nothing more than a large "paperweight." I've got way too much $$$ tied up into my old fords....don't know if I should start thinking about selling some of it or not before I lose my ass on it.

I have already been thinking about that I'm trying to step up the pace my current project so I can abuse it a bit while I can still afford the fuel. I'm thinking a 63 Falcon Hard top or a Maverick with one of those little ford V-6's or 4cylinders with a turbo, fuel injection and a T-56. Focus will be on rod styling and fuel efficiency instead of how many ponies I can squeeze out of the block.
What do you think?
The way I see it, I have all these tools, I can't let them just sit around and waste. That is provided we can still buy gas. We might have to start thinking electric motors, battery packs and solar cells in a classic Mustang?
Ras Daniel [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Iethiopian on 9/1/05 1:01am ]</font>

The Prices of gasoline are BullShivick! They do not have to be that high... That's all there is to say about that!!! But, these Oil Companies and the stock market are wanting their profits, and they are getting them through the gasoline sales, and we'll keep paying or we'll finally make some kind of Strike on the fuel sellers by not buying fuel foe a week or something and that'l hurt them more than shutting down a couple refineries for a day or 5...

I will never drop my Classic car fetish/Love due to the price of parts or Gasoline... I love them and they'll love me even if the prices go as far as $8.00 per gallon which is conceiveable even though there are many many way's around it.....

FE
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I just about am ready to put my SBF in my Pinto, But the 2.0 runs so good, I guess I will wait a while longer. Thinking about all the tricks used on the old Mobil Economy Runs back in their day, and making the Pinto a daily driver.
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This whole gas dealie has come at the worst time for me with the Foose Racing Team with Jan Games [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] buying that '32 Chevy vintage stocker. Since the races are spread out across Ohio, I guess we'll just have to run the nearby shows. I'd hoped to buy another coupe just for myself, but I might end up just doing the Mini Stock deal and racing at the track 30 minutes from here.

With my '64, since I plan to spend $0 on 'pretty', guess I'll have to work on making him more fuel efficient with a T5 instead of a Toploader behind the EFI 5.0, not use my 4:11s and such. I'll just have to spend more of my discretionary $$$ on gas instead of a nice dinner out occasionally, a vacation (other than Woodward) and such. I'll also have to think twice before buying cars any distance away on eBay. That one hurts because I love making at least one road trip a year to fetch home another car....[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

As to down the road and what will happen to our car hobby, it's just as it says..... "down the road" and I refuse to worry about it. Who knows what the future will bring....[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]


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Look at all the American classic cars in the foreign countries. Gas was $1.00 a gallon in the '60's for them and look at it now. Does it stop them from driving them? No. Why should we stop driving ours? We are just spoiled by the "creep" gas we have had for years. But you are right it's the oil companies gitting to us. With the governments help.