Looking into the future

[positivetennis]

Imagine that its 2030. The Datsun 240z is 60 years old and the 370z is now over 20 years old. Will we have a different attitude towards collecting cars and which cars will be most significant. While it is almost certainly accepted that the s30 will always feature as an important part of Japanese automobile history, what about everything since then. Will the 80's be forgotten in preference for the 90's (z32,mx5, GTR, supra, gto, rx7, boxter, 911 etc) or will the 350/370 feature more as the younger generation become more prominent in society consciousness. Will cars like the 240z become a museum piece that rarely goes out on the road. I would love to get responses from a variety of ages if possible. As a person in his 40's my interest and knowledge in cars doesn't go back further than the 60's. What about all you younger drivers in your 20's, how do you see it.

[luvemfast]

I think that you ask a lot of random questions to create conversation, on a car forum.
Where's your build thread? 
I think that in the year 2030, the people of the future will be worshiping the most dominant of all the Z series.
The 280ZX 2 seaters!

You don't believe me? I've just come from there and I still have my Z.
I also brought back a Sports Alminac 

[dat2kman]

You writing some sort of book?
Asking plenty random questions, going on your older threads!

I'll tell you one thing, in 2030 there will still be groups of people who will race their old historic collectable cars, and, sure as horse doo doo stinks, there will still be an anti Japanese car contingent amongst the racing fraternity.
You can put that in the book!

[d3c0y]

In future there will be no books! Everyone will just be reading PDF files on tablets!

[positivetennis]

No plans to write a book, but your responses are most appreciated. I think future perspectives can be valuable in terms of what decisons one makes.

[gav240z]

I think the way we define classic cars is often attached to nostalgia. I guess it will depend on how the 370z is viewed over the next few years. Many cars like the EH Holden for example are classic because everyone had 1 and they remind people of an era.

The 120Y will probably become classic as a quirky Japanese car that many had and found very reliable and economical to run but not for thrilling people with it's performance.

Another thing I find interesting when I view many older cars is build quality. Some of the old classic cars from the 20's,30's,40's,50's were really built to last and were in many ways an art form on wheels.

When I look at the 370z I just think cheap performance, I'm not excited about it in the same way. However perhaps I just like vintage things - something that's proved it's worth via time. For me perhaps the 370z hasn't done that yet.

I think between the 370z and the GTR the GTR will be a very sought after machine in 30 years time. That's a true hyper car in my opinion and a real benchmark performance machine.

[dat2kman]

I think that you ask a lot of random questions to create conversation, on a car forum.
Where's your build thread? 
I think that in the year 2030, the people of the future will be worshiping the most dominant of all the Z series.
The 280ZX 2 seaters!

You don't believe me? I've just come from there and I still have my Z.
I also brought back a Sports Alminac 

Agree, why not let us know what you drive atm, what your interests are, your aspirations, a little about ypurself, maybe in the introduction section.
Going over your 28 posts so far, you dont strike me as what one may term a forum junkie.
You posted a Wtd to buy, and then wer're all into some deep and meaningfulls! Its almost research stuff?
 Ive had girlfriends that didnt get that deep!

[positivetennis]

No problems, I will post in the, "Intro", section.

[nizm0zed]

I think the real decider on how classic cars are viewed will depend largely on what happens with oil production.

If it remains steady, i would expect to still see historic racing groups in regular (4-5 times a year?) outings, people will still collect them and show them at events, ect.
i would see the icon cars of the 70's being around still, although in very limited numbers, and almost all in origional appearance.
90's cars seem a bit hard to pick, i think it'll be the same deal, the icon cars will be prevalent, with quite a few modified examples.
Anything from about now-2020 onwards will be a predominant vehicle of choice for mods, racing, individualisation ect ect, like what we see now with the current range of 30 year and younger cars.

If oil production becomes reduced, and the world finally turns towards a green power supply, i think that will spell the end of the car scene as we know it, but on the other side, cement it into a history that wont be forgotten for a loooooooong time.
If fuel were to cost $15 a litre (figure out my bunghole) the few passionate people will still collect and show thier cars, but it'll be a less common occasion when it happens, as such, there will be a better turn out, a bigger wow factor ect.
Im sure some collectors will still drive occasionally, and maybe there will still be a 'historic style' lap of a track.
I have no doubts that no matter the state of oil production, there will allways be vehicle racing, man allways wants to compete and go fast, its instinct. It'll just use the power source of the day. (off topic, mandate that F1 has to be powered by Electric or Hydrogen fuel cell and watch the tech become massively advanced)
The cars of our time will simply become part of that scene, similar to when you go to a car show these days and see 70-80-90yr old blokes with thier 1900-1950's pride of joy sitting, looking like it just rolled of the assembly line.
If you get the chance, you should ask some of them the same question, to get their perspective as people who have actually lived that longer period, watching everything change.

no matter what happens though, my concern is that valuable skills and knowledge is being lost as time progresses.
The repair industry has become a 'replacement' industry, its uncommon to find a younger person who has the skills of his predecesor in seamless panel repairs, or even fabrication from scratch.
In another 30 years, will that person with those skills be 1 in 1000? 1 in 10,000? more?
I remember having a discussion with an old fella, he owned a vintage range rover from the 30's (there abouts) and was in the process of a long restoration on a Model T ford.
He was saying he would donate his cars to a museum when he passed on, as he didnt know anyone (including his kids) who knew how to maintain vehicles from back then.
Me being a bit roostery said it couldnt be that hard, any mechanicly minded person should be able to do it.
Do you know how to De-coke an engine? i dont, as he pointed out to me and that was a regular maintenance item of the era.
It seems that alot of the knowledge we have may be lost over the years unless we find and encourage people to carry on our passion.

[saxon]

I think the curvey and rounded lines of the 90s and early 2000s will continue to age very quickly.

Cars like mx-5s, supras, rx7s with the flowing body shape will age fast and not become collectible, whereas more gutsy, angular, and boxy edged cars like Skyline GTR will hold their value, maybe increase.

240z will increase in status as people catch on to how good they look. And as more people irreversibly molest them, eventually every Zed will have flares, dish, and spoilers, and the price will go through the roof!

Thats my opinion.

[Lynton]

Interest in and the era of cars are a generational thing. Although I believe cars now are just a commodity and a tool we all work with but there will always be that special "one car" we will remember. I can't see that changing even if it is petrol, hybrid, electric or whatever.
Unless a new world mode of transport is introduced the inheriting family members may keep the old clankers a while but will eventually cash them in as they are too old, they deteriorate and most people are not time free to maintain them plus being lazy that is just the way society is going, we are a disposable society and modern cars are no longer a piece of art, cars are more of a world bland car and not very unique and besides every one has one just part of the wardrobe to get around in. But they do have a place in history. These days in Australia it is especially Australian muscle cars and Rice Burners which will have the attraction in 20 years time.
By the way I like your philosophical thoughts just provides out of the sqquare thinking to the forum.
Lynton

[gav240z]

@nizm0zed - I tend to agree with many of your points. I actually think (despite what others may say) that learning many of these skills will pay dividends to you. Although it's a dying art there will always be those willing to pay top dollar for someone who is very good at what they do and has a very niche skill set - a true artist if you will.

Although I'm in IT right now, I've seriously been thinking of changing career and going into something more hands on such as vehicle restoration. I like the idea of doing something more creative and a 'true skill' like forming panels etc... I also like many of the classic cars for their beautiful lines and the resto-mod scene I think could be a big opportunity as oil supplies hopefully become reduced in favor of more viable green alternatives - more and more people will look for alternative power sources. I see the electric car really becoming the power plant for many classic cars. Since fuel economy / parts availability and practicality will dictate that it's not very viable to have a totally original engine in your hot rod.

What could be better than driving some of those old muscular shape cars around and not having to worry about fuel economy etc..

Check this out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpqvpqklyk0

You are forgetting 1 thing though when you mention loosing certain skills to time. We have the "Internets" and this is a great way to find out how to do things. Although it's one thing to watch and another doing. At least this is 1 way the skills can be documented for future generations.

@Lynton - I tend to agree with you, we live in a consumer based economy. I still don't understand what creates all this demand for mostly crap made in China. I was watching a show called "American Restoration" and on the show the owner of the business mentions that there used to be a lot of pride in what people made in the early 19th century. Everything was made by hand and built to last.

http://furniture.about.com/od/furniturecareandrepair/a/Qanda-With-Rick-Dale-Of-History-Channels-American-Restoration.htm

1 thing I've come to realise is that we can't go on like this. Creating, consuming and throwing away. It's simply not viable given the resources we have on this planet. Instead we need to find ways to restore and revive. Right now creating more and more junk is cheap for companies to do. Restoration is expensive because you can't automate it.

What worries me most, is that people don't see the value in paying for something hand built / made. We expect everything at a cheap low price. Even if it means some poor kids in Pakistan or India are exploited to produce them. I'm thinking about clothes in particular, some people are paid 15c per garment and then it's sold to us for 30-50 dollars or something like that.

I think this perception of entitlement and what's in it for me needs to change. But the best thing you can do is stop buying useless crap being made on foreign soil and start investing in local business. Eg: instead of buying a table from Ikea, buy it from the local craftsman etc..

[nizm0zed]

You are forgetting 1 thing though when you mention loosing certain skills to time. We have the "Internets" and this is a great way to find out how to do things. Although it's one thing to watch and another doing. At least this is 1 way the skills can be documented for future generations.

Its interesting you mention the internet as a reference, I did consider that when i was writing my wall of text.
Seeing as your in IT, perhaps you can give me your opinion on this? I have allways wondered but never really found an accurate answer.
"What is the average lifespan of something on the internet?"
I remember things that i have seen myself 8-10 years ago on the net, but do you think i can find them again? nope. dissapeared into the ether...

There is also a LOT of info on the net from 'experts' who bang on about things with little to no practical knowledge.
That will help to dilute the knowledge we may be losing.
Mostly though, the guys that do have that knowledge of forming beautiful panels by hand, de-coking engines, knowing the quriks of a 50's studebaker, ect ect, dont post on the internet. They arent the 'computer generation'
I know some adapt and add their knowlede, and its immensly valuable, but i think a lot of it will be lost over the next few generations.
My other concern with the up and coming generation of 'modifiers' is the click and play mentality of modifying.
In the video games you just click the next stage and race. i have seen (and heard) plenty of them act like thats real life, coming into Autobarn (when i worked there) and asking for a stage 3 cam kit and stage 2 aero mods.
uh, what?
These 'Artists' that do have the passion and carry on the knowledge are going to be able to name thier own price, and good for them, they are carrying on a legacy and keeping what we know of the car scene alive.

[dat2kman]

It's called an " English" wheel, it turns a flat piece of metal into a 3 dimensional (curved both ways) item, ie a boot lid for a MG Magnette, or a front guard for a Austin A40.

You use heat played on the outside and some chemical powder on inside to de- coke an exhaust, a quick fix also was to slowly pour a particular fluid down a carburrettor ( remember them!) throat, this would partially de-carbonise a cylinder head.

A Studebaker Hawk Gt, or. Lark, had a central pitman arm, linked to wheel hubs by two very long arms, the pitman was linked to a steer box, that could be mounted on eitjer chassis rail, by a drag link.
The police were sold 292 cubic inch Larks, fitted with Paxton Superchargers.

Is old fellers dont like computers, we cant roll them into shape, they dont take kindly to applications of heat and diesoleum, and we cant fit Paxton blowers. I have issues with them.

[nizm0zed]

^^
Brilliant reply!
Buy that (old) man a beer!