Is the end near?
#1 Is the end near?
I don’t mean are we running out of oil, or is the fear that using cars is killing the sky going to bring about the end of our hobby. No I mean this.
While out in my freshly-polished-in-advance-of-a-local-show E, a yoof upon seeing my car drive past exclaimed in a tone more admonishing than astonishing, “What is THAT!”.
I fear for our future.
While out in my freshly-polished-in-advance-of-a-local-show E, a yoof upon seeing my car drive past exclaimed in a tone more admonishing than astonishing, “What is THAT!”.
I fear for our future.
Chris '67 S1 2+2
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#2 Re: Is the end near?
And the answer would be "The most beautiful car in the world"!
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
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#3 Re: Is the end near?
I think, possibly.
I recently went to spectate at a VSCC event. By far the largest demographic there was grey haired old men. I know the VSCC would like to attract more younger members. I’d love a vintage car, but even a VSCC eligible Austin 7 is the thick end of £15k. I’m priced out of the market unless I sell something else, so my interest moves to other things.
Later, I called at Caffeine and Machine. First time I’d been, and mine was the only E-type there that evening. Most of the others there were youngsters in lowered VWs with tiny wheels. They were clearly very enthusiastic about their cars, and took a great pride in them. They were discussing the next mod, and taking photos for Instagram etc. But none of them batted an eyelid at the E-type. Surprising, as patina and shabby paint on an E is unusual.
But perhaps not surprising, as £45k upwards for a running E-type is well beyond the means of most 18 year olds. Maybe so far beyond their means, that it’s no longer even on their radar?
One consolation is when I’m on the drive working on the car, I frequently get local kids walking past saying ‘cool car Mr’, though I’m not sure they know what it is.
I recently went to spectate at a VSCC event. By far the largest demographic there was grey haired old men. I know the VSCC would like to attract more younger members. I’d love a vintage car, but even a VSCC eligible Austin 7 is the thick end of £15k. I’m priced out of the market unless I sell something else, so my interest moves to other things.
Later, I called at Caffeine and Machine. First time I’d been, and mine was the only E-type there that evening. Most of the others there were youngsters in lowered VWs with tiny wheels. They were clearly very enthusiastic about their cars, and took a great pride in them. They were discussing the next mod, and taking photos for Instagram etc. But none of them batted an eyelid at the E-type. Surprising, as patina and shabby paint on an E is unusual.
But perhaps not surprising, as £45k upwards for a running E-type is well beyond the means of most 18 year olds. Maybe so far beyond their means, that it’s no longer even on their radar?
One consolation is when I’m on the drive working on the car, I frequently get local kids walking past saying ‘cool car Mr’, though I’m not sure they know what it is.
Tom
1970 S2 FHC
1970 S2 FHC
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#4 Re: Is the end near?
I'm actually surprised at the number of really young kids who shout out "an E Type!" as I drive by. Don't know where they get the knowledge from - enthusiastic dad presumably.
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S
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#5 Re: Is the end near?
I think it's just a generational thing. The E-Type was launched exactly three months before my birth, in 1961, so I sort of "grew up" with cars of that era. Kids starting to drive today grew up seeing tricked-out VWs, Honda Civics and other cars of this era, so the E-Type just doesn't belong to their age. Perhaps some of them will become interested down the road. Any hobby needs new blood to survive, e.g., witness the cars in the London-to-Brighton run, which doesn't rely on original owners for obvious reasons. I don't see lack of enthusiasts as a problem, because there will always be those who value things from the past.
Mark (Moe) Shipley
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036
Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....
Former owner '66FHC, #1E32208
Former owner '65FHC, #1E30036
Planning on getting E-Type No. 3 as soon as possible....
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#6 Re: Is the end near?
When I bought paint at a shop for my E, I told them for what car it is. The young people there did not raise an eyebrow, just one said after a while he saw one in a car show sold for a lot of money. Then they all vanished behind their mobile telephones.
Carsten
Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650
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#7 Re: Is the end near?
a couple of months ago, an AUDI A3 pulled up at a red light in the lane next to me and the young driver asked me, if my car is an F-Type, or an E-Type . So it may be more a general thing; cars are not so important any more - the F-Type was surely younger than him.
Klaus
Klaus
Klaus
1963 FHC 889633, 1979 Porsche 928, 1991 Mazda MX-5
1963 FHC 889633, 1979 Porsche 928, 1991 Mazda MX-5
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#8 Re: Is the end near?
I think there is a following among younger people. I met a couple last week and they were besotted! They did have a rather lovely proper old school Issigonis mini. There are usually a number of sprogs at car shows desperate to sit in the car and be photographed by mum or dad....so long as they are without ice cream.....fine with me The barriers to old car ownership are cost and probably insurance as most classic car policies require you to be over 25 or even 30 and with access to a 'normal' car.....my next door neighbours daughter passed her test at 17. She has a ten year old Fiat cinquecento...all sorts of driving restrictions....times....others in the car....and a black box...£1500...and the car is probably not worth that!!!!
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too
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#9 Re: Is the end near?
That, and you keep driving past the same kid’s house all the time
1E75339 UberLynx D-Type; 1R27190 70 FHC; 1E78478; 2001 Vanden Plas
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#10 Re: Is the end near?
No, it's the same playground actually.....................
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S
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#11 Re: Is the end near?
Went to a cafe today in Delamere in my S3 V12 Roadster. Parked up and a young guy who works there came over all excited, "my most favorite car, i have pictures on my bedroom wall of an E-Type", said he could sit in it if he wished, he did and was like a 3 year old. I took some pics of him on his mob, a very happy chappy.
1972 V12 Roadster. Velar. M5. Caddy. Bikes.
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#12 Re: Is the end near?
I don’t fear lack of enthusiasm in the young, but the values of classic cars has got out of hand and is the one thing which will affect the future of our hobby. My first classic was a concours condition 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto bought 6 months after getting married in 1978 for £2500. It won every concours event we entered. I was a newly qualified architect earning £5000 a year, and borrowed £1500 to make the deal work. I had bought our first 3 bedroom semi outside Cambridge for £13,250. That same car in that condition is now worth around £40,000, and my first house is now worth £250,000. Today, If I was the same 28 years old, I would likely be earning no more than £30,000. The ratio of salary to values just doesn’t work. With property prices so high, and classic cars way too expensive, that will be the killer of our hobby. Apart from the availability of petrol, and no access to certain roads within 20 to 30 years. Enjoy while you can, but in the longer term, don’t expect your classic E-type to be there to fund your pension!
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#13 Re: Is the end near?
"Enjoy while you can, but in the longer term, don’t expect your classic E-type to be there to fund your pension!"
There is a lot of wisdom in this sentence. Precisely how much of the current asset price inflation our cars have experienced over recent years is due to money seeking investment opportunities will never be known. It is, however, a factor. And when this source of funds, or the investors behind such sources want their money back (including when their estates are broken up after death), there will be as much a glut of cars as there was a dearth when they began investing.
My boys love my car, but as there are two of them and only one car, it is likely that the car will be sold either when I can no longer enjoy its use, or after my death.
However, yesterday as many very small boys were drawn to my car as were their Dads/Grandads. Maybe it was the model of the car sitting in the back that did it?
There is a lot of wisdom in this sentence. Precisely how much of the current asset price inflation our cars have experienced over recent years is due to money seeking investment opportunities will never be known. It is, however, a factor. And when this source of funds, or the investors behind such sources want their money back (including when their estates are broken up after death), there will be as much a glut of cars as there was a dearth when they began investing.
My boys love my car, but as there are two of them and only one car, it is likely that the car will be sold either when I can no longer enjoy its use, or after my death.
However, yesterday as many very small boys were drawn to my car as were their Dads/Grandads. Maybe it was the model of the car sitting in the back that did it?
Chris '67 S1 2+2
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#14 Re: Is the end near?
I don't think the end is near, but barriers to entry are principally cost for me personally.
My Mini RSP (1650 of those made) was cheap (£2k) in 2009 and I've spent north of £12k to bring it up to a decent standard. Would that have bought me an E Type in 2009? I was able to afford it as a trainee teacher through carefully managed stage payments on the body restoration and the engine rebuild.
I remain hopeful of acquiring an E Type (likely to be a 2+2) unless I win the lottery sooner and I have permission to buy an E Type straightaway to keep me quiet (wife's words!). A project is my best route in at the moment, but even then some of the 'projects' I see on eBay seem rather extortionate?
Best wishes to all in this fine driving weather.
Will
My Mini RSP (1650 of those made) was cheap (£2k) in 2009 and I've spent north of £12k to bring it up to a decent standard. Would that have bought me an E Type in 2009? I was able to afford it as a trainee teacher through carefully managed stage payments on the body restoration and the engine rebuild.
I remain hopeful of acquiring an E Type (likely to be a 2+2) unless I win the lottery sooner and I have permission to buy an E Type straightaway to keep me quiet (wife's words!). A project is my best route in at the moment, but even then some of the 'projects' I see on eBay seem rather extortionate?
Best wishes to all in this fine driving weather.
Will
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#15 Re: Is the end near?
I remember speaking to a dealer at an auction when I was wondering why apparently rare vintage cars seemed to sell so cheaply. “Everyone who was interested in them is now dead”, he replied with a sigh. But will this be true for the E-Type?
I don’t think so.
First off, the design is as perfect now as it was then. But have you noticed how the car keeps on popping up in modern culture? The Paco Rabane million perfume campaign prominently features young people dancing about with a Gold Series 1 coupe and a Silver Series 2 Roadster (other fragrances are available).
And then there is Eggsy’s Opalescent Dark Green FHC which recently featured in the Kingsman movie (other films are available).
And finally we have the inescapable fact almost all modern cars are pig ugly (surely I’m not the only one?). That’s what you get when you ask a computer to do a design for you.
No, while human beings still have an ounce of spirit left in them (sorry, 28g), I am convinced we will always have the E-Type.
I don’t think so.
First off, the design is as perfect now as it was then. But have you noticed how the car keeps on popping up in modern culture? The Paco Rabane million perfume campaign prominently features young people dancing about with a Gold Series 1 coupe and a Silver Series 2 Roadster (other fragrances are available).
And then there is Eggsy’s Opalescent Dark Green FHC which recently featured in the Kingsman movie (other films are available).
And finally we have the inescapable fact almost all modern cars are pig ugly (surely I’m not the only one?). That’s what you get when you ask a computer to do a design for you.
No, while human beings still have an ounce of spirit left in them (sorry, 28g), I am convinced we will always have the E-Type.
JonM
1965 Series I FHC (RHD), BRG
1970 Series II OTS (LHD) Fast Road spec, BRG
1965 Series I FHC (RHD), BRG
1970 Series II OTS (LHD) Fast Road spec, BRG
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