[PPCC] Is Our Car Hobby Dying?

[halpinem at comcast.net]

Hello PPCC Crew,


I received the attached Hemmings News: Letters to the Editor article from member David McGill a couple months ago. After reading it, I set it aside, thinking it would make a nice inclusion to one of our upcoming newsletters.  


Well, it's been a long and fun summer of car shows and car events, in not only both local Corvair Clubs which I belong to, but also in the other couple clubs I join in with here in the Denver area.


After chatting it up with folks at one of the recent car shows, the conversation turned to the future of the car collecting hobby, and who would be the future caretakers of all of the fine automobiles on display at the show.  That's when I remembered the article David had passed to me, so I dug it out, to lend perspective to what we had discussed earlier in the day.


Unfortunately, a lot of what was written in the article does ring true today.  As the Club's "Membership Guy", I get a chance to chat with everyone who is in the Club, those who want to be in the Club, and also those who decide that the Club is no longer something they can be part of (health, time, different interests).  As I talk with folks, young and old, it's become pretty clear that unless some kid's grandpa/grandma or dad/mom (see how I avoided the sexisim charge there? :)  ) got them interested in an old car, through spending time in the garage, attending car shows, or shared experiences, there really is no personal connection to the old car.  It's just something that grandpa/dad had, and once they pass, it then becomes just something they need to deal with or sell. 

 

I am proud to say that within the PPCC, I do see that shared enthusiasm within our membership.  We've got folks who are outwardly excited to share info about the Corvair to anyone who will take the time to listen.  We, you and I, are the caretakers of the history of the cars we own, and unless we take the time to share that knowledge, the information will die with us, and the hobby is soon to follow.


So, enjoy the attached read, and if you would, afterwards, take a little time for introspection.  If you enjoy the Corvair/car hobby (I do), and you enjoy being part of the Club environment (I really do), then is there something you can do to be more involved, in either the hobby, or the Club?  Is there a kid in the neighborhood who has passed by your garage a couple times and said, "cool car", but your only response has been, "Thanks"?  Or, have you stopped for a couple minutes and chatted with the kid about the story behind the car?


Even when it doesn't seem like it, people are listening, so have fun, share the stories, and don't leave a single person believing that Nader had anything to do with the demise of the Corvair (#mustangv8killedthecorvair).  Educate them, and they might just be the next person that joins this fine club we call the PPCC.


Ed Halpin, PPCC
Membership Guy
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