Malaise Era Cars Gaining Ground

Here's a great article from Hagerty on our vehicles.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/5-affordable-classics-that-ended-2022-on-a-high/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_WeekendRoadTrip&hashed_email=a2882ddef49dbd17d42878b67130780b1a504116fbe68c30ae5d97e8803bc99d

1973–1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna Type S-3 +40 percent

That is my son that wrote that article (and many others)! A Dad has got to have his moment!

I think there may be certain parts of the country where interest in growing...just don't see it here in MN.  And, it's not like people in this state don't appreciate classic cars...we host two of the largest street rod and muscle car shows in the nation during the summer.  For whatever reason, this generation of A-bodies just doesn't generate much of an appreciation. Sure, you'll get the nods of approval and compliments along with "I had one of those back in the day" remarks...but, it stops there and nobody seems to want to acquire another one.

Iggy wrote:That is my son that wrote that article (and many others)!  A Dad has got to have his moment!

So glad your son is at Hagerty keeping us G3 folks on the radar!

Mcarlo77 wrote:I think there may be certain parts of the country where interest in growing...just don't see it here in MN.  And, it's not like people in this state don't appreciate classic cars...we host two of the largest street rod and muscle car shows in the nation during the summer.  For whatever reason, this generation of A-bodies just doesn't generate much of an appreciation.  Sure, you'll get the nods of approval and compliments along with "I had one of those back in the day" remarks...but, it stops there and nobody seems to want to acquire another one.  

I agree. I normally get the “nice car” or “my dad-uncle-neighbor had one just like that” and then they move on.

As I mentioned in a different thread, I have noted a definite increase in comments and also attempts to buy my Chevelle in the past 5 years. Actually I think the fact that it is a sedan makes it more appealing to people who don't want a racer type car. On the East Coast it is a different environment than for points west though. I have even had a few mid aged women comment about it.

Iggy wrote:That is my son that wrote that article (and many others)!  A Dad has got to have his moment!

Glad he gave you "bragging rights" as my Dad used to say..

I took my daily driver to a car show for the first time this past weekend.

To set the scene: Chemical Guys had a grand opening celebration for their new facility (they call it a 'shop' but it's huge) in Torrance, CA, premiering their first Rides & Coffee Car Show. I wanted to bring my 1968 Cadillac hearse but it was raining which continued all day, so I brought my Monte Carlo just for kicks. The show was informal; open to all makes, models, years, etc., and no judges or trophies, pretty much just show up and hang out. I estimate about 90% were tuner cars and new muscle like the modern Chargers, Camaros, Challengers, etc. There was, of course, one obligatory '65 Mustang and one obligatory '56 Chevy. Mind you, I don't dislike those cars but I see them at every car show and cruise night. I gravitate to cars you rarely or never see. For instance, at this show, someone brought a restored 1970 Honda N600; you think we have trouble finding parts for our cars? There was only one other 73-77 GM; a 1977 Monte Carlo that looked like a low-budget low-rider. There was one G4 Skylark with an LS engine swap.

I got lots of the "my uncle/neighbor's dad had one of these…" comments and one guy said he had a '73 Monte Carlo back in the day. He says he misses it now. They all agreed these were nice cars but under powered. I said how even in Kommiefornia, you can drop a powerful non-emission engine into a pre-76 car or do an LS swap if you're ambitious. The older (boomer/gen x) guys showed more interest than anyone else. One kid (probably 22 year-old) was shocked that power windows existed in the 1970's. I had to school him that power windows existed as early as the 1930's and were hydraulic, and power locks were vacuum operated. The look on his face was worth the trip.

My assessment from the reactions is most modern gearheads want easy. They want it done or mostly done. If it's carburated, they want it turnkey. If it's been upgraded with an LS engine, they're eager to reprogram the computer settings for more power. I can't says I blame them. The first thing I did to my Monte Carlo when I got her was to replace the 2-barrel carb/intake with a 4-barrel setup from a wrecking yard, and convert the factory single exhaust to dual; more power. I have refined my priorities and goals as the decades and miles have rolled by and I think today's young firebrands will too as they mature.