[NickSS]

What is in store for the future of the BCA? How many members here are under the age of 40 OR have kids in their teens-twenties interested in cars, much less Buicks? It makes me think what is going to happen to a lot of clubs 10 years from now, such as declining active membership. I love being part of the BCA, but i'm afraid im a nearly non-existant force within the club. I'm 25 and have been building cars and buicks with my family since i was a little kid. Problem is whenever i go to a BCA or AACA meet i rarely see youthful new potential members, namely folks that will have to keep the club going sooner or later. Post up here with your thoughts and whatnot, if you have kids that come to the shows, let us know. thanks for reading.

[The Old Guy]

I have three boys and they are all interested in Buicks. They are also involved in earning a living, scouts, band, sports, and one in the service. They collectively have eight sons, and most of these boys are interested in cars and monster trucks ( I think this is a phase every boy goes through) We are taking two of the older Grand sons ( age 14) to the BDE meet in Sedona next june, and have already taken three of the Grand daughters to BCA national meets. If you get them involved young enough , they will see what fun the old cars are, and join us when they can.

[my3buicks]

My 13 year old son loves Buicks, cars and shows etc. He has been to multiple nationals and regionals. As a note he at 13 is BCA # 40,000. A gift I got him last year that I hope lasts a lifetime. He is proud to be a BCA member and is also very active in our local chapter.

[imported_Pete Phillips]

The current BCA Board is very much aware of the "aging" problem, and they have floated several ideas to try to increase the club's slowly declining membership numbers. As a Board member, I'd like to see some more ideas and some discussion of the impact of some of them. For example, some of the Board members think we should encourage more owners with modified Buicks to join the club, and be a part of the magazine articles and the shows. However, whenever a cover photo or articles on modified Buicks appear in the Bugle, the outcry is loud and painful, and even though modified cars have a lot of creativity and craftsmanship, I fear we are alienating our core membership of "purists" when then threaten to drop their membership (and some do). Those are the LAST people that we want to lose, in my opinion.

Other Board members think we should loosen the requirements for getting an award at the national meets, to the point where so many new categories of judging are created, that no one can keep track of them all and all of their different rules. The hapless car owner scarcely knows which category to enter his or her car in, anymore. Pretty soon, in my opinion, EVERYONE who brings a car to a national meet will go home with a trophy or some kind of award. I think this cheapens the awards and lessens the value of the ones received, but I seem to be in the minority on this, and am usually outvoted on these types of questions.

Then there is the moderate viewpoint on the Board that says we should just relax a few of the judging requirements. For example, these folks say that we should drop the point deduction for radial tires on pre-1967 cars; and drop the point deduction for halogen headlights or modern air-conditioning systems. The tire debate could fill this entire discussion board for months.

Another effort has been made to "jazz up" the monthly magazine, in hopes that this will attract new and younger members, but it also means that the text in the articles has less detail or is shorter than it used to be some years ago.

A "Buick and its Parts" program for kids at the national meets has been started, but attendance is not very good (6 kids at the last national meet in Texas). A "Junior Judge" program is also in the formative stages, to allow kids under age 16 or 18 to be a part of the national meet judging teams. As a team captain, I'm not so sure I would want something else to keep track of on the judging field, but I can see the value of this.

I think we just have to accept the fact that Buick owners are growing older, and our membership numbers may decline, as those who grew up when Buicks were at their greatest, continue to grow older. Yes, we should continue to make an effort to recruit younger members, but not at the expense of alienating the long-time older members. I also think that the club will NEVER completely die off, because there are always younger folks who want to own a really old car, and to experience what they were like.

Other opinions or suggestions?

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338
pphillips922@earthlink.net
1924 model 44 roadster
1924 model 42 parts car
1954 Roadmaster model 76-4
1955 Special model 46-R parts car (anyone need parts?)
1972 Centurion convertible

McPherson, KS.

[my3buicks]

I think we need to embrace the performance and modified owners with open arms. I note on the BuickV8 website that has about 7 thousand registered users that the average age is a substancially lower than the average BCA members age. Times change, we need to keep up with them. What floats one persons boat doesn't float another. We need to be an umbrella for ALL Buick owners no matter what end of the Buick spectrum they are in. After all we are the BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA not the Not the Buick Club of the Communist Nation that tells people what they are allowed to collect and enjoy. I for one will be heavily courting this other group to try to bring them into our fold - no reason they/we can't belong to both.

[Gene Brink]

This thread will certainly take off I think. A couple of points:
1) the obvious (to me) one is that if Buick starts producing exciting products again this problem will take care of itself. Most of us like Buicks because they were exciting cars when we were younger and continue to like the same vintage cars today (perhaps an effort to remain young??). Not a thing wrong with that but I must confess I find it hard to believe that many will find LeSabres or Park Avenues of the last 20 years that exciting and want to collect them in say 2015 or something (in fact not many young people have been driving these cars to build the emotional attachment to them that would seem to be a necessity even though they are not bad cars - just lacking in cachet with most young folks today). GM certainly has the technical ability to produce a product that could compete with European/Japanese performance cars that young people primarily prefer but has shown little inclination to produce them and when they do make an attempt the product is normally lacking with poor build quality, too many cheap parts from the parts bin, flash over substance, etc...
2) much of BuickV8 is comprised of performance, performance, performance. That should say something to GM shouldn't it? I'd guess as a number of these guys and gals get a bit older and have families they will be looking to purchase cars with some factory performance and while ardent Buick fans may not have much to select from. (As an aside I drove a BMW540i three weeks ago while I was in Florida and while it would not be my first choice the performance abilities of the car are wonderful. Don't think the Germans know anything we don't but... Would love to see better handling, better throttle response, etc... in our Buicks. While I'd prefer to see this in a rear wheel drive vehicle that would be some time off. Immediately I'd like to see a performance option for the LaCrosse [say the 3.5 with supercharger, tire and suspension upgrade, seats with come contours that hold you in the seat, etc...] that would be an eye opener for Buick naysayers.)

[Barney Eaton]

Without going into great detail, Pete has covered most of our discussions.

Newer cars from Buick are not that exciting. And plastic parts are not going to last forever, like metal ones. With Buick dropping the Riviera, there are few cars that seem like future collectables, I am really disappointed with the new LaCrosse, from the rear, it looks like a nice Tauras.

I have done my part to promote the Reatta as one of the few late model collectables from Buick. The Reatta was the most expensive Buick each year of its production, built in low volumes and used all unique external panels and glass, more so than the '53-'54 Skylarks. They are fully equipped, make great road cars and your wife will go places with you, in it. She will probably claim it for her own.
Plus now is the time to get a good price on a Reatta. The used car market is down and the Reatta has yet to be discovered by the rest of the world.

Now climbing down from that soap box, I step on another. Those of you that have older Buicks....don't turn up your nose when someone comes to your club meeting or show with a late model Buick, even if it is modified. First we get them interested in Buicks, then we get them thinking ...restored, original cars.
But first we must get their attention AND we must show some interest in the car they drive and make them feel WELCOME.

[Smartin]

I agree with Keith...

23 years old and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon

[Centurion]

And Adam, I'm really glad you're here and part of the BCA!

It's been great to see your enthusiasm for Buicks. Oh, and your interest in '71 Centurions is one of your great attributes.

[my3buicks]

Adam, I joined when I was 19 and I'm now 44 - so - you can follow in my footsteps