How many "old cars"?

[Guest]

Anyone have an idea how many "collector" cars ther are out there?

[Antique, classic, collector, etc, lets say 1979 or earlier for conversation purposes]

And/or how namy folks are involved as old owners/entusiasts?

Or where I might get a clue about the numbers?

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Hi, Ken...

That's a tall order...

My thoughts are it is going to take a lot of research, at best.

--Registration by State (provided they would give out such info, or, I do not know if every state has registration for Antique/Collector.)

--Every Car Club's member roster on earth

--Antique/Classic car insurance companies (probably wouldn't give this info out. Plus, you have many cars, of which, the owners drop insurance during Winter storage, or, drop insurance for a long time until they decide to use a particular vehicle in their collection.)

--Many folks have old cars simply registered like modern iron so no way of telling unless a state gives out such details.

--Many people do not belong to any clubs, so, how one would find them, I have no idea.

--Many people do not want to publicize that they even own an old car to ward off thieves.

--Look at Wayne Burgess. He thinks his '32 is still in his trailer, stored for the Winter. I just had it out yesterday to keep it in running order for the Winter. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could go on...just have no idea on how your questions could be answered. If it could be answered within reason, I would highly doubt the accuracy of the numbers.

Regards, Peter J.

[Guest]

Peter J.;

Yeah, that's about what I figured. But I thought I'd ask anyhow.

[R W Burgess]

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> A Dave@Moon sweating grimlin would be nice right now, after I just ran outdoors to check my trailer. And, Pedro, If I catch pneumonia because I was barefoot, you'll be getting a bill next week. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[stexch]

First we need to define what we're going to count. Are you only counting vehicles that are in running condition? The gamut of condition stretches from a stripped frame in a pasture to a show car(many of us have one or more parts cars that are just for salvage). The next problem is that many of the very early "horseless carraiges" are not registered with the state, since they are either never driven or only in parades.

[Guest]

What are we counting?

Well, I guess I'm surprized that there wasn't some kind of generally accepted numbers floating around out there.

But I guess the numbers might be hard to come by, see Peter Js list above.

The question just popped into my head last night and so I posted it.

I guess I was thinking more about the number of cars that have some level of road/display worthiness, or some likelyhood of attaining that status.

As far as the people count goes, that gets harder.

The MSRA show here at the MN State Fairgrounds draws about 10,000 pre-65 cars each year and (if I recall right) over 100,000 spectators in three days.

I seem to recall a AACA membership count of 60,000 or so, but again, my memory ya know...

I guess I would have thought that there would be a lobbying branch of the AACA that might have published such a number, even if it was a sort of "ballpark" figure, maybe not, maybe the number is just too hard to establish.

[48LCCOUPE]

o.k., I'll start this off.

............................ 4 .......................

[Guest]

Dear 48LCoupe.

Thanks for the input

[ummmm.... is that cars or people?]

Oh yeah maybe I should show my numbers too. 1 + 1 + 1

[ 1 on the road, 1 box of parts, 1 people ]

Ok, doing it this way could take awhile

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Oh, yeah, Wayne?? We'll see about that. As soon as my lawyer gets out of jail, he ain't going to be happy about this forthcoming medical bill from you. (He got 8-10 for just being my lawyer.) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Anyone have an idea how many "collector" cars ther are out there? </div></div>

I got a guy right now working on blue 1983 Z28's. When he's done with them I'll have him get to your question.

....6278, 6279, 6280, 6281, 6282...... ......6283, 6284, 6285....

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A Dave@Moon sweating grimlin would be nice right now, after I just ran outdoors to check my trailer. And, Pedro, If I catch pneumonia because I was barefoot, you'll be getting a bill next week. Wayne </div></div>

Couldn't find a "sweaty" graemlin anywhere. Best I could do was "suave".

Sorry!

[RoadsterRich]

We have 4 cars, 2 people... 2 dogs... 2 kids... 1 grand kid... and enough parts to make quite a few interesting franken-vehicles if they were assembled together, as they are different marquees.

Rich

[Guest]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The next problem is that many of the very early "horseless carraiges" are not registered with the state, since they are either never driven or only in parades. </div></div>

Thanks Stexch.

That's an interesting point and one I hadn't thought of.

[Guest Indiana_Truck]

Put me down for another old car. I just saved another 68 Mustang today from a garage where it has sat for 5 or 6 years all striped to bare metal and most parts removed. The guy I got it from bought it that way so now its my turn to "store" it for a few weeks (read years) until such time as I get it done or get tired of walking around it in my shop. This makes Mustang #4 but 1 was done 20 years back but needs painted again.

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Sort of an "Intermission" folks...Do yourself a favor and check out Bob's (Indiana Truck Website above). Very interesting site and his interests...

Regards, Peter J.

[48LCCOUPE]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We have 4 cars, 2 people... 2 dogs... 2 kids... 1 grand kid...

Rich </div></div>

O.K., I'm a little confused here Rich. you list 2 people then refer to 2 kids and 1 grand kid....... they not people? this have something to do with Alf? Cat? The afore mentioned Franstein references? someone may be calling to look into this situation

[Amphicar BUYER]

I can toss out some numbers.

The Amphicar club believes that about 2500+- exist in all conditions and about 600 Sea worthy cars exist of the original 3800 built. I have 2 floaters and 2 sinkers myself and a customer's car (highest S/N car known and soon to be swiming again soon) in the garage.

[RoadsterRich]

Dear Dave... You must not have kids or grand-kids... if you did, you'd know they are not human... particulary during the teen and early 20's years

and the GrandKid has way too much energy to be human...

Of course the real reason for that faux pas was the back medicaction, but hey...

Rich

[Restorer32]

There are exactly 14,283,987 collector cars in the US including 512 of the original 487 Duesenbergs built and 1132 of the original 741 early 30's open Packards. Oh...I forgot the '52 Chevy pickup torpedoed off Cuba by the Coast Guard. Was that in US waters? If so the correct number would be 14,283,988.

[Restorer32]

And you can quote me, I'm sure my number is correct as of 12/01/03.

[1937hd45]

Do you want to add all the race cars built since 1898 that could show up in AACA Class 24A&B ?

[6219_Rules]

Only if it includes Cat-illacs <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

That is an amazing number....I wonder how that would compare to the number of automobiles on US roads in, say, 1938?

Oh...you were being funny. Ha ha ha....you were SO funny I forgot to laugh. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[6219_Rules]

If you could poll DMVs for the 50 states, plus our protectorates etc.. then you might get an accurate count of all registered vehicles. That will leave unregistered projects out...you could then poll the clubs or use an internet voluntary questionaire to pull in some of those (+ or -).

Oh pooh....I didn't read Peter's reply. I really am behind on this one!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Hmmmmm I have to admit...I would be interested to know this information. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Good thread idea, Ken_B!!

[Guest]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Restorer32:</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> There are exactly 14,283,987 collector cars in the US including 512 of the original 487 Duesenbergs built and 1132 of the original 741 early 30's open Packards. </div></div>

Apparently you made a typo here. These appear to be the numbers for Montana by itself, and then only those cars available for sale. Surely there must be an equal number not for sale. I say this because I searched ebay and this seems to be the number of cars for sale there in the last six months.

ps: Are you sure this number includes the elusive Packenbergs, or is that Packerbergs, or are those two seperate makes.. (I can never remember)?

<span style="font-weight: bold">Randall:</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Good thread idea, Ken_B!! </div></div>

Thanks.

[ex98thdrill]

Peter,

Why are you trying to get Wayne going by saying that you've been out cruising with the '32?? Now Wayne and I both now that you're allergic to that american iron with 8 cylinders But if you have a relapse, a 327 sure would look nice in a certain red two seater don't you think Wayne??

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Hi, Pat...nice to hear from you.

Of course, a nice blower would really add a touch to the 327. Diz could offer professional help.

I'll do it if you and Wayne would kindly help pick up the rear end pieces from the roadway. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[ex98thdrill]

I don't know. I'm not sure how I would do with that metric stuff.

[R W Burgess]

Don't think there would be many pieces, Pedro. A small block would probably turn your gears into iron dust. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Maybe a good place to start would be to ask the AACA how many cars they can account for. They do keep a member list don't they???? Then the CCCA could chime in also. That would give us at least a minimum starting count even if there are duplications between the 2wo clubs.

[ex98thdrill]

Right now we have three vehicles that aren't old enough to be AACA eligible, yet will one day be worked on. All three of the vehicles are in storage and aren't daily drivers (two '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickups, and an '87 Mustang GT). From an AACA standpoint, they're not listed, but we still have them. In the case of Wayne, he has the '32 street rod, and that may not be listed either.