10-15 year olds in AACA showing vehicles

[Jay Wolf]

Something I would like to see AACA address is:

At a lot of the AACA National meeting and events I am the youngest one there and I am almost 50. I was in judging school in Hershey PA and I looked around and but everyone but about 3 of us were retired, I would guess the average age was over 75. What is going to happen to AACA in 20 years?

I know AACA is doing a lot with their youth programs. My daughter really enjoyed the one 2 years ago at Cedar Rapids and only attended because of the personal invitation given to her at the Friday night dinner by and enthusiastic AACA member.

http://beaver.vinu.edu/aaca-cedar/IMG_3765.JPG

One suggestion I would like to make:

Let younger kids show vehicles as long as they are accompanied by their parents or and adult. I understand insurance reason they would not be allowed to bring the vehicle on or off the show field.

At least in our Region, a small region of about 25 members, 2 of us have children who want to show a vehicle but they can?t because you have to be 16 years old. Unfortunately by the age of 16 a lot of children no longer want to hang out with their parents the way a 10-15 year old does. We enter vehicles in our names and let the kids do the work and get the trophies. But they would get a real kick out of hearing their name read instead of their mom or dad?s name.

Last year at the Metropolis for example I had a 1970 Rokon I let my Daughter show, she spent hours cleaning it and it won a Senior.

I although the call my name I let her get the award.

http://beaver.vinu.edu/07-26-2003%20AACA-%20Metropolis/sm/PICT1963.html

Jerry Smith entered a Honda 70 that belongs to his son and it also won its Senior.

He let his son pick up the award.

http://beaver.vinu.edu/07-26-2003%20AACA-%20Metropolis/sm/PICT1964.html

Same a Cedar Rapids 2 years ago:

http://beaver.vinu.edu/aaca-cedar/IMG_3803.JPG

I just think it would be nice to let these kids hear their own name announced.

Both my Daughter and Jerry?s son help in the restoration of these vehicles

http://beaver.vinu.edu/07-26-2003%20AACA-%20Metropolis/sm/PICT1923.html

http://beaver.vinu.edu/07-26-2003%20AACA-%20Metropolis/sm/PICT1933.html

And really worked hard cleaning a polishing them up for the show.

I think the pride of winning would go a long way toward getting them and other kids hooked for life in the AACA hobby.

Maybe if could just add their names on with ours it would help. "Shown by, Shown with assistance from, Presented by"

She enjoys showing the trophy to her friends; it would be great to have her name on it.

If you doubt what I am saying about 16 year olds look at this picture taken at Cedar Rapids 2 years ago. Setting from left to right are my 12 year old, my wife and my 16 year old who wishes she was somewhere else.

http://beaver.vinu.edu/aaca-cedar/IMG_3719.JPG

A picture tells a 1000 words or Pictures don't lie.

[Guest]

Jay, You have some interesting and appropriate thoughts. This is why AACA has a Youth Committee in our AACA. We are always welcoming new suggestions and we try to determine programs and methods that will encourage and keep the interest high among our young people.It sounds as if you have your own children involved and your concerns are valid; especially for the older teenagers. This year in Philadelphia, Doug Drake will be introducing a new program called C.H.I.P.S. that we are hopeful will encourage our young people to participate more actively in the hobby and provide some interesting learning experiences with planned involvement as well. I wrote you a private message asking for your assistance at a regional level with this program and at this time I would like to extend that invitation to any of you who read this forum to become involved with us. This program will work most effectively with YOU at your regional level being a coordinator who assists with your own young people and then will forward the information back to Doug Drake. The awards are worthwhile and this program is explained on the other thread about youth. To all of you, please consider being a coordinator. It will take a minimum of time and effort but your own personal reward will be great as you see the hobby perpetuate within your own region. With success, the average age of AACA participates could become younger. For any of you who will consider being a coordinator for your region or can suggest someone who would do this; please e-mail me on my own address:shoreinmedia@aol.com Thank you, Fran Shore

[R W Burgess]

Might I mention something else here Fran? Many, or should I say, a lot of our Regions have yet to put up their Region's Web Site. I've decided to let my 14 year old son begin the task of setting up the Northern Neck Region's web site after our trip to Philly. Who else in our family is more qualified than a school kid? They grew up with these things. PeterG will help anyone get started in their project, just e-mail him. Of course as your child goes to the site to work on his "project", he might get interested in the other activities available on the AACA site for the kids. Have you noticed how a kid can do 3 or 4 different things at one time on the computer? My college graduate can "instant message" 4 of her friends at one time while performing web site classwork. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> So the AACA web site is "peanuts" to them, Sorry PeterG. This keeps the kids involved in the AACA, plus it's gets someone else besides you, stuck() with the job. Think about it! While you're at it, check out the other Region Sites already setup, they're impressive! Wayne

[Guest]

Here is some news for those of you who enjoy the forum. Have you looked at the Library website? Right now there is a great book review by Ernie Screen of an interesting book about the old Burma Shave signs that were along the roadside. After you read the book reviews for adults, take a look at the kids book and see the photo of the beautiful ORIGINAL 1894 Duryea that was at the Tallahassee Meet this past November.

This is also a good opportunity to remind you that the Library has great trucks, garment bags , signs and the 2004 collector pins for sale. Either contact Kim Miller at the Library or see her at the Library table in the Trade Show room at Philadelphia. These items are too good not to have. And now a final push for the $5000 value trip that will be awarded in Philadelphia on Saturday, the 14th of February in the afternoon. Tickets are only $5.00 each and what a deal. You have a great chance to win a trip of YOUR choice for time and place and type as well as supporting our marvelous Library and Museum. Raffle tickets benefit both the AACA Library and Research Center and the AACA Museum.

OK folks, lets hear from you now. As they say on Public Television: "Let's get Kim Miller's Library phone ringing off the hook."

www.aaca.org/library

[Matt Harwood]

This is a subject on which I have spent a lot of time thinking. I'm 34 and by far the youngest person at every single show I attend, and I'm a generation younger than every single person in my local Buick club, and 2-3 generations younger than some. Hell, the president of our local club was also the president when my dad got into the hobby in 1974--and my father recalls having the same feelings I do now! So I grow concerned about the direction my hobby is going.

I would also argue that if a kid is going to be into cars, it is the parents who get them started. Now, my first word as a child was "car!" but the fever really exploded in my when in 1974, my father purchased a 1934 Ford Deluxe 4-door sedan. From there his collection blossomed to about 12 cars, and they became the focal point of all our father-son activities. I didn't play sports or go hunting or fishing or camping with my father--I went to car shows, fixed broken parts and waxed paint. And those were very good times in my memory. They made me who I am today.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't understand kids--they're as alien to me as I probably am to the older guys in my club. I'm not that much older, but already there is a generation gap. I don't understand loud stereos, expensive body kits, neon lights and TVs in a mechanically stock Saturn with an automatic. Their focus has evolved, but it pushes them one step further away from the old cars. A lot of this might have to do with the ubiquity of FWD Japanese cars in their lives today--and, well, you can see where I'm going with this.

It is up to the people with the old cars to make sure the younger folks know about them. Most don't know what my '41 Century looks like or care much about it. They ask what I'm going to "do to it." When I tell them I'm going to put dual carbs on it, a high-compression overhead valve head on it, 3.90 gears out back and three-on-the-tree, they say, "Wow, cool!" Then I tell them that all this is original equipment and I'm restoring the car to concours condition. Then they start to understand that it doesn't have to be loud or lowered to have cool features and engineering. When I'm out working on my car in the garage, I invite anyone in the neighborhood to stop by and talk. Kids stop by just to see what's going on and to look at the car. They call me the "Smart Guy" because I seem to know how to do this stuff (how little they know!).

So expose your hobby to young people. Take your antique or classic to a cruise night. You'll probably be in the vast minority, but you'll attract attention, and that's what matters. This hobby is no more expensive to get into than modifying a Honda, perhaps less so. Let them know that they don't have to be a part of the "me too" crowd and that you can have just as much fun cruising at 35 MPH in a car with 5-inch-wide bias-ply tires as you can bouncing along in a lowered Toyota with enough bass to make your ears bleed.

I also wrote an editorial on this subject called "Where have all the great cars gone?" I think you might enjoy it.

Sorry to be so long-winded.

[Jay Wolf]

I would be glad to be the Region Coordinator. Please don?t look at my suggestions as critical to the current youth program; I just think we need to look in to ways of improvement.

I volunteer with the Universitie?s Auto Club; I found I have a lot to learn about current 18 year old car enthusiast.

Case in point we had a 1971 Mustang Mach I donated to the club.

The instructors and I were all exited that the club could rebuild, repaint and raffle it off as a fund raiser.

The students looked at the car and said ?Why?

After all the work you would still have an old Mustang.?

The one said, I? know where there is a 1985 Prelude we could get and really have something after we fixed it up?.

Needless to say the instructors and I sat with our mouths wide open.

We aren?t in trendy Southern California we are in the farming heartlands of Indiana, Four- wheel drive pick-up country.

Yes! I was one of those who thought no antique cars have been made after 1915,

Classic cars are recognized by CCCA and AACA should put a cut off year for eligible cars and stop the 25 year old sliding scale.

Although I still can refer to my 55 Bird as an antique or consider a 78 Pacer as a Classic, I see the need for different interests in AACA especially to get some youth in the club.

I think it is time some of us Old AACA Lifers started looking in to what is needed to be done to keep the club alive, going and ready to go in the future.

To survive AACA can?t be ?Our Father Oldsmobile?.

One of my real concerns is the really old cars, the real antique are not attracting any interest from the youth of today. Next Brass/High wheel tour you see look at the average age of the participants. I know the cost of these cars has a lot to do with it but, I just don?t see the interest.

In our Technology building we have a large atrium we have 2 planes hinging and usually have 2 cars on display that are rotated about every 30 days usually a race car and a street, classic, custom of some sort. It is very interested to just sit on a side bench a listen to the comments of the students as they look at the cars.

Currently we have at 1972 MB 600 LWB that was the personal car of Red Skelton.

http://beaver.vinu.edu/11-08-2003/Reds-limo/index.html

I am amaze at how many students have no idea who RED is or was. We are located in Vincennes IN. Red Skelton?s birth place; the University is building a Red Skelton Performing Arts Center and raising funds for a Red?s Museum, but they don?t; know who he is.

I would bet over 50% that see my 1955 Thunderbird, make comments like

?I never really cared for the old Corvettes?, Dismissing it without ever even knowing it is a Ford and not a Corvette.

I know I am on my Soapbox, but my point is something has to happen.

We need to inform the youth and get them interested in what we are interested in, or make some changes in acceptance and bring there interests in to the club.

[Guest]

Jay and Matt, Way to go! This is what we need. Not just talking about the problem; but actually doing something on a one to one or a group basis. Jay is well on his way to approaching the older kids and trying to get their interest. Matt, you are correct. Your own garage in your own neighborhood is a great place to start. And isn't great to be "the smart one" in the neighborhood?

Now Jay has stepped up and volunteered to help with this new program. Let's hear from the rest of you out there. If not you, get someone in your region for us. It is an easy task and yet will be so fulfilling.It is being both a mentor and a "big brother/sister" concept and you will have fun at the same time.

Jay reminded me that some regions do pay for the Junior and student memberships for the youth in their region. The Junior membership is only $10.00 and they receive a great newsletter several times a year. This is for kids up to 15. From then on through college, they may become Student members and that is a great deal. For $12.00 a year they receive a full AACA membership. They get the magazine (IN THEIR OWN NAME), voting rights and all that goes with being a full member. All they need to do is send a regular membership application with their check and a copy of their student photo ID.

If you have not looked at the "JUNIOR WEBSITE" or the Library website's book reviews, do it soon. It is great for all ages and it may inspire you to become involved.

[R W Burgess]

Matt, I like your ideas. Your editorial was very good too. Gotta show those young whippersnappers there's more to having fun than high decibels sound systems and trash can exhausts. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Wayne