Is the number of older or classic cars on the road increasing?

Envi XR8 · 05-12-2010, 12:15 PM

hi all,

Over the last couple of months I have noticed that there are more classic or older cars on the road. Most are in very good condition, either restored or original, and lot have young drivers; not the sterotypical old guy and the missus out for a Sunday drive.

Last week I kept track of these to see if I was just dreaming it, or if it was real. I didn't go out of my way to find older cars (such as club events etc) just driving to and from work, and on other errands etc.

Tuesday morning I saw a Drifter Val Panelvan. On the way home the same day I saw a CM Val Station wagon and later on the same trip a CM sedan.
Wednesday mornig I saw a Datto 1000, an AP5 Val, a HX/Z Tonner, and following it a WB Tonner. In the after noon A ZJ Fairlane.
Thursday morning I saw a early to Mid 70's vintage BMW (with an automoter tacho!)and a '30s vintage Euro (not a hot rod) Possibly French or British.
Yesterday I saw 2 EHs. Last week, before keeping track I spotted a HK Belmont and a Torana. There is an XB that goes past me some days on the way to work, but I have not seen that for a month or 2. There was another EH getting around about 3 weeks ago, I saw it on both days of the weekend, with 3 girls in it, cruising around.

I think these cars have been in storage while old people owned them and as the original owners are passing away and leaving them to a younger relative, they are hitting the streets again, as they are retro and cool, which is good to see. Now I am a Ford man, to the core, but I get a real thrill out of seeing these old ladies on the roads again, regardless on make.

Thought I'd see if anyone else has had the same thing happen, and what have you seen. it might be fun to have a Classics Spotted thread maybe. I would love to hear what others have seen.

cheers
Chris

tankclare · 05-12-2010, 01:17 PM

I have to agree. A lot of younger people are starting to work on and enjoy older cars. My little brother and I are into it and so are a few mates. I have a 67 XR wagon which is in the middle of a rebuild, an 84 XE with a warm 351 which is my burnout toy, and a 84 XE s-pac as my parts car. My brother (GEZZA93) is well into the rebuild of his 87 XF fairmont that is now mini tubbed, has a flat firewall, custom flat boot etc and I am in the middle of building him a supercharged 250 xflow for it. He also has gone halves with my mum and got a 74 LH torana that is halfway through a resto but has been put on the back burner thanks to 2 bent chassis rails :(

My XE was on the road but only recently I let the rego run out so I can play with it some more and make it more of a burnout car. The XR will have full rego when I am finished. One of my best mates is building up a genuine HQ premier ute with a 308 and a WB tonner. Another mate of mine is in the middle of building up a 69 VF Valiant sedan complete with a fairly warm 318, modded gearbox and diff. Hopes to have it finished in time for the kandos street machine in january.

As for old cars on the road, in my little country town alone we have a few restored HQ-HZ tonners, restoed and modded EK holden, VJ valiant ute..there are others but cant think off the top of my head. Anyway enough boring you and keep up the trend I love seeing the old girls getting the attention they deserve.

**SSD-85** · 05-12-2010, 01:22 PM

I even see older cars in not so super condition. Which is also good to see. Theres a VJ Val sedan that gets around here that looks like an average daily, no ultra shiny paint, super polished chrome, just clean and straight. And its not on LPG either

**Falcon Coupe** · 05-12-2010, 01:27 PM

I don't know about other states but my classic mostly hibernates for the winter, good weather plays a big part in what you see on the road.

74_XB_Ute · 05-12-2010, 01:30 PM

At my work theres a yank tank....not sure what it is but its matt black...super low...and alot of chrome on it. Best of all theres a pretty decent size sticker on the bumper that says "Keep Your Pimp Hand Strong". I could picture "Huggie Bear" driving around in it....pretty cool car!

TheZHLANE · 05-12-2010, 01:32 PM

thats me

**SSD-85** · 05-12-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I don't know about other states but my classic mostly hibernates for the winter, good weather plays a big part in what you see on the road.

Agreed, I dont dare take mine out in the rain. Which means unfortunately there have been next to no classics out up here in brisbane for months. And its delaying my paint work

Neale · 05-12-2010, 07:45 PM

There is a few floating around Bathurst. Alot are old guys that have probably been owned since new.

An aprentice at my work has a morris minor ute that he drives everyday. plus the others ive seen around is an old HR holden sedan. mk2 escort pannelvan. mustang.a rusty old fairlane ex-ambo thats being used as a pannel van by a tradie, usually has a trailer behind it. Old, like 50's old ftruck in unresotored condidtion. EH ute in rough condition aswell

The Yeti · 05-12-2010, 07:56 PM

took the XP out to Dino's in the rain last friday night so did some mates of mine in an EK ute and a 48 Pontiac

its rain just water, if they havent shrunk in it yet they aint gunna

I have to admit it only sees the road every once in a while but thats becasue I have a company car so it does the work dutys

the mates ponco on another hand is his daliy, infact hes a retained fire fighter so he turn key and goes any time day or night

XR2DOOR · 05-12-2010, 08:00 PM

funny that i seen a drifter van the other day ,havent seen one for many years

music189 · 05-12-2010, 09:27 PM

seen a rambler ambassador the other day and Austin 1800 Ute

Road_Warrior · 05-12-2010, 09:30 PM

MMm nah warmer weather is bringing them all out of the woodwork.

Grippy · 05-12-2010, 09:40 PM

Plenty of Mustangs getting around at the moment, decent weather on the weekends brings them out

[Tonko] · 05-12-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty85

I even see older cars in not so super condition. Which is also good to see. Theres a VJ Val sedan that gets around here that looks like an average daily, no ultra shiny paint, super polished chrome, just clean and straight. And its not on LPG either

Funny you should say that,was thinking about this today. I see a Blue Val nearly every day on the way into town. It's a charger with faded paint, stripes (i don't know vals), and a guy that looks 150 y.o driving it. Caught him one day and it has Triple webers. It's all i know...

Envi XR8 · 06-12-2010, 12:06 AM

I know that these cars come out in warmer weather and some are weekend toys. What i am surprised at is that they aren't cruising laps at the local beach. At 8.20am or 5.35PM these cars seems to be doing the daily grind. For instance the Val Wagon i saw wasn't in flash condition, but it was original.

The cars I see are not in show car condition. Just some look to have had some love recently, while some look like they have been loved since bought new.

FordFalconBF · 06-12-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [Tonko]

Funny you should say that,was thinking about this today. I see a Blue Val nearly every day on the way into town. It's a charger with faded paint, stripes (i don't know vals), and a guy that looks 150 y.o driving it. Caught him one day and it has Triple webers. It's all i know...

Stripes, tripple webers? Might be a R/T 6 Pack.. ask him if he want to sell it.. they are worth heaps in good nick now.

mickyyyy · 06-12-2010, 07:14 AM

People want the old classic tough look and rumble and car manufacturers are putting alot of emphasis on engine noise for the old school sound.

Another reason is that cops hitting us hard on knewer cars done up so way less hassle with old school.

302 XC · 06-12-2010, 08:12 AM

Older cars
Can be had for fair money,wont deppreciate,alot easier to work on
Are they really that much dearer to run than the newer stuff ???

Theres a VC valiant wagon near from here,daily driver the bloke and his wife would be near 100 year old
Theres an XP wagon running around town,see it all the time a sheila drives it
Yellow XD s pak,again in town near daily and yep very old couple

Loonar · 06-12-2010, 08:51 AM

Drive my xw f'mont min. 5 maybe 6 days a week, and sad to say the wet weather here in qld. is taking it's toll, alas, however, 'tis my only form of transport, and loving it!! Be aware whippersnappers, old guys like myself maybe aren't as old as (we!!) look, and definitly young at heart!! Do see a fair bit of variety on my daily travels, plenty of old school here in dear old Toowoomba town!!

Ben73 · 06-12-2010, 11:21 AM

Old cars are cool. I found a 1976 FORD FAIRLANE ZH 500 for sale near me That I like the look of.
I Just don't know how services, repairs and all that would go, I don't know anything about the mechanical side of cars, but perhaps I could learn.
The car is a lot older then I am, but it looks so cool.

Change of wheels and it will look great.
$13,000 and its only a few suburbs away.
Anyone know much about these cars? Apparently has 104K original Kms
Good buy?

OzJavelin · 06-12-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

MMm nah warmer weather is bringing them all out of the woodwork.

Problem is the moment, too wet and too many locusts. Usually I'm always driving my Javelins too work, but lately its always raining (they leak .. like most old cars) and cleaning locusts off them EVERY time you drive them is getting real old, real quick.
Personally I haven't noticed a lot more old cars around in regional Vic.

The Yeti · 06-12-2010, 01:58 PM

A trip to a local Pizza shop a few weeks a go

[/

All these cars see regular road action, the EK ute you see and the black Pontiac are the ones I mentioned before

If you want to come out its the 1st friday of every month at Dino's Pizza Glenmore park (just near Penrith)

All welcome

XYGTHO · 06-12-2010, 02:19 PM

Yer older cars are easier to work on and fix as a home mechanic. No pesky electronics and teh equipment that goes with trying to work them out or fault find. I bought a carby XF as my first car in 2001 and driven it everyday since. So much cheaper to fix cause you can do it yourself. The XY doesn't come out much because its my toy and I'm still playing with it to get it how I want but when finished it will be out alot more. Thought about a new falcon but woth $600 services and stuff it is very daunting. Some small parts on new cars cost an arm and leg. Think the best daily would be a 60's muzzy. So cheap for parts.

pottery beige · 06-12-2010, 05:14 PM

Potty is a daily driver, it likes rain, school runs and kids spilling maccas on the back seat...... paint dabs are long gone.. and i slurp coffee not sip tea......

Envi XR8 · 06-12-2010, 11:56 PM

First day of the new week and I spotted a GTR Torry. Not sure if it was LC or LJ, parking in a driveway, out in the rain.

I wonder how many I will see this week. Keep the stories coming. I love hearing about the old cars hitting the streets.

onfire · 07-12-2010, 12:31 AM

I know a lot of guys up here doing the same thing.

I dare say its similar to what happened to the Baby Boomer guys and saw a trend towards the sky rocketing muscle car prices. Today we're seeing all these guys in their late 20s & 30s picking up and restoring much older cars.

I know when I turned 18, less than 10 years ago, we all had 15-20+ year old cars. It was very rare to see anyone at school driving anything modern and flash, and I doubt anyone at school was blessed with a brand spanking new car on their 18th.

I know today, the things we talk about most when we do run into each other.. were those old cars. I was just having this conversation the other night about chasing down an old VC SLE V8. My first car, granted it was just a 6.

XR_Strider_GuY · 07-12-2010, 04:27 PM

Yeap its a fact that the classic and future car scene is bigger than ever. You only have to look at how Unique cars have gone very flashy with gloss covers and more colour as well as more pages to realise people are going away from late model cars to either, standout, enjoy something they always wanted from 10/15 years back and dare I say it not loose as much money. Though one pours money into maintaining them lol.

I think most of all, looking at car shapes of current the older stuff as more character.

onfire · 07-12-2010, 06:21 PM

Would defiantly consider a prestige fully optioned EL XR8. These were hero cars when I was a teenager.

Envi XR8 · 07-12-2010, 11:40 PM

Day 2 of week 2,
Going to Work
a VJ Valiant & an EH Sedan (going in opposite directions at an intersection)
A TE Corty.

Coming Home
HQ Prem

Even saw a 200B on the way home!

[Tonko] · 07-12-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordFairlaneAU

Stripes, tripple webers? Might be a R/T 6 Pack.. ask him if he want to sell it.. they are worth heaps in good nick now.

I know it sounds tuff as, when i see the guy again i'll ask him. Pretty sure he is after something smaller (As it has no PS and he's old as) so a trade might be more likely.
Smoothest running motor ever too. it's faded on the outside but mint under the bonnet.
PM me if you want me to follow up on it for ya.