Future of Classics - Discuss
Discussion
I am 22, I've owned a couple of cars but the cars I dream of owning are still in front of me. What does the future of classic car ownership look like?
With constant restrictions induced on our motoring world with the likes of emission regulations, speeding restrictions and the threat of an all autonomous road network, whats the likelihood I will ever be able to drive these cars on the public road? I for one am scared!
I can see a possibility that in 20-30 years, when i'm in the financial position to purchase said cars, I won't be able enjoy the cars I love due to the risk i'd impose on others because 'its old, unsafe and not autonomous'.
I should say that the cars I hope to enjoy would likely be considered very obtainable to the average Joe.
With constant restrictions induced on our motoring world with the likes of emission regulations, speeding restrictions and the threat of an all autonomous road network, whats the likelihood I will ever be able to drive these cars on the public road? I for one am scared!
I can see a possibility that in 20-30 years, when i'm in the financial position to purchase said cars, I won't be able enjoy the cars I love due to the risk i'd impose on others because 'its old, unsafe and not autonomous'.
I should say that the cars I hope to enjoy would likely be considered very obtainable to the average Joe.
For your age group, yes, I would say its a bleak prospect looking forward 30 years or more.
My good friends son, who's coming up to 19 already has a classic (only a little Triumph Herald, but he loves it) for this very reason, he wants to enjoy it now while he can, as he knows he's possibly not going to be able to enjoy classic car ownership as his old man has for best part of nearly 40 years.
My good friends son, who's coming up to 19 already has a classic (only a little Triumph Herald, but he loves it) for this very reason, he wants to enjoy it now while he can, as he knows he's possibly not going to be able to enjoy classic car ownership as his old man has for best part of nearly 40 years.
Seriously, I don't think there will be a problem, indeed as car ownership declines there should be less crowded roads for enthusiasts to enjoy. Look at it this way, cars replaced horses as the means of transport 75-100 years ago but there are still people riding horses on the roads. Think of the early steam cars and London to Brighton cars, pre-1905, still legal to drive. I predict that there is no way cars as we know them will be outlawed or precluded because of autonomous vehicles. Indeed, I am looking forward to driving my classics among such things because unlike many modern day drivers, they will be programmed to steer well clear of me instead of pulling out in front of me at T-junctions and jumping into the space I try leave ahead of me to suit my braking distances.
I *imagine/hope* that we'll still be allowed to use them. The permitted mileage may well be limited. This doesn't bother me too much because mine spend so long in bits I rarely clock up more than a thousand miles in each anyway. Counter intuitively, recent legislation has relaxed things for us classic owners whose cars are actually old by removing the need for an MoT (of debatable value) and allowing us to enter the Congestion Zone without being penalised.
You've not said to what cars you aspire. When I was your age I desperately wanted an Audi Quattro – then a current model – but could only just afford a tatty TR6, so I bought that. I now own said Quattro (by fluke the actual one I used to see around town as a recent graduate) and while its a undoubtedly a great car, it doesn't bring a smile to my face anything like the way the TR still does. And I'll be honest, a well-sorted Spitfire is going to provide most of the same classic experience as the TR. Unless you're really pressing on in shoddy weather the Triumph will win hands-down in the fun stakes. So what I'm saying is don't hang around to wait for your heroes, get in while you can and start enjoying something you can have fun in now, because you don't know what's around the corner. I suppose another way to look at this is that cheap usable classics are more fun value – you're not constantly worried about how much they cost or them getting damaged.
You've not said to what cars you aspire. When I was your age I desperately wanted an Audi Quattro – then a current model – but could only just afford a tatty TR6, so I bought that. I now own said Quattro (by fluke the actual one I used to see around town as a recent graduate) and while its a undoubtedly a great car, it doesn't bring a smile to my face anything like the way the TR still does. And I'll be honest, a well-sorted Spitfire is going to provide most of the same classic experience as the TR. Unless you're really pressing on in shoddy weather the Triumph will win hands-down in the fun stakes. So what I'm saying is don't hang around to wait for your heroes, get in while you can and start enjoying something you can have fun in now, because you don't know what's around the corner. I suppose another way to look at this is that cheap usable classics are more fun value – you're not constantly worried about how much they cost or them getting damaged.
RichB said:
Seriously, I don't think there will be a problem, indeed as car ownership declines there should be less crowded roads for enthusiasts to enjoy. Look at it this way, cars replaced horses as the means of transport 75-100 years ago but there are still people riding horses on the roads. Think of the early steam cars and London to Brighton cars, pre-1905, still legal to drive. I predict that there is no way cars as we know them will be outlawed or precluded because of autonomous vehicles. Indeed, I am looking forward to driving my classics among such things because unlike many modern day drivers, they will be programmed to steer well clear of me instead of pulling out in front of me at T-junctions and jumping into the space I try leave ahead of me to suit my braking distances.
I hope you are right! The news regarding this new law stating new cars must have dynamic speed limit restrictions just puts me in a world of doubt for the future!Yertis said:
I *imagine/hope* that we'll still be allowed to use them. The permitted mileage may well be limited. This doesn't bother me too much because mine spend so long in bits I rarely clock up more than a thousand miles in each anyway. Counter intuitively, recent legislation has relaxed things for us classic owners whose cars are actually old by removing the need for an MoT (of debatable value) and allowing us to enter the Congestion Zone without being penalised.
You've not said to what cars you aspire. When I was your age I desperately wanted an Audi Quattro – then a current model – but could only just afford a tatty TR6, so I bought that. I now own said Quattro (by fluke the actual one I used to see around town as a recent graduate) and while its a undoubtedly a great car, it doesn't bring a smile to my face anything like the way the TR still does. And I'll be honest, a well-sorted Spitfire is going to provide most of the same classic experience as the TR. Unless you're really pressing on in shoddy weather the Triumph will win hands-down in the fun stakes. So what I'm saying is don't hang around to wait for your heroes, get in while you can and start enjoying something you can have fun in now, because you don't know what's around the corner. I suppose another way to look at this is that cheap usable classics are more fun value – you're not constantly worried about how much they cost or them getting damaged.
Good point. Will the motivation for such assistance be there in the future? There aren't as many classic car enthusiasts in my age group.You've not said to what cars you aspire. When I was your age I desperately wanted an Audi Quattro – then a current model – but could only just afford a tatty TR6, so I bought that. I now own said Quattro (by fluke the actual one I used to see around town as a recent graduate) and while its a undoubtedly a great car, it doesn't bring a smile to my face anything like the way the TR still does. And I'll be honest, a well-sorted Spitfire is going to provide most of the same classic experience as the TR. Unless you're really pressing on in shoddy weather the Triumph will win hands-down in the fun stakes. So what I'm saying is don't hang around to wait for your heroes, get in while you can and start enjoying something you can have fun in now, because you don't know what's around the corner. I suppose another way to look at this is that cheap usable classics are more fun value – you're not constantly worried about how much they cost or them getting damaged.
I currently daily a mk1 MX5, but aspire to own and regularly drive many classics from a Merc 280SE coupe to any air-cooled 911. Maybe an old Alfa, Datsun 240z, Jag XJS, Espirit, Lancia Fulvia. The list goes on and on and round and round in circles. Basically anything that's old, pretty and compromised in some way as to give it heaps of character.
Agree with above as soon as you can afford a classic get in now. I had two Spitfires and a Midget back in the 70s I have just bought a mint TR6 which has bought a big smile on my face just like the Spitfires did all those years ago. Classic car ownership is not going to fizzle out any time soon if at all in the next 20 years
sgtBerbatov said:
I would think that, being 22, you could be wise to set up in the business of converting classic cars to electric. If it goes the way that classics are banned because of emissions, then this will really be the only way to enjoy some/most of the classic car.
Ugh. [shudders]. I'll vacate the scene at that point. No interest in an electric classic at all.Yertis said:
sgtBerbatov said:
I would think that, being 22, you could be wise to set up in the business of converting classic cars to electric. If it goes the way that classics are banned because of emissions, then this will really be the only way to enjoy some/most of the classic car.
Ugh. [shudders]. I'll vacate the scene at that point. No interest in an electric classic at all.For all the handwringing let's not forget that the UK is pretty laid back in allowing old and /or wacky stuff on the road . There are thousands of classic cars in regular use , you can drive a 115 year old DeDion Bouton , a century old Bugatti Brescia and even an aero - engined Edwardian roadster. And all without even an MOT ....
The future for classic cars is bleak IMHO - if you want to enjoy the experience, do it now before it's too late.
With the current hysteria regarding the internal combustion engine, petrol and diesel will be in very limited supply twenty to thirty years from now. With an end in sight it's inevitable that interest in running a classic car will diminish accordingly.
In addition, legislation against older vehicles is already limiting their use and will only get worse. The various exemptions we've enjoyed recently are a pre-cursor to limiting their use in my opinion.
Electric conversions aren't a viable option, quite aside from their dubious appeal.. Those of use who run around in our classics, many of which have modest values, are hardly likely, or able, to fork out tens of thousands to convert out MGB's etc to electric power.
Do it now while you still can.
With the current hysteria regarding the internal combustion engine, petrol and diesel will be in very limited supply twenty to thirty years from now. With an end in sight it's inevitable that interest in running a classic car will diminish accordingly.
In addition, legislation against older vehicles is already limiting their use and will only get worse. The various exemptions we've enjoyed recently are a pre-cursor to limiting their use in my opinion.
Electric conversions aren't a viable option, quite aside from their dubious appeal.. Those of use who run around in our classics, many of which have modest values, are hardly likely, or able, to fork out tens of thousands to convert out MGB's etc to electric power.
Do it now while you still can.
Actually - that could have sounded impolite.
But normally during similar discussions someone (usually me) points out that horses are still in use, just now only for recreation. You can still buy food and equipment for them and you can still have them fixed when the break. Its expensive and requires commitment, but it is doable.
I am confident that old cars will be the same.
But normally during similar discussions someone (usually me) points out that horses are still in use, just now only for recreation. You can still buy food and equipment for them and you can still have them fixed when the break. Its expensive and requires commitment, but it is doable.
I am confident that old cars will be the same.
IAmTupperware said:
I am 22, I've owned a couple of cars but the cars I dream of owning are still in front of me. What does the future of classic car ownership look like?
With constant restrictions induced on our motoring world with the likes of emission regulations, speeding restrictions and the threat of an all autonomous road network, whats the likelihood I will ever be able to drive these cars on the public road? I for one am scared!
I can see a possibility that in 20-30 years, when i'm in the financial position to purchase said cars, I won't be able enjoy the cars I love due to the risk i'd impose on others because 'its old, unsafe and not autonomous'.
I should say that the cars I hope to enjoy would likely be considered very obtainable to the average Joe.
Autonomous road network With constant restrictions induced on our motoring world with the likes of emission regulations, speeding restrictions and the threat of an all autonomous road network, whats the likelihood I will ever be able to drive these cars on the public road? I for one am scared!
I can see a possibility that in 20-30 years, when i'm in the financial position to purchase said cars, I won't be able enjoy the cars I love due to the risk i'd impose on others because 'its old, unsafe and not autonomous'.
I should say that the cars I hope to enjoy would likely be considered very obtainable to the average Joe.
Not anytime soon.
And there haven’t been any restrictions that have really impacted anything. Cars will be with us for a long time yet.
sgtBerbatov said:
I would think that, being 22, you could be wise to set up in the business of converting classic cars to electric. If it goes the way that classics are banned because of emissions, then this will really be the only way to enjoy some/most of the classic car.
Classics banned 
Is that like banning coal or wood fires. Or ships that burn diesel oil and steam trains?
sgtBerbatov said:
I would think that, being 22, you could be wise to set up in the business of converting classic cars to electric. If it goes the way that classics are banned because of emissions, then this will really be the only way to enjoy some/most of the classic car.
that sounds like an awful idea to me.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff