Classic Cars = Successful Retirement

[HealeyRick]

"The classic car is a symbol of whether you’ve made it in your life, that long-term goal.’ | Brian Honigman, marketing consultant, writer and speaker"

"Be it the 1958 Austin-Healey in the U.S. Trust ad or the 1930 Duesenberg in the older one, the cars “are status symbols in both instances,” Honigman said. “The classic car is a symbol of whether you’ve made it in your life, that long-term goal.” Honigman added that the manner of the sell is more of a club over the head in the 1959 ad—using a car meet as a public forum for the flashy display of wealth—versus the subtler approach of the 2014 ad. Either way, however, the manner of selling a yawn-inducing retirement trust is the same.

“Retirement should be its own reward—you don’t have to work anymore,” Honigman observed. “But if there’s a specific thing [to show] like a car, that’s more interesting.”

The presence of his kid is pivotal in softening the sell from the older ad’s message of conspicuous consumption to one of family and security. The classic cars, said Honigman, represent the wealth this man is leaving to his son.

The real point of this ad isn’t to show the classic cars in this man’s garage but sell what those cars represent— which rests in this word. “The bank is setting up a trajectory for you to live up to—an outstanding life and a legacy for your kids,” Honigman said.

While the ad doesn’t tell you that this is a ‘58 Austin-Healey (book value: $70,500 or so), it doesn’t really need to. The car looks expensive, and that’s enough to make the point.

More here: https://www.adweek.com/news/advertisi...t-funds-159800

 

[LarryK]

Corvette behind him is a close bid for same money!

 

[SaxMan]

Somebody please tell my mortgage company that I've made it! :chuncky:

 

[PAUL161]

I would say successful retirement is when you own everything free and clear! No mortgages, no car payments, owing no one for anything and enjoying life to it's fullest! I guess it's different strokes for different folks on what they consider being a success. To me is sure isn't owning a car! PJ

 

[HealeyRick]

I would say successful retirement is when you own everything free and clear! No mortgages, no car payments, owing no one for anything and enjoying life to it's fullest! I guess it's different strokes for different folks on what they consider being a success. To me is sure isn't owning a car! PJ

This is what I wrote in the Healey forum:

"I think the ad says, "Son, I don't have any money left to leave you since I bought this Healey and Corvette with a huge line of credit home equity loan, I've beggared myself paying your older sister's college tuition, and the alimony payments from the divorce from your mother because I spent too much time in the garage have sucked me dry. Good luck, buddy!"

 

[SaxMan]

"Son, wait until you see the next thing I spend your inheritance on"

 

[LarryK]

Success might not be owning a regular car but what about a special car that really takes the retirement money to the fullest. Sure we have the houses, garages, cars, IRAs, bank accounts, travels, but what about that special car the hits the sweet spot?

 

[HealeyRick]

And I'd add the success part isn't the monetary "value" of the car, but owning something you've always wanted, the feeling of satisfaction in restoring it, the fun you've had driving it on new adventures and places to go and the pleasure of the company of like-minded enthusiasts.

 

[PAUL161]

Well I have to admit, This TF money pit I'm restoring is a test of ones sanity at times! :crazy:. And, I always thought that boats, being a hole in the water to throw money in, was where it ended, but that's not the case. Only thing missing here is the hole in the water! Hope it runs when it's done! PJ

 

[Keoke]

Corvette behind him is a close bid for same money!

Well I am not sure the 1953 Corvette that sold at Indy's auction went for $240,000.00