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End of an era

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Boink said:
Often thought this. Can you imagine going into a collector car supply shop in need of some sort of ignition module for a 1992 Ford Taurus (presuming they'll be collectible) in 2040? Me neither (on both accounts). LOL
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Shoot, today I went to an auto parts store (Like autozone) and couldn't find a return spring for the emergency brake!

That said, don't forget we are the dinosaurs here - and these mechanics aren't quitting because they have too much business and the part stores aren't out of stock because too many SU carbs have been bought. :grin: . There aren't many singer sewing machine repair shops nor blacksmiths these days either. But, the good news is that the interwebnet is literally transforming our hobby before our eyes. (Yes I know that you need to be present for bodywork but, even there, in Britain owners regularly ship their cars to Poland to be restored - I can easily imagine shipping a car (or chrome) to China or Thailand for restoration or refurbishment.

That said there are still many cars out there and the hobby is still expanding and for the most part the people who own them have the money to maintain them.

I was also greatly encouraged by the number of younger attendees (and owners) at the recent British Car Day. So, I suspect we will have our cars and a means to drive and repair them for the foreseeable future.
 
"There aren't many singer sewing machine repair shops nor blacksmiths these days either."

Funny thing is part of me has been thinking about setting up a forge in my backyard the last couple of months and learning to be a blacksmith.
 
Boink said:
Often thought this. Can you imagine going into a collector car supply shop in need of some sort of ignition module for a 1992 Ford Taurus (presuming they'll be collectible) in 2040? Me neither (on both accounts). LOL
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I don't recall the specific dates. But I recall reading about a guy who had a top-of-the-line Lincoln Town Car from around 2000ish and couldn't get an engine fan control module after just a few years (like seven or less).

It seems the parts system had gotten into a death spiral where it wouldn't order new parts because they weren't selling any. They weren't selling any because they had sold all that there were to sell and couldn't sell any more because they weren't ordering any more from the supplier. Then they dropped the part entirely from the re-order system and had the supplier obsolete it. All of which meant that anybody with an otherwise perfectly functional car were screwed because the one measly cheap part was necessary for the engine to keep running.

Of course, that was just a driver. Few people are all that crazy about driving them, let alone collecting them.

If recent electronics-intensive cars do become collectable, somebody will likely start making aftermarket replacements, retrofits or resto-mod parts.
 
pdplot said:
I had to junk an IBM Selectric typewriter because I couldn't find anyone to fix it. And I sure couldn't...
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I have a Sears Graduate that I'd like to get operating again. I think it just needs a good cleaning (and a new ribbon).

Where to get it done - that's another problem.
 
Basil said:
I have a Sears Graduate that I'd like to get operating again. I think it just needs a good cleaning (and a new ribbon).

Where to get it done - that's another problem.
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Therein lies the rub. Though let me say I recently got an old sewing machine working again just by pulling off the case and liberal applications of compressed air and spray lube - I got it for free and figured there was nothing to loose. I actually think it runs quieter now than new.

I have seen a couple of car guys lamenting the electronics of 80's cars and on one forum I frequent one guy is restoring (in the USA) a Renault GTA - it is magic the way he has managed to hack the "computer" and, I think we will see more of this. I am also aware of guys that are just swapping out early Mercedes computers for Megasquirts.

We, in the British Car world are pretty spoiled, I have no where near the parts and support for the Vauxhall and it seems like even less for the MUltipla. And, it wasn't always so for LBCs. - I have a friend who scrapped his MGB in the 80's because he couldn't get a relatively common part - AND the good thing about this hobby is people are ingenious, and, things like the interweb and 3D printing will make it easier - (just had a though google "Clean typewriter" or "clean Sears Graduate" and see what Youtube brings you.
 
I replaced the IBM with my Royal portable from my college days in the '50s. Got a new ribbon from Amazon (in one day!) and I'm good to go. Old car, old typewriter, old guy...
 
pdplot said:
I replaced the IBM with my Royal portable from my college days in the '50s. Got a new ribbon from Amazon (in one day!) and I'm good to go. Old car, old typewriter, old guy...
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And a lot easier to use for printing addresses on envelopes!

TM
 
We definitely do have it very well when it comes to parts support. I'm definitely getting some serious sticker shock getting parts for the '53 Plymouth. On average, they are twice as expensive, if not more, than comparable items from our usual suppliers for my '69 Sprite.
 
It occurs to me that if spare parts become an issue, how about fuel when there isn't a pump on nearly as many street corners? We may have to drive some distance to fill up.
 
Interesting thoughts to ponder. 3D printer might prove to be a lifesaver. As to fuel as long as there is AvGas we might just survive.
 
Use to supplement my Rover 2000 fuel with spare AvGas.

Was in charge of the fuel for the tow plane at a gliding club in England. Would drain the last few pints of AvGas from the 55 gallon drums when the hand pump stopped pulling. I would collect it in a can till I had a few gallons then dump it in my car. It could not be used in an aircraft as it had not gone through the filter.
The drums had to be returned empty and open if memory serves me correctly.

David
 
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