Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Car

GregW · Nov 10, 2007

AngliaGT said:
I think that he mean 40 years old before 11/10/07.
Am I correct?Just want to clarify this.

- Doug

You are sir, but I don't feel like I'm 41. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif 'sides, I thought my #9 was pertinent for the future of our cars. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

Steve_S · Nov 10, 2007

1. How old are you?
35

2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
1949 MG TC
1953 MG YB Saloon
1958 MGA Roadster
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT
1969 MGC GTS

3. How many have you owned?
7

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
When I was five.

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Father had an MGB (which I now own)

5. Why an English Sports car?
See above.

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
Yes, but I was 17, broke, and the MGB was free.

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
No, but I have a general love for historical things.

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
Mixed opinions. Most younger people don't care about them at all. Most older people used to have one. Some still do.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
When you figure that out, let me know!

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
I drove them before I had a career and I'll be driving them after.

70herald · Nov 11, 2007

Re: Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Ca

1. How old are you? 39, I still just slip in this discussion!

2. What English sports car(s) do you own? One Triumph Herald, not really a sports car but still an LBC

3. How many have you owned? Just one

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Dad had a bunch of Beetles over the years (has a daily driver '70 currently) That is as close as my family came to being "car" people 

5. Why an English Sports car? I have always liked "mini cars"

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? Almost bought a Peugeot 304 convertible. I needed something vaguely practical, and the choice of cars available here was somewhat limited, taxes reasons make importing a car out of my budget 

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) Not really a hobby but I constantly look for antique furniture, and the "nice" furniture is all old 

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? Amusing toy, one good friend under 40 with ~8 antique motorcycles (Jawa / BSA / Matchless and some others) He thinks this is a quite reasonable hobby

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? I'm trying my best! My kids love grandpa's beetle, are interested in the Herald, and will probably be more interested when it is drivable again.

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Given the traffic problems around my house it is questionable if I will be DRIVING in 25+ years.

As for "why old cars" in general, they used to have "personality" Different makes of cars were different, even into the '70s there were real differences between vehicles compare driving the Herald to a Beetle, they just feel very different. Modern cars all seem to come out of a cookie cutter.

vping · Nov 11, 2007

1. How old are you? Just turned 40
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
1952 MG TD
1967 MGB GT
1973 Jaguar XJ6
1974 MGB
3. How many have you owned? color: 9
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)Mom had the 1973 XJ6 growing up.
5. Why an English Sports car? I've always loved small cars. Kinda like advanced Matchbox or hot wheels
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? Not really.
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)Old houses and pretty much anything old.
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?My friends think I am insane.
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? I was just elected to my clubs Board of directors so I hope to reel in as many of the younger generation as I can.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Absofreakinglutely!

John Moore · Nov 11, 2007

Vince, Banjo! I didn't know you were youngins like me! Yeah, same here usually I'm the youngest at club meetings and stuff too. Tho' I have met a few guys my age its the exception not the rule.

1. How old are you? I'm 39, I got back into this hobby full force about 5 years ago when I got my current MGB
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? 1970 MGB, 1961 Bugeye and tho' it's not a classic yet.... a 99 Land Rover 
3. How many have you owned? 5-6
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? They were always in my family. My dad had an early 70's Midget, I had a '78 midget in Highschool and college. Later after I got married, I really got into land rovers and owned a 88 Range Rover Classic and got infected again 
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) yep 
5. Why an English Sports car? I love that smell of leather and oil! 
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? Other than Rovers, I've owned a '62 Beetle and a '73 Superbeetle convertable
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) No, not unless you count music or maybe beer making!
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? They seem to like it, but my wife thinks I'm obsessed and doesn't approve 
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? I'm sure it will deminish but there are so many out there, I'm sure they will have a following
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Well I don't have any plans to sell! 

Here are some old photos of MGs... The first is me and my Dad's when I was 4 or 5. The second is a photo of me in 12th grade taking my little bro to school, the third is a college of me and my midget including a shot of me in my tux about to go to the prom. And of course my 88 Range Rover up in Novia Scotia on the Cabot Trail. Enjoy!

judow · Nov 11, 2007

Not joking about my yummy vehicle. She is a factory certified 100-M and the second off the line at Longbridge. So far there is no record of the first so it is quite probable that she is the oldest surving M. Her name is Agatha A Healey.

I know enough bragging.

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

swift6 · Nov 12, 2007

1. How old are you? 36

2. What English sports car(s) do you own? Triumph TR6 & TR8

3. How many have you owned? 3

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? 11 (Hey I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming!)

5. Why an English Sports car? Saw a TR6 while visiting Cheyenne when I was 11. Love at first sight sort of thing.

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? I have also owned Japanese and American classics.

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) Collect old cameras, records (LP's), memoribilia etc...

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? Two sets of friends, those I grew up with (They think I'm nuts) and car club people (the otherwise afflicted). 

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? If they are encouraged to modify the cars and make them their own then they might. There will probably be a few that are into original stuff but the others probably won't be to begin with but may eventually become so. 

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Absolutely, they are about driving not collecting dust.

jlaird · Nov 12, 2007

Can I answer this from the other end of the line.

1. How old are you? 69

2. What English sports car(s) do you own? Miss Agatha

3. How many have you owned? 3 all Bugeyes

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? Was about 17 and it was a TD

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) Noop.

5. Why an English Sports car? Tis the only kind, I think.

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? Noop, well a Ferrai one time but I missed it.

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) Yep, collect Briliant Period American Cut Glass.

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? Regular friends no not what to say. Car friends are different and anything neat is good.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? Hope so, they are the last of the real sports car.

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Ha, guess who is retired.

Adam58 · Nov 12, 2007

Re: Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Ca

1. How old are you? 49 (old [passed gas] in training)

2. What English sports car(s) do you own? '74 B, '71BGT (wrecked) & '53 YB Saloon

3. How many have you owned? Only the 3. I just started about 4 years ago. 25 years before that, it was VWs.

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? I was in love with the first TC I saw when my dad took me to a car show. I must have been in my early teens.

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) No

5. Why an English Sports car? Why NOT an English Sports car? Really, the cars are neat and easy to get parts for and work on. Also, the people associated with them have been great to hang with!

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? I drool over practically everything automotive that isn't cookie-cutter! Space is my biggest constaint - followed by $ and time!

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)I collect old Boy Scout patches and related items.

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? Most of my long-time friends don't really get it. (Of course my newer gearhead friends do!) My partner of 20 years is beginning to get it (he loves the YB) and he is only 44.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? I sure hope so! Our 14 year old son hates riding in them /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif but his friends love them! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Hopefully, we'll have more time to tinker and drive.

Thanks for the survey! Adam

Patton · Nov 12, 2007

1. How old are you? 38 
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? 57 Healey 100-Six 
3. How many have you owned?  3
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)  neighbor had a MGA that was the coolest car I had ever seen as a kid, then family friend bought a TR3
5. Why an English Sports car?  Style, sports, difference from muscle cars prevalent
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? yes, owned a Corvair Convertible and technically still have a Model T. My father collects "T"'s and that is where the car passion came from, I just like more modern and foreign makes
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)  Raised liking old things in general, and my tastes lean toward the classics 
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?  It's just something I like, don't get that I don't golf so I can have Healey money
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? doubt it, I think people are interested in what they were passionate when they were kids. That connection won't be there for the masses. New Mini's and Miatas I think will be popular. 
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?  Heck, I hope it's back on the road by then!!!

sparkydave · Nov 13, 2007

Re: Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Ca

1. How old are you?
33
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
MG Midget 1500
3. How many have you owned?
1
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
I got to ride in an MGB GT when I was about 15, and knew I had to get one someday.
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Nope
5. Why an English Sports car?
Tough one. I guess the looks, the sound, the simplicity of them, and maybe the uniqueness of them.
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
A friend had some air cooled Volkswagens, and I liked the VW Karmann Ghia.
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
I restore antique radios, and play a 1920 viola.
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
Some think they are neat little cars, others scratch their heads why I like to drive a car that's sometimes temperamental, leaks fluids, and has stalled on the road a couple of times.
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
I hope so. So many of them out there rotting away that can be restored. Even mine was a garage rescue. The nice thing is they aren't hard to work on, and there's something exciting about them that just isn't the same as driving a late model sports car.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
You bet!

MoPho · Nov 13, 2007

1. How old are you?
35

2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
67 Lotus Elan

3. How many have you owned?
1

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
5ish(?)

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Over the years Dad had an Austin Healey 3000, Jag e-type, jag xk120, Jag XJ6 Coupe, but also had Alfas, BMW's VW's Ferrari's etc, so I developed no particular bias towards British cars except that they tend to meet my driving philosophy

5. Why an English Sports car?
Meets my fun to drive philosophy, but does not have to be English for me.

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
No, car fell into my lap, really wanted a Caterham

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
No

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
Some love it, some think I am nuts

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
No, kids these days only care about how fast a car is and know little about feel

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
Unless, I get wealthy, I probably won't buy another one, but quite possible I will still have the Lotus

wkilleffer · Nov 13, 2007

kindofblue said:
The topic seems to come up over and over again at my club meets. Why am I the only one without gray hair at the meets. (I am 33). I have some ideas, and am thinking about an article for my club newsletter. More than anything, I am curious about the mindset of other like me. This survey is for those who own a 2 seat English sports car, and learned to drive cars after MG/Triumph left our shores.

1. How old are you?

33
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?

1974 MGB

3. How many have you owned?

1

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)

First saw a Spitfire when I was about five years old in a parking lot.

5. Why an English Sports car?

I just like them

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?

Not really.
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)

I like older homes, but don't have one yet, like listening to music on vinyl when I can.
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?

Some of them make fun of them, others seem kind of neutral
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?

That depends on how the cars and their owners present themselves.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?

I sure hope so.

I've more or less dropped out of our area Brit car club. We were probably the youngest members of the club, though younger people came to the shows. The age difference was a problem sometimes. My parents are the only people who are allowed to treat me like a kid. I have two of them, I don't need any more. Also, a car show director one year was adamant that the new MINI would not be eligible to exhibit at the show since it was actually made by a German company. But a Caterham Lotus was ok even though it was built in South Africa. I would have allowed them both, and didn't like the close-minded attitude. But the I'm-smarter-and-know-more-cause-I'm-older attitude really bothered me. Not to say that wisdom doesn't come with age, but don't treat people funny cause they're younger and then wonder why you can't get any young people to get involved.

MoPho · Nov 13, 2007

For Clarification:

Caterham's are built in England

Birkin Sevens are built in South Africa

Nunyas · Nov 13, 2007

Re: Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Ca

I'll give this survey a whirl as well:

1. How old are you? 35
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? 1976 MGB
3. How many have you owned? This is the only one
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? When I was about 8 years Old... My parents bought a CB MGB and our family of 4 would pile into it for 20 mile trips to the beach...
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) Dad
5. Why an English Sports car? There's a certain level of "class" that goes with the sportiness of these cars
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? no... not unless you want to count older MGBs ... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) Not really
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? Those that only know what they hear like to make fun of it... those that know the cars and the heritage love them.
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? Anything is possible in the Future. However, more younger people will definitely find an interest in classic British cars, not necessarily increasing the current population of enthusiasts, but certainly maintaining the current numbers. Whether or not the classic British car interest increases significantly in the future will depend on whether or not ~new~ cars make it in to the US... Classic Japanese cars were unheard of 10 years ago, but the current popularity of affordable modern Japanese cars has brought increased interest into the classics. If ANY of the "long gone" British name plates can make a reappearance in the US as an affordable sports car, then rest assured the interest for the classics will increase...
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Absolutely! Maybe not the one I currently own, and maybe not even an MG, but I'll definitely keep and maintain at least 1 classic British car in my stable.

wkilleffer · Nov 13, 2007

MoPho said:
For Clarification:

Caterham's are built in England

Birkin Sevens are built in South Africa

Whoops, my bad. Seems like at least one of each showed up to the car show while we were involved.

Sopwith_Camel · Nov 14, 2007

1. how old are you?
37
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
1972 MG midget 1970 AH sprite
3. How many have you owned?
three the was a 74 midget that started
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
1984 my bronther dorve into the drive way with the 74
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
bronther and cousins
5. Why an English Sports car?
Im snoopy chocks away last one back to blity is a frog
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
I had an 72 benz

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
old is often better
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
they think Im mad
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
sure but in smaller numbers

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
hope so

jsneddon · Nov 14, 2007

1. How old are you?
40

2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
TR3a

3. How many have you owned?
Officially One... but my best friend got a BGT with the expectation that I was the one to maintain it... Dad's MGTD was my backup transport whenever the 3 was down. Childhood was a parade of Triumphs, MG's, and a couple of Corvairs.

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
Birth

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
yes - dad's first car was a TD, then an MGA Coupe, Grandpa found a TD after the MGA was wrecked and ended up keeping it for himself. After he passed away Dad and I drove it 100 miles home in the dead of winter with the top down and we wrapped up in blankets. I was 7 at the time and was already completely hooked on British sports cars.

5. Why an English Sports car?
there was never anything else that I wanted

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
ummm... not really - a Corvair maybe.... and i did use a Dodge Dart as a daily for a couple of years and I'd do it again if I could find a convertible for under a grand. I'd rather find a beater Spitfire or Midget for a daily driver now.

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
did the old house thing for a while, old cameras, collecting old "Fire King" glass, so yeah... pretty much.

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? they don't give it much thought - if they do they think I'm crazy for dragging it around for so long (the TR3 was the first car I bought when I was 16)

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
The future is a dead end. Younger people becoming enthusiasts will be in the dozens. Younger people becoming enthusiasts right NOW are in the dozens. It will only keep diminishing. It is either the car you lusted after in your youth or it is a family connection. How many of our generation (40 and under) have any interest in getting involved in Ford Model T's at this point? T's had their heyday in the 60's. That generation is almost gone. Of course the frightening prospect now is that my generation is going to be restoring Dodge Omni's, Toyota FWD trucks, and the front-wheel drive Ford Escorts.... yikes.

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
of course

racingenglishcars · Nov 14, 2007

Though closer to Adam, Jack and Tony in Earth years, I will still try to answer some of these questions.
1. How old are you?
26 (Martian years)
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
Three, 61 Frogeye, 63 Land Rover (It's a sports car), 57 Triumph (a Tiger is also a sports car)
3. How many have you owned?
More than 50. The good ones were Jag E, 3 Jag MkIIs, Jag MkI, TR6, 6 TR4s, 4 TR3s, around 15 spridgets, several Minis, several Morris Minors, and a whole lot of parts cars.
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
I was 13 when my brother bought a TR4 from a friend for 250 USD
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
No, though my dad liked 50's Mercedes, and my mom's dad was a mechanic, mostly 30's, 40's and 50's American cars.
5. Why an English Sports car?
They have wonderful personality. and are easy to work on.
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
I also have a 70 Volvo amazon and a 69 Volvo 210 Duett.
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
Yes. I only have old things, except my computer. My house is from 1917, my apartment from 1895, and I will scavenge the trash dump for old "collectable" things.
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
They don't understand the connection of the soul and English cars like I do.
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
Few.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
Yes, or at least just working on them in my garage.

brownsgolf · Nov 15, 2007

1. how old are you? 20
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
1979 MGB
3. How many have you owned?
First one
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
11 years ago when i almost got my dad to buy the same car i bought
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Nope
5. Why an English Sports car?
I can afford it
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
Wanted to make a Hot Rod out of an early pick up, but the body would have cost more than what i have in the B

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
Getting my dad's car running right (1930 Model A)
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
They want to know if I can put a turbo on and a "coffee-can" muffler(If not sure what this is, look for a honda civic at your local high school)
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
Small numbers, unless they become popular because they are more affordabe

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
Who say's I'll ever retire??

Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Car

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