Survey _ Under 40 and own an English Sports Car

[kindofblue]

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?
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
3. How many have you owned?
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
5. Why an English Sports car?
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?

 

[Basil]

I owned a 67 XKE in High School, does that count?

 

[judow]

I owned a 67 XKE in High School, does that count?

The caption is "Under 40..." Oh great one, are you under 40?

OR

Am I just dumb and the survey is really for everyone including some Over 40's such as moi?

 

[Basil]

I owned a 67 XKE in High School, does that count?

The caption is "Under 40..." Oh great one, are you under 40?

OR

Am I just dumb and the survey is really for everyone including some Over 40's such as moi?

I was when I was in High School (I think)

 

[Popeye]

1. How old are you?
36
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
1966 TR4A
3. How many have you owned?
This is my first
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
No history; my selection of a british car was more pragmatic than emotional: researching for the best bang for the buck... 1960's convertible that is fun to drive, Triumph and MG came out on top.
5. Why an English Sports car?
Practical, fun, affordable.
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
Yes... but the wallet would not let me! A Hudson convertible (1950-ish... I've forgotten the specifics). A Ford model A (not much "fun" to drive). Austin Healy... yum.
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
Old wife.
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
Combination of "cool" and "my Kia will outcorner your car, an is much more reliable... at half the cost.
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
I hope not... I want to buy all the cars. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif I hope so, but when I was in high school, people were no longer into cars. Electronics were taking over, stereo systems and computers (although not nearly like today, with IPods and supercomputers)
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
I honestly don't think much about retirement... I hope to drive a few before I retire. Hopefully old cars will still be allowed on the roads (high emissions, if we ever go to "self-driving" cars, or cars with transponders, or similar high-tech electronics - As an engineer, I think this is coming sooner than we think.)

 

[Popeye]

I owned a 67 XKE in High School, does that count?

The caption is "Under 40..." Oh great one, are you under 40?

OR

Am I just dumb and the survey is really for everyone including some Over 40's such as moi?

I was when I was in High School (I think)

I've been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I'm no dummy.

...from the movie, "better off dead".

 

[judow]

Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
"Old wife."

Step up, front and center... And your wife's name is? and her phone number is? and her e-mail address is?

I'm telling.

BTW This 'old' wife has a 'yum' vehicle - Healey 100-M.

(all in good humour)

 

[Banjo]

1. 32
2. 1954 Triumph TR2
3. 6 (62 AH sprite, 77 MGB, (2)67 TR4A, 58 Jag MK VIII)
4. about 15. neighbor had an MGB for sale. Desprately wanted it, parents said NO!
4a. several of my uncles and thier cousins had various forign cars growing up in the 60s-70s. mainly LBCs, but lots of stuff.
5. Dunno. somthing about the english built cars is appealing. Maybe its family roots, maybe I just enjoy the way they were designed. I understand them well. And I like the way they look and sound. Originally it was because they were small, and I had enough room for one.
6.I'd consider anything old and cool, I like lots of stuff.
7. Most of my hobbies are about older things. I attend Living history campouts, play bluegrass music, have model trains (mostly steam engines) and like to restore old mechanical things (I.E. reel mowers)
8. Some of my friends are into sportscars. but most of my friends are older than me. My same-aged friends are into Tuners (VW and Honda mainly) or just think the english cars are "neat" but need more power.. bla bla bla
9. I have no idea. I don't see the hobby expanding greatly. I see it turning twards collectors just intrested in making money. But, then again, pre-war cars still hold a good audience.
10. That greatly depends on the world at large. If I can, I'd love to still have an LBC when I retire. It may have a hydrogen adaption package,( or a Mr. Fusion hehe) but hopefully I'll still be able to burn some fossil fuel at a reasonable cost.

 

[Baz]

1. How old are you? <span style="color: #CC0000">34</span>
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? <span style="color: #CC0000">Midget & <span style="color: #CC0000">MGBGT</span></span>
3. How many have you owned? <span style="color: #CC0000">3</span>
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) <span style="color: #CC0000">Dad had Austin 7 & many others</span>
5. Why an English Sports car? <span style="color: #CC0000">Can't afford German.</span>
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?<span style="color: #CC0000"> No</span>
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) <span style="color: #CC0000">My wife count? No, this is expensive enough, but I like WW1 stuff & WW2 aviation</span>
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? <span style="color: #CC0000">Merely a novelty</span>
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? <span style="color: #CC0000">I doubt it.</span>
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? <span style="color: #CC0000">I'm having enough trouble getting in and out of the midget now...</span>

 

[Guest]

1. How old are you?
38

2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
Right now, a TR6 & a TVR 2500M

3. How many have you owned?
A bunch. If you count just English, not Sports then a whole lot.

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
Growing up - in England.

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Yes. Foreign cars were too expensive

5. Why an English Sports car?
'Cos I'm English. Sorta like asking an American why a Ford or a Chevy or a BOPR.

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
Yes, but only Euro stuff. Maintenance on Italian is a killer, and old French and German does nothing for me - I like the more modern German stuff. That said, I'd quite like a Citroen Safari

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?
Depends on the friend. Ranges from enthusiastic to indifferent. Indifferent tend to treat cars like white goods though.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
Hope so. I gave a spare set of wheels to a 20 year old TR6 owner today, so at least one guy is younger than me. I doubt that TR3s and older have much future though. 50 years and newer seems to be the cutoff for practical driver. The real nice ones of course will always be collected. (dons flame suit, ducks and runs for cover)

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
These cars, or LBCs in general? Probably LBCs of some form, unless gas becomes too rare, LBCs vanish or they aren't fast enough to keep up with traffic on the freeway.

 

[coldplugs]

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

My daughter has one & is not a BCF member. I'll answer for her.

1. How old are you?
Well under 40

2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
MG Midget rubber bumper

3. How many have you owned?
Just this one

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
Grew up with them.

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
Father & grandfather

5. Why an English Sports car?
Cheaper to run than other sports cars

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
Yes, a Spitfire.

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?
Not sure.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
I think she'd say no.

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
No.

 

[terriphill]

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

. How old are you? (I refuse to tell...old enough to knoe better!)
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
Midget 1500 adn 1980 MGB - both rubber bumper
3. How many have you owned?
these are it
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
Dated a guy in hogh school who drove a B. Other than that, never thought about them until we bought the Midget
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
nope
5. Why an English Sports car?
The boys were working on Japanese muscle...I wanted something in a convertable that was less complicated (Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha)
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?\
Fiat, Alfa, Triumph, Even the little BMW
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
Restore Antique furniture and have a house older that me that we are remodeling
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
They don't get it
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
Only if the Chinese begin to sell newer ones...the younger people want power and eletric everything. I hope that the MG's and Triumph come back like the Minis did.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
Probably so...if not a midget or B...a triumph, Bugeye, or Austin

 

[abarth69]

1. How old are you? 48


2. What English sports car(s) do you own? Austin Healey,Sprite,Riley

3. How many have you owned? Lots.Raced a Bugeye for 13 years

4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? Age 6
Had 4 Mini Coopers by the age of 14. Always want a Big Healey had to wait 47 years.

a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) Yes Dad was the Aston Martin dealer in Canada.

5. Why an English Sports car? Runs in the family

6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? Yes
1959 Fiat Abarth GT 750

7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) Yes 100 year old stone farm house.

8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? They call me The Earl of Junk.

9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? Son who is ten is right into he will carry on. He wants my Mini Cooper.

10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? Yes and have enough projects for the next 100 years.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Popeye]

Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
"Old wife."

Step up, front and center... And your wife's name is? and her phone number is? and her e-mail address is?

I'm telling.

BTW This 'old' wife has a 'yum' vehicle - Healey 100-M.

(all in good humour)

In good humor as well. My wife is younger than me, and regardless of age definitely the better half!!

( I hope you are not joking about your "yummy" vehicle...the 100-M?? Niiiiiice.)

 

[GregW]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]
1. How old are you? <span style="color: #FF0000">41 first LBC when I was 20</span>
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? <span style="color: #FF0000">Austin Healey BJ8</span>
3. How many have you owned? <span style="color: #FF0000">3: 68GT6, 70MGB, above</span>
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars? <span style="color: #FF0000">When I was old enough to know what a car was</span>
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) <span style="color: #FF0000">Both, plus my mom</span>
5. Why an English Sports car? <span style="color: #FF0000">They just stir my blood</span>
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? <span style="color: #FF0000">68 Porsche 912 (didn't buy)</span>
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?) <span style="color: #FF0000">Not really</span>
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? <span style="color: #FF0000">Everyone I know and some I don't like 'em a lot</span>
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? <span style="color: #FF0000">Had an 18 yr old working at Starbuck's say he wanted to restore a Healey just today.</span>
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? <span style="color: #FF0000">I will if I can, may be hydrogen powered by then.</span>[/QUOTE]

 

[AngliaGT]

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

- Doug

 

[kindofblue]

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? <span style="color: #3366FF">33</span>
2. What English sports car(s) do you own? <span style="color: #3333FF">65 TR4A</span>
3. How many have you owned? <span style="color: #3333FF">This is my second. I had a 68 TR250 that was a barn project. Never ran</span>
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?<span style="color: #3333FF">Reading Peter Egan articles in Road & Track in the 80s</span>
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc) <span style="color: #3366FF">My uncle has a 66 Datsun 1600 Sports. Owned it for 30 years. It introduced me to the joys of Roadsters. I like drving the TR more, though. </span>
5. Why an English Sports car? <span style="color: #3333FF">Inexpensive to buy and run, parts easily available, fun to drive an work on, local club support. Most of all quaint, antique & modern at the same time, and full of character. (and an extinct brand)</span>
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership? <span style="color: #3333FF">I'd love a Virgil Exner era Chrysler or Desoto. However, I always knew I'd own an English Sports as my first classic. </span>
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)<span style="color: #3333FF">I like old stuff. I have an 80 year old house, 2 60 year old radios, 3 record players, and I burn CDs from records</span>
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars? <span style="color: #3333FF">They think the TR is the coolest thing going, or can't believe I subject myself to driving it. (the former begs for a ride, the latter wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole</span>
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting? <span style="color: #3366FF">I think the amount of good cars will exceed supply. There aren't as many younger generations into these as Baby Boomers and older. E-types and big Healeys will always be pricey though. I ran into a 19 year old at Panera who loved English cars. I gave him my number to call for a ride, but he never did</span>
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire? <span style="color: #000099">I would like to be driving and doing full restos on Triumphs when I retire. </span>

 

[tony barnhill]

Darn....a thread to which I can't post!! hehehe

 

[Bugeye58]

A <u>lot</u> of us are out of the loop on this one, Tony! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff

 

[drooartz]

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

1. How old are you?
<span style="color: #009900">35 (well, I will be in a week)</span>
2. What English sports car(s) do you own?
<span style="color: #009900">Bugeye Sprite</span>
3. How many have you owned?
<span style="color: #009900">2</span>
4. When did you first learn about English sports cars?
a) Did they run in your family (Dad, uncle, etc)
<span style="color: #009900">Grandfather had a nice TD. I've been into cars since birth, pretty much -- parents have no real interest, though. I'm also a big Peter Egan fan, which provides a nice introduction to all sorts of motorized British things.</span>
5. Why an English Sports car?
<span style="color: #009900">Some family connection, but mostly they win in the cost-per-smile calcuation. Also, a good local British car club gives me some local friends who understand.</span>
6. Did you consider any other classics for ownership?
<span style="color: #009900">Mustang -- wanted one since I was little. Still like them, but they're getting pricey, and when I finally drove one it wasn't all that exciting.</span>
7. Do you have any hobbies that also relate to old things? (old houses, music, etc?)
<span style="color: #009900">I like using old things for their intended purpose. My main mandolin is a 1924 Gibson, I've a 70s Fender bass, and my upright bass is from the 40s as well. I really appreciate the honesty and craftsmanship on many older things.</span>
8. What do your friends think about English sports cars?
<span style="color: #009900">Mostly they don't get it, though they haven't had a chance to drive one yet -- come to think of it, I really haven't either.</span> /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
9. What does the future hold? Will more younger people find these interesting?
<span style="color: #009900">Maybe. They are fun, and interesting to those of a mechanical bent. Not as many interested, but then again modern fun-to-drive cars are getting quite expensive</span>.
10. Will you still be driving these when you retire?
<span style="color: #009900">What is this retire thing? I really don't know, it's a long way off for me. I'd like to think so, but who knows.</span>