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Which cars are going to restored in the future?

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70herald

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Looking around at currently new cars, I have been wondering which modern cars are going to remain interesting enough for anyone to want to restore 20+ years into the future?? Frankly there aren't really to many cars being built today that I could imagine myself investing the time / money / efforts which I have put into my Herald.
Then even if there is something interesting enough, will it even be possible? Most of our LBCs were in production for decades using similar parts across the various models. Trying to find some computer bit for a 2007 model vehicle is going to be real fun 30+ years down the road, and even an almost identical computer from a different car won't help since the programing will be different.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I would think it would be something like my '97 Chevy S-10 pickup. Why, you say? Well, after getting it out of the dealer's shop today it seems he changed enough parts ($$$) to qualify it as a Resto.

I hate dealers but had no choice at the moment.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I think you'll see more vehicles prier to 1990, or there abouts. Mainly because a lot of vehicles in that era still had carburetters and very basic computers, if any at all. The computer issue I think would be the biggest drawback. I think you'll always find someone restoring Vettes, T Birds, Vipers, Jags, MGs, and Healeys as cars like those bring out the kid in us. Our beloved British cars will be around forever, unless their banned by some new law that says we can only drive electric cars and we know that there are people out there who would and are pushing the idea. You know like, Delco, Exide, Interstate, to mention a few. Hmmm, I wonder why?
rolleye0012.gif
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I'll take a shot (these are cars mostly within the last 10 years):

The "last" Camaros
Early, "classic" hybrids like the Prius and various Civics
Pontiac Aztec
The Australian-built Mercury Capri two-seat convertible
The Australian-built Pontiac GTO
"Real" HUMMERS
The first "new" MINIS
Ford-built Jaguars
Subaru WRX (especially the STI)
Any Miata but especially those with the metal, folding roof.
Suzuki Turbo Sprint (a personal favourite)

And obvously, any high-end cars including Corvette, Viper, Ferrari, Maserati

Just as many of us look back fondly at cars of our youth, many of these are cars that todays 20 to 30 somethings will recall...and not all of them are good, but they are memorable (like the Edsel or the AMC Gremlin was to many of us).
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Hate to say it but I think we're going to see a lot of Asian imports as Nial suggested. Lots of early Hondas to be sure and similar import tuner cars.

But I've been eyeing one of the early first generation Vipers myself and have seen some pretty good deals in the car market of late. Its just not doable rith at the moment with three vehicles (two classics & a daily driver) already.

My biggest fear is that one day we'll be seeing Minivans rolling across the classic car concourses at some point in the future.:/
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I think we can pretty much guarantee there will be a greatly reduced number of restoration enthusiasts in the future.

There's no way that shadetree mechanics will be able to restore modern, or today's cars thirty, forty, etc., years from now. The cars are too complex.

Plus, it's inevitable that the internal combustion engine will be replaced by something more efficient at some point. It's got to happen. And, it may happen sooner than we think. When that day comes, the auto restoration hobby as we know it will decline precipitously, I think.

Maybe we're in the "heyday" of the antique auto restoration hobby right now?

Hmmm . . .
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Recent "Game-changing" cars:
Audi TT
First generation Chyrsler minivan (close your eyes, Bret /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif )
K-car
First generation Miata
First generation VW Rabbit GTI (Ok, maybe this one is not so recent...)
Plymouth Prowler
And, I agree, the Aztec - only this time it will be me closing my eyes!!
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Also, hybrids (edit: especially the Toyota Prius), and the first non-IC engine cars
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I'm hoping there will still be some die-hards...I mean look at what Jay Leno is doing with his steam-powered cars!! I hope, anyway!!
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Ford Escort

The Hillmans of the 80's.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Same cars that are being restored now.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

OK! My bad on the Escort.

Now show me my old Hillman Minx in full race garb?

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

In the 70's, I never thought that any of those cars would be collectible, with their emission controls and lack of power. But they are showing up at shows today. And if kids can tune and hop up the rice burners now, some of them will be nostalgically restoring them in 25 years from now. Any car can be a collectible to someone. I still miss my 52 Buick straight 8, and still think my 73 Vega Kammback was a cool looking car (although not a good car).
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Brooklands said:
I still miss my 52 Buick straight 8
Click to expand...

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif I had a '53 Pontiac straight 8 (actually a hearse!) that I still miss!! In fact, if it still survives it should be up in the western Pa. area. (Last known location Pittsburgh!) That thing would cruise all day at 90mph on the Pa. Tpk.!!
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I see it all as a declining effort. The things we consider treasures will be so much toxic land fill, in favor of DC motors and electrostatic thingies... we will be regarded as clueless antiques ourselves. The shift to "Web 2.0" just now is the harbinger. Of necessity 'personal transporters' will fall from grace in a generation or two. We'll be pariah in that time, regarded as "selfish" for even mentoning "cars".

More's th' pity. A globally "level" economy will likely see mass poverty and starvation, world-wide.

Not my problem: no "vested interest". I wish 'em luck.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I bet the Scion XB. Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, FJ Cruisers, Honda Elements, Crossfires, Solstice/Vibe.
Minivans are cheap and plentiful.. I'm suprised some big custom nitch hasen't evolved yet. Just like the custom van craze of the 70s.
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

Just my opinion, but I think all the sports cars of today will be restored in the future.
Just as we repair 3 speed intermittent wiper motors, with our technology, so will future mechanics repair computers.
I agree with Mickey, as some of the cars we restore will be all-time classics.
As long as we have a love affair with cars, people will restore their favorites. Time has only a way of changing the personel not the attitude.

At least I hope I'm right
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

Dave
 
Re: Which cars are going to restored in the future

I agree with Dave. The toyota Spyder, the miata, Those little convertable BMW's. I see the biggest difference in that you will see more Japanese collectibles than you see today. The 240Z, 280Zx, 300Zx by Nissan (I do not think the 350's will make it, but we will see) I also see interest in the 4-runners by Toyota and other small SUV's (Like the minivan's)
THe biggest hinderance to future retorables is the amount of plastic today's cars are made of. My son's Toyota Supra is a good example...fixing body dings in metalis is one thing, but the cracked plastic bumpers and other body parts are a real challenge.
 
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