25 years old or bust

[buicksplus]

Our VMCCA president has proposed that it might be time to reconsider the 25 year rule for VMCCA.  What do you think?  I think he proposed stopping the eligibility at some fixed year, like, 1985, for example.

I don't favor stopping the limit at a fixed year, but I don't have a real problem with extending the limit.  The 25 year old limit maybe should be higher, like 35 years.  This is because modern cars are so durable that a 25 year old car is not "old" in the sense that is was in the 50's or 60's.

It may seem like there are no collector cars being built today, but I think there still are.  Cars like the Buick Reatta, Corvette, Mercedes, some Lexus models, etc, will probably be collectible.  But who can say for sure, many collector cars today were not too highly thought of when they were new.

I have appreciated VMCCA's policy of a moving definition of eligible cars, it does mean that the population of VMCCA cars is changing and even growing, making the club more accessible for new and younger members.  Clubs like the CCCA and HCCA have fixed years of eligibility and this can create problems for a club long term.

Bill   

[DaveFields]

It isn't a good idea; not at all. There has been discussions that 25 yerars isn't old enough since the late 1950's when my parents worried that their new 1927 Chevy tudor wouldn't be elegable for Ohio historical liscense plates. I just got back from central Mexico, and it is hard to find a 25 year old car even there. cars are so disposable. Here in El Paso, it is hard to find a 20 year old car in a junk yard - they are crushed before they get that old.

This isn't going to help the future of car clubs, or fix anything that is really a problem. Sure I like to see older cars, and the 3 Mercedes convertibles on the Colorado tour didn't thrill me, but then I have one at home, myself, and I bet they were fun to drive through the hills there.

Nobody makes everybody look at every car, or make a positive comment about them. If you don't like a car, keep it to yourself. Your opinion might change.

There are more important things to be concerned about.

[Richard E, Henza]

 I'm 64 had Antique cars since 21, It's taken me 43 years to really understand Pioneer Auto Cars 1891-1904.

  Then in 2009 10% Ethanol, Know in New York State 15% 2010; witch means alot more Heat on my
1902, 1903 1 Cylinder Engines,
   I have a 28 year Daughter that has gone to Car Shows since 3.5 weeeks old, She knows more about Steam Cars, Pioneer Cars than President of New York Pioneeer Cars, and he admitts it.
   She has been a Legacy Member of  Pioneer Auto since 12 years old when she was a Junior.
She dose all my Display work, Pictures of 1894 Steve Blazers 1st car in New York State.
 1903 Charles Dayer 3 wheel trike car in Mass. 1895 Bentz and tells of Bertha Bentz driving
the car.

 My 1900 cn Cady 1 Cylinder Daughters auto, Made in Canasota; Given to her by our Past president,
She dough it out of Chicken Coop, Painted it herself,  Got Engine running herself,  and did Display
of cn Cady Machine shop, ans Foundry in Canasota, Pictures of it, and 1901 Electric he made for his wife, and 4 Trucks he Built,  at 16 years of age,  She got to run Engine next to Henry Fords Quadricycle at Henry Ford Musume .


 We must Encourage Kids at a early age toget the interest in this Hobbie;

Richard Henza
Cortland, NY    NYS  Pioneer Auto

[Mark W.]

Well, I think it should remain at 25 years old so as not to stop the future growth of our club. Who knows what people in the next 25 years will be wanting to collect? There are some great 80's cars that should not be crushed, like Corvettes and Rolls Royces, even a lowly Mustang Convertible or two. I own a 1980 Dodge, & realize that even though some aren't interested in it, others may well be (even in the coming future). It's a rare 2 door coupe body style and means alot to me, being my parents car before they died.
Someday, most American cars may be a thing of the past and therefore collectible or Special Interest. Are they antique cars? No. But they are "Veteran" cars. If I wanted an antique, I'd have joined the Antique
Car Club of America. One of the great things about our organization is the great diversity of makes, models & years. All different kinds of cars, eras, and people & what they are interested in preserving & collecting. Let's not sabotage that. Let's not have everyone vote that cars made the other side of WW2 is the only thing that should be in the club. Not everyone has the big bucks to buy & restore ancient junk cars for megabucks. I love old cars from the early days, but out of financial practicality I must own & preserve later cars from the 70's & 80's. If you throw out these from the clubs ranks, they'll just go & join some other club & we'll lose some valuable membership & great people that may have things to contribute in the future, when times are better & they have the $ to buy something older & more expensive. Nobody's going to show up in a Minivan. 25 years (& older) is old for a car. It was good enough for our club since 1938. That's just my 2cents. Thanks for listening to me.