Steve, can't agree on this one. As far as parts, there has been a lot offered out there that we have not seen before, vendors seeing an opportunity and filling it. Machine shops, there out there just need to take you time to find one that meets your needs. Body Shops, is the same. As I post in an earlier post I pay no attention to the negatives in our hobby because it's not productive. I still see great interest in our hobby and enjoy it! Please try to see the positives in what we have all done to keep this "Going Fast With Class " thing going!
As someone who has only been in this hobby for 3 years, I can say I see signs our hobby is well here in Lethbridge. I can't say for other places, but here all spring, summer and most of fall, I see a plethora of classic 50's to 80's cars. Good to see I might add.
Lethbridge has always been very active in the car scene for sure, so glad to hear that it still is...esp being in Canada where parts prices are stupid, there are even less machine shops etc. Canada in general doesn't have the car culture the USA does. This year we finally got to a few local shows here in Calgary, some really good turnouts...some amazing cars too.....in general they ranged from borderline junk/projects to super nice restored and/or modified. Everyone was enjoying themselves though and that is what matters!
Went to a local ''cruise-in'' car show last Friday night down here 50 miles south of metro Melbourne and while the spring weather was not great - 58F and windy, got cold riding the Harley over - there were literally HUNDREDS of fantastic classic cars doing laps of the main street of a small town on our Peninsula. Crowded on and off the street, fast-food shops and bars and cafes were doing a roaring trade, families all over the place either in the cars of staring at them from the pavement........ good to see some young guys on young-driver plates proudly showing off their customised 25-yr-old sedans and wagons....plenty of high-dollar Aussie V8 muscle, some wonderful fins-and-chrome 1955s-60s ....... despite the cost of living squeeze the hobby is in great shape down here, as ever. We don't have quite as strong a car culture as Scandinavia, but it's close. When the weather is great in another month or two, this local show of ours will be even bigger and better. Not to mention the dozens of other shows all over Melbourne all summer. Prices of most classics seem to have near doubled in the last 5-6 years Down Under. You very rarely see a good 1960s 2-door for under $40,000 now. With the demise of both Holden and Ford manufacturing down here, prices of Australian-made V8s of all eras are through the roof. I have a limited edition factory LS1-powered Holden station wagon that is 20 years old and pretty much bone stock and it is just appreciating sitting on my driveway. My favourite car of the show was a beautiful 1970 Ford Torino coupe. There was not ONE Buick. Usual story! Mine is yet again awaiting funds before the engine and then body resto can begin. *sigh*....
