How long do you think 40 to 50 year old cars can continue to be raced?

[W J]

When Chevrolet comes out w/the 550 hp Cadillac-powered, lightened chassis Z28 Camaro (and you might see it sooner than later) many of the GM guys will jump on the bandwagon and start running these late models alongside the new Mustangs and Challengers. Too many Chevy guys out there....the guard will eventually change when they get offered a new, competitive factory hot rod to race with.. ---my thoughts..... WJ

[Bernie Cunningham]

GUYS, c'mon !!! Look at what ya all are saying and thinking, sounds like ya want to be a quitter!!! Old cars, post '63 created the term 'muscle cars' and they will be around forever because they SET the bench mark for Stock Elim. performance.
New cars, with the latest technology are creating a new muscle car era and they will fit in just like they did back then. We already have some that have been thrashed to death, like the early EFI's have and now they fit in.

Yea we'll get the F/X classes, ( hoping) JUST SAYING !!!!!

[Future Stock]

With companies like Dynacorn out there what was once old is new again!

[Monte Howard]

As long as they can.

I know Andy's Dad is trying to justify spending over $100,000 dollars on a new car.

But C'Mon The big three didn't build anything worth talking about for years

But when Ford and Chrysler did the Technology is 40 years better,1000cfm throttle body's EFI,4-links (build to your specs),blowers,aluminum intakes, Milodon pans ect.

They have built so much power they have all bought patents on the powerglide so they can get these over powered monsters to hook.

The Train has left the Station and it is flying.

I am 42 and Love the old Muscle.

[Robert Swartz]

Probably as long as "affordable" bodies are still available to use as a basis to build cars from. Let's be honest here, as someone said, many of the cars running today are more valuable as restored classics than they are as race cars. For some, budget isn't a problem, so they can take a rotted hulk and spend a fortune to build a car first, then make a race car from that.

Dare I say, for many of us, we have to have a usable platform to start with. With the older cars, that not only is, but for a long time has started to become a problem. Add to this the Barret-Jackson/Mecom/Satruday morning CARtoon shows, that have caused everyone with a junk body of any kind laying around to think they're setting on their retirement goldmine. I'd wager, the cost of building an old car versus buying a new car, isn't going to be that far apart, very soon.

It's interesting, in the mid-70's, NHRA instituted the 15 year rule for stock to legislate the early 40's-50's car out of the eliminator. Now 35 or so years later, we're doing the same thing they sought to prevent, kind of ironic, isn't it? It's been joked about but, the idea of a vintage class or "stock appearing" eliminator, may not be as far fetched as it appears. At that point, it becomes a pure bracket class and the end of the class as we know it.

For a class to remain relevant, it does need to appeal to the younger generations. That means newer vehicles THEY can openly relate to. We can do all the polls we want, this board, like most discussion forums is only a microcosm of the hobby. A trip to the track is revealing, most of the participants (I hope to be included in this categorey someday, again) in stock are older. A restrictive class with restrictive rules are not what the majority of the younger crowd seeks.

My .02,

Robert Swartz

[Alan Roehrich]

There are a lot of 20 and 30 something people in Stock. Not a majority by any stretch, but quite a few. Some of them are running older iron. Honestly, with the current expense of building a Stock Eliminator car and traveling, few people under 30 can afford it. Especially in this economy.

Consider that a reasonably competitive budget car is $20K. A truck and open trailer is $15K if you want something late model and reliable. That's a budget rig. Next, to compete on a regional basis, you need at least 6-7 three day weekends to run the LODRS races. Then you need another 4-5 three to five day weekends to run the National Events in your region. How many 20 something, or even 30 something people can get that much time off, from a job that pays well enough for them to spend at least $500 for at least those ten weekends?

Saying the big thing keeping young people out of Stock is the old cars is a bit of a stretch, and that's being generous. The restrictive rules angle doesn't play that well either. While there will always be the "take the easy way" element, there will also be those who prefer the technical thinking route. Nothing you can do to Stock, while at least maintaining some semblance of the original intent and spirit, will draw the "easy" crowd. They ain't coming, just forget it.

[MikeFicacci]

I'm 25 years old and purchased a C/SA 1972 Corvette at the beginning of the year. I would like to know how many guys in their 20's have purchased a "new car".

[Andys dad]

Just to clarify - I am not trying to justify buying a $100,000 Stocker (?) - I am trying to justify NOT selling my old car cheap. We all know Stockers cost a lot of money - hell there are many $40,000 to $80,000 (or more) older Stockers out there now - ask guys with the really fast, nice older ones.

I also feel like some have said, these old cars are very popular and will be for a long, long time. I wondered what the rest of you think and how you see it. I clearly do not have that many years left, but it seems my '70 Camaro will be OK for a long time.

I think there is a "sea change" and it is inevitable in our form of drag racing - it is an evolutionary adjustment. NHRA is going to want to keep the old and introduce the new in a way which makes us all happy (if that is possible) - as Bernie said the EFI cars have come from being way off to fitting in where they should.

As a final thought – don’t you think these new cars can have some of the tricks we have learned about our older combinations added to them and go even faster? - imagine them 10 years from now – wow

Ron Durham
aka – Andy’s Dad

:-) peace

[junior barns]

Originally Posted by MikeFicacci

I'm 25 years old and purchased a C/SA 1972 Corvette at the beginning of the year. I would like to know how many guys in their 20's have purchased a "new car".

And looks good plus running well also!! Who's doing your work? engine if I might ask?

[Phillip marvetz]

I'll be racing my 71 Duster until I'm 90. I have enough parts car's to last until then. I started racing stock just after I turned 30 and did so for the challenge, Yes I could have built a 9 second car for less than half the cost of my most recent stocker but any A/H can do that.

Try making a slant six run 1.30 under! Now that is a challenge...........



I also have a 28 year friend resurrecting 58 ford with a 352, it was class winner at the winternational in the mid 60's and been tucked away in a barn since, So there are a few of the younger guy's that are interested in stock