Young enthusiast Bangers and Cash

[Monty-4]

That's what we need in the classic car world, whether its a 1989 MX-5 or a 1959 Morris Minor all people coming together for the good of the general classic car movement.

I feel many responses on here are quite blinkered, there is a large cohort of youngsters that are interested in classic cars, just classic means from the 80s and 90s, which is of course of their generation.

Certainly not all about turbos and dump valves, though there is nothing implicitly wrong with that is there?

Pleased to be proven wrong if so, although my impression has often been the opposite, we'd need some decent statistics to figure it out for sure.

There are some changes that I think are undeniable and will influence classic ownership though - less 'youngsters' learning to drive at all, and the economics of driving and owning a classic becoming more difficult. The top of the funnel is narrowing.

I'd see the consequence of this being that there will be fewer but very enthusastic owners into their increasingly 'niche' hobby, rather than everybody knowing somebody or other with an old Minor or MGB sat in a garage (as seems to be the case when chatting to my parent's generation).

[Murrayminor]

I'm also a member of another car club which will remain anonymous for now, but a couple of let's say younger members have taken it upon themselves to investigate and "hack" the computers on their modern cars for the benefit of other members.

They hope to be able to offer members a cost effective way of disabling and altering the computer on the marque thus negating the need to visit the main dealer for minor niggles like a duff sensor, or similar.

This is the kind of thing young people can bring to a club, albeit in a different way to the Morris Minor, but then again I'm sure the two lads from my other club would be able to rig up an electric motor for use in a Minor if the set their minds to it.

[Sleeper]

" I'm sure the two lads from my other club would be able to rig up an electric motor for use in a Minor if the set their minds to it. "

That's not the hard part , the hard part , as I see it , is providing a low weight, low volume power supply for it ?

The longest extension lead in my shed is 20yards

John ;-)

[minor65]

My dad bought me my first minor when I was 14. 20 years later I still have it. Plus four more minors to keep it company lol

[MorrisJohn]

Some good ideas here, like a round Britain tour, Lands End/John O’Groats (or reverse).

I generally agree that most young people, if they’re interested in classic cars, aspire to the cars they dreamed about owning as a child/young person.

Growing up in the 1990s I was the only one of my peers that dreamed of owning cars like the Morris Minor and Morris/Austin/Rover mini. Everyone else preferred GTIs, Imprezas, Cosworths and that sort of thing. Even my father tried his best to steer me away from classic cars, “I grew up with these cars. They’re slow, unreliable, require a lot of work and rust.” Evidently it didn’t work. He still thinks I’m nuts.

It’s important to get more young people involved in the Minor scene. Otherwise the skills required to keep our beautiful cars on the road will simply disappear.

There are young people that love these old Minors and the likes though.

On places like Instagram and YouTube there’s a thriving community. Those are the sorts of places the MMOC/YMMOC need to engage with people. A simple series of nicely edited MMOC “how to” videos, on those platforms (and in layman’s terms) would be a good way to start.

Now aged 38 I’m still something of a novice myself when compared to experienced owners. By comparison most of my peers are absolutely clueless about cars of this age. I’d wager most of them would not even be competent at checking and topping up the oil!

For my own part I’m doing my best to get my young daughter, who’s not even two-years-old, interested in the Minor. I plan on teaching her how to look after the car so that one day when I’m no longer around she can become the next custodier.

I’ve also set up a blog at https://www.dorisminor.com and it’s my intention to get some basic “how to” guides on there. The site is in its infancy. If any younger members are reading this and fancy writing a piece on how they got interested in Moggies and what they’re like to live with, drop me a private message. I’m open to guest contributors.

[les]

Interesting post, good luck! —— from a non young member!

[Murrayminor]

Whilst I understand people who cherish their cars and enjoy sitting in the grounds of a nice country house displaying their hard work its not something that usually appeals to the younger generation.

I have always been more into driving classic cars rather than looking at them, and as such tend to only attend shows if I need a particular part or fancy having a browse around the trade stands but these shopping trips can become expensive, Tatton park is a case in point its expensive to get in unless displaying your vehicle but the other side is a large Autojumble and numerous trade stands.

When I was a mini owner I travelled around the country joining in drives out, even venturing to Ireland to join in the national mini run.

I think the Morris Minor owners club would benefit from the exposure offered by a national drive out or similar.

I agree the social media side of things has become the new normal especially in the current climate and people are turning to those platforms to obtain information.

I was in the position of being a new owner (albeit with previous mechanical knowledge, but not with Morris Minors) and it took me ages to work out what to do in order to remove the rust from my car, so I made a few short video clips with basic information showing for instance how the sills were made up and things like that.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsbZsl ... Z08ArjvOjA

I have continued those videos and amazingly they have had in total over 9650 views with numerous comments from people in the same boat.

I'm all for educational videos and posts if they help to keep the cars on the road.

Its just getting the young people interested is the difficult bit, I appreciate they are out there but how does the club attract them or indeed draw them away from the modern cars?

I suppose all classic cars clubs are in a similar position but I think the older the car, the older the image is of the club, but I stand to be corrected on that one.

[MorrisJohn]

I’m in agreement with you. When I was a mini owner there was a bigger emphasis on club runs than static shows. They were good fun. I agree with your assertion that the idea of a static show, as great as they can be, surrounded by “old people and old cars” probably doesn’t appeal to very many young people.

I will check out your YouTube channel and hit subscribe. Sounds like great work

I think some of the Instagram feeds that show young owners out having fun in their Moggies are a great way of pricking the interest of other young potential owners. It’s always going to be niche.

Perhaps joint-club runs (I’m thinking classic minis and VW Beetles) would be an idea? The bug scene is still regarded as “cool” and there’s a strong mini scene with owners of all ages.

When I was a mini owner I travelled around the country joining in drives out, even venturing to Ireland to join in the national mini run...

I agree the social media side of things has become the new normal especially in the current climate and people are turning to those platforms to obtain information.

I was in the position of being a new owner (albeit with previous mechanical knowledge, but not with Morris Minors) and it took me ages to work out what to do in order to remove the rust from my car, so I made a few short video clips with basic information showing for instance how the sills were made up and things like that.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsbZsl ... Z08ArjvOjA

I have continued those videos and amazingly they have had in total over 9650 views with numerous comments from people in the same boat.

I'm all for educational videos and posts if they help to keep the cars on the road.

[SteveClem]

Can anyone imagine how much fun a joint minor- beetle rally would be
Old Alec would be rolling in his grave and there would likely be blood on the floor!!

[midget]

Another Morris club is organising a JOGLE run, which has to be postponed until next year, due to the current situation.
I think that it is a excellent idea, and will be taking part. I did think that the Minor club would have had one, as the "Minors on tour" is quite popular?

[Des911]

What's a JOGLE run, it's beat me

[ManyMinors]

John O Groats to Lands End?

I'm sure that the MMOC have organised several such trips in the past.

[bethfewster]

The club currently do run a "Minors on Tour" rally, both in France, which is probably the one more popular, and in the UK, each year (usually...). The MOT to France has quite a high proportion of younger members who join in, I'm unsure about the UK one as that doesn't seem to get as much press.

There are currently ongoing discussions between the main club and several of us "younger" members (although at 26 even I am getting too old for this now!), to encourage more younger enthusiasts into the club and to get more involved. Unfortunately this year has put quite a downer on things and I will hold my hands up and say encouraging younger members has not been at the forefront of my mind this year. Once things are more normal we hope to set up these runs and rallies across the country, as we used to circa 2012 when I first joined the club. Camping weekends away etc, cheaper weekends to make it as accessible as possible. We do have 940 members of our MMOC Young Members facebook group, so the interest in the cars is there - but as you have mentioned above, the price of the moggy has soared, even whilst I have owned them for the last 9 years, and we have seen slower growth of interest in the last couple of years, quite possibly due to their price.

Tyre Fest is also happening again next year, all being well, which is jointly organised by young members in various car clubs - the MMOC, the TR Register, the Midget and Sprite Club, and the MGCC, plus joining us will be the A35 Owners Club and the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. The first year for this rally was 2019, for which the organisers won an award at the Classic and Sports Car Awards that year, and we hope to build a lot more traction and coverage for next year - I will add that all classic enthusiasts of all ages are welcome!

I think my point is, things are/were happening, and many more events are in the pipeline, so don't feel too depressed about the future of the moggy, we will make sure they keep going for many generations to come!

[Bidz]

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Here are the faces of just some of the young members of the MMOC!

Monty-4's list of barriers for a young person owning a classic car was pretty comprehensive - I can't really add anything fruitful. What I will say is, that in the last few years the opportunities for interested young people to be involved with classic cars and their associated clubs have broadened considerably.

Schemes like Start Motor and the Classic Car Loan Project are removing many of those barriers to entry, whilst the work of car clubs to encourage the next generation sees the MMOC's name engraved upon multiple bits of silverware. In particular, the club's support of TYRE Festival is something all members can be proud of - an event, organised by car clubs for young people, and also the older people in those clubs that offer them support. Age isn't a barrier!

In addition, the classic car press are keen to champion the work of young enthusiasts. Practical Classics Magazine and the weekly Classic Car Buyer have both heavily featured MMOC young members and their activities in recent years.

Does this really solve the problem of young people being uninterested in classic cars? Not really, but I know many Minor owners who aren't interested in keeping pre-war cars, or motorbikes. It's different strokes for different folks, but you can be assured that those who ARE interested in a Moggy and join this club are well catered for.

[Bidz]

John O Groats to Lands End?

I'm sure that the MMOC have organised several such trips in the past.

Let's not forget the MMOC's charity end-to-end run in a club owned car, which visited every branch of the club, piloted by ordinary club members (seen here with cheesy grins) and raised £40k for Marie Curie!

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[Murrayminor]

All great to see and reassuring to know the Minor will continue for a few years yet, keep up the great work, much appreciated.
I still feel (and act sometimes) like I'm still a teenager, although I'm now fast approaching 55 the only thing slowing me down are a few aching bones and damaged joints as a result of enjoying myself on motorcycles when I was younger.

[ampwhu]

i was quite fortunate when i started with classics. My first one was a 70's mini. My dad encouraged me and 'gave me the garage'. I had no tools and any idea what i was doing. think i was around 15/16 at the time.

fast forward a few years i have a tidy amount of tools (purchased and made myself) but could always have more. With the home made tools, that comes with experience and knowledge which i've gained throughout my engineering career. i do struggle to get motivated in the colder months now but still enjoy it. I guess thats all that matters.

[Shropshiremoggie]

My father bought me a 1935 Austin Ruby when I was 17 ( 1962 ). The deal was I had to service and maintain it myself . It taught me a lot and even though I ended up with company cars in my career I kept the tools ( now added to ) and still try and keep the Minor in good nick . The tools are in good condition , just the eyes and hands seem to be suffering from age

[moggiethouable]

My other hobby, Amateur radio was at one point all home brew.
When the older hams (I am a sprightly 63) bemoan the fact that fewer people make their own radio equipment, I like to ask if they drive, invariably the answer is yes, when of course I ask if they maintain the car themselves I am usually greeted with a look that says "dont be so stupid".
So if you can drive and someone else can repair/maintain the car ?
The reason hams dont make their own gear anymore is competitively priced equipment from the far east, that is filled with surface mounted technology, that a soldering iron simply couldnt cope with, sounds familiar huh?
However, there are a lot that like me, that repair old stuff because we can still get the spares and get the iron in there.
Regarding cars though, I think that already we are seeing people buy classics and getting others to maintain them for them.
Thats not for a lot of people in this club, its not for me either, but it suits some.
That I think is where we are going, kids will buy our cars, but if they lack the interest in maintaining them, specialist garages will oblige.
Just look at the prices charged by certain well known dealers in durable motoring, it isnt putting people off, only people like you and I dear reader.
The tendency to "upgrade" I believe is influenced by those that want to be seen in a classic, but want the modern maintenance schedule, again not for me, but each to his own.
Because those garages exist, the Minor will continue to thrive, but we do have a good core of young members who like to get their hands dirty.
Personally I have never understood why anyone would want a classic, if they didnt know how it worked, but who am I to judge ?

[Murrayminor]

There are two distinct camps when it comes to classics, those that like their classic and take every opportunity to work on them, maybe even enjoying working on them rather than driving, and the other camp who love classic cars but cannot wild a spanner.
There is a guy in the next street to me who owns a lovely mk1 cortina and treasures it, the car is immaculate and really well looked after but he is an IT wizard and knows nothing about the workings of old cars or any car for that matter.
He regularly calls to say hello with his cortina and to see my progress on my own Minor, he does this because he loves cars.
I assist him with the basics and slowly he is picking up tips.
So yes I completely understand his passion, but not everyone is mechanically minded.