Sorry for the length folks.
I'm at home sick today and so have a little extra time on my hands.
Youth and LBC's . . . .
As far as only allowing kids with LBC's in their family background to get into
the hobby: there is always the potential for the kid to really not value the
thing at all. The uniqueness of them is diluted by being around them
frequently. Then there's the chance of repairs being made by the more
knowledgeable family or friends, while the kid owner might "help" by fetching
tools and parts. "
Can't you see the kid out on Friday night after tearing up his LBC?
"Yeah its cool. Don't worry. My dad can fix it."
That's recipe for a bad parent child relationship.
It's also only one possible scenario.
I don't think you can make too many generalities here. . .each case is going to
be different. What motivates the kid? What kind of suppport and resources are
available? Is the kid spoiled and lazy, or hungry and inquisitive?
I can use myself as an example.
I'm 31 years old and have been actively involved with Triumphs for half my
life.
I remember being a small child and riding in the "backseat" of my Dad's 1968
TR4A as he zoomed us off to school. I also remember looking up in awe to him
as he "fixed" his car. I guess that car probably exited my life in around 1976
or so when I was just 6 years old. Still I remember it. That's the extent of
my Triumph family pedigree.
When my brother became old enough to drive, I drooled over his friends'
Mustangs, Firebirds and Z cars. Then there were the convertibles. All
convertibles are cool for high schoolers. I helped steer him towards the
purchase of an MGB, which he still owns. A year later, before I was actually
old enough to drive, I had found and purchased a TR4.
As a high school kid with his cool car . . . believe me, I had the incentive to
keep that thing running.
I put a lot of work into those cars. I learned a lot of lessons.
Many of them the hard way.
Problem solving: friggin electrical system that seemed like magic to me.
The price of half-assed repairs: Jamming aluminum foil in the contacts of the
voltage regulator may get you through the evening's festivities, but it makes a
bigger mess soon there after.
Economics, Physics, valuable life experiences all came from my LBC.
VALUE. . . yeah I tore around like a hellian in those Triumphs, but I paid the
price sooner or later. (I'm still paying the price actually)
Back then in the mid to late 80's, I had no network of support for my Triumph.
I had no family or friends who knew much about cars. I always figured my dad
knew everything about cars because he had guided me through a few minor repair
/ maintenance issues. As a 17 year old, lying on my back on a cold garage
floor, balancing a transmission on my chest, trying to replace the one I killed
zooming around in a snowstorm, I realized that I knew as much about cars and
had done more repairs than anyone I knew. Despite that I still had 100 times
as many questions as answers. (Still do)
My daily driver for the past year (and soon to be again if I can fix my
transmission problem) has been a bright red 1970 TR6 with shinny panasports and
low profile tires.
Needless to say, I've gotten a lot of attention during the past year and 11,000
miles. Some from older folks, but a lot from kids too.
Young kids, and even people into their 20s, don't even know what a Triumph is,
much what model it is. My license plate is T ARE 6. . .I'm amazed how many
people can't figure out what it means.
The questions are great though:
What kind of car is it?
Its a TRIUMPH.
Who makes that?
TRIUMPH.
I mean. . who is it made by? Is it a GM?
--- that was a tow truck driver trying to fill out the receipt when I tore up
the differential.
No. . it isn't new, as a matter of fact it is over 30 years old.
No. . doesn't have a radio (yet)
No. . no air conditioning.
No. . not a 5 speed. . . more like a 7 speed (A type OD)
No. . none of them were automatic
No. . no performance chip, no computer, not even fuel injection
No. . not really that fast... most of those kids in Hondas can blow my doors
off. (hopefully that will change too)
But it is really really really fun.
You should get one!
IMO: ECOURAGE YOUTH TO GET LBCs.
They have an abundance of energy and resources to throw into these cars.
They could certainly use a little diversity in their lives.
They could probably do with a little influence and guidance from someone other
than the rice burner crowd.
I hope I have a neighbor whose kid who wants an LBC for his first car.
I will have a talk with the parents and the kid. I'll give them a bunch of
warnings, many of which come from first hand experience. Then I will encourage
them whole heartedly to take the plunge and offer them my support.
I'm all for discounts for youth and new members in general to join our clubs.
We gotta get them hooked on the cars like we are.
I don't know about giving them a special discount for the convention though.
What purpose does that serve?
Sorry for the length folks. . .
(At least I didn't copy the entire original message)
Scott Tilton
With an old fashioned virus and a busted A type OD in Leesburg VA
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