are the 4th gen values appreciating?

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Well rat rods are kinda trendy but who knows how that will stand the test of time. Almost makes me think the pro-touring builds will be what the old cars will become. I'm sure you will always have the off of the assembly line collector crowd but I could see more people wanting great all around performance from a car with all of the creature comforts you can get nowadays.



I guess that is what I was trying to say before. 4th gens are excellent performance for the money you spend. Stock/minor bolt on ls cars can run high 12s. That keeps its own against many cars on the road today for far less money. Sure its not as nice as them but we speed lovers can give that stuff up for the pit of the stomach feel these cars can deliver.

If I didn't move to a new house with a smaller driveway I never would have sold the green T/A. That car was tons of fun and parts are pretty cheap.

[Dudbird113]

My favorite is the v6 fbody owners that think their car is worth as much as the v8 version.

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

The big question on my mind is what will happen to the "Hot Rod" culture. I think that's already heading south.

Definitely. But some areas that have better weather (CA, south) and a lot more old cars riding around will keep the culture alive.

Here in NJ most folks would rather have a brand new BMW, Benz, or whatever as a "toy". Or if they can swing it, a Porsche, Corvette or some other car that they just get in and drive.

Time will tell if it dies or not.

[BonzoHansen]

I think it already is to some degree

[LTb1ow]

When the DI stuff starts losing any connection to original LSX/LQX stuff, I would assume the aftermarket will start to move away from them. That will be a huge blow I would guess cause everyone, their brother, and their aunt nut hugs LSX stuff these days.

But, the flip side is that you can take junkyard motors and run pretty fast times on them with no high dollar motor etc, which is hot rodding at its best IMO. The fact that the NHRA has become so damn expensive to race in is another issue that glaringly contradicts its origins.

But, what do I know.

[1320B4U]

Originally Posted by Paul Huryk

Here in NJ most folks would rather have a brand new BMW, Benz, or whatever as a "toy". Or if they can swing it, a Porsche, Corvette or some other car that they just get in and drive.

Time will tell if it dies or not.

That's what I normally see. Growing up, we all had hoopties as we couldn't afford new cars..hence the wrenching on them to make them cool. Now every 18year old I see has a new(er) jetta, scion or wrx/evo....then graduate to a bmw w/tinted windows.

Great thing about rat rods is there's no conformity. Just like original hot rodding, the 'whatever it takes' mentality is what the builder strives to achieve....plus for resale value they come in a lot lower for others to get into the hobby if one cannot craft these cars from scratch. ...I see rat rodding continuing for awhile.

4th gen ls1 cars are definitely the best bang for the buck....light-years better than the 3rd gen in almost every aspect (imo I love the 3rd gen styling though).

[Paul Huryk]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

When the DI stuff starts losing any connection to original LSX/LQX stuff, I would assume the aftermarket will start to move away from them. That will be a huge blow I would guess cause everyone, their brother, and their aunt nut hugs LSX stuff these days.

With the 15 plus years of LSX/LQX motors (how many millions did they make?) and the ease of making power, retrofitting them, or even buying as GM crate motors, I doubt they will die anytime soon. Just like the SBC or SBF. The LT!/LT4 motors are an example of waning aftermarket support although many SBC parts are pretty much the same item with a different part #.

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

But, the flip side is that you can take junkyard motors and run pretty fast times on them with no high dollar motor etc, which is hot rodding at its best IMO. The fact that the NHRA has become so damn expensive to race in is another issue that glaringly contradicts its origins.

I think that is the best part of these motors - they make huge power for cheap, are hard to blow up, and can fit in anything. Certainly beats the guys in the early 60's putting 348 tractor motors in their 3 window coupes.

But, what do I know.[/quote]

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by 1320B4U

Here in NJ most folks would rather have a brand new BMW, Benz, or whatever as a "toy". Or if they can swing it, a Porsche, Corvette or some other car that they just get in and drive.

Time will tell if it dies or not.

That's what I normally see. Growing up, we all had hoopties as we couldn't afford new cars..hence the wrenching on them to make them cool. Now every 18year old I see has a new(er) jetta, scion or wrx/evo....then graduate to a bmw w/tinted windows.

Great thing about rat rods is there's no conformity. Just like original hot rodding, the 'whatever it takes' mentality is what the builder strives to achieve....plus for resale value they come in a lot lower for others to get into the hobby if one cannot craft these cars from scratch. ...I see rat rodding continuing for awhile.

4th gen ls1 cars are definitely the best bang for the buck....light-years better than the 3rd gen in almost every aspect (imo I love the 3rd gen styling though).

The thing about hot rods is that they require a lot of work to build, which is not something a lot of people want to do these days. It's easier to pick up a factory ride and do a head/cam swap or something like that. I just don't see too many people wanting to put in the time.

I don't think that scene will go away completely, but it will shrink as time passes. I can't think of a single person under 40 with a hot rod with the exception of Hardcore Paul. In California it might be a different deal, but even then I'd imagine that it's waning a bit.

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

The thing about hot rods is that they require a lot of work to build, which is not something a lot of people want to do these days. It's easier to pick up a factory ride and do a head/cam swap or something like that. I just don't see too many people wanting to put in the time.

I don't think that scene will go away completely, but it will shrink as time passes. I can't think of a single person under 40 with a hot rod with the exception of Hardcore Paul. In California it might be a different deal, but even then I'd imagine that it's waning a bit.

What defines a hot rod?

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

What defines a hot rod?

A dictionary

[BonzoHansen]

it's slowly dying., you see less cruise nights, and less cars at the ones that still exist.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

What defines a hot rod?

I am just running with the common definition of 50's or earlier car with a 350 or something.

Type hot rod into google, hit images, ignore Samberg. That's what I'm speaking of.

[Slow-V6]

For me personally I have owned an F-body for the past 14 yrs. To be honest I am getting sick of them. I love my Trans am but my C5 and even the Cobra are better made cars and are more comfortable. Guess I am just getting old. The Trans am looks bad ass, but when I drive it it feels cheap and old. I never use to get that feeling in them and I have logged a ton of miles in F-bodies driving up and back from Virginia Beach for 8 yrs every other weekend when I was stationed there in the Navy. I am honestly thinking of selling my T/A. I already told some close family and friends that if they want it let me know.