The 'what constitutes a classic' debate will always rage on. I imagine people who own 1930's MG's might not consider my 1979 Ford much of a classic?
I get that this forum caters only for Old School Fords which is why I joined. But the term Classic is often open to interpretation.
To a 20 year old a 1996 car probably feels like a classic or at least a 'modern classic'. For the record all my sons teenage mates think my completely standard Escort Ghia is really cool (they might be humouring me) but as it cost me more than a new Dacia to acquire I doubt many of them will be buying one for themselves anytime soon.
If youngsters are all labelled chavs and they're efforts derided there will be no classic car movement in years to come. A lot of young adults have been priced off the the road and just as many are not interested in cars. So if someone has made the effort to get an 'older' car, spend money on it and bring it to a show then they should be welcomed. They probably 'get' our passion for our cars so we should probably return the courtesy?
I've never been to the Classic Ford Show and I only get the mag on occasions but surely it's big enough to display the different cars in their own sections to please all?
As a car lover I enjoy chatting to the enthusiastic owners of all cars new and old. As someone who sold new Fords from the late 80's up to 2006 I would have to say that SOME of the cars we launched in that era were terrible (MK5 Escort, Fusion, Maverick, Scorpio) but even they have a following which should be encouraged. Others like the Ka, Puma, Mk1 Focus and Mk1 Mondeo were groundbreaking (for Ford) in design and the way they drove etc so were really important milestones for Ford.
I got my car because I grew up with them - my Dad had them and I drove them as a teen. If every car lover did the same and why not? Then your going to get a few mid 90's cars rocking up at shows.
Not looking to ruffle feathers or start an argument but just offering my own point of view which I know and respect will be different from others.
Happy new year.