I have to say there is some truth in what both of you say. While the big buck collectors tend to be silver haired with disposable income, that is the nature of the beast. When you're twenty five, disposable income, what little you have of it, is directed towards lots of other pursuits, from women to stereos to rent to women to clothes and to women. And don't forget women. The idea of disposable income is hard when you're young and just starting out as your income is lower in the first place as you're just starting out. There is a place over in Springfield, Ohio called Mershons. It is about forty minutes from my house, and they have very cool stuff. Old Vettes, Ferrari's, Mustangs, Cobras, everything hi-po and ready to roll. The dealership is a neat place, but for under fifty grand you should go down the street and buy a Honda Accord. Six figure cars there are the norm. Who can afford that anyway?
Young collectors have to modify or restore what they can afford to buy and repair. Our cars will still have a following, I believe, because they are an iconic nameplate, whether good or bad in the mind of the general public. For those who don't know what a Pinto is, that's cool. Let's show them by getting out to events with our cars and showing the flag, so to speak. I go to a lot of auctions for cars, parts, tools and the like. I see a lot of cars that no one seemed to have any interest in while the person had it cross the auction block, and they always generate interest from the crowd. The latest issue of Pinto Times shows a beauty of a Pinto that sold at auction just a little while ago and there were several bidders. The car was beautiful, and I would have just about killed to bring it home, but I wasn't shopping for a car and my wife would have killed me. People will find the cars they want and that Pinto was wanted by more than a couple of people. They will pass that interest on to someone else, just like the car, and I'll think we'll be ok.
I also like the idea of putting a more modern power plant, or at least some of the components, into one of my cars. It would be fun, and a Stealth Pinto would be pretty cool. Lots of power, no outward sign of it at all, and a big surprise for some import toy.
I have to say that folks seem to be drawn to my Pinto when I take it out. People like them, and people remember them. When the time comes that I can't keep them, for whatever reason, I know where to go to find someone who will care for them in much the same fashion as what I have.