Sandy's article below on needing an electric cart to help in distributing lighting around his village set me thinking.
I too am 'of a certain age' and when I attend Seven events, every one else seems to be, also! This leaves me with the inescapable conclusion that there is no interest in Sevens by most people below about 45. Yes, they love seeing them at all ages, but to OWN one ? No thanks. They are not relevant to most and certainly not an attractive proposition for youngsters, who would far rather have an Escort Mexico, 3 litre Capri or Holbay Rapier.
Veteran cars are about as relevant to us as Sevens are to them - The difference being that Veterans relate to the dawn of the age of motoring and their value reflects this. Our cars struggle to achieve the value of a 5 year old Ford Focus, so that in itself is a negative point longturn.
Wish I knew what we could do about this gloomy scenario.
Do you have any thoughts? Charles

I think you may be right. The world moves on.. Just enjoy.

Siegy,

If you are the last one out, will you please turn out the light.

Mike

Well, I am a new owner of a 1934 A7 Ruby, which I acquired when I was 40 - 2 years ago. I think it is important that these cars are regularly used which helps maintains their profile. There have been several articles recently in Practical Classics which serve to keep a focus on the cars.
For my part I am in the process of modifying my car to make it more useable in modern traffic AND I fully intend for this to be in regular use or even my daily driver (in the summer months) - it is only a car after all!
The more cars are seen by younger drivers & being used (or even rallied/raced) will help to attract a new breed of owners .
On a final note elderly drivers giving up their car does provide a source of available vehicles (many go on e-bay), which does stop the cars being exclusive - and I would like to put my name down for a Standard Swallow!

Gary

Tend to agree with Seigfield here, enjoy.

I believe a lot of our interest is Nostalgia, there are a many retired 'New' owners now buying something to remind them of their college/university days in the 50's, also something that is simple, light to work on and when they get out, a new social circle.

Certainly my renaissance is based on the 60's and the jazz scene I wallowed in, mainly travelled to and from festivals, clubs etc in my A7, even my first marriage was 'sorted' in the A7.

Sandy

Hi Charles

I'm 32 years old, bought the Colander (my special) as several boxes of bits in 2002. Despite not having seen one before I built EVERYTHING for it inc engine (several times!) , gearbox, back axle and a peculiar looking body! All with the help of Cornwall Club members and the web forums. I now love to drive it as many miles as possible, about 1500 miles since March and climbing (milometer now defunct so will estimate from now on). No roof or weather gear, but still out in all weathers!


Before the Colander I built a kit car for hillclimb use. Before that I built several Ford Escorts including 2 Mexicos that you mention and was what you could call a "boy racer"!

My interest always has been with grassroots motorsport, inc trials, and hillclimbs etc etc. If you attend any vintage style event like say a VSCC event there are definetely "youngsters" there getting involved, and probably several more to come through the ranks yet. I take your point that maybe the traditional scene of sitting in a feild admiring people polish cars may not appeal to everyone both young and old alike. The Cornwall Club which I am a member of put on some great "events", driving and non driving which bring the hobby or pastime we enjoy alive. We do need to keep driving the cars and getting them out as often as possible if time and our health/circumstances permit. They were made to drive after all, not be looked at in museums!

ITS NOT OVER YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP!!!

Regards

Steve

Charles, I am 27, and have one seven and fairly recently sold another. I also have a Steam Roller.
I cant wait for you old codgers to keel over and die, when there will be no interest in vintage cars and I can buy all the ones I currently want but cant afford on the cheap!

I'm 33 and have enjoyed A7s since I was born (nearly in the back of a SWB Box saloon!). My wife is 30 and has driven them since we met 6 years ago, she complains bitterly if she has to be a passenger. Her girl friends (much to the delight of many of us!!!!), look forward to coming with her on runs.


If you want younger people to get involved lend them a car, give them a car or buy them a car, they love it! I have done this to half dozen of my friends over the years and now all of them own and drive A7's on a regular basis.

Use the cars to go on camping weekends, make A7 events social events, not just static rallies where everyone stands around talking about how lively "it used to be". Get them involved in the committees of the club, get their ideas, feed off their enthusiasm (and let them gleen from your experience!).

The Scottish Club has quite a high percentage of younger members, which I personally think adds a great deal to the ethos of the club!

I personally cannot imagine a life without A7 and the friends I have met through it, great stuff!

Cheers

Ruairidh

Hedd has a good point - when an old codger keels over, his car either gets passed on to a family member or sold. Market forces will dictate that it will be sold at a price that someone wants to pay, and I haven't noticed large stocks of unwanted A7s piling up around the country. Despite hearing sporadic outbursts of doom & gloom over the past 30 years, somehow today there are more clubs running more events than at any time in the past.

David

P.S. Ruairidh - do you have an agreement for when you lend out a car? I have done this recently, and ought to put some sort of agreement in place just to cover us both.

Doesn't this all come down to why you own an Austin Seven in the first place?

If you have bought it as an 'investment' then there is lttle for you in the future.

If on the otherhand you bought the Austin to enjoy its use, to enjoy the fellowship, to enjoy the fact that other people ( of all ages ) like to see the cars then the future is good for you.

I bought my first Austin Seven in 1997 at the age of 50, since then I have enjoyed the cars that I have owned and rebuilt and used them all extensively. I shall continue to enjoy my cars until I am no longer able to drive.

After that ? I will have had, as I have already have, many years enjoyment for a very modest sum. My cars will have taken me to many enjoyable places and countries and, if everything goes as it is now, I will have made some wonderful friends. At the end of my time the cars will owe me nothing.

I am sure that when the time comes someone will look at my cars as potential restoration projects, pay the going rate, and embark on their life of Austin Seven pleasure.

Use them, enjoy them, we should be more concerned about the future of Petrol than the future of Austin Sevens.

Hi

When I bought my Seven ten years ago, I knew little about the car, other than that my father had run one successfully in the 1950s and that I liked the appearance of the late Ruby.

Since then, I have discovered the car's charm, dependability and challenges, and found no end of support and friendship in the clubs.

The quality built into the vehicle and the practicality of running it, along with the driving pleasure, have meant that I have never considered selling it.

As an added bonus, whenever I take the car out around here, I find a high level of appreciation and interest - from some who 'cut their teeth' on Sevens to those who have never seen one on the road before. I am sure this experience is typical.

So, if this is anything to go by, Sevens will be run, raced and cherished for many years to come, thus providing the impetus to keep the movement going strong...

Regards

Colin