Average Age? - Page 43

KirkV · #**841** (**permalink**) 09-26-2011, 07:15 AM

I'm 51 here and just got enough funds this year to buy my first of many I hope!

Donunder · #**842** (**permalink**) 09-26-2011, 07:54 AM

I'm 68. I had Austin Healeys when I was younger, a 100/6 and a 3000 Mk2.
The Healeys went when the kids came along and my son (750HP) eventually owned two Cobras. He now drives a blown big block Chevelle and a tidy '64 Mercury Comet among other things.

I bought my 1979 Arntz a year ago. It is in absolutely pristine condition and is a tribute to its two previous owners. It's 32 years old so between the two of us we notch up 100 years. I have a lovely low mileage '92 Merc 500 SL for wet weather driving or long trips and a Suzuki VStrom 1000 that I ride 3-4 times a week and use for regular interstate trips as well.

The Arntz with its adjustable floor-mounted pedals allows my 6'4" frame to fit in comfortably, something I was unable to do in other local makes. I'm loving driving an older car with the history that the Arntz is part of, without worrying about drawing the displeasure of any "originality" set that blighted my latter days of Healey ownership.

SpecOp1 · #**843** (**permalink**) 09-26-2011, 09:09 AM

58.....wanted one since I got my 1st Mustang in 1971...was a 65 Hardtop with a 3 spd and a six....2 kids and 1 career later am waiting on my Backdraft to be finished soon...was looking at a popular Italian used car when the wife said "all you can do is polish that, go get a car you can drive and polish"....love that woman!....

Avmaviator · #**844** (**permalink**) 09-26-2011, 09:03 PM

So what is the average age?... Late fifties, early sixties?

I'm not even going to list my age after seeing this post.

Dimis · #**845** (**permalink**) 09-26-2011, 10:19 PM

33 for me.
First saw a Robnel in '89 (I believe), when I was 11.
Mum pranged dads daily driver.
When we went to the body shop to pick up the mended car, there it was, on a hoist getting looked at.
I was hooked and have been saving ever since!

BAsque1 · #**846** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 01:46 AM

Scot:
I am 58 and got my Cobra 6 mos ago for my bday, my wife calls it the "old age crisis car" it is my toy period. And you would not be a boy if you don't have toys period.
Enjoy what you do, we are here for a short time!!!!
Cheers
Basque1

Luce · #**847** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 02:03 PM

I bought my Lone Star kit last year for my 42'nd BDay. Sold my '04 Merc SL600. Warranty expired and I looked at what the last 3 years of repairs would have cost, and I couldn't even change the brake pads without a computer, and it's resale value was dropping like a box of rocks.

I considered an older Ferrari or something similar, but to get the performance I wanted and be pre EFI(I didn't want to repeat my SL's issues), I thought they all looked dated and/or gaudy. Then it occurred to me. A Cobra that I built with no compromises would hold it's value, be fast and nasty, and I could rebuild absolutely any part of it.

I'm almost 1 year into my build and see light at the end of the tunnel. Hope to be on the road before spring.

YerDugliness · #**848** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 06:52 PM

Got my Cobra replica (bought an already built and sorted one) when I was 59.

Cheers, Dugly

fjrgary · #**849** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 07:01 PM

bought my first cobra this summer. wanted one every since i saw steve arntz on the cover of hot rod magazine in the early 70s. i'm 65 and going through my 4th mid life crisis.

mervy49 · #**850** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tin-man

If you never finished building your Cobra, I'm guessing it was spent in the garage.

tin-man

I had her built and on the road in 92, then a couple years later I took out the 351w and jammed in a 429.

twin turbo · #**851** (**permalink**) 09-29-2011, 08:08 PM

I'm 52 (as of today woo hoo), and have had my Cobra replica for 5 yrs now. I have always loved the look of these cars since I was a kid. I rode in a Cobra replica approx 15 yrs ago and actually was disappointed in the power. It had a stock sideoiler to replicate the original. I swore to myself at that point if I could ever afford one, it would have to have much more power than the original to compliment the looks of the car. I'm a happy man now. Life is good. Cheers.

KevinW · #**852** (**permalink**) 09-30-2011, 01:53 PM

47 this summer.

But been into these cars, and gathering info since I was 31 when i saw a Hawk 289 replica at Earl's Court...then bought my first kit when I was 32 with insurance payout after daily driver was stolen so i went back to riding bikes, then the G/F bought me a 1/24 model as a going away present for my new job and........... man, was it really that long ago?... I must be one anally retentive sad f*ck!

RangerMac · #**853** (**permalink**) 09-30-2011, 06:18 PM

I was 10 or so when I built a model of a S/C. I built another model of a S/C when I was 32. Both were painted black with silver stripes. I bought a real one when I turned 38. It was/is my x-mas, birthday, father's day, etc for the next three years. Dedication or obsession?

Guitardave · #**854** (**permalink**) 02-03-2012, 05:24 PM

I am 42, but since the first time I saw a cobra(a replica)up close, In about 1987, I have wanted my own. Life sometimes gets in the way so here we are in 2012 and my Cobra was delivered on January 12th. Not so much mid-life crises as finally had enough cash available, and no other obligations in the immediate future(My daughter is a Junior in high school college tuition looms in the headlights).

TNcoupe · #**855** (**permalink**) 02-03-2012, 05:48 PM

Bought my kit at 29, finished it at 30. 500 some odd miles on it now that I just turned 31.

Got the Bug · #**856** (**permalink**) 02-03-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNcoupe

Bought my kit at 29, finished it at 30. 500 some odd miles on it now that I just turned 31.

What's the old saying..."youth is wasted on the young."

Damn, guys like you are skewing the average age here.

REAL 1 · #**857** (**permalink**) 02-03-2012, 07:17 PM

The key is to get younger guys into the hobby so the love for these cars carries on to the next generation..

DRAGON · #**858** (**permalink**) 02-04-2012, 06:54 AM

I'm 68 going on 16.

chucks1 · #**859** (**permalink**) 02-04-2012, 07:04 AM

Bought my '67 Mustang fastback at age 18, moved up to a Boss 351, then came a Boss 429 followed by numerous Mach1's, fastbacks and GT's. The Shelbys were always out of my reach. Bought a Mustang GT in '05, but it didn't last long because the new Shelbys were on the way. My '07 GT500 is an absolutely beautiful car, but still didn't hit the right spot. I've always known that a Cobra was the only cure, so obscessed about them for 2 years before pulling the trigger on a new SPF last summer. I was 57 at the time, but regressing in age every time I get behind the wheel.

mdross1 · #**860** (**permalink**) 02-04-2012, 09:26 AM

I was 13 yrs younger when this thread started, built my car 6 yrs before that.Haven't driven our car much lately because of other interests but plan to this coming season.Building an SB2 NASCA all aluminum motor for V8 motorcycle shooting for 800hp,which will help keep my 64 yr old bones feeling like when I was a kid!