IT MIGHT BE OVER...

George, I can understand how you feel. What some do or don't do to cars should be considered a criminal act...just kidding or course. But it's their car, their $. Like you stated, just don't attend.  

....we've discussed this numerous times across these forums:  As Baby Boomers, Gen. X-ers, and even Millennials age or pass this "car show trend"  will continue.   Most of the "old car"  gatherings I see today have more modern muscle than antique chrome.

The last pure "Back to the 1950's"  car show I saw was decades ago.  😮 😑 🙄 

I even think that changing your car so that it becomes easier to use is a no deal to me.

Like changing drum-brakes into disc-brakes.

Or even changing the old-stile-radio into a new one.

This is an opinion or perception, but I think most of these car owners are in a race of their own, meaning they want to have the most unusual and oddest looking thing on wheels to get noticed.  It's sort of a, "Hey, look at me", perspective.  When reality is (at least mine anyway) that if I can't recognize what the car was or is, I'm walking right on by it. 

In the seventies, eighties, and nineties the "Back to the 50's" weekend here in Minnesota was the place to be to see and relive all the chrome, fins, and beauty of the cars we grew up seeing on our streets.  Now, it's become a contest to see who can out weird one another. 

I've seen this slowly happening over the last several years, but this weekends show was in my face with very little of the past actually being shared.  As I said, "It might be over".  

George i hear you loud and clear. I'm hate to admit it but the majority of car shows in our area are probably 80% modified cars and trucks and 20% original or restored vehicles. The only exception is our state fair show where the vehicles have to be original and are judged accordingly. To see original cars today you have to go to shows such as an AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) show or a one make show that judges for originality and those one make shows sometimes have modified classes. It's a sign of the times as well as a sign of us old codgers aging out.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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George i hear you loud and clear. I'm hate to admit it but the majority of car shows in our area are probably 80% modified cars and trucks and 20% original or restored vehicles. The only exception is our state fair show where the vehicles have to be original and are judged accordingly. To see original cars today you have to go to shows such as an AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) show or a one make show that judges for originality and those one make shows sometimes have modified classes. It's a sign of the times as well as a sign of us old codgers aging out.

I hear you loud and clear and agree.  I told the guys I went to this weekends show with, that I'm done going.  And I think your 20%/80% figures are accurate.  

And George its not just 1:1s. This is currently on sale on ebay. While I admire the amazing skills of the modeler, IMHO most of the comments re destruction of beautiful cars apply to this model, FMs 1/24 Buick LeSabre concept. item no 297423705745

Custom and modified cars have been around as far back as I can remember. Frenched headlights, shaved and decked, fender skirts, chopped tops, lowered or raised suspension, custom paint, graphics, pinstriping, rolled and pleated interiors, sun visors, tinted windows, Carson tops, spinner hubcaps, no hubcaps, custom wheels, shaved door handles and the list goes on and on. Some like it, some don't...whatever floats ones boat.

Oh, what about engine modifications and and sound systems...the list is endless!!!

Posted by: @sizedoesmatter

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Custom and modified cars have been around as far back as I can remember. Frenched headlights, shaved and decked, fender skirts, chopped tops, lowered or raised suspension, custom paint, graphics, pinstriping, rolled and pleated interiors, sun visors, tinted windows, Carson tops, spinner hubcaps, no hubcaps, custom wheels, shaved door handles and the list goes on and on. Some like it, some don't...whatever floats ones boat.

Oh, what about engine modifications and and sound systems...the list is endless!!!

John, I'm well aware that customs and modified cars have been around for decades.  But originally at old classic car shows like the "Back to the 50's" show here in Minnesota, they have not. 

This show started in 1974 with the guidelines being any car "older than 1964", we never had muscle cars allowed to enter...that is still the case.  However, in those 70's, 80's and 90's years of the show, customs and modified cars were the rarity. 

I've been attending all these past fifty years and each year since the early 2000's, stock/original and restored to original cars are becoming less and less.  This past weekends show was the worst I've ever witnessed. 

Of the 11,000+ cars there, literally 80% of them were customs and modified in some way.  The two buddies I was with talked about that too.  I really do think this was my last year to attend, as I have no desire to walk through the fairgrounds wondering what every car once was before some quack Frankenstein got ahold of it. 

But as you said, "Some like it, some don't...whatever floats ones boat".  I'm in the "don't like them" boat.  

I still enjoy going to car shows in spite of the changing percentages of stock vs. customs and "others".  In my experience at shows to date the only cars that I have zero interest in are the rat rods; I find them quite silly and mostly comprised of old parts best left in the field where they came from.  Low riders do nothing for me either as I resent seeing, for example, a '62 Impala being bounced up and down or other silly antics which ultimately shake the car to pieces.  But of course evolving generations dictate that change is inevitable and what I prefer simply doesn't matter in the big picture, so I focus on the many cars that still appeal to my vintage taste.  There are still very many cars at the shows I attend, both stock and mild custom, that put a smile on my face so those are the ones I spend time on, inspecting and speaking with the owners.  A person has to focus on the positive in spite of these generational disappointments. There are still many vintage car related events to make the hobby pleasurable, at least in my world.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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A person has to focus on the positive in spite of these generational disappointments. There are still many vintage car related events to make the hobby pleasurable, at least in my world.

Well said! When I get a chance to go to a car show, just about any car show that may be happening, I go for the fellowship of other people who love cars. I'd miss that if I refused to attend because I didn't like some of the cars on display. Those guys who are modifying their cars love them as much as we do, maybe even more. 

Posted by: @jkuvakas

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Posted by: @jack-dodds

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A person has to focus on the positive in spite of these generational disappointments. There are still many vintage car related events to make the hobby pleasurable, at least in my world.

Well said! When I get a chance to go to a car show, just about any car show that may be happening, I go for the fellowship of other people who love cars. I'd miss that if I refused to attend because I didn't like some of the cars on display. Those guys who are modifying their cars love them as much as we do, maybe even more. 

Your comment too, John is well said.  I attend many local car shows where the majority of the focus is on REAL cars and not home made monstrosities.  I fully enjoy them.  So I guess what it's come to is that the annual "Back to the 50's show that has no guidelines  (other than the no cars over 1964), I will going forward to stick to the smaller shows. 

I love seeing original cars, and cars that have period correct mods, but still retain the cars looks. I don't mind Cragers or Torque Thrusts on a muscle car, or Lakes pipes on a sled etc. Some do tend to get carried away with what looks like every geegaw out of a J.C.Whitney catalog. I don't much care for that.😊

I'm basically with Geno when it comes to admiring cars so it is Not Over for Me, though I can understand George Shire's sentiments concerning the recent MSRA "Back to the 50's" car show. Here are some pics approximately from the '50's era for George, some mods that Geno might enjoy scattered here and there, and some from my favorite era for me. (Lot of pics, went crazy while taking a "memory lane trip" choosing them) Hope you enjoy the show.

GM & Ford junkpiles 1/24th scale

Remember the gas crisis in the early 70's coupled with high gas prices?, 

which made muscle cars dirt cheap - now, not so much. Who knew?

1/43rds just-a-styling through the years. In '51 that would be me with the ball.

Less interesting looking autos in later '60's with few exceptions until lately IMHO.

A 1:1 with the 1st fins & the 1/43rd Buick's magnificent grin

Split window coupe & a stunning Edsel rear

My favorites are cars with trunks and other endearing features. Like crank starting (AYKM) & simple interiors . . .

Trunks

Interesting front ends and flowing fenders

Desert deterrents esp. the ubiquitous water bag

Then there is our car, a driver, second pic was taken just before descending into Oatman, CA

Stock body/not paint, 350 Chevy w/400 tranny, Nova rear. Fat fenders & laid back windscreen is new styling, and an attempt at aero efficiency.

Safer seats & the state magnets Rosy has traveled in three attempts to do all of Rt 66, the only state missing

on the dash is Illinois. We need to get all the way to Chicago to complete our journey and show that state.

CA end, and the Cop finally caught up with us in Carthage, MO which is about as far as we got towards Chicago ("or Bust", where we were Busted)

Front - Rear as seen outside the Big Texan roadhouse