The Cookie Jar is Empty...

[Rusty]

Over here in the Australian country side there is piles of stuff still lying about you just have to get off your bum and go for a drive. You will also need to be willing to cold knock on doors and just ask, I find most people are happy to have a quick chat and if they want there treasure they probably have a mate who doesn’t.

However we do not have very many Ian’s about who take on challenges as a 20 year old. I feel that western society demographics are changing rapidly; far fewer people are working in manufacturing or building trades, even fewer people aspire to owning a decent toolbox. Those who undertake trade training receive far less education in component manufacture, today its all unit change out. Our cities have reached out too far for practical travel and we now understand environmentally that we can’t just keep building on bush and farm land. Twenty years ago housing blocks averaged 900m2 these days they are down to 450m2. We are seeing huge amounts of urban infill going on with old homes coming down for town house development; people no longer have the skills or space to undertake a restoration. The cost of living is literally through the roof young people if they want a place in a major city these days will have a $500,000 mortgage for 30 years.

I think there will always be a few who take up the restoration challenge but numbers will dwindle. I think we will see the market for smaller fully restored vehicle types increase in value further as those who become High Income earners seek out a nice toy. But then again all our trucks may be up on blocks in a shed in 20 years because we cant afford to run them as fuel will become a very expensive commodity as former third world countries increase demand well beyond supply.

Agh?

[Mike K]

What interesting and erudite comments from everyone . One thing I have noticed down here , some people are getting into the MV hobby by buying a already restored vehicle , rather than going through the rebuild process themselves . The club I am in has seen this trend happen over the past ten years , and it's a growing trend . That's fine , but you won't learn anything if you buy a Jeep , ready to go . ... Doing it yourself ,we have to learn to become competant engine rebuilders, auto electricians, panel beaters , metal fabricators and spray painters .The end result may not be as good as a 100% proferssional rebuild , but you can say .. "I did it all myself ". Another trend is , more vehicles trailered to outings .. back in the 70's , this was unheard of . As owners become older , the long drives are less appealing in a draughty , slow and noisy machine - not to mention the huge number of massive trucks on the road these days . If I was driving to Corowa in a Jeep , I'd probably take the scenic route , over the ranges via Licola , rather than risk the death defying road rage game on the Hume freeway . Take 2 days to do it .

BTW in our last club newsletter , two going rebuilt WW2 jeeps for sale - owners cannot drive em anymore .. because of old age . It's happening before our eyes .Petrol is about to hit $1.50 a litre here ... Welbikes maybe the answer ! Time is catching up with us all , except young Ian F.

Mike

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Petrol is about to hit $1.50 a litre here ...

Petrol is the equivalent of about A$2.30, and deisel in the region of A$2.45, a litre here in Northern Ireland. That works out at about A$10.40 a gallon for petrol and A$11.10 for diesel (for those of us who still work in gallons)

In some of the smaller country garages (and in some owned by greedy b!"£$%^s) it is more expensive still.

Paul.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by PPS

Petrol is the equivalent of about A$2.30, and deisel in the region of A$2.45, a litre here in Northern Ireland. That works out at about A$10.40 a gallon for petrol and A$11.10 for diesel (for those of us who still work in gallons)

Ah yes, 'bout time for the current petrol prices. Holland's market leader Shell now charges EUR 1,462 per litre, nearly 2.5 AUD or 2.3 USD.

High petrol prices are most certainly not helpful, but I think it is the high prices of military vehicles and their parts which prevents the younger generations to step in. Here they are mostly the sons of the older club members, building on their father's collection.
As pointed out, less and less people are mechanically inclined, the pace of life is much quicker, property prices have soared (storage is a big problem here), etc, etc. - all limiting factors for our hobby.

Interestingly, because of the price settings, many dealers and service suppliers can make a proper living out of it. A dealer in Holland recently bought the remaining Jeep parts stock off the French Army, about 200 tons in total. Not something you do when there's no market to sell it on. . .

H.

[cletrac (RIP)]

And then there's the Canadian prairies. Gas is only $1.25 per litre (I shudder at the thought) and I have two yards of about 10 acres each. I doubt that my collection will ever get big enough to run out of space. Being a farmer I have a 50 ft x 50 ft fully equipped shop and the skills that go with it. The only thing I'll run out of is the ambition required.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by cletrac

Gas is only $1.25 per litre (I shudder at the thought)

Last November when I toured Toronto with Bill Miller, we really had to look for a gas station one night. The station owner told us many are closing down as they only make 1 cent per litre. We tanked fifty litres, the guy made 50 cents. He must make more on the sale of a can of soda. . .

H.

[Bruce MacMillan]

I think this topic applies to most military surplus, not just vehicles. Stens and brens are commanding high prices these days. My own interest is military radio equipment and some of the prices are getting ridiculous. The BC611 handie-talkie fetching $300 each now! SOE suitcase radios that sold for $100 in the 1970s are going for $3000.

Mike has mentioned one main cause of this and that is the re-enactor who just wants to play soldier and buy everything off the shelf. There is no desire to repair, maintain or get one's hands dirty. This increasing hobby and the finite quantity of goods only drives the prices up. Not that there is anything wrong with this as it indicates a widening public acceptance of things military.

Price of gas here in Lotus Land - C$1.20