That's a question we think about from time to time, so we figured, let's ask the community.

Sure, we've all seen younger folks take part in the culture, but how do we help grow that interest and keep it going?

Most of us probably had a moment that sparked our interest in the hobby. Maybe it was helping someone wrench on a project, getting to ride in someone's "fast" car or truck, or seeing something in car magazines, movies, or online that made us want to learn more.

What do you think helps spark that interest for the next generation?

 

Getting the opportunity to tag along in someone's ride I think is a big one.
It is all about memory making. To be honest I would have zero interest in cars and trucks if it wasn't for the friends and experiences along the way. If everyone was gone I probably would drop the hobby.

 

I got the bug from watching my dad wrench on his 55 bel air, 55 nomad, 69 chevelle. We fully restored a 68 nova when I was 21. I learned a lot from him. The best thing I learned was don’t be afraid to get in there and open **** up, fix it up, modify. Of course, we didn’t have cell phones, the internet and all the distractions back then🤷🏼‍♂️

 

Power sliding thru corners with my Dad in his Corvette. My son is hooked as well, he likes anything fast. I think RC cars and trucks have a significant impact, I was into them as a kid and so is my son. He was only 4 when I taught him how to rebuild a slash rear differential. Wrenching early on things helps the mind to better develop the desire and skill to pull it off.

 

Take away their smart phone.

 

Probably having a friend into the hobby/craft or a Dad that's into it.

I was just noticing when I went to the Arlington store to pick up some epoxy for a repaint job coming up...it seemed most guys were either a) older folks (like 50+), or b) younger guys (early 20s), with somewhat a cultural difference...30-40 year old guys seemed less of there waiting on parts and perusing the aisles. Just my observation.

I'm in my early 40s and my Dad was not a gearhead so I didn't have that growing up. But started tinkering with my old trucks about 5-6 years ago. My oldest son is 14 and I sometimes have him help when working on the trucks and took him to LS Fest a few years ago. We would want to go to a Narcar race or something like that.

 

These are awesome, everyone. We're seeing some common themes along with a few different ideas.

The RC cars and trucks are a great example. They can teach someone a lot. You can't just abuse them, because then they're going to break. Then you have to take the time and spend the money to fix them.

Sounds a lot like part of the process on a "big car/truck" project.

 

Finding something cool they can connect with that's somewhat still affordable

 

It obviously happened sometime before the smartphone became ubiquitous and part of the fabric, but this points to the missing answers to the question.
Long before the smartphone, it was just understood that tv was one of the only passive activities, pretty much everything else required skills, which require patience and active attention.
'The distractions' train your brain in the skill ... of avoiding gaining skills by rewarding LESS patience and less focus.

What would spark any interests in anything for the next generation? How do we make skills and delayed gratifications cool again?
This reminds me of the South Park episode where Randy teaches Shelley & Stan how to fix the over door: