Emily Writes… Classic Cars & Young People

Thanks to the charity StarterMotor, I've attended many car events this summer. However, there’s been a noticeable absence of young people. As a young woman, I want to share my perspective and address this issue.

A survey by Hagerty found that Millennials and Gen Z have a stronger desire to own classic cars than older generations, pointing to an increasingly lower age of car enthusiasts and the rising popularity of vintage vehicles in the young generation.

Yet the classic vehicle community still lacks young members. This is because it resists change. The industry hosts identical events, intended to draw in a younger crowd, but they never come. Doesn't this serve as a clear indication that the industry needs to change its outdated methods?

Stereotypes about teens must be broken and solutions proposed to combat the perceptions that: "collector cars are too expensive for under 50", "young people don't appreciate classics", and "kids are too consumed by technology".

The classic car industry must reassess its youth engagement strategies. Instead of relying on advice from an ageing demographic, seek direct input from the target audience and make necessary changes based on the feedback from young people.

To attract teenagers, the classic car community must actively seek their attention and fill in gaps in knowledge. As more young people show interest in owning classic cars, it’s important to welcome them and meet their needs to ensure the industry’s stability.