I must have missed the original thread of the 'end of 60 year era'. Kids attention are going to constantly shift minute to minute.
What might have captured our attention span then might not them now. And their kids will probably have different interests than our
kids. My two oldest kids could give a rat's patooie about AMC (where did I go wrong, oh, sorry I marreied their blair witch mother
in 70s) but like the cars, just could care less about them and sure as hell don't want to work on one. Might own one, just don't
want to waste a hour tuning carb when could be texting friends about what to wear to beach.
My kids (2 youngest) thought it was really "cool" that dad's car was on tv 4th of July 2012 yesterday.
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/sc360/sc360-houston-tv-2012.jpgthe short video on youtube
here:
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=3MRVs-o0qw8"hey look poppa Arafat is going to come back from grave is he on Plants Vs Zombies?" Uh, no, but good anology. There are many ways
to keep kids in the game and get them interested. Make them sit on blistering hot 120+ degree AMC Rebel seats promising ice cream is
one way
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMC/68rebel_kids.JPGThreats is another. You can threaten to put photos on Facebook:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMC/easy_financing.jpgCuriosity is one my favorites, kids, boys
and girls are curious about puzzles, LEGOs, and what happens if you stick hand in 7 blade
flex fan on AMC:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMC/start_young.jpgBribery is yet another item to keep kids interested in AMC or anything. It's like driving in Mexico, you have to bribe federales. Or
like working for Nike in China. I like to bring out fishing pole with Hot Wheels cars for my slave labor (labour if Canadian):
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/restoration/73_amx_32.jpgIf worried about 'kids' being interested in these old cars we collect, expose them to them. Not all will take the bait either. On my
site it mentions car shows and events held 'outside the summer window' which instantly eliminates
families, or anyone in higher
education like college or university:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/how-to-do-amc-meet.htmso if a meet in say November or April, many people simply can't take off from school or plan vacation around it so it cuts down
attendance, and well, eliminates those future AMCers.
Today (July 5th, 2012) I happened to be in Bellaire, which is a city inside Houston picking up some AMC speaker braces for 68-70
AMX, and had Noah & Jacob with me. Since in bellaire we went to Bellaire Broiler Burger, some of best burgers in Houston, near
corner of Chimney Rock & Bellaire. We were in the low miler 82 Concord woodie wagon.
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/Photo_Gallery_AMC/baby-bessie-82.jpgParked it out front and as we got out, there was young man, probably in 20s, talking to girl (good looking girl) and he said 'excuse
me sir, who makes that car?' and I said "American Motors, AMC did it is a 1982 Concord" and he said, 'man that is nice' so I said
'thanks'. Since he was with a ladt friend I didn't bother to tell him the car was sold NEW 2 blocks from there at Vance & Sons:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amc-dealerships/vancensonsshowroom.jpghttp://www.planethoustonamx.com/amc-dealerships/vancensonsfront.jpg30 years ago this year. This is original decal on it.
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amc-dealerships/vance_sons_decal.jpgSo we went inside and ate. I did notice he came over and checked it out further. Good. And bring that cheerleader looking girl with
you in the 98 degree heat. Bottom line is we living in time when many people can't spell ot even text word AMC.
I think the hobby in good hands and anything anyone can to to increase involvement, pride of ownership, or educate youngsters about
what AMC was is a good thing. Lucky for us many new reproduction parts have flooded market in last 15 or so years which (in my
opinion) makes it easier to get kids involved since more stuff available for them to fix up a car, whether by themselve or with
parents help. Hopefully I am right. I can tell you I am not worried!
Eddie Stakes
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxwww.planethoustonamx.com
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