Updated – Many groups and individuals have been talking about trying to get young people involved in the old car hobby, but little more than that has unfortunately ever happened. Your Editor has been too busy over the last few years to implement The Old Motor Youth Incentive Program™ that first came to mind in 2011. I am now getting ready to put the resources of The Old Motor and its readers and their friends to work together to help get the ball rolling.

A considerable amount of thought has gone into it this, and a solid plan to implement it has been formed. After we finish a project here in the shop soon, I will have more time to devote to it and am now beginning to lay the groundwork and talk with supporters. The Old Motors role in this would be to publicize the effort, get it started, keep it on track, and help in anyway it can.

*Update* Recent developments since this was published: A talk with a television sports production company executive involved with old cars for years indicated that he is interested in the concept and possibly giving it TV exposure. There is also the possibly of a couple of large companies that could turn out be a great title sponsor, but until this moves further along and we can go public with the plans it is too early to go further.

The timing at the moment is not quite right to announce the full details of the non-profit Incentive, due to future discussions with a few large old car clubs and a higher learning institution that may become involved. The plan for it is to eventually become nationwide and involve a yearly competition that will make it more interesting for the participants and everyone in the old car hobby.

Top photo courtesy of the Klingberg Center – A. Y. Owen photo (above) for Life Magazine.

Each satellite group around the country that becomes involved would have an organized core group of mentors that would teach and help a new group of young men and women yearly. The previous year’s youth group would also help out the new group.

The program will give hands-on experience to interested youths and will achieve the following: introduce them to the world of old cars, teach them through direct experience with an old car, create a sense of accomplishment, and build self-esteem and a group of like-minded friends.

Please keep in mind that these kids are likely go on to be the future of the old car movement and may help us all out later on down the road. We only ask that you please email or contact your friends about this effort and help spread the word as this is truly a grassroots effort.

To help get the ball rolling would you please take a few minutes of your time and answer the following questions (below) as a comment (if you do not want your comment published that is OK, but please make that clear).