Never Stop Driving #113: My Favorite Food Is Potato Skins
My fellow graybeards often fret that younger people are glued to their screens, rather than getting out of the house and experiencing the physical world, especially as it applies to cars. I don’t buy it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen much evidence to the contrary, and I’m not just talking about the numerous school districts that are restricting students’ use of cell phones, which has been all over the news.
First, I stumbled across the work of 23-year-old Grace Kerber, the digital branding creator at Mohawk Chevrolet, an upstate New York dealership that gave her the freedom to create a video series depicting dealership life in the style of the hit TV show “The Office.” Kerber’s hilarious videos have gained enough traction that GM CEO Mary Barra appeared in a recent episode, in which Kerber and her dealership posse travel to GM headquarters in Detroit to pitch a series of branding revisions to GM marketing executives. To describe herself to the boardroom, Kerber said, “My favorite food is potato skins” and then proposed that Chevy should shorten the name of its full-size pickup, the Silverado, to simply “Rado.” The Chevy chiefs played along brilliantly with the gag.
It’s heartwarming to watch GM brass support Kerber’s creativity and enthusiasm. I’m lucky because at Hagerty I get to work with so many younger colleagues, which is invigorating. Last month, I collaborated on a social media video with several 20- and 30-something Hagerty employees. As someone who’s worked on print magazines for years, creating a snappy Instagram video doesn’t come naturally to me, so I listened more than I spoke as we filmed short clips in a garage full of cars.
The energy in that garage was the same as in our magazine pitch meetings: people proposed ideas, which we debated, which sparked more ideas, some of which we executed. It was clear our social media staff relish the creative process as much as I do. If my first love is cars and driving, creating material for other passionate car enthusiasts is a close second. I often tell my Hagerty Media colleagues that if we’re not having fun creating all our content across our print, video, web, and social media platforms, then we are majorly blowing it. We are here to spread automotive passion, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Last week, I was reminded by my much younger colleague, Kyle Smith, that we all have a part in spreading that passion. Smith is an inveterate tinkerer with soft spots for the Chevy Corvair and the Ford Model A, and the work he does in his home garage embodies everything we hold dear here at Hagerty Media. A patient and knowledgeable instructor, he frequently contributes DIY material to our website and magazine, and he calls himself an automotive enabler. In an article published last week, Smith explained how a visiting friend shared a fantasy to buy a Harley-Davidson and ride it across the country. What would you do after hearing that? If you’re Kyle Smith, you’d immediately volunteer to help your friend buy the Hog, use your van to bring it back home to Michigan, then organize a multi-day garage squad rebuild before sending your buddy west. Awesome.
Smith is also a graduate of the McPherson College automotive restoration program, which recently restored a Mercedes and entered it at the Pebble Beach Concours. We’ve covered that achievement, but the school just released a superb video on the project.
On a recent episode of our Never Stop Driving podcast, I interviewed Taylor Ferns, who races the most terrifying of competition vehicles—sprint cars—and is also competing in the Indy NXT series to get closer to her goal of winning the Indy 500. She’s also a lawyer and team owner. You can watch a clip of the interview here and listen to the full episode on Spotify and Apple.
The kids, it seems, are most definitely alright, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t all continue mentoring them. I recently had one of my life’s most impactful moments when I was racing with my 21-year-old son and he blew past me. You go, John.
I’m also a fan of the videos produced by Dave Bell, owner of Dave’s Auto Center in Utah. Bell explains the problems and solutions of the cars his shop fixes and dispenses plenty of homespun wisdom. In this video, he pulls aside another 21-year-old and tells him, “There are no stupid questions. There are people who don’t ask questions and stay dumb.” Amen.
So, this weekend, a little homework assignment: Drag yourself away from your own screens, back your coolest car out of the garage, and go somewhere where you can meet people half (or a third) your age. And if I may humbly offer some advice from the Broadway musical Hamilton, “Talk less, smile more.” You’ll be surprised by what you hear.
Thanks for reading!
Larry
P.S.: Your feedback and comments are welcome.
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The video should have been five minutes maximum.
My mistake. It should have been two minutes. I thought it went on for ten minutes.
The debate over the young vs old car enthusiast has not changed. While there are still some you fans out there they are not the same or as great in number as in the past.
They have a great many things to do and many no longer mean going out. Cars are just a way to get to work and school.
To be fair most cannot afford the cars of their dreams and many of today’s cars are now wall poster material.
Back in the 80’s it was much more wide spread. It was easy to buy an old muscle car and it was cheap to build. they were all RWD and Small block Ford and Chevy that had tons of support. Even Pontiac and Olds. Few wanted Mopar at this point.
Many of the shows and cruise in events I go to look like a nursing home. Back in the day we closed the places down at 1 AM but today they leave before dark as they can’t see.
I have two sports cars. My son has shown some interest in one but he can’t drive it due to insurance restriction. His buddy dad has a Viper and it is the dame deal. They both own SUV models one a new Blazer and the other a H3 Hummer used.
I see kids pop in at some events But their participation is limited. They really have nothing to bring to the shows unless they are into imports and they stick to their own events. Most can’t even afford a V6 Camaro or Mustang that is 10 years old. They are faced with a world living at home because they can’t afford to move out. Back in the day I had three cars and was buying new cars with cash in 1985.
The condition of the youth is like the manual tranny. Not totally gone but far from what it was and I really don’t see it getting back to what it once was.
We do have some in the import movement but they are in pocket areas around the country and often a few trouble makers kill it for the whole scene.
Many of the car kids are doing Youtube as a way to pay for their cars. They have had to get creative. Some have really good content others die driving way to fast and hitting a Tree while filming.
I work in the performance industry and it has radically changed. It was all Camaro and Mustang but today with most cars with 400 HP or more few parts are sold. Most are now into trucks and Jeeps for now. that is where most of the money is.
I don’t see a lack of passion but I do see the lack of money and high cost as well cars easily modified to give kids the materials they need to be auto enthusiast.
Our best bet is to keep seeding and hope it takes root in enough to keep things alive in the car culture. I still think we have seen our better day already. I am glad I was able to be a part of it.
Maybe they will make an American Graffiti for the 80’s that will restart things like the original movie did in 1973.
As a crazy 70 year old racer, I totally enjoy hanging out with the racers half my age. They are the ones keeping club racing and autocross alive.
I am 78 years young, my wife accuses me of not having enough sense to grow up …. I say thank god for that.
I bought a 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV new that I still have . In 1994 I bought a twin turbo Mk 4 Toyota Supra that I kept until its sad demise in 2021. Tinkered with that beast until it was 768 hp – 726 lb ft at 3800 rpm, redlined at 8,000. That 2JZ is an unbelievable engine.
I spent many years attending weekly summer car shows with it , most of the people there were in their teens through 40’s … what a hoot.
I went to the Canadian Italian car show in July with the Alfa — great fun.
All to say there is no “past due” date for car lovers.
Coincidentally, a friend in the business sent me a link to the same Mohawk video a couple of weeks ago.
Yawn….
ICYMI, the only reason Mary and Mojo appear is because Mohawk is one of Chevy’s Top 100 Dealers.
Oh, and Mohawk’s Dealer Principal “just happens” to be Chairperson of Chevy’s National Dealer Council….which I’m sure is just a coincidence.
When Mary and Mojo start making cameos in Puklich Chevy’s YouTube vids, THAT’S when you’ll have something worth writing about. 😉
I love optimism and hate pessimism. Things do change, and to stay “with it” we need to adapt. Nothing will ever be “like it used to be”, so just work your way into “what it’s like now”. Oh, and speaking as a native Idahoan, definitely eat more potato skins! 😋
Just turned 79; still in the shop five days a week, finishing Dad’s old ’51 Chevy 2-door for my son, and a ’61 Pontiac Tempest (yep, the IRS/’rope drive’ Y-body) with the rare Buick 215 V-8 for myself. Then there’s the ’53 Stude sedan I’m going to convert to a roadster (shortened S-10 frame, IROC-Z motor and T-5 trans) should I be able to keep it up! And my restomod ’71 240Z: going to ‘cars n’ coffee’ with me tomorrow!
I wrote How to Restore Your Datsun Z-Car in 1990, and it’s now with Car Tech; hopefully in the revised/updated edition I did! Also Special Interest Autos, HMN, Old Cars Weekly and others over the years, including a stint as restoration editor of Z Car Magazine until it folded — not my fault…
I’d like to contribute to Hagerty’s magazine, or these posts, but they’ve been slow to respond to an oldster with a vast history: first car a ’55 Chevy ‘post’ with built 265, lakes pipes, moon discs and gasp; wide white-walls in 1961!
McPherson College – The Path To Pebble documentary is a must see. Brought me to tears! Thanks for sharing. I’ll keep working on my 2001 Mercedes SLK320.
I recently entered my car in a car show. Shortly after I parked, a kid came over and started asking questions. We talked for a few minutes. Then he pointed out a rusty old truck across the lot and said it was his dad’s. I asked him if he got to drive it. He said yes and that it was a three on the tree. I asked how old he was. His reply – 14. He told me he has friends at school asking him to teach them how to drive a stick!
They’re not all glued to there phones!
No they are not. And you know, not 100% of youngsters were into cars back in the day either. There were kids exploring all sorts of differing pastimes – just like today. Diversity of interests is not a bad thing in society. I refuse to accept the gloomy views of some that all young people these days can’t do anything except blind you with how fast their thumbs can operate a digital device. I say hurrah for your 14-year-old friend and multitudes more just like him.
I, too, had one of those “impactful moments” racing my son. 24 years ago we were racing 100cc Yamaha powered karts at a local track. I was in my 30’s and my kid was 10. We raced in separate classes, but practiced together. He had mechanical restrictors and additional weight on his kart, so somewhat equal karts. I had raced street stocks at different times in my life, so I was kind of cocky on a go kart. Guess who blew past me on part of the track that wasn’t known for a passing zone? My kid! He clipped the edge of the dirt off the pavement on the inside of the curve and dusted me! In the first instant I was thinking, “What the hell!” The second instant I was thinking, “That was awesome!” Larry, you are blessed to have such a memory logged of John. I haven’t forgotten the visualization of that moment for 24 years. Larry, say hi to Cam in Tennessee from a proud dad.
^I love this. Thanks for sharing Scott.
Yes, and thanks for sharing Cameron with us also, Scott. His contributions to Hagerty Media are awesome.
Will do Scott. Thanks for reading and sharing!
I am a Chaplain with the Trans Am series and we have am amazing group of very young drivers and alumni who are wonderful gentlemen and are moving up. Four will be competing in the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen next weekend, Conner Zilisch, Austin Green, Thomas Annunziata, and Conner Mosack and all are in their teens or very early twenties.
Yes most are well funded by family or benefactors. While many on local short tracks are stopping due to lack of money.
Kids like Joey Logano got his start funded by dad’s trash hauling company till he got discovered.
This is not the same as the high school kid wanting a cool car he could race at the local drag strip. Many just can’t do it anymore. These kids are the body of the hobby not the few.
Not being negative here but you need to look at the grass roots of the hobby and see there is a major over all decline.
Being in the racing industry we are looking for ways to keep culturally relevant with younger buyers and younger racers.
The greatest challenge is economics. It used to be you could enter the hobby with a good $500 and do well.
In the way past a kid out of high school could buy a muscle car new or build a hot rod at home. Today they just struggle for a daily driver.
Economic are challenging the young gens as many can’t afford a place to live. I have seen it from La Mesa California to Orlando Florida to Cleveland Ohio. Just look for homes with 8 vehicles in the driveway and most are kids that never left home. I have one here now. I told him to stay till he has the money yo buy a decent house.
My son makes decent money so he did get a new car after I supplied one through school. But he is the acceptation to many. He has no school debts.
The stories of younger folks at Pebble and in many racing series are kids that grew up in families that are into racing or they have the money from family to get them involved. Nothing wrong with that but they are just a small number compared to past numbers in the hobby.
I see performance vendors struggling I have seem a number fail and many get bought up by equity companies. Companies like Jegs and Edelbrock are now owned by equity companies that are more in it for cash than long term grown like when the families owned them.
With big named car auctions they have driven up prices artificially by catering to big dollar customers. Not saying that is wrong but it is not helping the grass roots hobbyist.
So no I am not being negative but our numbers are smaller and not growing. The Hobby used yo cater to all but today it is priced out of many that are younger. The economy has not helped and the future is flat right now. Fuel costs hurt too.
Next we have regulations that make things even worse. Under CARB rules you can pass a tail pipe test but if you lack the right numbers on the added parts you are not driving it. Heck people are getting pulled over for stock factory exhaust noise in performance mode. There are 14 states like this.
Even for those older hood fuels and correct oils are difficult to find.
Much of the market is Jeep and truck driven as they can bolt on parts but not touch the engines. Even then there are groups going after lifted vehicles.
I see kids too but most are from families that support their cars or they are in debt.
Many of these street take over groups are into funding via illegal activity. Just watch On Patrol Live and find how many Dodges are pulled over have guns and drugs. Many the cars are going to get repo’d so they crash them up running from the police.
The best we can do is try to recruit younger folks and hope they can find a way and job to afford what we were privileged to do at a much lower cost. We were lucky but like many things today our hobby cost are our of reach of many.
So please promote those in the hobby but let’s not fool ourselves to say it is growing or safe. Be wary that the going is not going yo be easy.
Even the soap box derby is nothing anymore. The cost there to run for points can run $7000 per car when factoring in travel and cars. They don’t even have an engine. Note that does not include the trailer or tow vehicle.
I should be ok as it may be ten years before I retire. My son works for my company and I have to wonder the challenges he may face with the racing industry.
The canary in the coal mine here is the grass level enthusiast. The high end will be there as they can afford it. But the average enthusiast is the back bone to all of this. Watch those without endless funds and see what they do and where they go.
Yes even the Lemons series is no longer cheap. Local racing not cheap, many cars at the local car show are over $50k invested or valued.
I don’t understand. Why is it necessary that we pass on our love and appreciation of classic cars to the next generation? Maybe some are just not aren’t interested. That happens. Not because they’ve been brain washed and would rather blankly stare at a screen. That seems like a bit of a bit of a ‘this generation doesn’t understand ! ‘ Judgmental to a point I hope I never succumb to. I stopped watching football I forget how many years ago. Don’t care, don’t miss it. Still a lot of people live and die based on what wide receiver “they” picked up. Okay, whatever. Why you’re so heavily invested in making the playoffs makes no sense to me. – I tried getting a friends son into cars. He could care less. Rather go draw or paint. We bonded on that instead. – Potato skins are not the perfect car lover food. A pork roll (taylor ham) egg and cheese on a roll and a strong cup of java on a ‘there’s frost on the pumpkin’ early morning is. While to each his own, there’s a cross I’ll die on.