They Buy Their Childhood

Word arrived that old cars had new keepers. Ambrose: a Manhattan club of a thousand members, average age forty, half of them Gen X. Pim: mine's in the jar! Mrs. Applewhite: one 1989 Pathfinder sold twice in three years, to someone who probably grew up in one, the seller says. The Toll Keeper: Gen Z is 1.1% of the classic-car insurer's clients. Prudence: they age in, then they buy their childhood.

Classic-car collecting runs on a cycle of ageing in: the oldest Gen X are nearing retirement, a Manhattan car club of 1,000 members averages about 40 with half of them Gen X, one auction site sold the same 1989 Nissan Pathfinder twice in three years to buyers its founder thinks grew up in one, and Gen Z, at 1.1% of the main classic-car insurer's clients, is expected one day to want the cars of the 2010s.

Starring

🎙️The NarratorAmbrosePimMrs. ApplewhiteThe Toll KeeperPrudence