Classic Cars being shipped out by foreigners! where do you stand?

[midinite]

As I write this another classic automobile has left the Philippines. This is a difficult and polarizing subject. It seems that foreigners are here buying up these cars and exporting them to their countries.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THIS SUBJECT?


Are these cars national treasures being spirited away? Does this mean less people will have a chance to enjoy them?

When that camaro SS is put on that container van for Australia is it to our benefit or not? What do you think? :pump:

Of course, there is no right or wrong...but your opinion counts since it may help sway another...

[noreturn]

First of all, the loss of an American car is really not all that much to cry about. :P

And I don't see your attachment to a car that the Philippines did not produce. You have about as much hold to that car's history as a man living in France during WWII has to Nazi history. To be honest, I'm sort of glad that they're taking it to a country where roads without potholes are the norm. I'm sure you have to agree that the Philippines, with its humidity, crappy roads, and iffy accident liability laws are far less kind than a place like Australie.

[kyle618]

nakatambak lang naman dto usually mga old cars e... or museums... they'll have a better life there than here especially convertibles

[midinite]

oui. touche monsiuer....

[midinite]

what about yutivos which were assembled ici?

[midinite]

okay...so this is the train of thought. the weather here is bad. the roads are shitty. laws stink. so by that premise the cars stand a better chance out of the country. okay...that is an opinion and one founded on fact.

very eloquently put i must say...

...do the local drivers who wish to regain the nostalgia of driving cars they grew up with stand to lose? or is that inconsequential?

[KoKoNAT]

As long as they paid for it, you shouldn't get too worked up over it because:

1. Its not your car they're shipping out.
2. If its an old rustbucket rusting away in someone's back shed, no one will really appreciate it. However, if said rustbucket was shipped to someone who will restore it and put on shows or just drive it around, a lot more people would certainly appreciate it.
3. Only a real car enthusiast will go to all the trouble of looking for it, arranging for it to be shipped out, restoring it and spending God knows how much money, just for a piece of metal with 4 wheels. Would you do the same for your dream car? Thank your stars that a car like that will be in good hands.

[woodfire]

I guess by "classic cars" you mean american muscle cars such as the camaro ss you referred to.

Personally, yes, I'm mildly sad because this means less opportunities for us locals to acquire these cars! However, market forces being what it is means the highest bidder wins the prize!!! It also means that the local market of classic cars and muscle cars in this country is very thin. Besides, restoring these babies can cost you an arm and a leg. I'm speaking from experience here...I've been restoring just one car for almost 18 months already and it's a real drain in my pocket!

Globally, the prices of classic cars have continued to go up as baby boomers such as myself try to acquire cars their families own when they were kids.

[niky]

I'd rather an old car were bought by a rich enthusiast to restore, than being sold to a mambabakal for money. I've seen too many classics and future classics meet the saw and carted off to the junkyard.

For me, it's a crying shame, as the next generation will never see these cars, but it's up to local enthusiasts to ensure classics get a good home, and if they don't, I don't see any way we can keep them from leaving.

So, let them go... and when they're restored, try to buy them back..

[noreturn]

If and when the local drivers can afford to outbid the Australian buyers, they can own the cars. Capitalism, my friend. I'm also curious to know how many people have even driven a classic Camaro and have memories to be nostalgic about. Chances are these drivers are the ones selling, anyway.

[midinite]

am glad to see that the forum is quite abuzz. ah yes, capitalism that is the way of the world. for the ones who have to reap the benefits of it and those that don't...well, you know how it goes. Isn't capitalism the other word for exploitation?

[midinite]

of course the rule of thumb is that the one who can pay the most gets the goods right?

[midinite]

Thanks woodfire. It could be any classic car. The camaro reference was just to emphasize a point. There are also euro classics as well. It seems though that the muscle car market has gone through the roof. Nary a "K" code to be found. All neatly tucked away somewhere. (Like my neighbor's garage) Well they were rare anyway.

[5Speed]

Id rather see those classic cars on others hand/shores restored and being driven rather than in your backyard and rotting.....

[Chip]

Hmm touchy subject indeed.

Im not a baby boomer but those classics do strike a sweet chord within me. When I was in my teens, I used to hate our old cars because they were outmoded and didnt have all the pizzaz of the newer models. Nowadays however, I am thankful that we decided to keep at least some in the province. Five years ago, I would have gladly traded our old mb114 for a newer jap car, today i wouldnt even think of letting it go.
I guess you can say Im part of a generation that has no real experience with these classics but can still appreciate them nonetheless.

Im a little torn when it comes to cars leaving our shores. On the one hand, thats one less classic we see on the street, and one less classic we may yet one day own. Yet on the other, if the car is going to be restored and put back on the street where it can be appreciated instead of rusting away in someone's backyard, then Im all for it.

[midinite]

yup this is a very sensitive topic indeed...

[Jun aka Pekto]

yup this is a very sensitive topic indeed...

He He. Maybe someone will buy my Dad's 1970 Ford Pinto. Good riddance to the old rustbucket (and gas bomb on wheels).

I have no idea why he sold his rare V8 Dodge Dart in the U.S. and shipped his Pinto to the Philippines instead.

[GasJunkie]

Maybe someone will buy my Dad's 1970 Ford Pinto a gas bomb on wheels.

After deleting most of your original post this quote has been sent to the FBI.

[AG4]

Maybe someone will buy my Dad's 1970 Ford Pinto a gas bomb on wheels.

You mean 1971 Ford Pinto right?

These early Pintos(71-76) were the ones that cought fire when bumped from the rear...
In its own explosive way, its sort of like a classic. 1.4 million were recalled!

Newer Ford Pinto from the late 70's
(1978 model shown)

This was already the 2nd facelift...

By the way, i've also heard of similar cases with the 1965-68 Mustang fuel tank.

[Jun aka Pekto]

You mean 1971 Ford Pinto right?

These early Pintos(71-76) were the ones that cought fire when bumped from the rear...
In its own explosive way, its sort of like a classic. 1.4 million were recalled!

Gee. Ours was brand new then. Thanks for looking up the old clunker. Ours was the classsic copper metallic paintjob. Once in the Philippines, my Dad had it painted a "pc computer beige". It would've been a familiar sight in EDSA every Sunday afternoon when we drove my sister to her dorm in UP Diliman.