| Today in a failing economy foreclosures and | | | | like George Lucas' "American Graffiti" car cruising |
| repossessions are becoming an everyday | | | | is depicted as the pentacle of weekend |
| occurrence. For some, in order to keep the bills | | | | entertainment. Getting your car washed and |
| paid they are giving up their classic and collector | | | | waxed, dropping the top and cruising from one |
| cars. And for those car owners who fall on hard | | | | end of a long stretch of street to the other may |
| times, one mans lost is another mans gain. | | | | seem like a waste of money and gas today, but |
| Since 2007, Americas love affair with the car has | | | | during the golden age of the automobile it was an |
| been fading. With the rise in gas prices and | | | | experience many American people looked |
| exponential job loss, it has become more difficult | | | | forward to. |
| to maintain and afford our automobiles. Many | | | | The image of the American car has gone from |
| drivers have opted for more fuel efficient hybrids | | | | golden to burden. Most classic car sales produced |
| and economy cars. But what about the classic car | | | | in the United States are labeled as gas guzzlers |
| owner who is pampering his pristine 1965 Mustang | | | | and poor investments that won't last as long as |
| or 1972 Gran Torino. Scan your local newspapers | | | | their European or Asian counterparts. But even |
| classified ads, and your subject to find classic or | | | | the collector car is now finding the same fate as |
| antique automobiles in mint condition being sold off | | | | it's modern decedents. The most current trend is |
| by the droves. Many have looked at classic car | | | | burning or sinking of classic cars that have been |
| collecting as an investment and hobby. But when | | | | heavily insured. The federal government reports |
| it comes down to a dwindling retirement fund, or | | | | an increase in personal property destruction for |
| losing the money you have been saving for a | | | | the insurance payment. Classic cars that were |
| college education, cashing in on that classic car is | | | | once treasured are now being soaked with |
| becoming more appealing. Classic car Sales lovers | | | | gasoline and burned in sparsely populated areas or |
| who would have never dreamed of selling their | | | | being driven and abandoned in Mexico, only later |
| cherries are starting to make their peace and are | | | | be reported as stolen. |
| giving up their cars. | | | | But for the classic car sales enthusiasts who have |
| In places like the Inland Empire, a vast suburban | | | | never been able to afford their dream cars, now |
| populated desert just east of Los Angeles, the | | | | may be the time to make your first purchase. |
| classic car sales culture is a lifestyle. Each year | | | | Many owners who are desperate to sell are |
| many collectors and enthusiast cruise the historic | | | | pricing their classic cars to move and move |
| Route 66 from as far east as Riverside into | | | | quickly. In fact, if you opt to pay cash you may |
| Pasadena, Glendale and Eagle Rock. Car traditions | | | | be able to walk away with a steal...if you can |
| like cruising have been apart of American culture | | | | afford it. |
| since the invention of the T-Model Ford. In films | | | | |