Classic car culture is booming with younger generations.
It used to be Baby Boomers buying and showing all of the classic cars. However, they aren’t the only ones fueling the collector car market these days.
Gen Z and Millennials are becoming huge players in the vintage vehicle game. The data shows a surge in interest that is backed up by real numbers.
Here’s what’s driving this classic car culture among young buyers.
What you’ll discover:
- Why younger buyers are turning to classic cars
- Meet the new build classic Mustang revolution
- Social media is driving tons of interest
- What does the future hold for classic cars?
Why Younger Buyers Are Turning To Classic Cars
Older generations love to tout that young people these days have no interest in cars.
Clearly, they haven’t been paying attention.
A recent survey by Hagerty found that 60% of Gen Z participants planned on owning a classic car someday. Compare that to just 31% of Baby Boomers who answered the same way.
Tragic, right?
Young buyers aren’t just interested, they’re making purchases.
In fact, Heritage Insurance shared that there was a 16% increase in the number of 25-34 year olds purchasing classic cars in 2024 vs. the year prior. Specifically, they were looking at insurance applications as a metric for this data.
That’s a whole different ballgame than simply expressing interest.
Why now? What’s making classic cars so appealing to younger buyers? Here are a few factors at play.
- Nostalgia – Movies, video games and social media have exposed a generation to the appeal of classic cars they didn’t get to experience in their youth.
- Investment Potential – The worldwide classic car market was valued at approximately $40 billion in 2024. It’s no secret that certain models can be a great investment.
- Classic Appeal – What’s old is new again. With self-driving cars and EV’s on the rise, driving a vintage car is the ultimate way to feel connected to your vehicle.
One car makes up a huge piece of this pie…
Meet The New Build Classic Mustang Revolution
If you had to guess which classic car catches the eye of younger enthusiasts most, what would you say?
Here’s a hint. It starts with “M” and ends with “Mustang.”
Yep. It’s the Mustang.
American muscle cars have always been cool. And they’re especially popular with new classic car buyers.
Thing is… good ones are hard to come by.
If you want a low mileage Ford Mustang with the original owner you’re going to pay top dollar and it may still need some work. Restoring a classic car is not cheap.
That’s where new build classics come in.
Companies are manufacturing Mustangs from the ground up using original designs with a modern engine and drivetrain. Essentially, you get all of the iconic styling fans love with reliable performance and safety.
Take the 1967 Shelby GT500 for example. These new build classics are some of the most popular “originals” being sold today because you get bang for your buck. Old enough to look classic but new enough to not constantly visit the repair shop.
Young buyers want it all.
They aren’t looking to drop $10,000 on engine overhauls and rust repairs. They want to drive. New classic Mustangs from companies like Revology allow them to do just that.
Simple. Straightforward. And smart.
How Social Media Is Driving Interest
Here’s what’s really driving classic cars to the younger generation…
Social media.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are playing a huge role in interest and engagement. Millions of views can be found on “hot rod” videos of classic Mustangs shredding the pavement. One page of TikTok videos for Porsche 911’s contains over 621,000 likes on a single video.
Yes, you read that correctly. SIX HUNDRED TWENTY ONE THOUSAND.
But it doesn’t stop with watching. Roughly 40% of classic car owners have noticed more younger people at car shows and even driving the cars they own. Interest is being turned into action.
Here are just a few ways social media creates interest and action.
- Discoverability – Not everyone grows up around cars. Social media allows young people to be introduced to classic cars from all over the world.
- Community – Newcomers can join online groups and forums. They can learn from other enthusiasts about restoration tips, where to find parts and even how-to’s for full builds.
- Inspiration – When you watch someone your own age working on or cruising a classic Mustang, it’s easy to want to do the same.
Did you know that approximately 77% of Gen Z participants in the Hagerty survey said they love driving or actually enjoy driving?
With tens of millions of views on classic car-related videos, that won’t be changing any time soon.
Plus, watching is only becoming easier. YouTube now has a shorts feature as well.
What Does This Mean For The Future Of Classic Cars?
The classic car market is exploding.
Expect younger buyers to shift what years even qualify as “classic.” Sure, Boomers were into carbs and Mustangs from the 1960s and 1970s but Gen Z and Millennials are expanding that range. 80’s and 90’s models are now considered modern classics and their value is starting to appreciate.
Don’t fret. The staples will always be in demand.
Mustangs of all kinds are STILL the best sellers for new classic car buyers. The demand for new build classic Mustangs proves that Millennials and Gen Z want those classics, they just want it with less headaches.
Buyers are even changing how they buy.
Online auctions are starting to give traditional brick and mortar auction houses a run for their money. Digital tools make it easier than ever for new collectors to research, buy and sell classic cars at the click of a button.
But none of that matters if there isn’t a demand for more cars. The global classic car market is predicted to reach nearly $78 billion by 2032. With that type of growth, expect more and more younger folks to continue jumping in.
Here’s the short of it:
Classic cars aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they are reaching new generations of enthusiasts who are ready to turn some wrenches and cruise in some style. Revology’s new build classic Mustang offerings are the perfect example of what happens when you listen to your consumers.
Bringing It All Together
Younger generations ARE buying and showing classic cars.
As discussed above:
- Gen Z and Millennials are making purchases when it comes to classic cars
- New build classic Mustangs are taking off because they offer vintage style with new reliability
- Social media continues to be one of the largest drivers of interest for new collectors
- The classic car market is only expected to grow over the next decade
Classic cars have a bright future. One that includes young people having fun and keeping car culture going for generations to come.
