A little bitter there, John?
Any hobby will go through an evolution as popularity changes.
Studebakers are no different, and neither are the people in the hobby.
As far as the money goes?
Well, we are at the peak (or close to it, or just past it?) of a normal
economic cycle.
Money is cheap (relatively) and people with discretionary funds spend them
on frivolous things....like Studebakers. No one 'has' to drive a Studebaker.
It is a choice.
Even those that insist that their Stude is their only means of
transportation have made a choice.
Is everyone able to support a frivolous hobby? Dunno... Their choice.
Drag racing is a neat sport, where smashing up your pretty ride is the
furthest thing from your mind.
Because it drew money in and became an expensive sport is not a problem.
That is a normal function of a growth industry, be it a hobby, or a career.
You can still drag race on the cheap. You just have to step down to a lower
level.
Now......
Politics,snobbery , bigotry  and cliquishness are probably the biggest
reason for dropout of clubs and hobbies.  Too bad, too... And we see it
every day in this marques' clubs and chapters and organizations.
But....
You bring to this club yourself......and then your toy.
What you bring to a meeting or show is totally up to you.
A ratty Studebaker that shows up at our meetings is more rewarded by others
than the shiny new SUV that shows up with the a/c running full blast.
Your focus on money misses the most important part of this hobby...
It is the people. And how we interact.
If money was the benchmark, then we'd almost all be in the 'Banking Club of
America".
Sure, money is the oil that leaks out of our Studebakers, but you either fix
the leak, put more oil (money) in it, or run it until it quits.
Too many quitters here..... And too many passing on....
Let's keep what is important in front of us.
Jeff

<John wrote:..

John,
If you are that bitter about your hobbies, change them.  Misery is
optional.

1. "the rising prices of parts and available automobiles that we
and others like us enjoy will be the death of this hobby".  Dig out
your old TW's.  I think you'll find that in most cases prices (adjusted
for inflation) are about the same as they were 25 years ago.  (There
are exceptions, of course).  I also believe that there are MORE people
involved in the old car hobby than there were 25 years ago.  I see the
opposite of you.  I see the hobby growing, not near death (subscribe to
any car magazines?, go to any swap meets, car shows lately?)

2.  "An investor's only interest is how much profit is in each deal,
not what is best for the hobby."  I think the hobby would be in trouble
if there weren't people actually making money off of it.  We wouldn't
have SASCO, SI, Chuck, Phil and all the other "evil vendors" if there
wasn't money to be made.  There wouldn't be repro parts, eBay Motors,
internet for sale listings, swap meets, etc.  Buying and selling cars
for a profit has been around since...well since there were cars.  It's
Capitalism.  It's our economic system.  Get over it.

3.  "Now there is too much politics,snobbery , bigitry  and
cliqueishness that most people drop out"  That's sort of like Yogi
saying "no one goes there anymore...it's too crowded".  In any large
group of people, there will be some sh.t heads.  Avoid them.  IMHO,
most car people are having fun, enjoying the hobby, and are great to be
around.

4.  "Money ruined amature drag racing, stock car racing, a competative
motor is around 35K now."  Amature racing wasn't REPLACED by big bucks
racing.  Look around.  Amature racing is still there in all forms.  If
you need a $35k motor to be competitive, that's your problem.  There
are plenty of folks out there on local drag strips and fairgrounds
round tracks having a great time for very little money.

5.  Thanks for the tip on the Scout wiper blades. (but now if we
actually buy them, and the prices go up due to increased demand, will
you be angry?)

-Dick-