Why It’s Hard to Recruit Younger Members to Volunteer Car Clubs, and How to Fix It

Car clubs have long been the social engine of the collector car world, bringing people together to swap parts, plan road trips, attend shows, and preserve automotive history. But in recent years, many volunteer-run car clubs have struggled with a pressing problem: recruiting and retaining younger members. The concern isn’t just about numbers, it’s about sustainability. As the average age of club members rises, the future of these organizations begins to look uncertain. But why is it so hard to bring in the next generation, and what can be done about it?

Why Younger Members Aren’t Joining

1. Generational Disconnect:
   Younger generations (Millennials and Gen Z) often view car culture differently. While many appreciate classic cars, they may not see the appeal of traditional club formats with bylaws, meeting minutes, and rigid event structures. Clubs that emphasize hierarchy and long-established norms can feel outdated or unwelcoming to someone new to the hobby.
2. Time and Lifestyle Conflicts:
   Volunteering for club leadership or events often demands a significant time commitment, something many younger people, especially those balancing careers, student loans, and family life, simply can’t prioritize. The traditional Saturday morning meet might conflict with youth soccer or weekend gigs.
3. Digital Gaps:
   Most younger enthusiasts live online, connecting through Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok rather than newsletters and phone trees. Clubs that haven’t embraced digital engagement miss out on where younger car lovers actually hang out. If there’s no presence on social media, they’re invisible to the next generation.
4. Cost of Entry:
   Vintage cars, even “starter classics”, can be expensive to buy, restore, and maintain. Many younger enthusiasts are priced out of the traditional collector scene or instead gravitate toward newer vehicles (like Japanese imports or modified EVs) that traditional clubs may not always embrace.

How Clubs Can Change Course

1. Create “On-Ramps” for New Members:
   Offer free or low-cost trial memberships. Create beginner-friendly events that don’t require owning a classic, cruise nights open to all, wrench days, or ridesharing in a member’s car. Give younger people a taste of the community without expecting a full commitment up front.
2. Embrace Digital Platforms:
   Every car club needs a strong digital presence. Maintain an Instagram and Facebook page with event photos and member stories. Use short videos, livestreams, and online forums to meet younger audiences where they are. Consider Discord or Facebook groups for real-time community.
3. Modernize Events and Expectations:
   Offer a mix of casual, fun events (like garage parties or themed movie nights) alongside formal shows and parades. Let go of outdated dress codes or participation rules that may seem intimidating. Encourage informal leadership roles and avoid rigid seniority systems.
4. Highlight Purpose, Not Just Nostalgia:
   Younger generations often respond to mission-driven organizations. Frame the club as preserving a unique part of history, supporting vocational education, or contributing to community causes through charity shows. Many club events and car shows focus on raising funds for charities. Position involvement as meaningful, not just social.
5. Welcome Broader Definitions of Enthusiasm:
   Not every young enthusiast wants to restore a '57 Chevy. Some love 1980s hatchbacks, 1990s imports, or even quirky cars from their childhoods. Celebrate diversity in automotive taste and welcome modified, obscure, or even electric vehicles into the mix.
6. Take the Cars to Them: Meet Younger People Where They Are:                                                                    One of the most effective ways to spark interest among younger generations is to take classic cars out of the usual club bubble and bring them to places where young people already gather. That means showing up at local community festivals, food truck nights, high school football games, college campuses, or even pop-up events and farmers markets. These aren’t traditional car venues, but that’s exactly the point. When young people encounter classic cars in unexpected, casual environments, it piques curiosity and breaks down the barrier of entry. Add in QR codes that link to the club’s Instagram or upcoming events, offer a chance to sit in a vintage car or take selfies, and suddenly the hobby feels less distant and more accessible. Visibility leads to interest, and interest leads to involvement.
7. Breaking Gender Patterns: Expanding the Tent of Enthusiasm:
   Another often-overlooked barrier to younger membership is the persistent gender imbalance within the classic car hobby. Many clubs, whether intentionally or not, have long been male-dominated spaces, with leadership roles, technical conversations, and hands-on work often framed in traditionally masculine terms. This can unintentionally alienate women and even younger men who didn’t grow up wrenching in the garage. To attract a broader and younger base, clubs must foster truly inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome to participate, ask questions, and contribute regardless of their gender or technical background. Host events that highlight women in the hobby, offer mentorship opportunities, and make a conscious effort to showcase diversity in club communications and social media. A more inclusive culture not only strengthens the club, it ensures its relevance and vitality for future generations.

Planting the Seed for the Future

It’s important to remember that today’s younger enthusiasts may not have the time or financial means to jump into classic car ownership right away, but that doesn’t mean they never will. As they progress in their careers and gain more discretionary income, many will eventually seek out the cars they admired in their youth or those they associate with heritage and craftsmanship. Exposure now lays the foundation for future passion. By welcoming them early, through inclusive events, hands-on experiences, and social outreach, clubs aren’t just building membership for today, they’re planting the seeds for the next generation of serious collectors, restorers, and caretakers of automotive history.

Recruiting younger members isn't about changing everything, it’s about meeting new enthusiasts halfway. Volunteer car clubs that listen, adapt, and evolve can thrive in a changing world. After all, passion for cars isn’t disappearing, it’s just shifting gears. With open minds and open garages, the next generation of car lovers can be just as passionate, skilled, and committed as those who came before them. The key is giving them a reason, and a way, to get involved.