Classic autos can be a hobby and an education for kids

Ryan Haarsager is a classic-car buff at age 11. He started attending shows at age 9. (Courtesy of Gary Haarsager)

Ryan Haarsager, of Seattle, was 9 years old the first time he attended a classic-car event with his parents. Now, at 11, he's known among Northwest classic-car enthusiasts as "the amazing kid" because he knows more about the subject than most adults.

"I like everything about old cars," Ryan says. "I especially like concept cars and prototypes from the '50s. One of my favorite cars is the '57 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser."

The Pacific Northwest's classic-car clubs and meetups aren't just populated by adults; kids and teens have a similar passion for antique autos. And when all the age groups come together, it can be a learning and bonding experience for everyone.

"When I talk about cars with adults, it's different than talking with friends my own age," Ryan says. "The adults know what I'm talking about. My friends don't."

In the two years since Ryan attended that first event — the weekly Cars & Coffee cruise-in in Shoreline — his knowledge has skyrocketed. According to his father, Gary Haarsager, the boy can name the make, model and year of almost any car by sight.

Young people become attracted to old cars for various reasons, says Kevin Crader, a member of Mustangs Northwest. "We see everyone from teens who just bought an old Mustang as their first car to teens that come to the club with their parents to learn how to restore a classic."

Crader says his son Brandon became interested in classic cars at age 12 and started going to Mustangs Northwest meetings with him. They took on Mustang restoration projects together, which sparked Brandon's interest in robotics. He joined his high school robotics team and now, eight years later, is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.

"Working on cars together helped give Brandon the foundation for his education, and it gave us another way to spend quality time together," Crader says.

One barrier to hands-on learning about antique autos is that even scrappy classics are often out of many young enthusiasts' budgets. According to Crader, adults who have classic cars are sometimes willing to mentor kids, helping to build skills while saving money for both parties.

Programs such as the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance Junior Judges give kids free training in evaluating classic cars. The annual local show of high-end antiques invites kids in grades five through nine to help judge the competition. They learn judging protocol, as well as what was going on in the world during the eras the cars came from — a history lesson from a unique perspective. Every year, a new set of kids inspects the cars and picks a winner in the Junior Judges Class.

Ryan Haarsager has sharpened his judging skills as well. "I've been a judge at the LeMay Car Show in Tacoma," he points out, undoubtedly not the last time his car knowledge will be of use.