Home / Lifestyle / Carspotting Goes Viral: Gen Z's New Automotive Passion
Carspotting Goes Viral: Gen Z's New Automotive Passion
27 May
Summary
- Automotive influencers Gail Longstreth and Will Thibodeau popularize carspotting online.
- Gen Z shows surprising interest in collector cars, surpassing older generations.
- Affordable, quirky cars are a key focus for modern carspotters and enthusiasts.
Carspotting, the hobby of documenting notable cars, is experiencing a resurgence fueled by social media. Influencers like Gail Longstreth, known as "Gail's Garage," and Will Thibodeau, "Captain Crankshaft," create viral videos showcasing unique vehicles in urban settings like New York City.
This trend is particularly strong among Generation Z. Contrary to assumptions that younger generations are losing interest in cars, a 2024 Hagerty survey revealed that 60% of Gen Z are interested in owning collector cars, exceeding millennials and baby boomers. This indicates a robust future for automotive enthusiasm.
Longstreth and Thibodeau emphasize the appeal of unusual and quirky cars. These vehicles often offer charm and an enthusiast appeal without the prohibitive price tags of hypercars. This focus makes the hobby more accessible, as enthusiasts can engage with and even own cars that inspire them, such as Longstreth's recently acquired, non-functioning 2000 Porsche Boxster.
