Well Scott, your thread is closing in on it's first birthday!
Since Neal asked for newbies to contribute, how much more new can a guy on his first day in the forum be?
I haven't taken time to read all the previous posts, but I did see the tern "old fart" used. Being somewhat past the golden age of 50 (teenagerness and Cobra birth intersect in that dimension, catalysed I'm sure by testosterone) I resemble,,,,er resent that remark. I feel that curmudgeon is a much more dignified and solemn term with certain priveleges attached. e.g. Cursing out loud the dolt at the check stand who doesn't start writing the check until all items are rung up! You're allowed, use the privelege!
For the sake of your calculations, clock me in at 53. Just got my first Cobra replica, FINALLY, yesterday. (See comments "Which is the best kit") But have long history of fun cars, most of which were definitely NOT necessities.
If your wife thinks that having fun cars is a sign of middle age crisis, then I've skipped a whole lot of the stuff that "normally" happens after age 12. Since that time I can't remember a time I haven't had some useless (except for fun) piece of iron (or partly fibreglass) in the drive or garage.
Even when we were saving the world from the Communist hoard in the SE Asian jungles my sainted mother had my '39 Chevy coupe in her garage. Any of you guys hang out at San Fernando drag strip in the sixties?
Looking at the wonderful mixture of ages listed above shows one of the marvels of the auto hobby (sport, pasttime, whatever). Folks with diverse demographics can join together in a common interest and ignore many of the distractors of everyday life. This internet thing even expands on that community. However, I am struck by the reality that I have tooth fillings older than some of you guys!