Gender gap on car comments?

[praisethelowered]

Why oh fucking why is it that guys always ask that same stupid question "what year is it?" and then just say nothing. Never anything else. I've started just making absurd shit up like "1985" when I'm driving a '56 or '65. Why do they ask? Are they taking surveys? Am I an asshole? I have to figure if you can't identify a '65 ford, a '56 ford or a '54 chevy - just what are you going to do with the info anyway? So what? Do you like it, hate it, used to have one, have two at home, anything?

Women on the other hand seem to be able to muster complements- vague stuff like "nice car". Now that's pretty straightforward and cool. All I have to say in return is " thank you" or smile and we had the kind of nice meaningless exchange that binds the whole world together in a big web of love.

Is this an L.A. thing where guys are too cool to compliment something? Maybe I should get a radio so I don't think about this stuff so much when I drive around.

Is there a pattern to the comments you all get on your cars?

[Mai Ki-Ki]

If someone asked me what year it was, I'd say 2004.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

but thats why i get hit a lot.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Jkustom]

Nah man, its here too.

Funny cuz I got kinda tired of the same thing. exept they always ask me "what kinda car is that?" when Im in my 56 buick. Damn thing says buick in 6 places on the body and "special" in two. Hell even the portholes should be a giveaway to alot of people, right?
So Whenever anyone asks that seems like a fool, I make something up. Its been a pakard, studebaker, chevy nomad, dodge And many others Ive just tossed at 'em. I always come up with a different year, anywhere from the late 30's to the mid 60's. And they always kinda nod like "yeah! cool!" If they seem alright I'll fess up, but if theyve been looking at the car for a minute or two and still cant figure it out, then oh well... It says "1956 Buick special" in the grill and the tailgate...
But ya know, when Im driving my 54 that has all the badges and oraments shaved, every one seems to know its a chevy. Aint that a trip... I guess Im an asshole too! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif -J.

[JSM56]

everyone always asks the year, then when i tell them 56, they ask if it's a chevy. if you don't even know the make, why ask the year?

[FoMoCo_MoFo]

get some straight pipes. then you can't hear the idiots asking you anything.

[Missing Link]

Actually I must say that most of the people in my area that give two drops of monkey piss about old cars are usually old men. And when they ask what year my car is, it is usually precursored by "Is that a 46, 47 or 48 Ford?" A lot of farms in my area and a lot of old guys with memories of flathead powered tractors I guess. I am much luckier than I thought. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[fab32]

I think mose people just want to make conversation and don't know any other way to get started.

Frank

[Jester]

Its like that everywhere I've been but I also get comments like "I used to have one just like this except it was white not black, it was a 55 not a 58, but it was just like this one except mine was a Chrysler not a Ford and was a 2 door not a 4 door.........yahda yahda yahda" But I'm gearing up to really fuck with there heads now. Got a 53 chevy 4 door that has had 6 1/8 inches taken out of the top height, I'm in the process of changing the 53 front cap to a 50, it has a 47 pontiac back glass, we're changing the wheel openings to 56 chevy as well as the back panel so that i can use the 56 chevy taillights and also using the 56 chevy rear bumper. About the only give away that I started with a 53 chevy will be the body lines on the back doors. If someones looks at the car and says "What year is it?" I'll just reply "It's a 47,50,53,56, chevy pontiac" that should shut them up. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Petejoe]

What I like is when they approach me with that question and I have model year plates on EVERY vehicle I own.
Around here I usually get a compliment. Alot of times just going through a drive through..The youngun will say Nice Car.... Sometimes their response to you may have everything to do with your body language and eyes. A good old down home smile after their stupid question will give them reason to share their information with you. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Yes!

I owned a 1958 FE Holden (aussie GM)
with FE 1958 plates...and everyone came up and said is it an FJ....id say no FE like on the plates and then the'd say what year...and i'd walk off...

[hatch]

It's sad.....someday old american iron will be gone from lack of interest.

I get the "technical" questions on my hoodless hiboy...."Is that a V8????".....sad sad sad

[InPrimer]

On the other side of the coin, I pulled into a parking spot with my 37 Chevy 'vert, and a 60's something lady came up to me and said I really like your 37. It was hard to belive that she could recognize it, no bumpers, blacked out grille and no chrome or bowtie emblems on it. I was impressed at her knowledge. she said her dad let her drive his 37 when she was a girl and instantly knew the sillouette(sp)?

[Nads]

hatch I had some guy comment that my "straight six ought to put out some power."
This is whilst looking at a hoodless hot rod with a Packard V8 in it.
The biggest assholes are the ones who don't believe you when you tell them what year your car is.
I'm sick and tired of people who are completely convinced my heavily customized '54 Chevy is in fact a Studebaker of some kind.

And yeah women are generally cooler, but they tend to gravitate towards shiny, pretty things. Unfortunately since my Capri's been down I've had nothing on the road that fits that bill. At least with the Capri you can't blame anyone for not knowing what it is, especially because I took the Ford badges off.

[JimC]

Some folks just feel the need to say something.
Most are not serious car people, but have a slight interest.
There are many, as in most, who are too young to remember the stuff we are interested in.

I get tired of answering the same questions, but, they are conversation starters.

I just live with it, and answer the questions as honestly as I can.

They have a story to tell, and I listen.
The one that I have the most fun with is "What color is that"
Any one who looks at my car can tell "It's Red"
That is what the pin striper painted on the trunk.

Time passes and they move on.
But they can not say I had been rude.

Jim

[C9]

I get a lot of the "what year is it" questions.
I tell em exactly what it is and if they're still interested I tell em the clues to look for to determine a 32 vs. an "A" etc.

A few call my roadster a coupe and others call my friends coupe a roadster. Probably the same folks who used to call all motorcycles Honda's and now call em all Harleys.
I 'splain the roadster/coupe differences to them as well.
Almost always with good results and I'm sure the next roadster they see won't be called a coupe.

Just about everyone who's asked me the "what year" question was polite and truly interested.
Men and women alike.

Got chewed out by a few guys though.
One because if you leaned down and looked over the back of the seat - running sans top - you could see a few wires under the dash. He seemed kind of pissed off about the whole thing so I told him the wires didn't bother me and drove off. (They are neatly bundled fwiw.)

Next guy who chewed me out was P.O'd cuz I was running a big Buick instead of an SBC. Seemed like I'd transgressed some unwritten hot rod rule. Aside from him being a sorta wierdo I noticed he didn't have a car at the run.

The last was an old guy who got ticked cuz I was hauling lumber in the roadster. I do that kind of stuff all the time and it hasn't hurt the car yet.

Nice comments come from the ladies, but when they call it a "cute" car I don't always know how to take it. I always smile and say thank you and then slink away in my supposed to be "bad" car that's now cute.
Somehow, to me anyway, bad and cute don't seem to go together....

[porknbeaner]

I got a new one last year. A kid wanted to buy the Galaxie "'cause I like Mustangs like that one".
I made up the most outragious (sp) story about it being one of the original stunt cars from Bullet... and asked more money than I'll make in my lifetime.
He wanted to know if I would negotiate if his mechanic looked at it first.
Does that count as meaningful conversation?
I usually hear from men is that the original interior?
And it seems that most women (between 30 and my age) have had some experience in one just like that. Must be the big... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[CharlieLed]

We live in a turn-key world. Auto manufacturers and legislators are doing their best to make cars disposable and un-maintainable by the average car owner. Years ago, maybe 1982, I was driving a restored 65 Corvair Corsa. It had two-stage silver paint and American Racing wheels...looked new. An old guy was leaning against his truck (parked next to me) in the Sears parking lot waiting on his wife to come out. When I came out and opened the "trunk" to put the shovel I just bought into it, the guy liked to shit..."Where's the motor?", he said. After a little more conversation about the car the guy said, "I didn't think they made those Corvairs anymore".
I guess the point of this tale is that even if people are interested, they have some preconceived notion about what the car is by how new it looks or how much it may resemble something they have owned or seen in their past.
I personally choose to look at it from the standpoint that I am proud to own/drive a vehicle that others notice and feel compelled to ask about. In the automobile market today there are tons of mullets that go completely un-noticed just because they're all the run-of-the-mill crap that's been spoon-fed to the masses...

[imfatdad]

With my Rambler you get "nice chevy/ford/dodge......" Then when you say its an AMC they get a blank look then say "oh yea, same thing as a chevy/ford/dodge...."

[hotrodladycrusr]

I usually handle the questions similiar to how C9 does. I mostly get asked if it's a "Chevy". I politely tell them "no, it's an Oldsmobile", and if they say something like "really?" and still seem interested in continuing the conversation, I start to point out the differenes between the Oldsmobiles and Chevys of the late 40's. I point to the fender extensions, explaining the Oldsmobile ones continue further into the doors, the Olds front end is longer, the differences in the grill, the peak on the front fenders, etc. By this time, they are either digging the info and we have a true conversation going on or they've walked away with information overload http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[raven]

I drive my '54 Chevy pickup everywhere.
Most times I'm out with it, I either get a smile, thumbs up, wave or any combination of the above.
Many times while gasing up or walking to/from my truck, I get enlisted into a conversation about how this person's dad/grandfather had one and how they learned to drive in it or that they had one years ago.
I find a certain pleasure in helping someone relive these memories. Nearly always viewed as plesant to those I am speaking with.
They always leave with a smile.
Maybe I'm finally getting old or just too sentimental, but I remember some of the 'old' cars that my dad or I had when we were young.
Hec, that's exactly why I got this old truck, because of one my dad had when I was a kid.

I remember my sister losing breakfast in the floorboard on the way to elementry school one morning.
It was a '57 equiped with a 389 Pontiac sucking three deuces and a four speed...
r

[fordnutz]

When guys used to ask what year my car was I would respond with, " what part are you looking at? "

[Machinos]

I mostly get "Is that your car?! Shit, that is COOL!" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Last week I was getting back in after buying some CDs at Best Buy and a guy in a big pickup SLAMMED on the brakes to lean out his window and ask me what kind of car it was.

[derelict]

My '57 Ford has plates that say "57DRVR" and I still get asked what year it is. I had a guy ask me if I was running a short block in my coupe, sheesh. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[delaware george]

the ones that crack me up are when you tell em what year etc.....thay proceed to tell you that they,their dad,etc. had one just like it or they learned to drive in one and so on...well if they had one ,they should know what year it is....my mom can look and any car up until 1980 and tell you what it is...i'm not being sarcastic,she is pretty amazing at it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[JamesG]

Its everywere, but most guys here give you a thumbs up or "nice car". My favorite is the guy that drives by you on the freeway, breaks his neck trying to see your car from front to back, then swerves and almost hits the wall or someone! The interstate is not the place to get a detailed look at someones ride. Just pass by, give a glance, hell give a thumbs-up if you like and then keep going. I'd rather that then get cought in a multi car pileup just becouse some guy in a Saab is trying to figure out what year my delivery is! Now I could understand it if I had some hot blonde driving my car for me topless!!!!!

[Rolf]

Yeah, I get my share of dumb questions as well, but I think we should be glad that folks are interested, you may inspire some folks to build their own one day.

Sure, I get a lot of stupid questions, but like C9 and Denise, if they show interest I enjoy showing them the car.

I pretty well stopped being honest though when I am in my 58 Impala, and the inevitable question is: Does it have a 348?? When I answer no, they walk away almost disappointed http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I also noticed that "cute" pick up trucks like my 52 Chevy with baby moons and white walls attracts ladies way more than my "masculine" 58 Chevy. The litterly throw their underwear at me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just like Elvis! I should have bought that truck before I got married! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JamesG]

I like when the older, retired folks come up to you and tell you about fond memories they have from a car like yoyrs. I can listen to that all day.

[TINGLER]

I always get the Falcon comment.

"I usta have a Falcon just like that" I always go, "thats interesting cause its a 63 Fairlane."

I actually had a guy argue me the other day that back then they made a Falcon Fairlane. He said it was a custom type thing like a Futura......

It really makes me sad that many people who DROVE these cars back then (early 60's) Don't know what they are!
Then agian.......if someone were to ask me to pinpoint the year and make of some of the cars on the road today, I would be unable to...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I can't identify the "cool" tuner cars.....to me they are all alike.

The coolest conversations I have with people are the ones who actually know the difference between a 289, 260, and a 221 Ford small block. Those guys are cool.

[AV8Paul]

The one I like the best is when someone looks at my flathead V8 and points at the three header pipes and says, "nice V6". I usually smile and tell him to count the sparkplugs.

[JamesG]

I also like it when they try to tell you that thats NOT the original engine in your car........NO SHIT!

Or when you go to the parts place and they need to know eng. size and year and make of car. "Ok, I need head gaskets for a small block 350, oh and its in a 29 Willys Wippet............................."

[Kevin Lee]

When I had a '60 Volkswagen Beetle in my driveway I could hardly get any work done on it. Fenders and doors were off to weld in patch panels and every other person that walked by asked what it was. One guy said he resored an Opal just like it?!?

That project is gone and now I'm working on the modified. It's a cut down Model A with a track nose and hardly anyone has asked what year/make or model it is. They just smile or give a thumbs up. One guy slowed down to take a look and before he knew it his two kids had jumpd OUT of the moving car and had their hands all over it yelling "WHOOoooaaa...cooool" and "can I ride in it?" the whole time. Funny how most kids just know what's cool. One guy stopped and told me I looked like "Monsta MONSTA Garage" and I busted up laughing.

[Mike]

Yeah, it really sucks when people show intrest in your heap. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Boo Hoo!

Sure, it's a pian in the ass, but dopey questions and comments from chowderheads kinda come with the territory.

[maud]

When I show my 440 powered '67 GTX, some guy always says he had one just like it cept his had a Hemi, or a 440 Hemi, or a 318 Hemi. I also get the "What color is that?" ......it's red http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. One guy said he had one just like mine, but it burnt when he did a burnout so long the tires caught on fire! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Everywhere we go in our all-original '34 Ford coupe we get flogged by senior citizens, the funny thing is most of the time they know it's a '33 or '34 Ford. It's good to see them reminiss. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Jive-Bomber]

I usually get one of the 3 following comments everytime I drive my Cosmo:

1. Nice Merc!

2. Is that the 'Cobra' car?

3. Is that a 56'? (I'm guessing they look at the plates)

It does wear a little thin when people try to act like they know what it is. Just be honest, and ask some reasonable questions, you know?
(When I drive the Model A most people don't know what to say, so they just stare.)

[Donzie]

[ QUOTE ]
I think mose people just want to make conversation and don't know any other way to get started.
Frank

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree.
I take it as a compliment that they even asked.

[Django]

Everyone gets questions, and yeah, some of them are stupid but it all boils down to this... If you don't like the attention, drive a honda or some other econobox. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[DRD57]

Young people ask "how fast does it go?", old farts ask "how does it ride?" Answers: "fast enough to get me thrown in jail" and "who cares?" respectively.

Old women fondly remember riding in their dad's Model A. Old men remember their first car, often a Model A.

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard an old man tell me about the Model A he bought for less than 50 bucks...

Once I was talking to a guy front of his mom's house. She came hobbling out the front door with a walker and said I really like your Model A, is that a 30 or a 31? a perfectly logical question since my car has a 30 grille sheel and 31 aprons, 2 of the only year specific items on the exterior of late Model a coupes. I was impressed.

Getting the "thumbs up" while buzzing down the road is always a smile maker.

Once I was ripping down the fwy at about 80 mph and I was coming up on a very badass pro street 56 Bel-Air, only doing about 55 mph in the right lane due to steep gears. He obviously saw me in the mirror and already had his arm out the window, showing me his thumb, as I passed.

Another time I was going down the same fwy and got passed by a 69 Chevelle. As it passed the driver, with no other passengers in the car, had both arms out the window giving me two thumbs up.

This is my favorite one. On one warm summer afternoon I pulled up to a red traffic light in the left lane. In the right lane beside me was a brand new Porsche Boxter. It's 30 something driver obviously proud of his new sports car. Standing on the corner, waiting to cross the street, were a couple of fine young ladies. One of them looked over toward the street and said "nice car". The Porsche driver looked over and said "thanks" to which the girl replied with contempt "not you". That made my day.

[Paul]

With my older stock looking cars, especially the Studes the comments are mostly from women and are always like "my Uncle had one just like that" or "I like your car" and then followed with a positive story.

But with the hot rod it's too much for anyone to keep their mouth shut so I get responses from guys that obviously know nothing about cars, and being men they apparently think they have to talk specifics, year, motor, tires.

The other day some hillbilly asked "what year?" I said "all of them"
he just gave a blank stare..

Then there was the bum (bums LOVE my car!) leaned over the motor kinda squinting and teetering and asked of my Man A Fre setup "what ya runnin, dual Webbers?"

Or the muscle car guy asking "where'd you find smooth tires?" like he'd never seen cheater slicks before!

Years ago when I was bringing the rusted out shell of a '36 Plymouth home and somebody yells out "Little Deuce Coupe!"
I sang the next line to myself, "You don't know what I got!"

My favorite though is when I'm driving the hot rod and having kids stop in their tracks and watch it go by with their mouths hanging open!

That's SAYING something!

Paul

[daign]

People are fascinated by your car regardless and you should be happy that they are. Some just know how to express it better than others. More often than not, I get people having JFK assasination flashbacks, Lee Harvey jokes, and sniper gestures. This one time at a deli, an older fella spent 20 minutes describing the entire Dealey Plaza scene and his theories on 'gunmen' plural to his granddaughter. It was pretty creepy. I get a laugh out of most of it.

Attention is one of the things that makes it all so fun. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-Dane

[cleatus]

[ QUOTE ]
When guys used to ask what year my car was I would respond with, " what part are you looking at? "

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good one.

It don't bother me too much when people ask "what is it?" since I spent quite a bit of time changing it, but what I find weird is that when I go for a drive in it the vast majority don't seem to even notice it. I mean, you would think, even if they are not into old cars they would just look because it is a rare oddity to see out on the road.

THEN...later that same day I'll need to go to the store or something and jump into my wife's 03 Mini Couper and every other light there's someone going "Oh my gawd...I just LOVE your car!" ...whatever...

[praisethelowered]

I definitely agree it is nice when people show interest. I'm not bitching about that. It's part of the fun. But I have just noticed that guys can't seem to express it in a straightfoward way. They always have to be "gathering data" or "checking the facts" or something. It's just wierd.

The funniest comment I have gotten recently was when a five year old child pointed and shouted "glitter man!" That's sort of embarassing and I am glad that name didn't stick.

And wierdly enough 4 out of 5 homeless people waiting at freeway ramps go ape shit over my car.

[TINGLER]

[ QUOTE ]
If you don't like the attention, drive a honda or some other econobox.


[/ QUOTE ]

Django is right on that one.

I agree, I LOVE getting comments, no matter how stupid.....I just am AMAZED by how stupid some people can be. It is really scary that there are so many people out there that have little or no clue about what is going on in their surroundings. I think that is what most of us are commenting on.

To quote my Mother (God bless her)....."We didn't pay any attention to our cars, we just DROVE 'um!"

Another favorite story of mine:
I was driving my car down the strip in the local cruise spot and a Harley dude was following me......at about the third light, he pulls up next to me and yells (over the roar of his bike)..."DAMN, that thing sounds good!" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Paul]

[ QUOTE ]
I was driving my car down the strip in the local cruise spot and a Harley dude was following me......at about the third light, he pulls up next to me and yells (over the roar of his bike)..."DAMN, that thing sounds good!"


[/ QUOTE ]

hahaha that's funny!

..........

I must admit, sometimes when someone asks what year it is I have to hesitate,
there is so little of the original car left, I don't even know! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Paul

[DrJ]

If I didn't wan't to get questioned about what I am driving I would drive an inconspicuous beige or gray sedan of common make and year of make. Not brand new or very old, because even thay would attract attention. I'd drive a transportation device, a "refrigerator on wheels" like 90% of the rest of the car drivers.
But I don't, and I don't care what the Freudian or Jungian theorists think.
If I was into racing for the sport and not the notoriety, I might have one of those enclose trailers, with no ads on it at all.
But I LIKE people noticing my weird old truck going down the road.
I LIKE the casual "civilian" saying "Nice Car", and don't correct them about it being a truck, because they know that and what with all the SUVs around now the definitive line that once existed between truck and car has blurred to indefinable anyway.
I don't have a bed useable for hauling anything anyway so maybe it is a car?
I am sometimes guilty of qualifying, prejudging people and their questions, usually by how they dress and what they are driving themselves.
A guy my age or older who is driving a 15-20 year old usta be "desireable" car, an Eldorado maybe, who asks if I "restored that old truck" or "why didn't you restore that old truck?" isn't going to get a straight answer.
They should know better.
Someone at a cruise night leaning on the hood right where in big red letters it says "GMC" asking "Is this an International?" is going to get verbally cut down so low hes going to have to carry an umbrella to keep the ants from pissing on him.
I have used the "Which part?" answer to the "What year is it?" question, but always follow up with what it actually is because even if a person knows it's either a '39 or 40, I've changed the only identifying differences on the outside of the cab and the dash is a bolt in so that could be different too.
I've found that almost all the people who say anything at all are actually honestly curious and don't deserve to be put down or ignored. After all, they are probably your neighbors and even if you don't recognize them they probably recognize you from that weird bright colored, noisy old jalopy of a car you drive through the neighborhood so you might as well be a friend and neighbor rather than a grumpy old fart or smart assed kid who they just widh would clean up their yard, if ya get my spin.
The "Street Rod" is a conversation starter, and if you don't want the conversation, keep it in the garage and just trailer it to the dragstrip on Saturday where only the competition will play you their best poker face about what they think about your threat and then sneak it back into the garage where no one will pester you about your uniqueness.

I'm just having FUN!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[abe lugo]

The bit I hate the most more than people asking you the year of your car. It's when your in a car with a group of people and your the only carnut in the bunch, an old car passes by and someone trys to name the year of the car. I hate it when its with one of my sis' boyfriends or one of my brother in laws homies. Atleast some people ask. I'm in the car sometimes with people and something passes by and they assume it's a 57 chevy, or I have even heard "its a 1950 BOMB" yeah and I'm a CHOLO.

[imfatdad]

We can always try this one on a chainer.... Since most have Glass bodies on them, tell them its a nice looking kit car.. Boy did I piss off this one fella in Branson, MO a couple years back...

[D Picasso]

my two favorite comments:

a young fellow examined my Galaxie for the longest time, leaned back, crossed his arms and said, "nice Impala."

second, in my old neighborhood in North Minneapolis, I drove slowly past an 8-foot-tall black woman with a coiled-octopus-on-the-head-hairdo and she puts her hands on her hips, sways, and bellows, "MAN, THASS COL'!" louder'n a semi truck horn. cool!

[Bass]

Hell, I don't mind talking to people about my car, even if they are clueless. I get alot of "what year is that?" too. I always say '49 1/2 just 'cuz it throws some people off, and it's actually a little bit of both '49 and '50. I occassionally get the "What year is your Studebaker?" I'm guessing because of the bullet in the grille.

The one thing I like the best though, is when I'm driving down the interstate, and I'll get a quick tit or ass shot along with a big smile from a good lookin' Texas girl...unfortunately, that doesn't happen nearly often enough. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And on the flip side, the one sure-fire way to piss me off is to ask me if it's "daddy's car", or the worst I've heard so far, "daddy's toy"...as if I'm too young or stupid to have been able to build it myself. I am a younger guy, but c'mon...that's just plain insulting to me.

The occassional tit shots do make up for it though...

[Tuck]

dan that just reminded me of the time we were cruising minneapolis/st paul and we ended up on some street in frog town and rolled up next to a weathered black guy sitting on a bench that said... (with this rolling harlem accent) " Das one sweeeeeet cadillac" and took another puff off of his cigar.... we were rollin in the '66 convert. it ruled... then at the next pair of lights a 64 impala rolled up next to us and the guys (same age as us 19 or so) in the car all black... eyed us white boys up in the cad haha... AFTER a long pause they said, "nice car". THAT RULED.. we replied w/the same! Universal language cars are... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Fraz]

Getting tired of "is that a 59 Chevy?" question with my 60 Buick. Next person that asks that question around here isn't going to like the answer.

Have already had the "had one just like that except" conversation. Older black gentleman examined the car, stated he "had just one like it except it was a 2dr, and it was red, and it was a FORD." Got P.O.'ed when I told him it wasn't exactly like mine, seeing as how mine was a 4dr, BLUE, and a BUICK.

Anyway, nice to get noticed. Lots of thumbs up and doubletakes and smiles and stuff when driving it. Local cops like to tailgate it for some reason though.......

[fab32]

Its always enjoyable when little kids react to my '32 and I always take the time (if I'm parked) to let them see the car and if they want to sit in it they are always welcome. We have the best time with Hatch's roadster, the little kid's are drawn to it like a magnet. Steve always puts them in the car and takes their picture if their parents have a camera. Its obvious its the highlight of their day.
Last summer I ran over to the Post Office for my wife to mail a package. I pulled up and the only open parking space was right in front of the door. A little old lady that couldn't have been 4' 10" came out the door as I was parking. Her eyes lit up and she walked directly over to the car. By that time I had gotten out. Whe walked right up to me real close and said "thats a 1932 Ford 2dr isn't it?". I said yes it is but how did you know for sure the year? Her reply, 'My husband had one JUST like it when we were dating." There was a slight pause followed by "You can have the best time in the back seat of one of those." Another short pause then "I sure wish he still had that old car". With that she flashed the warmest smile, gave me a quick hug and turned to get in her car. I've never seen her before or since. I got the impression I had just 'MADE HER DAY", I know she made mine.

Frank

[mytlo56]

You hit it right on the head (I think).

Non-car people will ask the stupid "what year is it" question rather than just throw out a "wow, that thing is cool." This doesn't really bug me too much.

What bothers the all living hell out of me is when some stupid woman automatically thinks you're white trash because you dig old cars. This is a middle/upper class thing. For whatever reason these high maintenance, over priviledged, sorority girl types associate old tin w/ trailer parks & low life living.

I guess this is due to their disposable view on life. Use it once and throw it away. Blame Paris Hilton. Ugh!

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]
We can always try this one on a chainer.... Since most have Glass bodies on them, tell them its a nice looking kit car.. Boy did I piss off this one fella in Branson, MO a couple years back...

[/ QUOTE ]

Tupperware.... if it's a "kit" or "turnkey"
Actually, glass bodies have been around for half a century or better so they are as much a part of rodding as any other body.
It's the attitude of the builder that makes the glass car ok or not.
Trying o pass one off as original is the biggest sin.
And now we have all the repop steel bodies...
At what point does it cease to be an "original" with a lot of "patch panels" and become a copy?
Restorer's of the "Classic" cars dn't worry about this since it is the chassis that must be origial and the body can be hand built copy just like the origina may have been a one-off hand built body. They were all a bit different.
That's prety much opposite the rod mentality. We cherish and use the production, all the same per year body and toss the chassis.


On Street People giving the most thumbs up...
Probabaly half the responses I get in L.B. are from street people and most of the rest from 7-10 year old kids who probably think it's a full size Tonka Toy.
I usta think 'Who cares what a street bum thinks?" then I started talking to a few of them. I ran into unemployed electricians and accountants and engineersand a teacher or two who had had a string of bad luck...Layoffs, loss of housing because of no money. Bankrupting divorces that left them in the street at the same time as the loss of employment, and once they've been unemployed for a ferw years no one wants them because they must 'Lack innitiative" bull shit. They are you and me in six months if we get the bad luck curse. At least in So. Cal. they don't find them under snow drifts in the spring. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif


(That's all the "liberal" feelings you'll get out of me this year...)

[FWilliams]

i always try to be polite and answer what i can, it can get old and tiresome but one thing i have learned,especially in this state that uses the initiative process, these are the folks that wii be voting on your hobby or profession at the ballot box

i always try to say something like"i heard they wanted to crush this car before i got it running" or you know they want to put a law on the books the would keep from driving this old baby. I always get the same replies,"you got to be kidding" "that would be a shame"

thats what i want them to remember when they are in that voting booth

RACEFAB

[toledobill]

On the complete other side of the coin from the people who don't know what you're driving are the ones who don't know what THEY'RE driving. Back around 1990 or so, I had a silver Dodge Omni GLHS -- the ones with the Shelby turbo. A pretty rare car, but I knew of two others in Toledo -- a black one and a red one. One day I'm coming up to an off-ramp and pass another silver Omni GLHS exactly like mine. I give him a little toot and a wave. He looks at me blankly. I point to his car and point to mine and give him a grin and another wave as I exit the freeway. He looks at me like I just proposed a biological union or something. Let me ask you -- you're driving a specialty car the duplicate of which you'll probably only see once or twice while you own it. The other guy honks and waves. What kind of meat puppet do you have to be to not understand?

[Hellfish]

I don't mind the attention or the idiot questions. The idiot conversations usually don't last long... and it has lead to info on other cars for sale. I figure that the guys asking what year it is are sort of testing their own knowledge. I still do that, but I try to limit it to a year or 2 "Is that a 55 or 56?"

I had just finished parallel parking my 50 Fleetline when a man walked up with his elderly mom. She was all excited about it because she used to have a white one. I talked with her a few minutes and asked her if she wanted to sit in it. She declined, but she seemed floored that I would even ask her. That conversation made my day.

People ALWAYS ask me what the traffic light viewer is for, even the old folks. I don't mind that or any other questions. The idiot questions make for good stories... and long HAMB posts!

[safariknut]

[ QUOTE ]
Everyone gets questions, and yeah, some of them are stupid but it all boils down to this... If you don't like the attention, drive a honda or some other econobox. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
And you can take that to the bank!Don't expect to ride down the street wearing,"the King's magnificent new clothes" without getting some comments.I try and be as nice to people as possible even if their questions may seem a little inane to us.Remember you may have to deal with that person at some future date and most people have long memories when it comes to wise asses.A little public relations for our hobby never does any harm.

[Paul]

the other day I pulled into a gas station and a young guy in a hopped up Maveric and I swapped compliments and he asked if I was looking for parts since my hood and fenders were missing.

I said maybe whatcha got and he said he had a buddy with a Chevy just like mine.
We exchanged #s and went our ways.

I didn't think it mattered that I have a Plymouth.

Parts are parts http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Rocket88]

It's the same up here!!
When I was selling my 66 Chevy II I had a couple young guys come and look at it.
Had to explain that the 6 wasn't a V but inline, then had to explain why the powerglide only had 2 speeds.
Sad, sad, sad.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[porknbeaner]

[ QUOTE ]
I also like it when they try to tell you that thats NOT the original engine in your car........NO SHIT!

Or when you go to the parts place and they need to know eng. size and year and make of car. "Ok, I need head gaskets for a small block 350, oh and its in a 29 Willys Wippet............................."

[/ QUOTE ]
The parts counter is usually my biggest nightmare. About any place I go they either don't know what it is, or how to look up the parts.

A couple of years ago, I went with friend Joe to find a fan belt for the Commander. We had broken belt in hand. The guy asked what it fit. So we told him ('55 Stude). Didn't even bother to look, just said "That's a dealer part." http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif


I guess I just don't get it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Revhead]

I have a similar story. I was working at a shop and we took a '55 t-bird to taco bell for lunch. We had to check the brakes and steering anyway. So we're there and we overhear these two guys at the table next to us discussing the merits and condition of the '65 mustang outside. We looked everywhere.. no mustang. We played along for a while, asking what engine they thought it had etc etc and finally we corrected them. It was a good laugh all the way back to the shop in the mustang.

[flatordead]

My mom told Me "Don't talk to strangers!" And I do so.

[porknbeaner]

mytlo,
To most folks I probably count as white trash. Face it I drive a beater, live in an edward scissor hands neighborhood, still dress in blue jeans and T shirts most of the time, and until recently I was a blue collar worker. I don't really care about those folks, they just don't live in my world.

I think the people that I really like are the ones who don't know and want to. They always ask a lame question, but when you talk to them a bit you find out its legit.

The ones that really rub me the wrong way are the ones who don't know, and don't know that they don't know.

I'm liable to ask the words dummest question, but I expect to know the answer when I leave. That's because if I don't know, I usually know that I don't know. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Fat Hack]

Ha Ha Ha...that's the way it is everywhere...and even I've been guilty!

(I walked up to Enginejo at Denise's gig last year and inquired about his Marlin by asking "What year is this?"...he very calmly took my arm and said "It's 2003...and you're in Livonia Michigan!"!!!)

All my neighbors yelled out "What year is that thing?" when I brought the Chevy home!

When I used to drive around in a huge 4x4, the universal greeting was "How do ya get IN that thing?"

Non-car people just need to know these things, I guess! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ric]

I get the "nice Roadster" comment in my coupe, happens all the time. I've given up trying to explain the difference, I usally just say thanks. It appears most people think any old car is a roadster, kinda generic term. When I'm in my '54 Ranch Wagon everyone says "my Dad had one just like that.......". Ford musta built an awful lot of those, wonder where they all went ?

[praisethelowered]

All the responses that tell of people being stupid don't really surprise me. I'm stupid about a lot of things too and there is nothing wrong with not knowing too much about cars- its probably a blessing. What I want to know is why can't guys at least be cool about it.

When I see a car I like I always compliment it. . never feel the need to demonstrate my knowledge about the other guys car, I just want to express my excitement about seeing a cool car out in the world. It's a surprise when I seem them on the street and it usually brightens my day.

[JamesG]

I always get asked, "What year is your panel?"
Once I at a show sitting in a chair behind my delivery and this little girl walks up to me and says "Hey, dont you know that its bad luck to ride around in a hearse?" !!!!!!!

That was good! One dude called it a hearse for midgits.......

[Bugman]

[ QUOTE ]
We can always try this one on a chainer.... Since most have Glass bodies on them, tell them its a nice looking kit car.. Boy did I piss off this one fella in Branson, MO a couple years back...

[/ QUOTE ]

Really want to see somebody's face turn red? Next time you see a Plymouth Prowler, ask the guy if it's a kit car http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On the other hand, a gas station chat did once lead me to an increadable deal on a parts car. It even came with a tow bar that was worth more than the asking price of $50.

-Bugman Jeff

[porknbeaner]

Praisethelowered,
I guess what it all comes down to is that no one really wants to admit that they don't know. Not knowing in a world of information is not cool. Hell, look how they treat us on the job, if you don't know your unemployed, or at the very least passed over for someone who does know.

Next I think Jim kinda hit the mark. Not everyone is good at starting a conversation, but we all feel that we oughta say something.

Basically I think that it all falls back on we're all people, we all want to fit in and we don't all know how.

Take it from the king misfit, that last point hits us all at one time or another.

BTW 1lowdelivery COOL VAN http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Iceberg]

Interest in cars......is interest in cars. So what if people asked a less than knowledge questions. It certainly is no reason to be a asshole to someone. For Christ's sake man, if you don't like the attention drive an SUV or new Toyondabishi car. I always get lots of attention and am asked lots of questions when I take my pickup out. That is one of the really cool things about having a hot rod. I really like when the young guys show an interest in my old truck. What would you rather have them pay attention to....a rice burner?! My truck is 69 years old, in 1979 when I graduated from high school it qualified for horseless carriage license plated in Washington State. I would not expect Joe Shmo or Jane Q. Public to know what the hell an antique Flathead V8 is, or what year or make my truck is. I can hardly tell the difference between late forties & early fifties GM cars w/o looking for a badge and I'm a car guy. Quite a few of the seniors that come up to my pickup just know it is a 30's or 40's era vintage truck like their Granddad had. Hell, quite a few of my good friends don't know what kind of truck I have........they just like it. That's good enough for me. Cars are good....assholes are not!

[Jkustom]

Yeah if the people seem cool or really interested I'll give 'em the info and chat with em for a while. I cant go anywhere in my buick wagon without getting stopped by someone wanting to talk about it. I guess its cuz most people have never seen one! But I like to fuck with people too, so if they seem dumb, then they get a dumb answer.

I love it when kids see ya go by and just stop what theyre doing and stare till yer out of sight. Thats priceless. I will let any kid sit it the car if they want to.

And you're right, homeless guys love the hell outta my cars too...

I hate driving to the store or something when you just got out of bed or your sick, cuz everyone stares and you look like shit, so ya try to hunker down a bit more....haha -J.

[av8]

All the way back to the top and the subject of this thread -- the gender gap . . .

What are you telling us, PTL, that the old guys are fucked or maybe more directly, only the young guys understand?

I think it's a shame -- and low-class -- that it's okay to put down and dismiss folks who express a bit of interest in your ride and what you're doing but don't know your secret handshake. Good and smart folks attend events that are outside their area of interest simply because they're curious. Cut 'em some slack, fer chrissake!

For those of you with a casual interest in vintage military aircraft -- airborn hot rods -- imagine going to a local or National airshow and being treated as though you were an idiot because you could not distinguuish between one fighter aircraft and another that was quite similar in appearance (Thunderbolt vs. Corsair -- Ford vs. Dodge). Instead of being laughed at or dismissed as some sort of idiot, you would like as not be given a bit of careful and sincere schooling on the subject at hand and encouraged to remain interested and involved.

Sad to say that's not the spirit here, on the HAMB. Being cool and especially being more cool than just honestly answering questions, instead adopting a cool pose has become the standard. Gotta tell ya, folks, it's not very attractive and really makes the movement look hoodlum and short lived.

The movement is and always has been bigger than pomps or cuffs or tatts or any of the other trappings that folks promoted to make it more than the cars. It's always been about the cars, and if you don't get that you'd probably do better moving on to another scene.

[titus]

I was at the bank one day driving my 34 pu and i was on the way out and there was an elderly lady behind me so i held the door for her then started walking towards my truck, she says "thanks, oh is that your jalopy?" i was astonished, so she came over and started looking at it and then said "nice tuck and roll!, my dad use to have a Model A pickup and i use to drive it everywhere, it was fun, when i was at a gas station some guy pulled up and offered to trade me his new car for it. i told him no cause it was my dads p/u.", make you wonder if her dads p/u was a rod? she then smiled and told me to have fun. I thought it was neat that she called it a jalopy but thats what they called back in her days.

[Jkustom]

Av8, The secret is to tell them the wrong info, but do it in a way that makes them feel like your being real with them. They only feel like an idiot if they KNOW your making fun of them. If they dont then there is no harm done, and you can tell the stories to your buddies on the hamb, and nobody feelings got hurt. Its all in the delivery of your answers! -J.

[Mutt]

[ QUOTE ]
We can always try this one on a chainer.... Since most have Glass bodies on them, tell them its a nice looking kit car.. Boy did I piss off this one fella in Branson, MO a couple years back...

[/ QUOTE ]

Just don't get pissed when they complement you on your fake patina http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I don't rag on any else's car, no matter what, because it's a matter of choice - the same as a wife, clothes, or anything else that makes us different. Live and let live. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[hillbillyhellcat]

I don't mind someone asking what year it is. I do when they guess and are completely off. I had one guy ask me if my '71 Ford was a 1985. I felt kinda insulted, I didn't think it was THAT ugly!

I had the same car for sale when some pea brained kid asked me how much I was asking... I replied "Five" and he goes, five hundred, that's a bad price.... Jeez, so now it's a piece of junk too!

I was at the local car hop when my one buddy goes, "check it out, that's all you," to me... It was a '50 Ford tastefully done in pearl white with Caddy Sombereros... A kid who was with us, who I will admit is good with a wrench, exclaimed - Studebakers are gay!"..... I politely reply that's a '50 Ford... Of course, I am wrong - he is right since he's a super mechanic. I offered to make a wager and he shut up.
I don't know much but I can identify cars and pieces of them with very good acuracy and as a Ford guy I don't confuse them with anything else. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I had one guy tell me that my Ford Torino was copied off the GTO. Mr. GM Goodwrench asshole was informed by me that it was designed by the same guy who created the Coke bottle.

[HOTRODPRIMER]

[ QUOTE ]
I get the "nice Roadster" comment in my coupe, happens all the time. I've given up trying to explain the difference, I usally just say thanks. It appears most people think any old car is a roadster, kinda generic term. When I'm in my '54 Ranch Wagon everyone says "my Dad had one just like that.......". Ford musta built an awful lot of those, wonder where they all went ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah Ric, I get the same thing......except they say "nice coupe" when I'm in the roadster........same holds true with the 54 Ranch Wagon I'm buildin'..HRP

[jay]

I have a 56 Dodge that has been accused of being a 57 chevy..as far as the ladies commenting i think its the lack of shiny paint that drives them away or could be the glare from the wife. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[BELLM]

Seems like in todays world people in general are just not friendly. Anything that gets people to stop & take the time to interact with a stranger is good, in my opinion. Old cliche no such thing as a stupid question only stupid answer. Guy started conversation with me couple weeks ago telling me about his uncle who has a cool old car, turns out he has a nice 48 Merc that an old friend of mine built for him a few years ago plus his wife has a nice 50 Ford. Haven't gone by yet but I look forward to seeing a couple of nice cars that are 6 miles from me that I never knew were there. I have had random acts of kindness directed toward some "dumbass" turn into leads for cool cars & parts. Never hurts to take a few minutes to be nice to someone. Cool cars are a definite icebreaker, whether it is a male or female making the comments.

[Jake H.]

I've had several people ask what year Impala my '60 tbird is!? I also had some goth kids outside of Wal-Mart say "hey cool car man, is that one of the old Batmobiles?" They might have been serious, it is all black with mags, but I disabled the rocket launchers and parachute. Guys do act differently, though, like they are supposed to know engine sizes and options 'cause they watched DorkRod TV on the speed channel. I once saw a guy chat up a deuce three-window owner at a car show, commenting on how his dressed flathead was "one nice sounding big block chevy".

[truth]

Hey, it doesn't just happen with cars, either! I've been asked NUMEROUS times "Hey, what year is that Knucklehead" or "Hey, is that an old Flathead" about my Triumph bobber, that has a Triumph tank, with Triumph badges on it... just comes with the territory. All you can do is try to edumacate'em...

[LiL' NiCk]

My 52 chevy, has been reffered to as a FORD-ALOT. But I really love when people "SAY" they are "into" cars, & call mine a MERC.

[hatch]

In the sixties, I cruised with a friend in his parents Comet....1967 427 dual quad 4 speed.....he's still got it and drives it like was meant to be driven.....More than once some expert will approach him, ask about the car, then tell him "Mercury never made a car like that"... doesn't seem to matter when he shows them the original window sticker....just plain dumbasses http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Nads]

Here's a good 'un. I went to the swap meet on Sunday and did a blatantly illegal U-turn in front of a cop because I saw a garage sale on the side of the road. My pals said that was pretty wrong of me and I told 'em no one busts anyone in an old car. I was in my '60 Chevy wagon.
Anyway I'm in the swap meet checking out stuff when sure enough the cop pulls up behind the wagon. I was acting like I didn't see him coming up to me.

He says, 'Hey you, can I see you for a second?'
At this point I'm thinking, fuck I'm busted.
As he's escorting me to the car I tell him, 'Officer I know shouldn't have done that.' He says, 'Yeah that's a civil infraction, but I just wanted to ask you about your car. Is that a Ghostbuster's car?'
I tell him, 'No sir, that was a '59 Caddy Ambulance, this is a '60 Chevy wagon.'
We had a nice conversation.
And yeah av8, I'm willing to talk to anybody about my car, but some folks are ignorant and really and truly want to stay that way.
There was a day when I knew tons about airplanes, stamps and birds even, but now that I don't I don't pretend to.
And the truth is a lot of people who are caught up in their hobby, be it Star Trek, Jazz or whatever are just as cold to non afficianados.

I do have to agree with you that the 'pomperiffic' people can be the worst.

Having said that, I think the times that I see young 'uns staring at the '60, laughing and screaming 'Ghostbuster' at me aren't doing it just in fun.

[Paul]

One time I was sitting in my '52 Saratoga four door,

and this chick came over and climbed right in!

she said she was an autobuff!

'made the mistake of telling my wife,

uh, ex-wife..

[40LUV]

When people ask me what my car is, I say it's a '40 Ford. They then usually ask a '44 what?

[flying clutchman]

i never get any compliments down here from the ladies about my car. the question i get the most is " are you putting your gas in your tailight?" and then they ask " how did you make that?" i do get alot of little kids jumping up and down and cheering as i drive by. and i also get the older gentlemen that dont need to say anything, they just give you the thumbs up and nod.

[Michigan Rick]

Fab32..... I'm gonna carry around a little ol lady for ya!

My panel gets the same "Hearse" treatment. One day about 4 years ago 2 little kids called me the "Milkman" How do little kids know about the milkman??

After 22 years of owning my panel I was in the drivethru at Mac and Don's supper club(TM) and the 50ish gal says "nice panel truck!" I had to go home and change my depends that was the first time a non truck person actually called my truck what it is!!!

[OldSub]

I get a lot of 'what year is that'. And when I say that my GMC Suburban is a 1955, they often respond that it must be the first one. Unless I'm rushed I tell them the first one was 1935.

I don't usually explain the 1st series part or that as a 1st series '55 its the last year of a design that was introduced in 1947. I do try to smile.

One time a lady replied: "but you were in the fast lane!" Well duh... I was driving 70 in a 60 where did I belong?

My wife drives a contemporary import. She has a friend who drives one that looks identical from the outside, and I've seen the day when the only open parking spot was next to another one the same color.

When I'm tired of being noticed or questioned I drive her car.

[Toqwik]

I enjoy the questions, and will talk to anyone about it that shows interest. What pisses me off is when someone starts picking at your car, then goes and climbs in his Escort or ranger and drives off. Most have no idea how much work is involved in building one of these cars, especiaaly if it is built from scrounged parts....To

[DIRTYT]

this a good topic lot of funny storys in here.i allways get all kinds of comments too. most the women try to guess what it is after a few guesses i tell them. but the best was when i drove my chevy to work and a few of the mechanics came out to look at it and one guys says "be a damn nice car if u can ever afford to paint it" the other guy replies with "now why would u put that nice pinstripping on old flat paint" (my chevy is flat blue and the paint was about a month old when they said this) and these were "car guys" i just said yea some day i can get nice paint... but other then a few dumb things i enoy talking to people and being asked about what im driving. i had this one old guy chase me down cause i drove past him when he was pumping gas. he pulls up and says thats a nice sounding six u running split manifolds. and know where i can get some for my old ford? that turned into a hour long discusion in the parking lot. its just kind of funny how most of us take for granted the fact that the difference in a 51 chevy and a 50 are not common knowledge

[53_210]

I'll answer any questions you can throw at me about my car, but the one I don't like answering is "How fast in the quarter mile?" I usually kinda laugh and say "ohhh about 30 seconds." They either say something about it being slow or stop talking. It's amazing how many people around here know it's a '53 though. Although I have gotten a few "Nice '55"

The one thing that got me really pissed off was when I was with the ex-girlfriend cruising somewhere and she says how she doesn't like my car because it's slow and doesn't have a radio. We broke up about a month later.

A cop pulled me over one night for driving with no tailights and we ended up talking about the flames. Got off with a warning on that one.

Derrick

[Bugman]

A guy stopped me at the grocery store once while I was driving my dark green '55 Ply, and asked if the black Ford was mine. I told him it was a green '55 Plymouth, and we had a brief chat about it. A few weeks later, the same guy, with his wife and kid showed up are parent-teacher confrences. His kid was in my class. Glad I wasn't a dick to him. Just goes to show that you never know, it could be someone important you're talking to.

-Bugman Jeff

[ChrisinPhilly]

Interesting post. I have several older Chevys, but my fave is my 66, not that old or exotic a car but it gets a shitload of reactions. I picked up my girlfriend for a ride to the beach in it this summer, and she couldn't believe how often people comment about it or approach to ask about it. Its pretty much nonstop, primarily because of the candy tangerine paint. The questions I get constantly are""you sellin it?, how much dat worf?dat's a classic!dat duh origional color? dat one a dem up and down jawns? When I drive it on the highway, it's mostly defensive driving, because I have guys swerving into my lane to shout out important questions like "dat a big block?It ain't?you should git one den! Or they ride paralel with me mile after mile,giving me the thumbs up while drifting into my lane. I can't complain though, it's the most attention I get.

[Paul]

when driving the hot rod prolly THE most common comment is

LIGHT 'EM UP!!

prolly the second most common comment is,

DO A BURN OUT!!

there is also a reaction that is almost constant,

it's not from people, it's from other cars,

I keep setting off car alarms everywhere I go!

[mytlo56]

I commented once on this post, but I'm going to again after reading some of the responses.

Damn near everywhere I have gone w/ one of my past old cars people have smiled and waved. It makes me happy to know that people dig the old iron...even if they don't know a thing about it. Talk to me about my car all you want, provided your comments or questions are in good nature.

And what av8 said is true. Too much scene, not enough cars. Wanna' be the coolest cat at the next reliability run or show? Then build the coolest car. People will respect and envy that one hell of a lot more than the height of your stupid pomp.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Eastwood makes a little plastic gauge that makes it easy to get all your gender gaps even...

[toledobill]

[ QUOTE ]
Being cool and especially being more cool than just honestly answering questions, instead adopting a cool pose has become the standard. Gotta tell ya, folks, it's not very attractive and really makes the movement look hoodlum and short lived.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right on, AV8. When I read about and see some of the way people are trying to re-live the fifties, I can't help remembering the "courtesy cards" all of our clubs had printed up along with our membership cards. The courtesy cards always said something like "You've just been helped by a member of the (Club name) -- a group dedicated to the improvement of ... yadda yadda yadda". We'd hand them out when we helped strangers whose cars had broken down or gotten a flat tire. The whole idea back then was to convince the public that the kids with their jeans and pompadours and strange cars WEREN'T hoodlums. Times change and sometimes when we try to recapture the past, we're way too influenced by how Hollywood portrayed that past.

Sorry for the rant, but your comment made me think about the difference.

[ESnacky6]

haven't you guys read Ryan's TLC post..??

apparently we(the 'Hamb'ers) are "fucking hoodlums"... HAHAHA..!!!



(some more than others I'd guess....)

[C9]

[ QUOTE ]
Eastwood makes a little plastic gauge that makes it easy to get all your gender gaps even...

[/ QUOTE ]

Sweetie's got one of those.

Says 'Visa' on it....