Problem was.... 97% of the cars there were all late model Mustangs... But I did take a few pics of this Mercury Marauder... You could see my reflection in the black paint job....
Yes, mustangs dominate some "hot rod" shows here as well. I wish that some one could develop a "anti mustang spray" similar to an insecticide aerosole can. -H.R.D-
Car shows around here are 30% mustangs,30% cameros,30% "Fake" SS chevelles &10% new corvettes!lol JimV
When I go to shows where there are a lot of late-model cars, I make it a point to talk to the owners of those Mustang, Camaros and Challengers, etc, as well as the "tuners" who drive Hondas, Toyotas and Hyundais. Things I find in common with them is that they love cars, they love horsepower and speed, and most of them (not all) appreciate the old stuff too. One reason I have heard many times for not owning a traditional hot rod is the cost. One can make payments on the late-model stuff but not so much on the old vehicles. The owner of a local shop here, that specializes in modifiying late-model performance vehicles (and has been in and won competition in television shows), bought my '46 Ford pickup several years ago. He and his crew are doing a great job of building a "shop truck" for his business as they have time between customer cars. I talked to him last week, and he is going to build a traditional hot rod next, maybe a T or an A, powered by an 8BA flathead with a banjo rear. When I first met him a number of years ago, he was not that interested in the older stuff. Now he is. That's a win, in my book, especially since he keeps the '46 in the showroom of his business, so everyone who walks in walks by it.
That Mercury is a sweet mama jama! I too, hate late model crap at car shows which is one of the reasons I quit going to most. Even some of the traditional shows have been allowing in some post '65 cars to boost profits. I can't blame them though.........
I've got to say that I'm pretty much with arkiehotrods on this. While I don't understand all of the "new" cars at shows I'm a member of several car clubs including a Honda S2000 club. These guys love to go to the local cruise in's and I park my 46 Chevy 1/2 ton right in the middle of them. Over the years they have come to really appreciate rods and old cars in general. The whole darn bunch of them are excited about my new COE project and wanting to help out. When I first met these guys they didn't understand how I could be an enthusiast of more than one type of vehicle. Now these same Guys are crawling under rods and talking about how much they want to build their own. Don't count them out, even if they do like to show off showroom new cars, they are at least automotive enthusiast.
Had a 63 Parklane Marauder back in the mid 70's. Screamin 390 in it. Bought it for $300 from an old guy that wanted an economy car.
As soon as I saw the title and the poster I knew exactly where he went without even opening up the thread. All the cool cars were on Woodward yesterday.
Marauder certainly not a belly button car. ever seen the TV show "Car Crazy"? there are car nuts that have a passion for all different types of rides. even within the "traditional" world some people can not accept any other car than say a '32 Ford. lucky that we are all different. even when it comes to the car racing world, some only accept NASCAR and nothing else. do what is best for you but, don't put down others for seeing things differently.
That car belongs to Nick Zakarian, works at a Ford dealership around there somewhere. Usually see him once or twice a year. I first saw this car at an all Merc gathering in Indianapolis back in '02 or '03 before Nick bought it. Always been a nice car!
Ugh... I really do HATE those late model mustangs. Late model muscle cars are dominating car sows in my area....
I think that those of us who are really "car guys" and "car gals" really appreciate the fact that there are younger people comming out to these shows with those Mustangs and Camaros, and other late model cars. Anyone who shows an appreciation for modified cars is alright in my book. I remember when I was 12 years old and my dads favorite car at Chicago Rod&Custom Show was a 54 Merc, I realize that was a different time, but that car was only 6 years old at the time, That would be an 07 Mustang today. I was at a small show at our local drive-in theater on Saturday, I was in a class that was 1908 to 1940 modified, only 9 cars in that class out of 127 registered, and you know what, we all had a great time. I got a trophy and on my way back to my car I gave it to a kid who came in on his bike, and I had noticed him looking at all the cars during the day. Is he our future ? I think so. I only hope I'm still alive to see him get a trophy for his "Hot Rod"some day, no matter what it is. That's what it's all about.
I love my '07 GT; I also love my '58 Biscayne. To quote the little girl in the El Paso commercial, "?Porque no los dos?"
It wasn't all that bad..... I did get to gaze at all the beautiful ladies walkin' around.... Some smiled.. And some were stuck up!..
No.... I didn't miss it.. There's always some "older" stuff there also... Not so much this year... Sad!..
And somewhere on a Mustang forum they are complaining about the guy that brought a Mercury Marauder to the Mustang show. I can't complain about Mustangs. I owned a lot of them over the years and made a lot of money off of them. Enough to pay off my house mortgage 20 years early which gave me the money and freedom to now build hot rods and customs!
I used to feel the same way about Mustang owners and Mopar owners until I had the misfortune of being stuck at a tables at a few business events with guys who's only interest in life is playing golf.
The Jalopy Journal
