Annoying people at cruise's and shows.

[1969chargerrtse]

So I did another day of driving around and ended the evening going to one of my favorite cruise nights.   I had a nice time and parked the Charger next to my Mopar buddies and their toys.  I see this guy wearing a grey T shirt that says Mopar and another guy I know that has a 69 charger also.  Mr T shirt was all over my car, looking here, poking there,etc...  I walked away went to do something and come back 10 mins later and he's still scrutinizing my car underneath etc...  .  This time I say, " Gee if I knew you wanted to look so close at it I would of brought a magnifying glass".   The guy I know says something like maybe he wants to buy it?  But I say but I don't want to sell it?   and he says, "I don't even like Chargers."  With which I replied " My god imagine how long you would be going through it if you did? "   And walked away.  I sometimes  think it's better to live in your own car loving world and stay away from the groups?   So what stories do you have to share?

[markstealth91]

Who wouldn't stop to stare at your car? That thing is amazing! Maybe he just had bad people skills?

[1969chargerrtse]

Who wouldn't stop to stare at your car? That thing is amazing! Maybe he just had bad people skills?

Hey you.  You live 20 mins from me, when you gonna stop over .
He wasn't staring, he was dissecting and it annoys me somewhat.

[mally69]

Your car looks awesome man, Reminds me alot of mine   I wouldn't worry about his dumb ass. My favorite line when people start that kind of crap is,,, ok where is yours at, get it out here....  And usually they walk away without another word. If they don't have a car there they just want to make you feel like they have somthing that is better than yours just to make them feel good about themselves.  I hate it when people do that.

[69_500]

I hate to say it but I'm that type of a person. I tend to stare at cars that I like. And in my mind I make mental notes, of things. However I can tell you this much I won't pick apart a person's car verbally, now in my mind I'll make notes, but not mention anything. Unless the person asks what all I'm looking at, and then I might explain some things.

IE for instance. Last year at Carlisle I kid you not, me and HEMIgeno were looking at 1 Daytona for probably close to an hour and a half. Actually spent probably 25 minutes just looking at the jack in the car. The owner of the car found it comical that we spent so much time looking at the small things on his car rather than just looking at the main pieces.

[elanmars]

Every now and again someone will look at the car and have that "wow" look but when they see I'm the owner, they'll ask if it's a 440 and then they'll say something asinine like "glad I ain't got one of these, bet you get like, 5 feet to the gallon!"

gee, thanks idiot, I drive a '73 Charger for the MPG! I can understand if someone was being facetious but if they do the whole "pfft" before saying it, screw 'em.

some people just totally miss the point and have the jealous factor going on.

[Chatt69chgr]

I tend to spend a lot of time looking at cars that I really like------which are few and far between.  But I try to find the owner first and ask permission.  Particularly if I am going to take a lot of pictures.  And I will spend a lot of time looking at very minute things.  I want to know if a part is original or has been modified.  I need that info for the restoration of my 69 Charger which is ongoing.  I think one big worry is that people will lean against your car with a belt buckle or let their camera swing into the body accidentally.  That's a big worry when you have several thousand dollars invested in a paint/body job.  I looked over a 69 charger at the last car show I attended and it was obvious that a lot of things were not "correct" but I certainly didn't start pointing incorrect things out.  Turned out the guy had owned the car for over 25 years and just enjoyed driving it around.  He was a real nice fellow and I spent probaby 30 minutes chatting with him.  I enjoyed talking to him as much as I did looking at the car.   So I think the guy that spent so much time looking at your car just had bad people skills.   

[tdub]

A number of years ago, I had my 71 Challenger vert at a show in Spokane. I overheard a guy telling his friend my car was a fake shaker hood car after looking at the data plate and not to vote for my car. I said I was the owner and bought the car in 1972 and still had the original window sticker and broadcast sheet. He looked me up and down - I was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt along with tennis shoes - and he said there was no way a car that rare was in the Northwest and that a person like me could afford it. I offered to show him the window sticker and broadcast sheet but he said he could tell the car had to be fake. I gave up and walked away. I never have taken the car back to Spokane for a show. In fact I now only show the car once a year locally and take my son's "fake" 71 Challenger R/T hardtop instead to other places. I'll soon have my 74 Ralleye Charger done and we'll see what the comments are on that car.

[mikesbbody]

Who wouldn't stop to stare at your car? That thing is amazing! Maybe he just had bad people skills?

I agree 100%! I think he was probably talking out his ass  you should have asked him where was his car?

[TUFCAT]

Rob, I'm guilty of looking at cars pretty closely that I'm very interested in - like Chatt69chgr.  With that being said, I'm never, ever, rude to the owner.  In fact, if the owner does come back the first thing I do before saying anything else... is to compliment his car. This usually always leads into small talk about the reasons I'm so interested in it - - which is because its just so damn nice!!

Typically, the cars I pay the closest attention to are the ones that are similar to the ones either I own, have owned, or want to own. This helps me look for, and make mental notes on the detail items. Once again, this probably leads into more questions along the lines of how did you find that item? , where did you buy it? , or how did you restore it?  I try to keep it to a minimum unless the owner seems very willing to talk more. 

I'd say 98% of the people I meet love to talk about their own cars. These owners are willing to offer their advise, helpful suggestions, common mistakes to avoid, and suggest shops that are great to deal with for restoring any particular part of your car.

The small percentage of shithead owners who don't engage in conversation are usually unhappy people, who know next to nothing about their car and merely wrote the check for it. These people don't  know the water pump from the fuel pump...and are too arrogant to figure it out.  Luckilly, there are very few of these people around.  I've found even the guys with loads of dough (the check-writers) are gracious, friendly, and appreciative. 

Your response was great. I've never had that happen, but if it ever does....I'll try to remember that one!     

[Hissing Cobra]

It's not just in the Dodge camp that this happens. I've got a 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra and I can't tell you how many times I've had to deal with people's ignorant comments. The best one is this, "Is this a REAL Cobra?" Of course the answer is "Yup." Then I get "Ford didn't make a Cobra in the Fox Body style until 1993." I then reply, "That is actually incorrect. Ford made Cobras from '79-'81." Usually, those people walk away with thier head's shaking.

I go to a lot of shows and cruise nights and I see flaws in EVERY car - including my own. I keep my negative thoughts and stupid comments to myself.

[hotrod98]

I tend to find at least one car at the larger shows that I'll spend a lot of time looking over. I usually keep my thoughts to myself though. My biggest gripe is the guys with the nice mopars and then they put Wal-Mart of Delco batteries in them. Just a pet peeve of mine. I always use Mopar batteries and it never fails, someone always mentions the Mopar battery.  With my red 71 Cuda, they will mention the real Mopar battery and never even realize that the car is really a Gran Coupe and not a real Cuda. 

[elanmars]

also, a lot of people don't believe me, I guess because I'm 26, that my car has a 400. They're always like, nah, that can't be right, Chargers never had no 400s! it's gotta be a 440 or 383! 

[68 CHARGER R/T]

he's just jealous 

[JimShine]

When my car was a regular Charger, it wasn't too bad. You would get the usual clown that would put it down because it was rough, small motor, non-numbers matching, etc. When I brought it out as a General Lee, the whole thing changed. Granted, there were lots nice folks that were cool and just wanted to show their kids the car or get a picture taken with it. But there is a whole other level of asshole that emerges, and they appear at every single show. The guys who will tell you your car is wrong because...., tell you their father was a stuntman, that their uncle had a real one, that you are partially responsible for killing Dodge Chargers. Now I will go and look as a spectator without the car. Maybe someday when I have a regular one again it will be fun, but for now it isn't worth the frustration.

[Shakey]

So I did another day of driving around and ended the evening going to one of my favorite cruise nights.   I had a nice time and parked the Charger next to my Mopar buddies and their toys.  I see this guy wearing a grey T shirt that says Mopar and another guy I know that has a 69 charger also.  Mr T shirt was all over my car, looking here, poking there,etc...  I walked away went to do something and come back 10 mins later and he's still scrutinizing my car underneath etc...  .  This time I say, " Gee if I knew you wanted to look so close at it I would of brought a magnifying glass".   The guy I know says something like maybe he wants to buy it?  But I say but I don't want to sell it?   and he says, "I don't even like Chargers."  With which I replied " My god imagine how long you would be going through it if you did? "   And walked away.  I sometimes  think it's better to live in your own car loving world and stay away from the groups?   So what stories do you have to share?

From what you typed, it sounds as though he was simply looking over your car and you decided to start the conversation with a wise ass remark.   

How do you know what he was thinking as he looked over your car?

[1969chargerrtse]

So I did another day of driving around and ended the evening going to one of my favorite cruise nights.   I had a nice time and parked the Charger next to my Mopar buddies and their toys.  I see this guy wearing a grey T shirt that says Mopar and another guy I know that has a 69 charger also.  Mr T shirt was all over my car, looking here, poking there,etc...  I walked away went to do something and come back 10 mins later and he's still scrutinizing my car underneath etc...  .  This time I say, " Gee if I knew you wanted to look so close at it I would of brought a magnifying glass".   The guy I know says something like maybe he wants to buy it?  But I say but I don't want to sell it?   and he says, "I don't even like Chargers."  With which I replied " My god imagine how long you would be going through it if you did? "   And walked away.  I sometimes  think it's better to live in your own car loving world and stay away from the groups?   So what stories do you have to share?

From what you typed, it sounds as though he was simply looking over your car and you decided to start the conversation with a wise ass remark.   

How do you know what he was thinking as he looked over your car?

I've been in the classic car stuff for almost 40 years.  Been to hundreds of shows and cruises, and met with thousands of people.   I know the difference from "looking over a car" and picking through it with a fine tooth comb for 20 + mins.  I think when he was underneath looking at inner panels I stared getting a little annoyed, and then watch him whisper to the other guy.  I know when ever I look close at a car I'm attracted to I always say hi to the owner and comment on the car and then poke around but not for long as I try to draw a line of not looking to obsessed.  Maybe what you're suggesting is true but out of the many people that looked and talked with me (he didn't) that one bugged me.  Not losing sleep over it, just sharing my thoughts.   Remember, he shared one thought.  " I don't like Chargers"  and as my RR conv buddy said,  then he's the only one.

[whitehatspecial]

With all due respect to you, I can see why the guy got annoyed. The "magnifying glass" comment was sort of off-handed and he was probably feeling awkward for looking at your car so long. Personally I feel proud when people give my car a thorough inspection. They could be just curious or really admiring the details.

Either way I wouldn't let spectators bug me because I enjoy talking to them and listening to their comments..positive or negative.

[1969chargerrtse]

With all due respect to you, I can see why the guy got annoyed. The "magnifying glass" comment was sort of off-handed and he was probably feeling awkward for looking at your car so long. Personally I feel proud when people give my car a thorough inspection. They could be just curious or really admiring the details.

Either way I wouldn't let spectators bug me because I enjoy talking to them and listening to their comments..positive or negative.

So now I take some hits    With all do respect to me, if you're going to rape someones car, wouldn't it be nice to say Hi and give a positive comment then go inspect it like you're a cop looking for hidden drugs?    I find it hard to believe that most people which would be chilling out at a cruise night, and watching someone go up and under your car without coming over to say hello, wouldn't bug them just a tad.  If it helps any my comment was said more in a light laugh tone than a rude one, because I'm not rude to people.  Now bug off.

[hotrod98]

With all due respect to you, I can see why the guy got annoyed. The "magnifying glass" comment was sort of off-handed and he was probably feeling awkward for looking at your car so long. Personally I feel proud when people give my car a thorough inspection. They could be just curious or really admiring the details.

Either way I wouldn't let spectators bug me because I enjoy talking to them and listening to their comments..positive or negative.

So now I take some hits    With all do respect to me, if you're going to rape someones car, wouldn't it be nice to say Hi and give a positive comment then go inspect it like you're a cop looking for hidden drugs?    I find it hard to believe that most people which would be chilling out at a cruise night, and watching someone go up and under your car without coming over to say hello, wouldn't bug them just a tad.  If it helps any my comment was said more in a light laugh tone than a rude one, because I'm not rude to people.  Now bug off.

It was a car show.
I get people studying my cars closely as well.  You should see the way they go over my wife's cuda There are several slight modifcations and I think that thy can't quite figure out what's factory and what's not. I'm both amused and proud when they spend a lot of time looking at my cars. I figure as long as they're not openly bad-mouthing my car, let them have at it. 

[charge-it]

I cured that problem a long time ago, I don`t take my cars to car shows anymore. I enjoy driving it, not parking it so other people can enjoy it. I bought/built it for MY enjoyment.

[68RT4ME]

I was at a show last year. My friends and I were getting ready to leave and some guy walks up to the car with his wife and starts to look it over quickly. He takes a peek inside and looks at the front seats of the car. They are the originals front and back and are a bit faded but intact so I haven't replaced them (don't feel the need). He asks me if this is a real R/T?  I say "yes it is" He gives me a look and with a smart ass tone tells me I should recover the seats. I said "Really? Tell me, Whats your car look like?"  With that, his wife smacks him across his shoulder and yells at him to "Shut up, you don't even have a car" She storms off in a huff with him dragging up the rear. We hear her go on to say "Your always talking Sh.t I hope your happy" We laugh  at the guy cause you just know that was the beginning of a beautiful conversation.....

[Brock Samson]

I ususally enjoy talking to the owners about their cars as or just after i give it a all around scan,.. looking at the options and for anything that might leap out.. 
The stories they share are allways worth the time it takes, because I look at a car it's for just a few minutes but once we get, sorry, they get rolling on their car's story - 20 minutes can roll around pretty easy and some times twice that,.. 
A car has to be pretty modified for me to take a really long time looking at the details, cause Ive seen several hundred if not thousands of cars since I first started peering intently under hoods beginning in 1968.
One thing I enjoy and I find very interesting is to saddle up to folks as they discuss mine (or others) cars to easedrop on their conversations which can be quite the eye opener as they will discuss things among themselves they'd never tell you to your face.
At MOPAR meets it's stuff like the twin pot brake booster finish or the throttle bracketry as my Frankenstein car gives folks plenty to obsess over and no, i wont mention any names here...   
Any how, at the "International Auto Show" here in S.F. I hear the most ridiculous statements you can possibly imagine from folks who don't have so much as a clue...
At least the purists have seriously researched the finer points. No body likes to be criticised but you can definatly learn that way... 

I know from our conversations and your posts that your pretty sensitive,  perhaps he was doing research for a car he hopes to own someday and/or just was admiring your handywork?..  at least he wasn't sliding a magnet along the beltline. 
If it makes you feel better I'm sensitive too... 

Your car is seriously beautiful and I'd be very proud.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I get it all the time as well but I don't let it bother me.  Im not at a show to get pissed off about other peoples opinions about my car......heck ask anyone Im usually the one to point out its flaws.  I don't care....

I have worse things to get pissed off about 

[Charger-Bodie]

I get it all the time as well but I don't let it bother me.  Im not at a show to get pissed off about other peoples opinions about my car......heck ask anyone Im usually the one to point out its flaws.  I don't care....

I have worse things to get pissed off about 

Well said!! 

[TUFCAT]

at least he wasn't sliding a magnet along the beltline. 

That's was a good one      (an inside joke for those of us who have been following Rob's posts about comments on his car).  FYI,  for everybody else's sake - some idiot said Rob's car had bondo in the lower sail panel area or something.  Our pal Rob has been through hell with his car.... and the general population of Connecticut!!!     

[gordo1968charger]

"you need a petrol tanker driving behind you"
thats one of my personal favourites,if i had £1 everytime someone said that i d be able to buy a hemi.
"the cost of petrol is fuck all,compared to resto parts"is my reply.

[1969chargerrtse]

I Love all the great comments and stories here.   Yea I'm a bit sensitive, but I have been through a lot and I'm a little protective of my car and any possible negative comments about it.  Constructive criticism I can handle, but I have no idea what he was up to and if it was good stuff instead of whispering to his buddy with a car similar to mine, he could started with......  Hi, I'm Dick  love your car mind if I look at every single inch of it?   

[1969chargerrtse]

I get it all the time as well but I don't let it bother me.  I'm not at a show to get pissed off about other peoples opinions about my car......heck ask anyone I'm usually the one to point out its flaws.  I don't care....

I have worse things to get pissed off about 

Well said!! 

Is it me or is it odd that one Moderator decides that with all the comments and stories listed he best agrees with another Moderator?  That's odd.       No replies needed boys, don't go sensitive on me.

This post from earlier says it best.  "  I cured that problem a long time ago, I don`t take my cars to car shows anymore. I enjoy driving it, not parking it so other people can enjoy it  "

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

We're actually one in the same.....I just forgot that I signed on with my "other" name....

[whitehatspecial]

With all due respect to you, I can see why the guy got annoyed. The "magnifying glass" comment was sort of off-handed and he was probably feeling awkward for looking at your car so long. Personally I feel proud when people give my car a thorough inspection. They could be just curious or really admiring the details.

Either way I wouldn't let spectators bug me because I enjoy talking to them and listening to their comments..positive or negative.

So now I take some hits    With all do respect to me, if you're going to rape someones car, wouldn't it be nice to say Hi and give a positive comment then go inspect it like you're a cop looking for hidden drugs?    I find it hard to believe that most people which would be chilling out at a cruise night, and watching someone go up and under your car without coming over to say hello, wouldn't bug them just a tad.  If it helps any my comment was said more in a light laugh tone than a rude one, because I'm not rude to people.  Now bug off.

Someone needs a hug. 

[Goodz]

Who wouldn't stop to stare at your car? That thing is amazing! Maybe he just had bad people skills?

Hey you.  You live 20 mins from me, when you gonna stop over .
He wasn't staring, he was dissecting and it annoys me somewhat.

Maybe he wasnt.  Maybe he was just looking for places to put the tow hooks to steal it and contemplating how much he could get for it?   

[68charger383]

I'll study cars at shows, but it is to get ideas and pictures for how to make my car better or more correct.

When people come up to me and say something about the car, I tell them right off the bat...its a never ending work in progress...a driver that's  not being brought back to day one when it was on the lot.   

[bordin34]

The only time I said something negative about a guy's car was "You know you only have three lug nuts on that wheel" he responded,"yup been like that for years"

[472 R/T SE]

We're actually one in the same.....I just forgot that I signed on with my "other" name....

runninghorn & Slade Stone50 do it, settin' a bad example now aren't 'cha? 




The b bodies were similarly built so who's to say this guy wasn't comparing a fine example to whatever he had?  If you would have said that to me, I would have said "why don't you stick that magnifying glass up your a$$", and walked off, err I mean wheeled off.  How's that for getting worked up?

And then I would have used you as an example of a smart ass Mopar owner.    There's always two sides.

With my Charger, I get discouraged if someone looks too close cause it is a driver afterall.  Granted it gets old watching people look at me and then gaze inside the interior to see how I drive w/o hand controls and then look back at me like they wanna ask me something.  But whaddya' do, you're there at a show leaving your car & yourself open for criticism.

[Brock Samson]

runninhorn BTW, seems to have dissapeared, unless he's one (or both) of those new guys asking tons of questions... 

[1969chargerrtse]

We're actually one in the same.....I just forgot that I signed on with my "other" name....

runninghorn & Slade Stone50 do it, setting a bad example now aren't 'cha? 




The b bodies were similarly built so who's to say this guy wasn't comparing a fine example to whatever he had?  If you would have said that to me, I would have said "why don't you stick that magnifying glass up your a$$", and walked off, err I mean wheeled off.  How's that for getting worked up?

And then I would have used you as an example of a smart ass Mopar owner.    There's always two sides.

With my Charger, I get discouraged if someone looks too close cause it is a driver afterall.  Granted it gets old watching people look at me and then gaze inside the interior to see how I drive w/o hand controls and then look back at me like they wanna ask me something.  But whaddya' do, you're there at a show leaving your car & yourself open for criticism.

Wow, gotta love these forum groups.  We start with "  Your response was great. I've never had that happen, but if it ever does....I'll try to remember that one! "   
, and work our way up to " why don't you stick that magnifying glass up your a$$ " almost comical, almost.  Well, I was there, you were not and look who's leaving smart ass remarks?  And it ain't me.   Let's agree to disagree.

[472 R/T SE]

There's always two sides.

I hope you don't think everyone's always gonna agree with you and your threads will follow your predetermined path.  Maybe we should just change the name to "Rob's Forum" and you can ban anyone who doesn't agree with you.    Now that there is me being a smart ass. That dude has his opinion of what happened and so do you.

Yeah these forums are great.  Everyone has their own opinion, it's the ones' who can't accept someone elses' that 'cha gotta watch out for. 

"Lighten up Francis."

[JT01]

This didnt happen at a cruise or show but anyway 2 weeks ago we were loading my 69 on the trailer to go to the body shop and the next day one of my neighbors asked me what I was doing with the car so I told him and he said his mother in law used to have a 68 charger convertible and I couldnt help but to bust out laughing.

[Blown70]

Well in the past I think it is truely how they person approaches you.  When they run their dirty hand down the side, or never mind there belt buckle on the paint  THAT pisses me off.  IF i approach someones car I certainly keep my hands to myself and keep buttons, ZIppers, etc, AWAY from their paint, etc,  I was at a friends shop and he said the owner of the car was not as careful around it as I was......Sorry RESPECT other property.!!

I think I would have been annoyed by this myself.

[Finn]

My car show routine:
I try to find the owner first, compliment the car, inform them I'm restoring one at the moment (might bust out a picture of it at this point) and ask them a mildly in-depth question that shows I'm not full of shit.
That usually leads to us talking for 20+ minutes and their showing me everything I would have wanted to inspect anyway.

I'm so smooth...

If mine was reliable enough (and street legal) to take it to shows right after I bought it I would have printed up a page nonsense to place in the window like "rust free #'s matching 1960 charger hardtop convertible once owned by elvis" then at the end of the page "if you actually took any of this bullshit seriously please step away from my car and go read a book".

[FLG]

Same here Blown. I make sure i zipper my jacket so it dosent swing around, or just not wear one, and put my keys in my pocket instead of on my belt loop. My 3rd gen is no where near perfect, has its fair share of bondo and scratches...but i work my ass of compounding and waxing the car just so it looks a bit better...and now i gotta deal with some guy running his hand down the car just to add a few more scratches in the paint after its dusty from a day of driving. And of course I look like the ass hole because i say something, yea i know the car isnt more then a driver but why the hell do i need more scratches to compound out?? 


I just dont understand WHY people must touch things?

[myk]

I just dont understand WHY people must touch things?

Funny, the Hooter's waitress asked me the same thing right before they threw me out..

[Blown70]

I just dont understand WHY people must touch things?

Funny, the Hooter's waitress asked me the same thing right before they threw me out..

Dont try that at the stip club either uless its your girll 

[FLG]

Hmm, that strategy seemed to work fine for me last night?? 

[Finn]

well did she have bullets wounds because that doesn't count? 

[pettyfan43]

I can't WAIT till the First KNOW IT ALL sees my 66 at a show! 440!?! 15" WHEELS?!?!?!?!?! By the time they see the electronic ignition, the late model alternator, the aluminum racing radiator, they may very well have a stroke!!!!

"That isn't CORRECT" Damn Skippy, Dodge built it their way in 66, Since I own it now, I built the way I WANTED IT!!!

[1969chargerrtse]

There's always two sides.

I hope you don't think everyone's always gonna agree with you and your threads will follow your predetermined path.  Maybe we should we just change the name to "Rob's Forum" and you can ban anyone who doesn't agree with you.    Now that there is me being a smart ass. That dude has his opinion of what happened and so do you.

Yeah these forums are great.  Everyone has their own opinion, it's the ones' who can't accept someone elses' that 'cha gotta watch out for. 

"Lighten up Francis."

Oh man!  and I thought we were gonna have words?  I had to take an elevator call so I couldn't be on the site, but a friend read me what you wrote.  Just by the way she read it I thought we had fighting words.  All the way home I was making my attack and destroy plan.  When I got home I read what you wrote and them ain't no fighting words .  Thats all you got?   Ah Hum bug to you " Rob's Forum"?   Nah, thanks anyway.      

[bill440rt]

Yup, I'd lighten up. Sounds like that guy was tame to me. I've seen & heard MUCH, MUCH worse.

Sounds like you have nothing to be ashamed of, let it go. 

[markstealth91]

Who wouldn't stop to stare at your car? That thing is amazing! Maybe he just had bad people skills?

Hey you.  You live 20 mins from me, when you gonna stop over .
He wasn't staring, he was dissecting and it annoys me somewhat.

I want to see it! It's just hard, work has been insanely crazy, and whatever free time I do have I am (slowly) trying to get my charger back in shape!

[1969chargerrtse]

Yup, I'd lighten up. Sounds like that guy was tame to me. I've seen & heard MUCH, MUCH worse.

Sounds like you have nothing to be ashamed of, let it go. 

  I lightened up right after I started the thread.  I enjoy sharing thoughts about things auto related on the site, but as for hanging on to negativity that's where I draw the line.  Life's to short for that.  I had just gotten home from the cruise and threw it on there Nothing more.  Watching the news and over 60,000 people are dead in Burma from the Cyclone and now over 10,000 in China mostly children from a Earth Quake, trust me some guy bugging me at a cruise isn't on my mind much.  They said in the 70's China had a Quake that killed over 250,000.  Man how do you explain things like that?   

[hemi68charger]

You run into those sorts in all facets of life... I go with the flow and usually enjoy shooting some know-it-all down.. Now, if it's someone who truely doesn't have a clue and is innocent, I'll go with the flow or "educate" them. I remember one dude who has a '68 Hemi Superbee.. Gorgeous car. Got on the subject of mine and told him it was a factory non-suregrip HEMI car.. He didn't believe me.. Stated ALL HEMI cars came with suregrip units.... Wrong.............. So, I just explained to him the error of someone's way that apparently lead him to such a wrong statement.......   

Troy

[1969chargerrtse]

You run into those sorts in all facets of life... I go with the flow and usually enjoy shooting some know-it-all down.. Now, if it's someone who truly doesn't have a clue and is innocent, I'll go with the flow or "educate" them. I remember one dude who has a '68 Hemi Superbee.. Gorgeous car. Got on the subject of mine and told him it was a factory non-suregrip HEMI car.. He didn't believe me.. Stated ALL HEMI cars came with suregrip units.... Wrong.............. So, I just explained to him the error of someone's way that apparently lead him to such a wrong statement.......   

Troy

Hey wanna laugh?  I was "modify"ing something I spelled wrong on my post which is next to yours and your post came up instead.  Yes, I was able to modify your post instead of mine?  So I typed at the end of your post "  I love your car man!! "  but then I didn't have the guts to save it.

[moparstuart]

You run into those sorts in all facets of life... I go with the flow and usually enjoy shooting some know-it-all down.. Now, if it's someone who truly doesn't have a clue and is innocent, I'll go with the flow or "educate" them. I remember one dude who has a '68 Hemi Superbee.. Gorgeous car. Got on the subject of mine and told him it was a factory non-suregrip HEMI car.. He didn't believe me.. Stated ALL HEMI cars came with suregrip units.... Wrong.............. So, I just explained to him the error of someone's way that apparently lead him to such a wrong statement.......   

Troy

Hey wanna laugh?  I was "modify"ing something I spelled wrong on my post which is next to yours and your post came up instead.  Yes, I was able to modify your post instead of mine?  So I typed at the end of your post "  I love your car man!! "  but then I didn't have the guts to save it.

hacker !   

[Kevin68N71]

I notice that with any hobby, you have the 90/10 rule.  90% really cool people, and 10% a-holes.  Sometimes the number is more than 10%.

Notice I said hobby, not just car shows, car hobbies, Mopars, etc. ANY hobby or interest.

I collect alot of things and have noticed this as a trait of human nature.

If you collect vintage appliances or furnishings, you are much more welcome in the group if you are NOT conservative or a strong alpha male.  I think you know what I mean.

If you collect guns, there is always the "know it all" whose rare piece is better than yours, with all sorts of tall tales of "crime stopping" and wannabees.

In many car shows, there is tons of cliquishness, if that is a real word!  It is especially true of the AMC clubs, they're the worst!  The last AMC show I went to everyone clustered in a corner, they all new each other, and me and like 2 other guys were looking at the cars.  The cars were just sitting there and no one was near them.  So I just took alot of pictures because my AMX is missing so much of the front grille area.

I shared the story of the guy with the Chrysler Imperial coupe at last year's spring fling.  It was the same year as my Crown hardtop 4 door.  I wanted to talk with him about his restoration, and when I mentioned I had a four door he said "A four door! I wouldn't even bother with that." and then his goofy friend chimed in "He's got more invested on the chrome of his back bumper than your whole car is worth".

The problem is, again, you have 10% a-holes in ANYTHING you do, so you have to just expect this sort of thing.

I do have a pretty good response to the "gas guzzler" idiots.

I had a guy say "That thing must not be able to pass a gas station, what does it get, 10 miles to the gallon?"

At which time I said, "I don't know, it doesn't really matter.  I'm rich."

That shuts them up and typically pisses them off bad.  No a-hole wants to feel that someone has a better car or more money than he does.

On the "Your care is not 'correct' " line, I like to say this:

"Oh, my car is not correct?  Thanks for telling me, you're the expert.  By the way, where is your perfectly correct car?  Is it here?  Mind if I take a look, I want to see perfection.  Lead the way, where'd you park it..." at which time they will usually get a guilty look and shuffle off.

[SFRT]

whats interesting is that in the 6 weeks or so the car has been down at the shop pretty much everyone who has seen it had aparently owned one in the past, or their dad did.

everyone. most of them hemi 4 speeds etc. and they got them all either new or for like 50 bucks.

lol.

here in sf...when I drive it around all the 'yuppies' ignore it stoically, 0r grab their pure bred dogs in fright and run off ( literally I am not kidding)but what is pretty interesting is just about every black dude over the age of 30 that sees it totally flips out...I have had numerous guys like run through traffic to check it out. lots of thumbs up from the brothers. and if you live around here you will understand what an amazing thing it is for a black dude in san francisco to give a white dude a smile and a thumbs up.

warms the heart.

[Brock Samson]

  That's why I call mine "The Parade Float".. 

[Kevin68N71]

whats interesting is that in the 6 weeks or so the car has been down at the shop pretty much everyone who has seen it had aparently owned one in the past, or their dad did.

everyone. most of them hemi 4 speeds etc. and they got them all either new or for like 50 bucks.

lol.

here in sf...when I drive it around all the 'yuppies' ignore it stoically, 0r grab their pure bred dogs in fright and run off ( literally I am not kidding)but what is pretty interesting is just about every black dude over the age of 30 that sees it totally flips out...I have had numerous guys like run through traffic to check it out. lots of thumbs up from the brothers. and if you live around here you will understand what an amazing thing it is for a black dude in san francisco to give a white dude a smile and a thumbs up.

warms the heart.

Let me understand.  You're a guy.  In San Francisco.  With a muscle car.  OUCH.

I thought I had it bad in the outskirts of LA.  Hang tough man!

[tdub]

 Now here's a funny one that happened to me today at a Mopar show locally. I posted back when this thread first started that I have a 71 Challenger convertible that I show and a problem I had in Spokane a few years back. Anyway, I was called up to receive a trophy in todays show and while I was walking up, another guy (who I don't know) said he was accepting it for me, grabbed it and I never did see who it was. I'm not into the trophy thing and really don't care but it was funny that somebody else wanted it that bad. We'll see if I ever get it. I just started laughing when it happened. This is a first that I've ever seen at any show.

[69bronzeT5]

Anyway, I was called up to receive a trophy in todays show and while I was walking up, another guy (who I don't know) said he was accepting it for me, grabbed it and I never did see who it was.

I would of ran up there and punched him right in the face

[BlueSS454]

I don't mind anyone looking over a car I have, hell look at it for 8 hours for all I care.  What I don't like personally is someone making a comment about something on whatever car I have at the time and being wrong in their statement.  That usually ends up in me making a comment back.  I'm also one of those guys that will stand and stare at a car for 20 minutes simply because it grabs my attention and I like it.  A nice car is a nice car, period no matter what it is.  I was doing this with a GTO today.  It grabbed my attention because it was different than all the other GTO's you see everywhere so I looked it over for about 15-20 minutes appreciating what it is.

[gordo1968charger]

most people at shows are the "if you ve a 12 inch sausage,i ve got a 13 inch frying pan"type
zippers annoy the shit out of me as well,why not have shows were people have to have velcro fasteners.

thats why i do nt show my car,too many people with too little respect.

[Finn]

I'm a spectator and it pisses ME off when I see other people looking at cars and their zippers/camera-cords/bags/etc touch the car. Its like damn is it really that hard to show some respect? And when parent ignore/brush off whatever their little kid is doing because "they're just a child"...

[FLG]

Finn,

Last time at the local show here a kid picked up a stick and tapped a car...the mom took the kid on the side and gave him a beating he wont ever forget, bet he dont do that again 

[Finn]

LOL!

[BRS]

In addition to the people with zippers, cameras and handbags........how about those idiots with the chain wallets that seem to always find they're way against your paint job? It's almost as bad as an old guy that was pointing out flaws on some guys car with a cane to a friend of his. When the owners asked him politely to be careful the old man said, "don't worry, it's got a rubber tip". With that the owner of the car said something about an anal insertion of the cane and the guy left.

Most folks who go to shows are very respectful of your property and I like it when people take interest in my cars. But, there are always a few.........

[raybeez]

Yeah, most folks who own a classic car are very respectful. It's the people who don't know the cost and work involved in restoring a vehicle that usually do something stupid....

There's been a few times that I've let a kid sit in the driver's seat of my 69 charger and let mom or dad take his/her picture. As long as I'm standing right there...


I don't know about you guys, but it seems that with the brand we have we usually get the "dukes of hazzard" types. Leather jackets with zippers, wallets on chain leashes, sharp wrist bands, etc. I think they're drawn to old mopars like the dawn of the dead zombies are drawn to the living.
The comment I've heard more than once is - I had one of these and sold it. My response is - O.K. ~ we all make mistakes 

One of the weirdest comments I heard about my car was at a car show by a show judge. I entered my charger in the muscle car class, and the judge said it wasn't a muscle car because my car has air conditioning (which came with the car).

All in all, I think we should keep in mind that no matter what negative comment anyone says about your car, it is YOUR car. They don't have one and you do!

[FLG]

Hey BRS im one of those idiots with the chain wallets 

Dont worry, i never get that close to someones car and its not long at all, but if i do i just take it and wrap it in my fist.

[dadstoy66]

I was just at one Saturday at Hooters I hate going to them any more. I was out checking out the other rides. I came back to my car to find a teenager resting on my passenger door. This was a bunch of kids with rice burners all standing between my car and there's . I just blew up on the kid and cleared out the area and since he was so fu$$ing tired I got a folding chair for him.

[BlueSS454]

All in all, I think we should keep in mind that no matter what negative comment anyone says about your car, it is YOUR car. They don't have one and you do!

Bingo 
One of my favorite reponses to a jackass making a dumb comment is...."Where's yours???"