Old Coots

[fantasygoat]

I've had my car "finished" (ie. drivable) for about a month now and I've been to a few of the local cruise nights.

The problem is, I can't stand a lot of the people at these nights. A good example was this past Monday - I was standing by my car and two dour-looking older guys wander up and start eyeballing my car with frowns on their faces, but I try to be friendly and say hello.

Without even responding, one of them asks if I'd done work on the quarters. The other one starts rambling on about the "Cleveland" engine I have in my car. Clevelands weren't available in '69 in Torinos and I say as much, and the guy frowns even more and tells me I'm wrong.

This is a typical story for these cruise nights - horrible 50's music blaring at full volume and cranky, sour old men who feel the need to put down your car or find some way to one up you, while looking down their nose at you as though you couldn't possibly know as much as them about your own car.

Don't get me wrong, there are tons of nice people at them, but it's these old coots who really put me off trying to make new friends in the car hobby.

Why do they even go to these things?

[bigvegan]

Try an autocross. The way the classes are set up, your car may not be remotely competitive, but you'll have a heck of a lot of fun, with some really fun people, and EVERYBODY likes to see the old cars hustle around the cones.

"Why do they even go to these things?"

Try asking them. "Hey pops, do you really think you know more about the car I just spent several months rebuilding than I do? Really?"

[69TAPoser]

This is a typical story for these cruise nights - horrible 50's music blaring at full volume and cranky, sour old men who feel the need to put down your car or find some way to one up you, while looking down their nose at you as though you couldn't possibly know as much as them about your own car.

Unfortunately, that is almost identical to many experiences that I have had here in MA and NH. And it is definitely time to mix-up the music selection a bit.

Phil

[jpdeuce]

You'll get that everywhere from both young and old. Just try to be nice and walk away. Thats what I try to do.

[Kenova]

And it is definitely time to mix-up the music selection a bit.

Phil

And a big "AMEN BROTHER" to that. Most of the people that listened to that crap while cruising have one foot in the grave.
Give me some Bob Seager, Golden Earring, Nazareth, Steve Miller Band, Alman Brothers, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac ........... and the list goes on.
But PLEASE! NO MORE BO DIDDLY CRAP!!!!

Ken

[megaladon6]

Bob Seager, Golden Earring, Nazareth, Steve Miller Band, Alman Brothers, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac

what was that about one foot in the grave? lol
seriously though, how much you wanna bet that the old coots didn't even do their own work?

[CHRIS67]

I had a few old "purists" tell me that I ruined my car after converting my 4 wheel drums to discs. I told them to remind me of that when they can't stop and total their cars.

My car with my direction I want to take it in. If you don't like it then move along and don't say anything or be ready if you do.

[hdesign]

I hadn't been to a cruise night in years but since I bought the Camaro, I was really looking forward to it this summer. I got turned off pretty quickly by some of the know-it-alls and the people that just want to prove to their g.friend or buddy how keen of an eye they have to pick a car apart or notice something "not-stock" if they're a purist. The other thing is the 4 year olds banging their matchbox cars on the fender and the parents ignoring it.

As for the music, not that I want them to be blaring Godsmack but seriously the DooWop stuff gets pretty old when you're trying to talk to someone 3 feet away.

[Happyfunballs]

Hey FG, were you at the Mapleview Mall in Burlington last night?

[fantasygoat]

Hey FG, were you at the Mapleview Mall in Burlington last night?

No, is there a Wednesday night cruise there? Bit of a drive for me from downtown Toronto though.

I was in Thornhill on Monday night. Might check out the 400/7 cruise tomorrow night - give those old coots one more try!

I think I could tolerate the grumps if it wasn't for the do-wop!

[Kenova]

what was that about one foot in the grave? lol

LOL. I have a few years left in me yet. Really though, it's just simple math. I figure most of us have done the vast majority of our cruising during our late teens and early twenties. That would mean some one listening to the DooWopidy Doo during the late fifties would be in their late sixties or early seventies. Doesn't exactly sound like the typical cruiz night crowd, does it ?
To be perfectly honest, the music from every generation has produced some worthy road tunes.
For the record, I'm about to hit the double nickle. Older than I like, but not REALLY old.


Ken

[minendrews68]

LOL. I have a few years left in me yet. Really though, it's just simple math. I figure most of us have done the vast majority of our cruising during our late teens and early twenties. That would mean some one listening to the DooWopidy Doo during the late fifties would be in their late sixties or early seventies. Doesn't exactly sound like the typical cruiz night crowd, does it ?
To be perfectly honest, the music from every generation has produced some worthy road tunes.
For the record, I'm about to hit the double nickle. Older than I like, but not REALLY old.


Ken

I agree, these "young whippersnappers" ain't all that they're put up to be.......JK guys. Yeah I'm 57, I still like my cars, even my kids 22 yrs and 13 yrs can't wait until I get the Camaro done. I don't go to car shows to prove how smart I was and how dumb your car looks. I still like rock music Def Leppard is still my favorite! I usually go to car shows or get togethers to learn not to criticize, so give some of us other guys a break here..lol. Besides we were young once, any you'll be old some day.
Carl

[dogtag]

Hey,,,,, I resemble that!

But that's OK. I don't mind being old and I know what you mean about folks judging your car.
I've got a chev engine, transmission, and a Ford suspension. Caddie seats and Mopar stearing in my 56 Olds.
Also have aftermarket Wilwood Brakes, Vintage air and cruise control.

Yeah, it's a Frankinstine but I don't care. I love it.
I took it to an Olds only show and experienced the same thing.
I just ignored the comments and enjoyed the hot dogs and music.

I can appreciate the music issue though. I have difficulty with anything after 68 but I keep it to myself.

What I can't deal with is volume so loud it gives you a nose bleed when you walk by the speakers.

Last year my buddy Red and I went to a show and stopped to talk to a guy with a really nice Stude.

He was busy talking to some other folks so while we were waiting we started talking to this Kid who says, "Yeah, me and Grandpops drove up here together in the Stude. It was a blast and don't tell anyone but when he dies, I get the car".
Kid says he's pretty old and could go anytime.
My buddy Red asks, "Well, how old is Grandpops, anyway".

Kid says, " Pretty damn old, like 60 or somthin'.

DT

[Bow Tie 67]

I had a man on the power tour make a comment on my dented quarter panel. I told him I think I have a good chance of saving it. So he quips even a good bodyman will have problems with that. ( granted he was correct ) I told him I will try anything at least once. " In fact if you let me try brain surgury on you, I'll give it a shot. " He quietly walked away.

[BA.]

that's f'n funny Matt.

[dogtag]

Dead on, Bro!

[dadto2jays]

I agree with you about the loud 50's music. As far as what people think or say about my rides I wipe my butt with it because chances are that they do not own a classic vehicle and only wish they did some people's satisfaction comes from putting others down.

[The Stickman]

Try an autocross. The way the classes are set up, your car may not be remotely competitive, but you'll have a heck of a lot of fun, with some really fun people, and EVERYBODY likes to see the old cars hustle around the cones.

"Why do they even go to these things?"

Try asking them. "Hey pops, do you really think you know more about the car I just spent several months rebuilding than I do? Really?"

Yea but I had a similar experience to the one he noted at an AutoX. It was a big event and there was a Hoosier dealer there selling tires. I went up knowing I needed to step up and buy real rubber as I was running street tires. What does this guy tell me. I'm running the wrong car. At the time I was running an S-10. A truck that eventually took the ESP championship in my region. But this guy who is supposed to be there to sell tires and service his customers decides to pass judgement on what I drove. Needless to say he nor anyother Hoosier dealer will get my business.

[MonzaRacer]

What I like is when the local "fast" car owner starts runin g his mouth about his eight hunnert horsepower 350 with camel hump heads and a Quadrajet.
Oh and it would pull the wheels every shift.
I may only be 41 but dang it I have built 800hp engines and unless its all aftermarket and seriously built or pressurized or squeezed YOU AINT gonna make no 800hp on a sbc 355 or stock block 406.
Heck my buddy built a 380 in drag engine, bowtie CNCblock, 3 5/8 stroker, 18 deg heads, 14+ compression, and imperial rollercam bearings and it made 781 on dyno and takes his Pro Gas Monza run low 5.20s or better in 1/8th. His Deuce Nova has a 383 whith port NOS that made 761 on DYNO squeezin and wont turn it on on street.
Or the guy that maxed the DBL meter over 200 with big lots parts.

I am a Master Machinist and Master Tech, worked in machine shop, ported heads, built trannys, and so much more.
Its insane if you cant translate their BS from actual truth.
Local cruise in is mostly older stuff but newer car/trucks are welcome, and some of older guys even want me to bring up Monza asap.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

well to honest its alil more sticky for me here in GA.. many of the folks around here look at me like i dont deserve to have a car like my Camaro.. let alone 2 of them... or a 69 gto.. etc..

i guess thats just life.. it dont really bother me though.. just kinda funny when i get they get all tight.

and thats why im on here, folks arent on that nonsense on here and we all get along because of common interests.