Thread: I Need to Get This Off My Chest!

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I do not want to come across as a bitter old fool or even someone who has an axe to grind, because I am not, but there is something I have to get off my chest that has been eating away at my spirit for awhile.

I am tire of the recent rash of car snobs. They range from the super rich snobs that have the cash to horde every particular style of car in the free world and have them all restored to better than mint condition and turn up their noses at any one who has any less that that level of perfection…all the way to the new breed of “brat rod” owners that build their fake weathered hot rods that are supposed to be some twisted version of a traditional rods, back during a time long before they were born (or even a glimmer in their father’s eye) and are so judgmental and insultive to anyone that wants to build anything less than a similarly dangerous and dark version of the past. (when did my generation of bobby sockers get tattoos and piercings?)

Don’t get me wrong I love all forms of the hobby.. the work of art concord cars, the creative hot rods, street racers, beaters and rat rods.. its just the attitude I have been sensing from the owners. There are some websites that I simple steer clear of due to the judgmental attitudes and foul comments that are unleashed on any one that thinks differently than the faceless crowd. This site is certainly just the opposite!

Why can’t all car lovers just revel in the fact that anything that is powered by a fire breathing combustion engine is pretty darn cool and if it reflects the owners’ personal style then it is worth respect.

I'm feeling a dejavu' moment!

Some like the hobby and some worship it to a particular way . . Me i just like to see all sorts of cars built in any direction . I think the various builds shows more craftmanship then a mirror picture . Your right on the seeing this site is open to all . You can build a 2008 here and it will be appreciated and discussed on its build rather then being thrashed .

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Some like the hobby and some worship it to a particular way . . Me i just like to see all sorts of cars built in any direction . I think the various builds shows more craftmanship then a mirror picture . Your right on the seeing this site is open to all . You can build a 2008 here and it will be appreciated and discussed on its build rather then being thrashed .

Yes you are correct... I have belonged to all the other sites and this is amongst the very best!

We`ve all been feeling this lately, i and a few others have ranted about this subject, thats why ive been laying low, and staying away from shows! My peace of mind is getting better, and im starting to gain interest again.

those people who are small minded enough to think that everybody should build the kind of car they drive, or should restore every car they own to better than factory specs usually get tired of the hobby and move on to the next thing that catches their interest. the real car people stick around and admire the cars that others build regardless of brand, or level of restoration. granted there is a lot of good natured ribbing that goes on between loyalists of the different brands, but each recognizes the others accomplishments.

In not all, but many, instances, those who buy (or pay to have built) there cars are not as dedicated to the hobby as those who actually get their hands dirty.

I appreciate any car that has been modified to that owners desire.

I have found over, over a LOT of years, that doers are more generous in their evaluation of other peoples projects than the "I paid to have it done" crowd.

Any hobby has it's enthusiasts and it's wannabees.

Thank god for this board!! Even an old fart with a Caddy fits in.

It's like that in every marque, Corvette, Mustang, Shelby, cobra replica, MG, Triumph, Harley, etc and so forth. You have those that feel the need to put down others for what they do or do not have. Then you get the ones that must pile on with the suck up "me too" attitude. Finally you have the back stabbers, you know the ones who talk nicely about your car to you, but as soon as you are gone badmouth your car to no end. Those are the worst ones, afraid to give out an honest unbiased opinion in a nice calm and civil way.

Bill S.

Wait until I win PowerBall....
(of course, it wont change me!!)

You say "bitter old fool", but even as a 28-year-old, I'm right there with you man.

I can appreciate the shiny, mirror-finish paint jobs and engine compartments that are cleaner than the dishes I eat off of because it takes a hell of a lot of work to achieve those kinds of things... but like you say, I love seeing the old-school budget-built rat rods with their imperfections too because hot rodding didn't start with the guys who had the shiniest cars, the highest budgets or the fanciest parts - it was the guys in their garages who did some killer builds on low budgets.

To me, anyone who turns their noses up to a lower budget car at a show because they've maybe got something with a paint job that costs more than my house has lost the true meaning of being a car enthusiast... not to mention you've become very one-dimensional.

Edit:
I may not be interested in the car or the build you've done, but I can definitely appreciate the time, work and committment you put into it as long as you were able to do the work.

wow! i feel all dirty all of a sudden..

One question,... do you build your cars for yourself,... or to impress others ?
I build my cars for just one person (he can be a jerk sometimes, to demanding, long hours, but I put up with him,...cause he's me). If you don't like my car so what?,.... I may like or dislike your car ,... so what? there is only one person that needs to look at your car, get that big stupid Hot Rod grin on his face and say,..... "Man you really nailed it !" and that's you.

Over the years there seems to be more elitist snobs and "experts", but this is nothing new, In the early 70's during the resto-rod craze chopped cars were considered butchered. everyone was using corvair IFS, small block chevys, wide Ansen Sprints with N-50-15 tires that stuck outside the fenders 6 to 8",
winged moto-meters, step plates.

I had a chopped deuce 5/W with a Flathead at that time,.... and everyone gave me advice on what I should do with it,.... you know they would start out with "If it were mine I would",.......... or "You know what you should do with this is",............ I liked my car just the way it was.

I was with Frank Mack once and after the 15th or 20th time I heard someone say "thats a cool car BUT, He should change those goofy looking headlights"
I said to Frank,.... "Did you ever consider changing the headlights? seems nobody likes them." He stopped what he was doing and said to me, sure I could change the headlights, or paint it orange like someone else suggested,
change the wheels, take the hood sides off, I could just keep changing it a little at a time until it wasn't the car I wanted and built for myself, I built this car for me ! not to win trophy's, or other peoples approval,..... He also told me that everyone will have a opinion about your car and everyone of them was a Hot Rod expert in there own eyes,....

I guess what this all comes down to is, make some sparks, get grease under your fingernails,... take your car out and kill bugs with it,... thats what we build them for,..... and for all the elitists and snobs,..... just ignore them, they have always been there and they always will be (trying to prove to you, there friends and them self's just how cool of a hot rod expert they are) .


Here's Frank Mack's roadster. won all the marbles at the first Detroit Autorama in 53'

Originally Posted by highboy32

One question,... do you build your cars for yourself,... or to impress others ?
I build my cars for just one person (he can be a jerk sometimes, to demanding, long hours, but I put up with him,...cause he's me). If you don't like my car so what?,.... I may like or dislike your car ,... so what? there is only one person that needs to look at your car, get that big stupid Hot Rod grin on his face and say,..... "Man you really nailed it !" and that's you.

Over the years there seems to be more elitist snobs and "experts", but this is nothing new, In the early 70's during the resto-rod craze chopped cars were considered butchered. everyone was using corvair IFS, small block chevys, wide Ansen Sprints with N-50-15 tires that stuck outside the fenders 6 to 8",
winged moto-meters, step plates.

I had a chopped deuce 5/W with a Flathead at that time,.... and everyone gave me advice on what I should do with it,.... you know they would start out with "If it were mine I would",.......... or "You know what you should do with this is",............ I liked my car just the way it was.

I was with Frank Mack once and after the 15th or 20th time I heard someone say "thats a cool car BUT, He should change those goofy looking headlights"
I said to Frank,.... "Did you ever consider changing the headlights? seems nobody likes them." He stopped what he was doing and said to me, sure I could change the headlights, or paint it orange like someone else suggested,
change the wheels, take the hood sides off, I could just keep changing it a little at a time until it wasn't the car I wanted and built for myself, I built this car for me ! not to win trophy's, or other peoples approval,..... He also told me that everyone will have a opinion about your car and everyone of them was a Hot Rod expert in there own eyes,....

I guess what this all comes down to is, make some sparks, get grease under your fingernails,... take your car out and kill bugs with it,... thats what we build them for,..... and for all the elitists and snobs,..... just ignore them, they have always been there and they always will be (trying to prove to you, there friends and them self's just how cool of a hot rod expert they are) .

i believe you nailed that one man ..

Kudo's on a great build philosophy highboy!!!! If I don't like my own car, why would it matter what anyone else thinks??? I've been called a lot of things, but never a copycat... I like it that way... Keep doing what ya do, long as it works for you it's great!!!!

I build my cars myself and only for myself. If you say you don't like my interpretation - go away!!! Sorry, but I don't like everyone's car - but the owner will never hear that dislike statement from me - it's his pride and joy. Do I envy the 6 figure mega buck cars? Sure do. But they, for the most part, with the exception of writing checks seem to have no owner input. The latest engine, a mid to high 5 figure paint job that cost more then my entire mediocre effort. They're great - but I need the satisfaction knowing that the grime embedded in my hands was from "doing it myself". When I talk to these folks, if I can even find one at a show to talk to, will usually size them up very quickly as someone who is 'just passing through' the hobby until the next takes their interest. Have I been doing this for a while - not too long, only about 50 years (with some breaks to raise kids and work out of the country)