Is the public attitude changing?

Perhaps, as modern cars get ever more high tech, anything that goes against that grain will stand out and have an increased appeal. Especially as nearly all new cars are some variation of SUV then old cars seem less aggressive by comparison. We here all know that seeing a retro/classic/custom etc among the normal traffic can brighten up your day so I suppose "normal" people might feel the same.

I definitely notice a difference in attitude between my two cars. My modern-ish Chrysler, I tend to fly under the radar. Occasionally people will give some puzzled looks as they're unfamiliar with that car as it's not very common, but overall people just largely ignore you like they do with anything current. I had a brand new Audi A4 rental the other day and people actually reacted a bit aggressive towards this car sometimes.

When I'm driving my 944 however, it's an entirely different experience. It's smiles everywhere, people react open and friendly to it. As it's my first 'real' classic however, I can't really tell if the attitude has changed over the years. I'll say however that when I got to drive friend's classics in the past few years the reactions were largely the same - friendly, interested and usually not a negative reaction to be found.

I think that's an age thing. Even as a relative young un, I suffer from it.

Go back 20+ years ago, and you saw the very odd 70s car.

Most that I remember in the 90s were either 'restorations' or rotting away on someone's front lawn from what I remember near me.
The 00s I thought people were going with new cars. but in reality, 10 years had gone from the above scenario. 80s cars however were more prevailant than the 70s cars in the 90s. I think that shows just how far the goalposts moved back then.
Even in the early 10s you still saw quite a few 80s stuff about, but of course, the rule breaker here was the 90s stuff. There were tons and tons of them and boy was there plenty! They made loads back then but it also lasted! Even an early BMW E46 is now 20 years old, with the E39 being firmly in that camp, and the E36 is now knocking on for 30 years old. Sure, the quality has gone down in some areas but the survival rates even with poor maintenance by many is higher.

the other reasons for classic cars being popular? TV. Instead of paying a fortune for the Professionals Boxset you can now stream it from Quest et. al. Retro themed programmes have become all the rage. Finally, peeps can say what you want to about Wheeler Dealers, curse word Boy Garage, Gas Bumkeys etc. but they have helped the scene to grow. Sure, that's had a knock-on effect with values, in addition to classic cars looking more investable than hoses as they climb further and further out of reach for the mere mortal, but it all helps .

I have never really known it to be any different - I have owned classics of all sorts for 45 years and they all have raised a wave or put a smile on peoples faces every time I've been on a trip out with them



For some unknown reason - especially this one

I think if the recent Ipswich to Felixstowe run in May was anything to go by, Classics are very much appreciated by the general public. It's always sold out, and people actually come out specifically to watch them go by.

Also, the recent East Coast Retros meet (which had the Practical Classics guys in attendance) attracted some 390 cars. In a field next to a pub. So yes, I would say that well-driven, good looking classics are very much seated in the general public's happy place.

Funnily enough i did exactly the same to a guy in a very nice early Mg Midget dark blue on minilites yesterday. Looked it over as he crawled past the opposite direction in traffic and gave him a nod of approval which was met with a smile and raising of the hand.

It's something different and someones maintaining it and looking after it. Respect for that.

CAVEAT: doesn't apply to retro stuff as much but certainly classic stuff pre 80's almost always gets that reaction....

My current bucket of nuts and my previous two vehicles were all absolute magnets for quite unhinged displays of enthusiasm and appreciation from all types of pedestrians. Those three vehicles constitute about 10 years of the bon homie of strangers. So from my perspective I'd say it's not a new thing.

I get people going to all sorts of lengths to drop all their shopping and run into the road to give me double thumbs up and almost killing themselves in the process.

I never know what to do. I tend to just raise a hand as a gesture but then I think I look like I'm trying to be cool and aloof. I think I should match their enthusiasm by swerving erratically and ploughing into a bin whilst hooting with joy or something.

I've only ever had one negative comment in the whole time I've been driving old cr4p, and that was in my Humber. Some townie looking' geezers in an Audi A3 once pulled up next to me at the lights, and all gave me the savage eye through the bifter smoke and the vision altering thumps of Grime, then the driver did a weird "I'm muttering this but really loudly because I want you to hear it over the music' thing and said to his esteemed colleagues "I JOLLY WELL DETEST THESE AWFUL NINCOMPOOPS WHAT DRIVE OLD PIFF&NONSENSE LIKE THIS CHAP HERE, FAM, BY WAY OF AN EXAMPLE, WHAT WHAT?".

And they all sniggered viciously.

And then the lights changed.

And so then I floored it, and they were left tumbling in the spit and sheckles of my awesome prowess.

AND I WAS AMAZING THAT DAY. AND THOSE RAPSCALLIONS STILL TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT I WAS. I'M SURE OF IT.

I'm used to the head turning with the kit cars, the general public are always in WTF mode.
Fellow kit drivers i'd also expect some sort of acknowledgement, 90% do but there are always a few too immersed in driving to let go or even nod.
Since my mrs bought a 2002 MX5 a few weeks ago I think I've found one of the most enthusiastic (and possibly most prolific) groups of wavers, thumbs uppers and nodders in the motoring world. Granted they are a common sight, especially at weekends but they seem to be driven for fun rather than as a chore, this leads to being part of a happy clan of drivers all too willing to acknowledge a fellow enthusiast, someone driving for enjoyment rather than necessity.

Personally I will thumbs up out of the window for classics, kits and customs whether they be old or new, driven or trailered. Get some odd looks when I do it from the window of a 2005 transit though.

i concur with gn. whatever the era , older classics have always been well received. in 30 years my mum only ever had 2 cars , both mgb's , which aside from the fanatical flashing and waving of other b owners were also frequently ackonwleged by many others on the road. she was shocked in comparison when hip and back problems forced her out of her beloved b and into a smart car...she raged daily about the psychopaths that would literally try and run her off the road and generally cut her up....and trust me she wasnt the usual smart"pooterer"... she loved the way they wailed up to redline , especially her first early model one.