ferny
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 984
Club RR Member Number: 13
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Jul 22, 2019 17:14:39 GMT
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Ok, it's summer and we've probably all noticed the public gets a bit more smiley towards old cars in the summer.
I'll be the first to openly admit that my herald looks like a kebab sponsored bottom wonder with the tip painted a bright colour. But over the last couple of days I've had at least four drivers stick their hand out the window of their car and fist pump the air, a fair number of (normally lady) drivers point and smile at it and today one guy walking down the street took a photo of it. People also seem suddenly insistent to emphatically wave me out at junctions as well.
So I'm wondering - especially with the recent bad press relating to some car enthusiasts - is anyone else experiencing a noticable public friendliness? If so, it's gotta be a good thing to happen.
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Jul 22, 2019 17:23:33 GMT
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I think that for the most part, people like to see old cars out on the road as they add a bit of variety to break up the constant flow of modern cars. They may not want to own an old car, but they do like to see them.
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1953 Minor (Long term project) PT Cruiser
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Jul 22, 2019 17:35:57 GMT
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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.
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Jul 22, 2019 18:09:39 GMT
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I'll class myself as a 'general public' as I now drive a modern. I see far less old cars on the roads now, and anything from the 80's or earlier tends to stick out, and if its convenient to react to it, I will, because most people who drive anything of that age nowadays do so out of choice, and they'll appreciate the acknowledgement, and they are probably driving something cool, and I like that. I think general public awareness of old cars is better than it used to be, they are generally 'cooler' because vintage-retro-whatever is 'cooler' than it used to be. One thing I miss about driving a classic is being let out at junctions which seemed out of pure politeness and respect for the older car. However, since ive had the Cube I find that I get the same sort of friendly attention with that, let out of junctions, pointed at, waved at by kids, just because its something different. Only real difference is I didnt get the puzzled WTF looks that I do now.
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Dr.AK
Part of things
Posts: 411
Club RR Member Number: 62
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Jul 22, 2019 19:25:19 GMT
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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.
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Last Edit: Jul 22, 2019 19:26:19 GMT by Dr.AK
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Jul 22, 2019 19:50:20 GMT
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I think it's surprising how many electric vehicles are filtering down, I was trying to cross the road last week and 3 cars in a row were electric. People are going to get nostalgic for a bit of engine noise and an exhaust rasp.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I'll class myself as a 'general public' as I now drive a modern. I see far less old cars on the roads now, and anything from the 80's or earlier tends to stick out, and if its convenient to react to it, I will, because most people who drive anything of that age nowadays do so out of choice, and they'll appreciate the acknowledgement, and they are probably driving something cool, and I like that. I think general public awareness of old cars is better than it used to be, they are generally 'cooler' because vintage-retro-whatever is 'cooler' than it used to be. One thing I miss about driving a classic is being let out at junctions which seemed out of pure politeness and respect for the older car. However, since ive had the Cube I find that I get the same sort of friendly attention with that, let out of junctions, pointed at, waved at by kids, just because its something different. Only real difference is I didnt get the puzzled WTF looks that I do now. 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 .
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 0:38:16 GMT by ChasR
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I believe it's a lot to do with memories of involvement with older cars. How many times have you heard 'oh my mum/grandad/aunt etc etc had one of those!' We've had one guy who wanted to hear the rear door hinges creak on the mini woody, his overwhelming memory was of riding in the back of his aunt's one and hearing the creak every time the doors opened. He was the happiest bloke on the showground!
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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
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 12:04:33 GMT by Deleted
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The other things I should say is that because I'm getting old, it's no longer ' I had one of those!' 🙄
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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.
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 9:48:35 GMT by mrbounce: I can't spell!!
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Jul 23, 2019 12:21:11 GMT
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I agree that many of the public like to see classics, however a lot of retro stuff is not seen by a non car person as classic and is often associated more with the public hated modified car scene.
The public generally don't appreciate car enthusiasts with anything modern or semi modern thats modified, if you drive one you must be a menace and a lunatic, what happened in Stevenage is exactly what the public expects. I drive a Carlton GSi most days, it does get appreciation from people who know what it is, maybe wanted one years ago or their Dad had one etc, but to many people I do think its just the car of a public menace who couldnt afford something newer.
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,546
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Jul 23, 2019 17:12:29 GMT
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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....
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 17:13:29 GMT by skinnylew
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Jul 23, 2019 17:40:17 GMT
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I'm convinced at least 50% of all the people born in the 70's and early 80's from this area were conceived in a Mk1 Escort. This is due to the amount of ladies of a certain vintage who appear to go all misty eyed when they look in my car.
I always get waves and smiles when out and about in it. It is more of a younger group who appreciate the Mk1 Golf Cabriolet, but it still gets waves and smiles.
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 17:40:49 GMT by accord83
74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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Jul 23, 2019 18:36:49 GMT
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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.
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2019 18:38:16 GMT by Deleted
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Jul 23, 2019 18:48:04 GMT
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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. There probably all relatives of Princess Anne
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Jul 23, 2019 18:49:38 GMT
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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.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Jul 23, 2019 18:57:23 GMT
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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 had the same thing afew years ago in my old snotbox Maxi. Pulled up at the lights, a boyed-up Saxo pulled up next to me and all of the occupants were pointing and laughing. My mate said 'Do 'em, when the lights go green' I said nah, but they must have heared him and started revving. I had no intention until the lights went green so I gave it a go. I done 'em. In a snotbox. When I passed my test all my mates had newer cars and I was the only one with something 20+ years old. They didnt have any awareness of old cars, no idea that there was any sort of 'scene', whereas I went to shows every other weekend. There just didnt seem to be any public awareness, but now there seems to be at least an awareness of it by people who arnt even into cars, as has been said there is more of it on TV which helps, and I guess as time goes on the saying 'you don't know what youve got 'till it gone' becomes more relevant, in that with fewer old cars on the road, when you do see one it stands out.
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Jul 23, 2019 19:16:20 GMT
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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.
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating '80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip '97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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I lent our Mk3 escort cabriolet to my SIL when his daily did the cambelt. He managed the car far better than I thought he would, having always driven later model stuff, and only held a license for 3 years, but what amazed him was the enthusiasm shown towards it, even offers to buy it. Main problem is he knows nothing about cars, and although he likes the response, isn't able to talk about it at all! Oh and he'd never driven a convertible before, and that really did float his boat.
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