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Oct 11, 2008 21:29:53 GMT
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This is retro related and its retro research... I have always been of the opinion that other drivers treat me worse when I am out in an old / classic car than they do when I am driving an anonymous modern thing like the wife's daily or a hire car or whatever. I have never had any evidence other than my own gut feeling. However I stumbled acorss this item and it starts to make some sense... Way back in 1968 two researchers, Anthony Doob and Alan Gross published a paper in the Journal of Social Psychology on the relative effects of the age of a vehicle on the perception of other road users and their likelyhood to express their displeasure (the term road rage had not been coined) The trigger was that they would take two cars and drive around Palo Alto (later the home of Apple Computer et al) and Menlo Park in California. They would wait at traffic lights for 12 seconds after the light went green to observe the reactions of the motorist behind them. They had two subject vehicles. #1 was a 1966 Imperial CROWN Hardtop which was in shiny Tuxedo black and was waxed and buffed up before taking to the streets. For those unaware, the Imperial was a Chrysler brand designed to out-Cadillac-Cadillac. #2 was a shabby grey 1961 Rambler The results are interesting. 84% of drivers behind the Rambler blew their horns and only 50% of those behind the Imperial did. In two incidents the Rambler was "shunted" from behind by irate drivers. Further research has apparently backed this up and additional research suggests that drivers of both genders are more likely to blow their horn when held up by a female driving the subject car than when a male is behind the wheel. Lady retro owners, take note, you are not just paranoid... According to a 1975 University of Utah study having "agressive" signs, displays or stickers is more likely to get you on the wrong side of another motorist too. well, I thought it was mildly interesting anyway.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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Oct 11, 2008 21:33:11 GMT
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I will back you on this being interesting, then raise you with praise on even the research bieng retro content
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Oct 11, 2008 21:36:40 GMT
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hmmm, i wonder what response my 'i slow down for whores' and 'question authority' would have got, i'm a bit wary of driving around hyson green and mapperley park
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Oct 11, 2008 21:55:56 GMT
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but, at the time of the research, the rambler was a mere 7 years old... equating it to a 2001 vectra DTI, tatty round the edges and baling black smoke when revved now Our cars are way older by comparison. Did they try any research with a '27 'T' ? I feel most people are compelled to try and pass me, cos they think I will slow them down. Poor fools ;D
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in
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Oct 11, 2008 21:59:08 GMT
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We get nothing but smiles when we take the Mk1 transits out, and when it's an ambulance, well......
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Oct 11, 2008 22:00:44 GMT
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Very rarely drive modern stuff, so difficult to draw a comparison. However the general standard of behaviour by all road users (be they cyclist, pedestrian, bus, taxi or car) in London is so diabolical that I'm not sure it would make any difference here. Definately noticeable out on the open road though, as many other drivers think that because it's old it must be slow & overtake only to slow down to considerably below the speed at which I was driving at when they decided to overtake...
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2008 22:01:50 GMT by Paul H
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Oct 11, 2008 22:02:11 GMT
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I iritate other drivers in fact, I iritate people thats all
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2008 22:02:39 GMT by Autofive
Someone just shot the elephant in the room.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Oct 11, 2008 22:04:12 GMT
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I'm not to sure how relevant that research is 30-40 years later either. General driving standards have probabl;y dropped so much in that time I have little personal evidence because I don't drive modern cars but I certainly get let out of side streets easily in our cars. Had a chat with a bloke in a modern Jag yesterday at some lights who's mum once had a Minx. He let me in ahead of him too. That's not going to happen in something newer.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Akira
Part of things
Posts: 136
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Oct 11, 2008 22:04:42 GMT
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I get this all the time, it's quite pathetic. I do 50-60 on the motorway and all the time people roar up behind me and swerve out into the middle lane at the last second, flashing and beeping then swerve back in right on my bumper. I even had a few cars full of kids sit behind me for a mile, then pull alongside giving me curse word before accelerating (?) off in their '07 fiesta. All my lights work fine and I'm not holding anyone up, what's the problem? People also pull out on me a lot in the bluey, but I never see it happen in the Galant, I think purely because it looks super aggressive (last gen, VR4 kit) whereas the bluey just looks...inoffensive.
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Last Edit: Oct 11, 2008 22:05:53 GMT by Akira
boo
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Oct 11, 2008 22:09:27 GMT
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what is this 'bluey' you speak of?
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Oct 11, 2008 22:27:29 GMT
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Talking of Bluebirds, (me having the T72 in my sig) people seem to get out of my way on motorways and dual carriageways. Soon as they see me, they seem to pull across to let me past, or rather a good majority do.
Don't get people beeping/flashing at me, but I guess because thats because I put my foot down and don't dawdle.
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Rich G
Posted a lot
Keyboard Worrier
Posts: 1,059
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Oct 11, 2008 22:27:48 GMT
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I wonder what the results would have been if the Rambler had been as tidy as the Imperial CROWN?
Worst thing I've experienced is that some people see an "old" car and think it's going slow without actually using their eyes.
Scariest example was back in late Spring. Trundling down the A361 in the Wolseley from West Penard approaching Pilton, single carriageway with a 60mph limit at that point, cruising at about 55mph. Approaching a Pennard Garage on the left, road is straight for about 1/4 of a mile either side of the garage. We're ten yards from the garage and this utter muppet in a Zafira pulls out in front of us. Instictively swing the wheel right even though I knew there was a car coming the other way. Still don't know how we missed both of them.
Had to stop just the other side of Pilton for roadworks, muppet-man had no escape so I nip out proceed to (without swearing) rip him a new rectum in front of his wife and kids.
Road rage? Too bleddy right mate! ;D
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Oct 11, 2008 22:31:39 GMT
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I find the exact opposite. Mt Chevette auto is slower than a slow thing but everyone seems to keep a reasonable distance and I get let out of loads more junctions in it thean in my modern. I've always found classics/old cars seem to bring out the best in other road users.
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Corsa Apology Champion 2014.
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Oct 11, 2008 22:34:00 GMT
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ah, thanks
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Oct 11, 2008 22:39:51 GMT
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When I'm in the Benz, I rarely get abuse. People are either enthusiastic and cheerful, or just indifferent. I've only ever had one guy go into a full-on rage at me but I think he was some kind of head-case.
Generally, in my experience:
Older car = more tolerance, particularly if going slowly. Even some friendliness.
Battered old car = Don't upset the nutter.
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Oct 11, 2008 22:43:09 GMT
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If I have to go through town at or near rush hour, I always take the Ital as I seem to be let out of junctions quicker than in my daily. Conversely, prats at roundabouts don't think it will go round them as fast as it can, or will accelerate away from a junction as quickly...... ooohhh, they are wrong! ;D
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Rover Metro - The TARDIS - brake problems.....Stored Rover 75 - Barge MGZTT Cdti 160+ - Winter Hack and Audi botherer... MGF - The Golden Shot...Stored Project Minion........ Can you see the theme?
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Akira
Part of things
Posts: 136
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Oct 11, 2008 22:43:56 GMT
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boo
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jikovron
Part of things
mechanical chaos
Posts: 633
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Oct 11, 2008 22:53:55 GMT
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i get rather bemused looks when i'm out and about in whatever bonkers car i have,,,,i don't ever get into road rage though,,,,, (best served chilled where driving is concerned i reckon)
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Oct 11, 2008 23:00:10 GMT
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some people act on a nonsensical reaction. i don't think they know why or probably that they even do it. i find when drivnig the cinquecento i am a 'sitting duck'. if i was behind it i'd probably want it out of the way as soon as possible too! It effects the parts of your character most people, inc me , would not volunterily address as it deals with issues of basic attack/defence, security etc. bigger is better. in an equal world we'd all get along, right?
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Oct 11, 2008 23:24:47 GMT
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Personally I find the smaller the car, the more often I get cut up or tailgated e.t.c.. Age doesnt have too much to do with it. The study seemed to be more to do with an expensive car vs a cheap older car, today I guess you could compare a brand new merc to a 10 year old focus. Both modern but both drivers seemingly on different rungs of the ladder of life.
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1987 Maestro 1.6 HL perkins diesel conversion 1986 Audi 100 Avant 1800cc on LPG 1979 Allegro Series 2 special 4 door 1500cc with vynil roof. IN BITS. HERITAGE ISSUES.
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