There's always a critic
 

Took the 9 down to Cars and Coffee this morning. As I am hanging out in the vinicinity of the car checking out a porsche and a ferrarii, I notice a couple guys checking out the camaro---and what are they checking out? The body gaps and how bad they are---in fact, one guy has to make sure that his friend understands how bad they are so he takes the time to point out the hows and whys of it. Now, it's true the gaps could be better--It just happened to be the first thing they said about the car---I've never seen so many paint and body experts assembled in one place on a Sat morning. This kind of thing never bothers me, but it got to me today for some reason. I noticed several others pointing out the flaws on the car as well (Rock chips, bumper needs to be rechromed, etc)--maybe it's just the crowd, but i'm amazed at the negativity of these folks. I can honestly say, i would never point out flaws on someone else's ride--I believe it's because I understand how much effort it takes just to have one in the first place, let alone maintain and improve it. I'm wondering if everyone gets this kind of treatment (from highend down to a budet build) and critique treatment? I don't normally hang around my car when i'm out of it, but was an interesting observation today. Wanted to follow the guy to see what he drove out of the parking lot but didn't want to justify myself in that manner--(even though I really wanted too--LOL).

Venting accomplished---

Doug

Next time bring me along
 

I'll park my in progress Torino next to your Camaro so they have something to really criticize.

Personally as much as I appreciate the work put into a trailer queen if the ride is to "nice" I always wonder what did you build it for? Just to look at?

That's the negative crowd in Irvine. Don't take some jackass's remarks personal. Your 69 is sweet! A majority of the cars at that show weren't built by the owners blood, sweat, and tears, they bought the Ferrari, lambo, or Ford Gt. Now if Reeves Calloway was picking your 69 apart....that would be another thing. :thumbsup:

thats why I don't like sitting next to a car I put together in a car show. Its really annoying to hear all the garbage. Funny at times but mainly annoying.

If I aint got nothing nice to say I don't, thats just me. Its called class.

Some just can't grasp that even if you don't like it someone does and someone put time and effort to put it together and cared enough to show it.
Vince

Yeah, cars and coffee is a different crowd than pretty much any other gathering/show I go to. I almost went this morning, but I couldn't bring myself to set my alarm. If you let me know ahead of time and I'll drive up.

Anyway, my observations from going beforehand.
First, I think the time has a lot to do with it; it's at 7-9. I used to wonder why, then I came to the conclusion that these car events are early in the morning because it's the only time a lot of these guys probably have free time away from their wives.
Second, given that half of them arrive before the sun comes up, haven't had any caffeine and possibly endured an hour of driving in a kidney jarring obnoxiously loud car (and I don't just mean sound, purple Diablos count too), I think it is a given that some of them will be grouchy.
Third, while at least half, if not most of the guys have a love for vintage cars and/or getting their hands dirty and enjoy the project aspect of the hobby, I think it is inevitable that some of the snobby status loving car guys show up. For every vintage race car, like the primered, half finished CanAm and LeMans raced Mclaren I saw once, there seem to be 20 guys decked out from head to tow in every imaginable piece of ferrari embroidered apparel.

Before the Camaro was done, I was too afraid to park my Mustang in the show lot because I figured people would just bitch about it being there. I wouldn't think twice about bringing your car though. As for our Camaro, I can't say anyone has criticized it in terms of quality. There is always someone that walks by and is bitter commenting on how it is "so pointless to dump 250k into a Camaro." I'm never sure how to handle that, I'm almost flattered they think the car is worth that much, lol. Then there is always the guy that says, "it really isn't that special," and if he had x amount of dollars he could build something just as nice or better.

I used to want to laugh at a couple of the imports that would show up every now and then, but I'd feel kinda bad unless I knew the owners were a couple d-bags. After all, as you said they're probably just a couple of guys that have done a ton of work and are proud of the work they did. Unless they are busy running their mouths, I've got no place to comment. They are clearly enjoying the hobby, and that is what it's all about.

I still can't believe people would pick your car apart though, its not like you entered it in a concourse show. And rock chips - really? At Cars and Coffee I'd compliment someone for driving a car enough to have rock chips. Next time you should just jump into the conversation and pretend that you talked with the owner. Hell, you should start spreading rumors about the infamous "One Legged Jihadist," and its pink hat wearing driver. I've even heard he's seen Elvis, and that he can wheel his car around an autocross faster than a real fancy purple '69 Camaro.

Matt

p.s. let me know if the Elvis joke is getting too old. Oh and if it makes you feel any better, I saw Elvis in Venice beach about three weeks ago. I'm not kidding. Here is photographic proof:
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...9MSA/elvis.jpg

^ Doug, this is what makes you a great person! :thumbsup:

Next time you want to go let me know! By the time they recover from snorting coffee out the nose 'cause I got high centered on the speed bump going in they shouldn't be able to be critical! :P

Jon

I can understand where you're coming from. You said it yourself, normally it doesn't bother you. Rare times it does, and it's ok to vent LOL

If the owner of the car is genuine and I see flaws, I'll keep them to myself. If I feel he's a stuff shirt, my car is better than yours kinda guy, I may lean over to my Dad and talk about a few things, but I'm never obnoxious like some people get, it's none of your business what's flawed and what's perfect...

With that said, I like listening to some people rave on..

We were at a show once, someone was looking at the car ('68 442), they go, "Man, what an ugly color!" Mom goes...thank you, I picked it out. LOL

Dings, chips and what not, let it roll dude...at least you "Drive" it.

Sometimes I can be an overly blunt person, and depending on the mood, if someone was to talk about my door gaps, and picking it apart, I'd probably look at 'em and say...if you're picking it apart this much, quit looking at it. Personally I don't consider that a critique, I call it disrespectful LOL, just leave me and my car alone, we don't want you looking at her anyway haha

Doug,

Don't sweat it brother,your 69 Camaro is a awesome ride..not many people can appreciate a 40+ year old car on the road today,sure its not 100% and it shouldn't be,but that is what makes it so cool. Its what my dad used to say "if you don't have anything to say nice...don't say it at all" some people get it..and some don't!

Keep up the awesome 9 most would kill to have it in there garage! :thumbsup:


-Jim

^^What he said! I would drive your car any day over a garage kept, -43 miles driven ferrari.

Next time you head down there let me know. I was actually going to go yesturday, but I dont like getting up that early on non workdays, and I wasnt sure it was even worth it. If theyre picking your car apart theyll LOVE mine.

Ill be going to the drags/car show here today:
http://losangelesinvasion.com/Flyer.html
Wont be running the Z though. Anyone else going?