Is it a proper question to ask...
 

How much did you pay for it?

I love going to car shows. I don't believe I have ever asked someone how much they paid for their car or how much they have in it, I can usually ball park it or the owner will openly just talk about it. In either case, I know it's something I can't afford, Lol. I have asked how much they paid for a certain part or labor and where they got it, but never flat out how much they paid for a car...unless there is a for sale sign on it, and the conversation goes from there.

I understand the question coming from spectators in the sense that they're not owners of a classic, they just enjoy walking around and looking and they're simply curious. But when it comes from participants and just other car guys who have a lifetime/years in this hobby, I'm not sure what to think about it. It's not something I would do. When I get asked questions about the car, I make clear that I bought the car done and I did not build it. When I hear the same from other owners, I just congratulate them on a beauty of a car.

I have a pretty nice 70 Nova that gets lot's of attention and I hear tons of stories but nobody has ever asked me how much I paid for it, they just talk about the car.

I also have a 71 Firebird. The car draws people in...it just won a car show. Every time I take it out, I get hit with the question "How much did you pay for it?" I don't mind when people ask if I'm willing to sell it, that actually makes me smile a bit cuz it lets me know they like it.

So, am I giving it too much attention, is that actually a common question the prettier the car is, or is it kind of rude?

Why ask why? People do silly things all the time.

Andrew

Most of us build our own cars . And with all the time and money we spend on our cars,We do this as a hobby.And we just don`t add up the receipts.Its just too scary.

My opinion is it's rude.
I think it is less impolite ask a person what "something like that is worth", because it puts them less on the spot. They can choose to tell you what they paid, give you a range of similar cars, or they can give a vague response like "it really depends on many factors, such as suspension upgrades, etc".
I get asked pretty regularly what I paid for my cars. It really puts me on the spot because I don't want to come off like an a-hole, but I don't know the person from Adam, and it's none of their business. I usually say something like "more than my wife thinks".
I think it holds true for houses, boats, motorcycles, etc.

Just my $.02...

I agree, it is beyond rude to ask. I would never dream of asking, or answering. If someone asks me, I just don't respond.

Sure, I'd ask a close friend or my brother, but NEVER would I ask a stranger at a show, or anywhere else. It sounds desperate to me. I figure if I have to ask, I couldn't afford it anyway.

Thank you for that...I think it's perfect

It's what I'll be saying from now on.

I don't feel this is a black and white answer here.

It shouldn't be the first question asked when encountering a stranger, but I've delved into these types of conversations with strangers numerous times (on RE, cars, whatever) only AFTER you develop some commonality, rapport, etc that evolves with a conversation.

I enjoy talking local RE, values, speculation with just about anyone I deem to have a clue, so I enjoy getting into the numbers on things ... at a point.

It's not for everyone, but it doesn't always have to be rude.

I got that question all the time. I'd always say, "too much". I didn't care about the question, I just didn't want to fill the public in on how much I had in it!!

Ha. Exactly. The acquisition price is usually a much more palatable number. :D