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:
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
There's always a critic
Linear Mode
