I took my car out tonight for the first time in a year(sans brake lights - oops). I was filling her up gas and the yuppie in an audi next to me says, "What year is that?" Then 3 gangsta looking guys come over and give me props. (Do the kids still say "props"?) I then go bar hopping downtown with friends and park in a totally illegal parking spot. Of course I'm nervous about the bird seeing daylight for the first time in a while, so I check it every 30 mins or so. Eventually, I see lights from a roller, so I hop outside. Cop is eyeballing the car. I go up to him (after 3 hoegartens) and try to smooth things over. He asks if it's my car. I say yeah, it's my pride & joy. He asks what I'm packing. 6.6 liter, I say. He doesn't ask for my licensee & registration, instead he asks me to pop the hood. I oblige. We stand in silence for a minute, then he turns to me and says, "You know what you did?" I say, "Yeah, parking, right?" He says, "This is my beat, and park wherever you want. Cool car." He drives away, giving me a sheepish grin. I'm a made man.
I drive home, going 70 in a school zone. Untouchable.
I don't know what it is about these bad-arse vintage cars, except that people give them a lot of clearance. Some guys can have 90-grand Audi TT Quattros or some Porsche SUV that's more expensive than my house, and folks look at them and think, "Douchebag. He's so pretentious with his car." But then there's those of us who live for the garage, and when people see the result of our endless weekends of work in our Firebirds or Novas or GTOs, they immediately want to chat us up. We've got working man's cars. That and OUR cars have little flecks of finger flesh in the undercoating. (I'm a little clumsy with the grinder.)
I wouldn't trade my leaky, creaky bird for a brand new Ferrari. Okay... I totally would, but I'd be selling it immediately and looking for a new T/A.
I don't know what it is about these bad-arse vintage cars, except that people give them a lot of clearance. Some guys can have 90-grand Audi TT Quattros or some Porsche SUV that's more expensive than my house, and folks look at them and think, "Douchebag. We've got working man's cars.
I'm reading your post and thinking you are in a timewarp. The guy in the porsche/Audi couldn't afford one. These cars are worth a tidy sum these days. I think everyone was just amazed to see your car parked alone on the street. More of a richman's weekend toy now then a motorheads grocery getter.
Nice to hear/see someone driving their car around town like it was just a hotrod! Nice bird-
Terry think of it as spuring the economy! Thanks for donation! GET THIS, we were on the way to the Atlanta race last Sunday morning and got stopped in Eufaula, Al. by a black cop (ain't racial just stating facts) I figured we were screwed! Welp was I wrong ole Lt. Palmer gave me a warning!!! Holy crap everytime I got a ticket I deserved it, only two-three time EVER got a warning!! Must have been that Toyota mini-van thing, felt sorry for me getting busted in the family ride and having to tell wifie-poo about it! BTW Terry look at that list I sent you, what ever you don't want, I'll post for QUICK sale!
I'd rather see a rust bucket on the road, than a garage queen anytime!!
