So what is the proper response when you're out cruising and a passerby pulls up alongside and gives you a 'thumbs up?" I've always just given one back with a smile and a nod of my head. Also is it the right thing to disclose what you paid for your ride in conversation, or is that taboo in car speak?

Just curious 🤔...

 

A simple friendly acknowledgement is all that's required. Talking about prices and costs is basically what ever your comfortable with.

 

There is no upside to talking about how much you paid or how much you have into it. All that does is prompt the other person to brag about how he used to own one "just like it" and he only paid $1.95 for it or something. Usually I get people asking if I want to sell. My response is "Sure, but probably not even close to what you want to pay for it."

After all these years, most of the people I talk to at car shows and such who ask about my car don't really give a $#it about it. All they want is the opportunity to talk about the one-of-none car that they used to own that beat Don Garlits' dragster at the track and only cost them $50. I just nod pleasantly and smile.

 

Wave if out of hearing range, wave and say thank you if they can hear you. Or point at their thumbs up. Price, for me, is among some family and some friends. Anyone else, the answer is "too much." Some of mine, I can say I inherited it, or this is my Dad's.

 

I give them the "V" if they don't get it so be it

 

Just a wave and a thank you is all I offer and when they say " had one just like it" they usually follow up with "what year is it?"

 

Complimenting someone's car that I like comes naturally to me, but it would never occur to me to ask nosy questions.

 

Hilarious-and TRUE... 😂😂

 

Sadly, there's no shortage of people who LOVE to hear themselves talk.....

 

Better question: Do you guys even know what you have in your cars? I can remember what I originally paid for most of my cars (most but not all and every single one started as a major project). I know what I have in some of the bigger projects I have done to them (this much for getting heads redone on the Toro, that much getting bumpers re-chromed, etc). I have no idea at this point the total amount of money (or hours for that matter) I have invested in any of my cars. Knowing would only be depressing.

 

Unless you have a conversion factor for "what you have in it" from when you paid the bills to to build it back in the day to today's dollars, it doesn't really matter. But if you're one of those folks who bought a complete car off the internet / auction site, then why not just say what you paid for someone else's efforts?

 

I have no idea what I have in my car, quit counting around 20 thousand when I passed my budget number, car still wasn't running or put together at that time.

People also often ask what a car is worth and it is usually not near what you have in the damn thing. Hard to explain a labor of love to someone who want's to count beans..... Tedd

 

I don’t think that it’s proper manners to ask someone about how much they have into their car. To me that’s as just as personal as asking how much do you make for a living.

Obnoxious drunks are fun - especially if their girlfriend/wife is sober.

I like hearing about the history of other guys cars - no matter how long or short the story. A lot of times the owners are just as interesting as their rides.

Most people enjoy talking about their cars - if given the opportunity to speak.

 

I just smile sweetly and drive off after they've just said "nice Chevy."

 

 

I know exactly what I have in my car, as I just bought it. Started a logbook for all maintenance, issues and purchases.
I can yell you the previous owner put 2x what I paid into it, at least, from the receipts I have. And he did most of the labor himself.

I wouldn’t tell anyone on the street what I paid, but won’t hesitate to throw out a make me sell price if asked.

 

In my experience, there are usually 4 different kinds of admirers.

You have the people who like to see something on the road that’s different than the usual belly button cars. They may not know what it is, they just know it’s from much different period of time.

Then you have the people who either had or own a similar car (and are knowledgeable enough to know the difference between a Camaro and a Olds) and are interested enough to discuss the cars and appreciate the difference and similarities.

Then you have the people who own either the same cars (Olds 98, 442, Cutlass, whatever) or cars from the same family. Those are the they ones you really want to talk to if you have a project or need info. Maybe they can help.

Then you get the people who no matter what, whatever they have or had is : faster, more valuable, rarer, or nicer than what you have. The classic dick swinger type.

My next door neighbor (since moved away) belonged to the last group. He knew whenever I went to the track (since he could see the car on the trailer or the drag radials bolted on). The next day, just like clockwork, he would come over to talk while I was unloading the car. Always could count on him asking how I did or what the car ran, in his opinion, it was always slow. His 396 Chevelle ran in the 9s (in 1975) or his 327 Impala was a solid 10 second car.

RIIIIIIGHT. Grumpy Jenkins didn’t run that fast. I don’t think 1/8 tracks were common then? He was a very nice guy, I couldn’t ask for a better neighbor. But the selective goldenmemory was sometimes annoying.

 

Occasionally, someone will ask me if my car is for sale. I always reply “it’s not for sale, but it could be bought.”

Your a brave man! I don’t want to know what I have spent on my car over the last 30 plus years. If I wasn’t so picky, or always wanting to try something different, it wouldn’t be so bad.

My car (like just about every vehicle I own) is worth far more in parts than I could ever sell it for. Not to mention sometimes I was in the right place at the right time (like the complete Chevelle 12 bolt I bought for 75 bucks in 1991 with a open 3.31 gear).

 

I think many times people are curious what something like that costs, as noted asking what did you pay may not be ‘polite’ vs whats something like this cost? How the question is asked can make all the difference i would offer that a car similar to mine would likely sell for 12-16 k. My initial purchase price before hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars was less.

I ran out of gas a couple years back on a secondary hiway. No less than 4 people stopped to offer help in about 15 minutes ie i got a gas can or you want me to call someone. Every one that stopped ended their roadside visit w i had a chevelle cutlass camaro back in the day...i think just like us they all want to revive some fond memories from their youths

if i had run out of gas in my daily driver, ill bet no one would have stopped.

in general when people make a positive comment or gesture about my car i smile or wave or say thanks or if theyre driving something thats not pedestrian ill offer a positive comment on their vehicle as well.

 

I had a boss back in the day when I had a 65 gto, 11:1 pistons, balnced, speed pro cam, lifters and springset small port job on #16 big valve heads, car was quick, ran low 13’s, but my BOSS, well he bought a 65 gto brand new when they came out and it ran 11’s..lol. I used to tongue in cheek say wow, you had the fastest stock gto in the world then cuz most wouldn’t break low 14’s with a 50 mph tail wind..nice guy, just full of 🐂💩

 

When I get the thumbs up I reciprocate because I appreciate the fact that somebody has recognized my piece of history.
I don't get much conversation at cruise - ins because I'm usually not around my vehicle I'm usually out looking at the other vehicles
Most my conversations seem to be at the pump when I'm gassing up or in a parking lot when I'm using the Olds to run errands.
I have had the usual questions, what year is it and the usual comment my Dad had one or my Grandma had one, and I frequently get asked did I build it ? to which I always answer honestly no, but I am her owner, custodian and care giver !!!
Nobody has asked me what I paid for her, if they did I would not tell them, but I may just say I was in the right place at the right time
and I couldn't pass her up she was a steal and leave it at that.

 

Agreed

Absolute truth. And they couldn't beat my price. It was my Dad's car and I paid $1.00 for it. Far as what's into it? Doesn't matter, it's my passion and I love driving it.
Best way ever to leave a positive note!

Personally when someone looks and recognizes a vintage or otherwise car that's a nice appreciation for the hobby. It's getting more rare to see head turners on the road lately for some reason . Whether they want to discuss anything else after that is up to me. Usually I don't discuss prices, I discuss the model and options. If they don't know what it is and think it's a chevy I don't let that ruffle my feathers. Its why I put Chevelle on one side and Tempest on the other, and to confuse them further Skylark on the deck lid.

 

😀😀 😀

 

Likely because they are all staring at their phones...

Seriously, I've actually had the opposite experience. Even when driving the 1985 D88, I regularly get people coming up to me at gas stations or in parking lots and saying how you don't see cars like this any more. My rusty 62 wagon routinely gets thumbs up any time I drive it.

 

I was just reading through this again and realized that in the many years I've had the car (30+ years), no one has ever asked how much I paid for it or have into it.

 

I hate to admit it but my 84 Chevette I just picked up gets just as many looks, comments and thumbs up as my Jetfire's get. People who lived through the 80's mostly and forgot about these cars.

 

As far as any response- none is a requirement. To do so is being polite. So it's how you choose to respond. Of course, choose to keep your nose in the air and people will accuse you of being a dick, which would likely be accurate in that setting. Act toward others as you would want to see them act toward you.

Sometimes it's annoying after the 35th person you see in 6 city blocks gives you a thumbs up or other acknowledgment and you wave and smile or whatever you choose to do to respond in kind. But with old iron come great responsibility to act accordingly. You should be aware as soon as you pull out on the road somewhere, people are going to see this semi-rare piece of history and most want to acknowledge that. And you are the keeper of that history, so do whatever you want to respond, just please don't be a dick doing it.

No matter where you are. Just have fun. And don't be a dick.

 

I live near Carlisle, and Hershey. See lots of classics cruising when shows are in town.
The group of cars that made the biggest smile recently? Couple years ago Renault LeCar club drove thru, 8-9 LeCars in a row are a hoot.
My wife had a LeCar when we met, despite that still married her. Ever try to make out in the back seat of a LeCar when you’re 6’3”? I guess I was more flexible then.

 

That was probably all of the remaining LeCars in this country!😃

Workmate had one. He always called it "M-F Le Car".

As said above, accept a compliment graciously and don't be a dick. And if a young person shows interest take up a little extra time. He or she may be your car's next caretaker.

 

 

Yeabut...

As is usually the case, we in US couldn't have those! Or the ultimately cool JDM-spec Japanese cars, or Euro-spec European cars...

There's times I've been convinced no one in EPA or NHTSA ever had a day of fun in their whole lives and didn't want anyone else to have any either.

Neeners.🤮

 

They're legal now under the 25 year exemption.

 

During my college-age years, a coworker drove this beauty. Look closely at the dual sunroofs...

 

[QUOTE=jensenracing77;1325331]I hate to admit it but my 84 Chevette I just picked up gets just as many looks, comments and thumbs up as my Jetfire's get. People who lived through the 80's mostly and forgot about these cars.[/QUOTE

.................................................. ..................And those who lived through the 60's. "forgot' for other reasons......LOL

 

[QUOTE=twilightblue28A;1325477]lol, When people are making a fuss about it in a parking lot or somewhere, I am laughing the entire time. Nobody EVER though a Chevette would make people excited to see one. Not that anyone wants one....

 

Renault 5's are highly regarded in Europe. It was a highly innovative and influential design at the time. Just not a car for the American market.

 

I think it is naive to assume that these types of cars won’t get attention. They are unlike anything else around them 98% of the time they are on the road, no matter where they are. To some degree I drive my car just to spark up a conversation. Some folks tell amazing stories, or give great advice. Some ask to buy it, which I politely decline because I did build my 71 Cutlass myself. (Didn’t plan on it but a blown head gasket lit a fire under me and now my car has been more gone through than it hasn’t)

Some talk about the car they used to have, and some are just genuinely interested in the car and want to know more about it.

I will freely admit that every time I start the car at a gas station after filling it up I let the engine sing a bit, never fails to turn heads. So to some degree I think the only improper etiquette if someone asks questions or just gestures approval is to ignore them. These cars are the best and some of the last ice breakers around.

Do you answer your phone if it’s a number you don’t know? Do you answer the door when UPS drops off a package or wait till they leave?

We are becoming more isolated than ever, especially this last year. These cars are a last bastion of neighborliness in an otherwise grumpy and confrontational world.

 

With possible exception of the 10 and 12, most Renault products were ill-suited to American market.

My uncle was the local French car mechanic and owned two 12s. He always said they were good cars once you understood them and accepted they were not made for American Interstates.