Ever been just sitting there at a car show when some guy comes up and says, "Did you know those inserts are not correct for that year?" Or, "Those stripes ya got ain't correct!" In the beginning, I was annoyed, as the car is stock, with #'s matching...and I'd argue. :boxing: Even brought a book or two with me to prove my point- just in case. But after while I got tired of this, would smile and reply, "That so?" Or "No kidding?... then let it go. You guys ever come across this? If so, how do you handle it?

capt68

Avoid the pissing match at all costs! Thank them for pointing it out, and then ask if they have any Camaros, or Camaro parts for sale, it may work out for you, or you may find they have nothing and are just baiting you.

The world is full of experts!!!! I've learned more about my cars this way, especially Corvettes!

Are you kidding??? Every time! I usually just ignore them and leave them there talking to themselves. A few years ago, at a local show, a woman also showing a 67 convertible came over and had a good long look at my car and then walked over to me and said, "very nice car..............but at least mine is original". She was very close to spending the rest of her life with a limp, but I said nothing and let her walk away. Later I walked over to check out her car. It was very nice, but as mine, nowhere near original. I didn't say a word but she felt compelled to tell me her's was original because she had paid a shop a ton of money to restore it. She should have spent more time doing her homework instead of running her mouth. I figure her getting ripped off by the shop that took her money was a way better punishment than having me say a single word.

Im generally an easy gong guy....
But after 30 yrs of bloody know it all guys who believe everythng they read in a book is gospil with no varations...
I then enjoy myself by being a dawn right rude asshole.
Generally I ask them why that say that
Then ask them how log have they oned and actually worked restoring Camaros.
And ask a question like which way around does the heater motor mount, or what size is the vaccuum hose on the vent actuvation canister on the Drver's side!
Then tell them straght...I have spent 30 yrs on 1st gens...and after 30 yrs of puuting up with text book know it alls who know squat..I have become rather intollerant...so instead of spoutng of Bull**** to make yourself look cool in front of your m8s or girl friend...Say somethng constrctive or piss off.

Thu on the other hand I have been know to "wind some guys up"
like at the Premire car show in NZ The ellersle Concourse edeligance...the A/C cobra guys.. one looks around then spots one of them who seems a serious sort of guy...
Then in all 'innocence" ask why are these ENGLISH cars in the American section lol!!!!
The other AC Cobra guys behind then 1st look shocked ..then see Im sort of having the guy on...they end up rolling around on the ground laughing lol
Kiwi humour lol

I used to deal with this all the time!.....Two words come to mind; jealousy and envy which is a feeling of resentment or discontent over another's superior attainments, endowments, or possessions.....I also discovered that this type of person is not even an owner!!.....Try not to sit alone, by yourself, because this is usually when they strike!.....Just ignore and avoid, they will get the hint by your body language!


Or you could just pour a quart bottle of brake fluid all over their car and say something like, "Uh Oh, better get Maaco"!:yes::D:thumbsup:

Yeh, I had a guy tell me that my rear spoiler was supposed to have 1/2" spacers under it but otherwise it was a nice car. I guess it made his girlfriend feel all warm and cuddly because her boy was so inteligent. Snotnose kid.

Oh I enjoy it. I love the guys who say the Yenkos were Camaros built in Japan. Or the guy who knows everything. Then you ask him what kind of car he has and he repiles "four door Chevelle with a 454 & turbo 350 oh it' a hoss been on jack stands for twenty years in primer." Most people who own a Camaro are not that critical of other Camaros. I enjoy talking to another Camaro owner - not bashing their car. I had a guy tell me my SS hood was wrong because all SS cars came with cowl induction. I agreed and said he was right my hood was off a six cylinder. He agreed!! I can't wait for show season again!:hurray:

I know weve shared these stories before but my all time favorite was the guy who came up to me at a show and said "Wow, thats a nice looking 67" I said "thank you." He then says "I used to own a 66...the first year they came out" I said.."wow, those are pretty rare" And chuckled inside.

Nah, you just ask him politely where HIS POS is and you go over and critique it like he did yours.. that usually shuts them up...:thumbsup:

Sometimes I think people want to ask a question and come off as being critical. I know when I was working on my car I would ask " do you know if this is original? ". Sometimes that might get a sharp response. What I was wanting was a reference to work on my own car. When people point out to me that something is not original I will just say not much of it is. See if you can find an original part.

I know weve shared these stories before but my all time favorite was the guy who came up to me at a show and said "Wow, thats a nice looking 67" I said "thank you." He then says "I used to own a 66...the first year they came out" I said.."wow, those are pretty rare" And chuckled inside.
actually, in some states, the first Camaros were titled as a 66 because that's when they were registered. there are even some 69's registered as 70's out there. hell, i'm sure there were more than a few 63 Chevelles running around..
so he might have actually owned a 66 Camaro.

I have a picture in my office of God baking the world cake. He has boxes of light, medium and dark skinned people. The caption reads "and just to make it interesting..." and God is taking a pinch out of the box labled "jerks"

alan

Just tell them "yeah that's how I wanted it".

I usually just smile and nod until they go away. Although once a couple of guys were looking at it when one looks at me and says "That's an MA motor, not an EA. It should have a 2bbl."

I replied "You're right! Not many people would have noticed that."

He looked all proud of himself and then they walked away. I have to admit, I was impressed. Most people really don't know squat about cars.

i had the T Type at the Car Craft SumemrNats this summer.
one guy came up and said he had a T Type just like it- only it had a 307 in it, had a vinyl top, had a 3 speed auto trans, and had a rear spoiler on it from the factory. i wanted to correct him- i really did- but i just couldn't bring myself to tell him that every T Type had the SFI turbocharged 3.8 under the hood- which is what the "T" in "T Type" meant- very few of them had vinyl tops, the only trans available was the 200-4r, and the spoiler was only available as part of the GN package which was actually an option on the T Type from 84-86.
but just listened to him and let him be on his way..

He, He!!

My car is a Dec., '66 delivery '67 car!

As for stuff like this, the only things that get me is a documented and detailed '67 350SS/RS car w/ a 10-bolt and no chrome on the engine b/c the engine isn't correct!!

But it's all stock............

Ya, right.

pdq67

The guy at the oil change place had several 'rare' cars. One was a 69 with the factory SS454 car. Everytime I pull up there with mine he repeats the same race story about how he was the fastest in town and out ran a hemi with the motor knocking...blah, blah, blah.

Great guy tho. Just tries to hard to impress people. Like I use to do.

On the flip side of all of this I once saw an immaculate 69 Z28 being displayed at the Pavilions in Scottsdale, AZ. This was a few weeks after the Barret-Jackson auction. There was one thing I couldn't square with such a nice looking low mileage (~ 60,xxx miles) car: the gloss black underhood. The car was the correct Tuxedo black (with black standard interior) but so were the inner fenderwells, core support, firewall etc. When I remarked about this to my friend the owner overheard me and got irate with me asking, "So where is your car?" and "Oh, are you a judge or something?" I tried to explain that I'd had more than one 1st gen for the last 30 years and that his car was nice but why the incorrect under hood gloss but he was having none of it. I would have accepted a "Well, that's what I wanted to be" but instead he got very PO'ed at me. I even pointed to the 69 SS sitting next to his and said that his under hood should be semi-gloss like this one and I swear steam came out of his ears. I guess some folks are just way too touchy.

actually, in some states, the first Camaros were titled as a 66 because that's when they were registered. there are even some 69's registered as 70's out there. hell, i'm sure there were more than a few 63 Chevelles running around..
so he might have actually owned a 66 Camaro.

I understand what your saying but i have a strong suspicion that wasnt the case.

I get this all the time with my '68 SS. And I tell them to just keep looking as they'll find more wrong if they look hard enough ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Years ago, I was at a local pizza place with a group of fellow gear heads. One of the guys who worked there saw me drive up in my 69Z. Being a very knowledgeable Camaro guy himself, he let me know that my car could not have been an original Z28 because they did not start making the Z until the 70’s. Then he proceeded to tell my all about his ’65 Camaro. My friends wondered how I could just sit there and not flame the guy. I look at it this way. When I leave, I know what I have… no questions. When he leaves, all he has is a dream of owning a car that never existed.

Now I have a lot of people tell me that it is impossible for my 69 RSSS 396 to have as many options as it does. I don’t mind… I know what it is.

There is a fine line between a ‘know it all’ and a ‘knowledgeable person’.

I never have this problem.The purists walk right by my Frankenbeast the minute they see the ss427 badge in the grille plate.The glass front end,cage and fuel cell must really tick them off.OH Well.:D

actually, in some states, the first Camaros were titled as a 66 because that's when they were registered. there are even some 69's registered as 70's out there. hell, i'm sure there were more than a few 63 Chevelles running around..
so he might have actually owned a 66 Camaro.

Hmm now that rang a memory...into the draw and pulled out my protecto plate
And gess what? my 69 IS A 70
The protecto plate says a 69 Camaro BUT
Sold on 3-30-70 Lee Fisher
222 E 17TH. ST.
SAN BERNARINO.CALIF.

But the Ca number plate has a white 19 69 sticker top left and an orange 19 70 sticker top right...is black with Yellow letters/ numbers

Being in NZ I have know idea of what this means..thu the car was sold out of DeAnzo dealership and as an ex showroom car

SO next time some idiot asks or say "a 69" I say "no a 70"

lol

I used to have a '72 RS/SS, which I built the way I wanted. It was a very nice car, but not correct in the least, the years and drag racing had not been kind so I built with used period correct stuff, not original or NOS.

One day I had someone over buying some parts, and it was sitting in the shop, hood up. They looked it over, checked the codes and the vin and looked for another few minutes. And finally came over to me and said: "Them stripes ain't painted right they're 3/8" too wide, shame because it's so stock, I'd hate to strip the paint to fix it."

I just agreed. He was referring to the "Z28" stripes...on my SS, didn't mention the SS 396 blackout, the Z28 wheels, the lack of a vinyl top (coded for it)...etc.

No, the stripes probably weren't quite right. :D

I've been asked by several friends why I don't take my car to shows. I respond, "I don't want to show it, I want to drive it." I've only taken my car to one small, local show, and I laminated a "fact sheet" to display on the car so I wouldn't be bothered with "correct" questions. It lists the decode of the trim tag under an "original" heading, and then it lists what's currently in it. Only one guy was confused as to whether or not it was a 6cyl (listed as original motor off assy) or a 350 (listed as currently in it)..........and he was staring at the engine bay when he asked me to clarify :)
I tried, lol. Actually, the placard worked great.

I just smile and nod.....

You have to face the reality that most people aren't in love with 60's muscle cars like most of us. Thats why alot of them don't know the little details. You gotta cut em some slack they're not as camaro crazy as we are.

Similar thing happened calling about a battery. I told them I need a 24R Delco (F) battery. He told me no Camaro ever came with that battery. Yeah right.

I've experienced this many times.

I'll make one attempt to correct them if they're wrong. As detailed as possible so they think I might know what I'm talking about :) . They'll either listen to learn, or they won't. If not, I'll just nod and say "OK" and let them be on their way.

Sometimes I'll point out other things that are "wrong" about the car, those which they would probably never notice.

Either way, no point in arguing or getting worked up about it. But I DO keep a copy of my GTO's W/S in it :thumbsup:

While appreciating a full up 10-point restored car, I've always been one that would rather take a plane-jane and do with it as I saw fit----hence my '69 Hugger Orange with a 383 and blower sticking thru the hood. I don't have to worry about some "yayhoo" critiquing what is wrong with my car.

However, my "383" fender emblem that I picked up from Classic Industries,
is always a fun thing to argue with these guys about.

What amazes me though, are the shear number of ((( liars ))) out there that think they have to impress you by making up some Clintonesque lie about the car they had, or have at home---but is never at the car cruise. And it's always a '69 Boss Mustang or a '69 SS Camaro with a 427.

Generally, I just say "that's nice" and call it good. If you call their bluff, you never know when they may come back and key your paint when you're over at the burger stand getting a soda. Sad to say that's what we put up with in today's society.

My '69 z does OK at local shows. It is far from perfect . I'll admit I enjoy Car shows , but not the politics involved. As far as the guys that feel good about picking my car apart , I ignore them for the most part as I have never seen the well versed experts enter a car in the show or own one. Ignore them.
The guys with the real nice cars never run my car down or anyone else's down. I ask for help from these guys and have never encountered a jerk.

I get it all the time when people see the Vigilite monitors on top of the fenders. I try to explain it to them and some get it some don't.

People try and tell me all the time about what camaros should have and shouldn't have. If they are interested in knowing what I know, I share. If they just want to spout off I let them, I don't care people like to talk and I'm not going to waste time trying to educate someone that doesn't want to be.

if you display a billboard of facts about the car, add to the bottom "If you don't have something nice to say, please keep walking"

:)

I know weve shared these stories before but my all time favorite was the guy who came up to me at a show and said "Wow, thats a nice looking 67" I said "thank you." He then says "I used to own a 66...the first year they came out" I said.."wow, those are pretty rare" And chuckled inside.

I was getting gas in my 69 the other day and this lady asked about the car and told me how nice it looked and then told me her first car was a 64 Firebird, I just smiled at her and said very nice.

I get that all the time with my 67 Frebird. "That's nice, i used to have a 65 Firebird with a 429 in it when I was young. It was the first one in my city and no one was faster than it was."

Now, I've never said anything to an owner of a car about things being incorrect, unless he's a seller and I'm looking at buying the car. For instance, I was looking at a second 67 Firebird. It was supposed to be all original, a real 400/ 4 speed car, but it didn't have either the code for the 400 on the trim tag that it should have (3F), or the dual radius rods mounts on the underside of the car. When I pointed this out to the owner and made him an offer on the car (I wasn't paying for a 400 car when it wasn't), he got p.o.'d, insulted me, and insisted I was 100% incorrect, that this car was exactally what he said it was. So it can work both ways.

Now, if I see a car that is represented as 100% correct and original, I would never say anything to the owner, but me and my friends will discuss the car and discuss the incorrect things amongst ourselves. Once, a car owner herd us talking and asked us what we say wrong. We politely pointed out what we discussing, backed it up with proper examples, adn the owner thanked us for informing him about it. It was something stupid, but we were just looking for the small details to better do our restorations.

i always get the "is it original". I usually say, "you tell me". Then wait and see if they have a clue of what they are talking about.

If they dont know my paint, then i know i am dealing with someone that doesnt know first gens very well. Then i can pretty much BS all i want:) j/k

I am usually pretty nice, unless i get a schmuck. Then i immediately ask where there car is. If its not there, i give the facial and body language that an idiot could decipher. If the car is there, i immediately begin checking it over.

You can ALWAYS find something not perfect or correct.


I like most fellow camaro owners. Its the vette guys i want to bash in the face. :) just kidding guys. But there are some real A-hole y-body guys.

You shoulda seen the look's on peoples faces when they eyed my hopped up, .060" over, tripped, 409 "W" engine in my car!! Chrome "W"-shaped valve covers and all.........

He, He!!

All on my stock 350SS stuff.

Just like it came from GM that way. What a hoot..

pdq67

I try to keep my mouth shut on restorer type threads, cuz I respect what you guys are trying to do. I thought I'd interject a little humor, the kind of questions I never get tired of answering and how I answer them

Q: WHOA, WTF izzat?
A: A f...ing wolf, wtf duzit look like?(with a big **** eatin grin):D

Q:WHOA, how fast is this thing?
A: Make you piss yer fing pants if you've never been in anything faster than say a 427 vette(again grin):D

Q:WOW, is that stock?
A:Yes(dead serious):D:D:D


Peace brothers. Our cars make them feel good. Yeah sure jerks come along. So what.

I have come to one conclusion when it comes to people and I believe it is true 99% of the time.
I have concluded that people that go around constantly bragging or running their mouths, spouting out how smart they are and how much they know about this and that are usually pretty ignorant. They have made it through life baffling people with their BS.

The sad thing is most people are impressed by people like this. I see it all the time and it makes me sick. Some of the smartest most knowledgable people I know are very quiet and reserved .And have to be dragged into conversations or specifically asked questions before they will even comment on a subject.

My boss right now knows less about his job and has poorer management skills than 99% of his employees. But he has bullcrapped his way into the job he has today. The people he works for know less about his job than he does so they are impressed with his BS. The only people who really KNOW he is full of crap is the people who work FOR him. So we're forced to work for and listen to an idiot who has lied and made up BS stories for so many years that he actually believes them now.

Sorry for the rant kinda got off topic a little but it's still related to what your saying.

The world is full of experts!!!! I've learned more about my cars this way, especially Corvettes!

ROFL ... It seems that EVERYONE has either owned a Corvette or has a Corvette store to tell ya.

It's been my experience that the guys that just blurt junk out about what's "wrong" with your car are generally guys that know even less then I do! I suppose they are trying to compensate for something ...

I have come to one conclusion when it comes to people and I believe it is true 99% of the time.
I have concluded that people that go around constantly bragging or running their mouths, spouting out how smart they are and how much they know about this and that are usually pretty ignorant. They have made it through life baffling people with their BS.

The sad thing is most people are impressed by people like this. I see it all the time and it makes me sick. Some of the smartest most knowledgable people I know are very quiet and reserved .And have to be dragged into conversations or specifically asked questions before they will even comment on a subject.

My boss right now knows less about his job and has poorer management skills than 99% of his employees. But he has bullcrapped his way into the job he has today. The people he works for know less about his job than he does so they are impressed with his BS. The only people who really KNOW he is full of crap is the people who work FOR him. So we're forced to work for and listen to an idiot who has lied and made up BS stories for so many years that he actually believes them now.

Sorry for the rant kinda got off topic a little but it's still related to what your saying.


Sorry, I just had to add something as of the above, "If you cant razzle/ dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS". Seen this so many times on the job.

It's funny I have heard the Corvette purists mentioned several times. The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking to myself how much first gen Camaro owners and dreamers are getting more and more like what the Corvette types were. I have never liked Corvettes because of that type of attitude. Seems like it is spilling over into the Camaro world now. Someone always seems to know more about your car than you do. They also like to tell you what you should or shouldn't do to it. What is "correct" and not correct. If it fits, it's correct, Right?

If you are looking to buy the car and want to point out reasons you want to pay less that is one thing but, at a show or other public venue, the best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut.

Lots of times guys say things like: "My uncle Jimmy Jack used to have one years ago" or "My Dad owned a 9 second 69 Camaro back in the early 70's...)
I think they just want to feel some sort of association with the owner of the car. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I've had alot of people say alot of things about my Camaro. Some good, some not so good and some downright ugly things. In the end, it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. One of the best Camaro stories that happened to me was when I was pulling into an AM/PM and the middle aged hefty gal behind the counter exclaimed: "that's a 69 Camaro isn't it? They have uncomfortable back seats". I never laughed so hard in all my life. :D
Dano:beers:

It's funny I have heard the Corvette purists mentioned several times. The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking to myself how much first gen Camaro owners and dreamers are getting more and more like what the Corvette types were. I have never liked Corvettes because of that type of attitude. Seems like it is spilling over into the Camaro world now. Someone always seems to know more about your car than you do. They also like to tell you what you should or shouldn't do to it. What is "correct" and not correct. If it fits, it's correct, Right?

If you are looking to buy the car and want to point out reasons you want to pay less that is one thing but, at a show or other public venue, the best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut.

Agreed.

Agreed.


X2

I want to thank all you guys out there for your perspectives...and varied they were. Have come to the appreciation that I am not alone in dealing with "Joe Public" when they either want to show their ignorance or really want to make your car that much better. In the space of a couple of minutes, we can't change their way of thinking. But you know?.. it boils down to one word...RESPECT! Often we could make a qualified comment about another's car, but we don't. Why? We have respect for all the effort/time that has gone into the final product... and end up making his/her day by saying something positive.

capt68

This thread is wanting me to take my PT'ish 68 to a car show just to see what kind of comments I get...

At least they didn't call it a Mustang.... my 68 had no emblems, and despite having an RS front, I used to get complimented on my Mustang at least once a month. Maybe the blue with white Z stripes made it look like a GT350?

I usually keep my mouth shut around other peoples' cars, until and unless I get to know them a little and know whether my input is desired. Wish everyone did the same...

I am specifically not badging the 69 as an SS, because of the 6 cylinder VIN. I'll deal with any questions on the 396, black tail, cowl hood, and bowtie emblems when they come.

The funniest one I had was with my 30,000 mile unrestored Z. I was at a car show and I came back to my car after a walk about, and I found a pair of legs sticking out from under my car. I asked the person from above WTF he was doing. He gets out from under my car and says, you have a sign that says this is an original car and I was just checking to see if it was original underneath!
Now you can imagine how pissed I was, and if you realize how low an original Z would be you can imagine what a little skinny dude this was. I think he could tell from the way I was looking at him from above and his privates were very close to my foot, he immediately got the hell out of there.

....I used to get complimented on my Mustang at least once a month. Maybe the blue with white Z stripes made it look like a GT350?

Nope. Mine 69' is white with burgundy stripes. And while at a gas station last month, a fine looking woman who was about my age said, "I've got to tell you...that's an absolutely gorgeous Mustang!" I smiled and said, "Thanks! ..um.. but it's actually a Camaro." She apologized and said, "I'm terrible about cars, but I just know that's a beautiful car." That was good enough for me ;)

The one I love is when I take my Nova out. It's flat black with white Yenko striping, and a 427 under the hood. The one thing that always gets me are all the comments about "When you going to paint that" or the people who come talk to me and keep telling me that they "like shiny ones". The ones that make me laugh are the questions about if it's either a real Yenko, or if that's the original 427. And of course the "A buddy of mine had one just like that, it was a 73 Yenko with a 600hp 427, man was that car fast, do you think you could catch him?" Now don't forget that 71's had totally different marker lights and tail lights, and the fact that my registration card under the wiper blade always says 1971 Nova. It just makes me laugh, because they always know more about it and you know, as everybody does, that Yenko made cars untill like 76 and the 427 was an option from like 62-78 don't ya know? I can't wait to see the questions and comments once i finlly get my 69 Camaro done. It's getting done like a stock SS350 car and will mtch the trim tag, but it's a 307 car, with a 307 in it (although far from a stock 200HP 307). It will have the SS hockey stick stripes, but with 307 badges on the fenders. I can't wait for the looks, cause you know, everybody had or knows somebody who had one of those SS307 Camaro's, they're pretty rare you know.:D

I went to a small local show with my family (we all own some kind of classic). While i was out looking at cars, my sister heard some Xlrge guy "preaching" to his buddies and anyone within 100yards about how incorrect my car is. Now i know my (Z11) car is pretty rough, but this guy swore my car couldn't be an SS cause it has an RS grille in it. It also had an ugly custom interior in it cause they never made them in orange. I waited knowing damn well this type of person would want to come back and "school" me publicly. A few hours later the guy comes over and starts asking about my interior. I tell him he can check my codes to see for himself. He just stands there looking blank! I show him where to look on my tag then offer to check his. His car is sitting there proudly sporting blue paint, Z28 badges, 454, TH350, AC(not hooked up), 10-bolt, multi-leafs, power drums, 1/2 standard-1/2 deluxe interior. I simply crawled all over his car pointing out how incorrect it was to be "helpful".;) I usually take this stuff with a grain of salt, but this guy really pissed me off:mad:!

This thread reminds me why I haven't taken my car to a show.. I get enough crap at the gas station or at the red light. My car has the Z emblems with 302 on the hood (yea, its a clone).. Get the "Why you have a Ford engine".. One guy asked me what year I had, I replied '69.. Then he said "No its not, they all had Hide away headlights".. :sad: Ok, I dont know my own cars year.. Another guy actually followed me home then started pointing out all its imperfections in my own driveway! I'm pretty happy with it being on a rotisserie right now..:thumbsup:

Just one thing I had to add.
I went to a few shows this year after a 3 1/2 yr resto. My car is Cortez silver with blue custom interior. That is it's original color combo, so I left it that way. I thought it was kinda neat, something you don't see everyday, but not ugly or hideous.

So the first show I go to some young punks come over and look inside and turn their noses up and say "ooohhh, it's got blue interior, black would have looked alot better". I turned to my wife and said "did you hear those punks ?" I couldn't believe how disrespectful of my feelings they were. These guys had no idea how much trouble I went through when restoring my interior. Especially trying to get everything to match the same shade blue. I said over and over how easy it would have been to change to black but I wanted it to be original color.

Later that day I had several people come up and compliment me on my car and how they really liked the blue interior. One guy said that was only the second car he had seen with that color combo. He said he owned one about 15 yrs ago with the same color combo. I then told my wife atleast a few people can appreciate my car for what it is.

I have known people for years that have really nice cars but never take them to shows. This year I found out why.

Try having the ’oddball’ Camaro. People see my 77 Z28 and don’t know if it’s a 71, an 81 or a 91. LOL. Unless the guy (it’s always a guy, isn’t it?) is a real jerk, I just shrug it off. There are many more people out there that are pleasant to talk with to let a handful wreck my day.

It's funny I have heard the Corvette purists mentioned several times. The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking to myself how much first gen Camaro owners and dreamers are getting more and more like what the Corvette types were. I have never liked Corvettes because of that type of attitude. Seems like it is spilling over into the Camaro world now. Someone always seems to know more about your car than you do. They also like to tell you what you should or shouldn't do to it. What is "correct" and not correct. If it fits, it's correct, Right?.
It’s a bit off topic, since it is the other side of the coin, but the purist (elitist?) thing can be a bit much. My complaint with the local hot rodding club is their disdain for ‘newer cars’, say 72 + up. They get down right belligerent with a kid shows up with a nice 3rd or 4th gen Camaro. The problem I see is their nasty attitude instantly turns the young guys off to ‘real hot rods’. Then I heard one of them lamenting they can’t get the young guys to get into old hot rods. I wanted to smack him. Unfortunately I see that happening with some 1st gen guys too. Again, maybe it is just the few spoiling it for the many, and maybe I am a bit more sensitive to it, but I see it. I dunno, like it defines them or something. I’m not even sure how they enjoy it at that point. :$0.02:

I went to a small local show with my family (we all own some kind of classic). While i was out looking at cars, my sister heard some Xlrge guy "preaching" to his buddies and anyone within 100yards about how incorrect my car is. Now i know my (Z11) car is pretty rough, but this guy swore my car couldn't be an SS cause it has an RS grille in it. It also had an ugly custom interior in it cause they never made them in orange. I waited knowing damn well this type of person would want to come back and "school" me publicly. A few hours later the guy comes over and starts asking about my interior. I tell him he can check my codes to see for himself. He just stands there looking blank! I show him where to look on my tag then offer to check his. His car is sitting there proudly sporting blue paint, Z28 badges, 454, TH350, AC(not hooked up), 10-bolt, multi-leafs, power drums, 1/2 standard-1/2 deluxe interior. I simply crawled all over his car pointing out how incorrect it was to be "helpful".;) I usually take this stuff with a grain of salt, but this guy really pissed me off:mad:!

Jeez, that sounds familiar! I took my Z11 to a small show in Rangely, Colorado, nice location, in the park with lots of shade trees. My cars a driver too, nothing special, but I like it. I pull in next to a yellow 69 with Z/28 markers on it 'cause I thought it would be cool for people to compare. I go "nice car" and he goes, "Yeah, it's an original Z/28". I'm thinking that's cool, I gotta take a closer look. So I walk over, look inside and see it's an automatic, walk to the front and it's got factory A/C. I just can't let BS like that go. I tell him, ya got a nice car but there weren't any automatic Z/28s and you couldn't get A/C on a Z. He didn't get mad or anything, he just kind of gave that, "Oh, I'm busted" look.

So to cap things off, three cars over, there's a beautiful original 69 Z, Cortez Silver with black stripes, really nice. The fake Z wins the trophy for best 69 at the show. Unbelieveable.

Oh, and because I can't keep my big mouth shut, I managed to piss that guy and his girlfriend (with the Silver Z) and his mom and dad off too. I was talking to them about how awesome and cool their car was and if they would just fix a couple of really minor (but really obvious - think Caution Fan sticker type stuff) things it would score better at a real show. This was a younger couple in their 20's, and was I was really trying to help, but they got pissed.

I'm haven't been able to buy into this new age "don't tell someone they are wrong or you'll hurt their self esteem". Maybe I'll learn, but to me, things are either correct, or they are not, and somebody has to tell them.

Jerry,
Why do you feel it's your duty to tell someone else what's right or wrong with their car? If they ask that's one thing but, for you to walk around like the Camaro Police that's kind of rude. You seem like you are more a purist type (stock) guy. You couldn't understand why the "fake" Z won best 69 at the show. Maybe it was the BEST 69 there. Did the entry form say "best real 69 Z"? Or did it even have to be a Z that won? A car show is just that; a place to show your car. Some shows are judged some are not. Some are points type shows, some are peoples choice (the best kind if you ask me). If this was a points type show where "correctness" matters then maybe the "real" Z should have won, obviously it wasn't that type of show so the BEST 69 won. Was he wrong for telling you it was all original, probably. Were you wrong for "informing" him, probably not since he ade the statement first. Were you wrong to "inform" the owners of the Silver 69, ABSOLUTELY. If you knew them or they asked you that is different. Without being there I would say what you did was rude. It's not a matter of hurting anyones feelings, it's a matter of tending to your own business. Do you stop by peoples homes that need their lawn mowed and tell them to mow it? How about a house that needs paint? Why wouldn't you knock on the door and say something? There is a time and a place, 99% of the time a public venue is NOT the time or place. Live and let live. Do to your car what you see fit since that is the only car you actually have any authority over. Leave others to do the same with theirs.

Now if you come to me and try to tell me things about my car that aren't true I will correct you. That is not the same as me going to you about YOUR car and trying to tell you what's right or wrong with it.

...I go "nice car" and he goes, "Yeah, it's an original Z/28". I'm thinking that's cool, I gotta take a closer look. So I walk over, look inside and see it's an automatic, walk to the front and it's got factory A/C. I just can't let BS like that go. I tell him, ya got a nice car but there weren't any automatic Z/28s and you couldn't get A/C on a Z. He didn't get mad or anything, he just kind of gave that, "Oh, I'm busted" look....
It is much better to be passive-aggressive on that. "When was it converted to auto", or "I never saw a Z with AC before. Huh." LOL

I stopped getting bent over trophies years ago. There is no rhyme or reason. And the true reason would probably make me mad anyway, so oh well.

Jerry,
Why do you feel it's your duty to tell someone else what's right or wrong with their car? If they ask that's one thing but, for you to walk around like the Camaro Police that's kind of rude. You seem like you are more a purist type (stock) guy. You couldn't understand why the "fake" Z won best 69 at the show. Maybe it was the BEST 69 there. Did the entry form say "best real 69 Z"? Or did it even have to be a Z that won? A car show is just that; a place to show your car. Some shows are judged some are not. Some are points type shows, some are peoples choice (the best kind if you ask me). If this was a points type show where "correctness" matters then maybe the "real" Z should have won, obviously it wasn't that type of show so the BEST 69 won. Was he wrong for telling you it was all original, probably. Were you wrong for "informing" him, probably not since he ade the statement first. Were you wrong to "inform" the owners of the Silver 69, ABSOLUTELY. If you knew them or they asked you that is different. Without being there I would say what you did was rude. It's not a matter of hurting anyones feelings, it's a matter of tending to your own business. Do you stop by peoples homes that need their lawn mowed and tell them to mow it? How about a house that needs paint? Why wouldn't you knock on the door and say something? There is a time and a place, 99% of the time a public venue is NOT the time or place. Live and let live. Do to your car what you see fit since that is the only car you actually have any authority over. Leave others to do the same with theirs.

Well, like I said, I'm new at this show stuff so I have a lot to learn, thanks for the tips! No kidding, I really thought I was being helpful. The "Camaro Police", LOL. I'll try not to be that next time!

Or like Mom always said, "if you can't say something nice, keep your mouth shut"

;)

alan

This is a subject that can bring a spirited debate at shows and cruise-ins. I often will describe my car as basically original. Those of you who know the car would say that is an accurate description. I get those CAMARO EXPERTS at shows and cruise-ins Guys who dont have a Camaro. who say so are those are the original fan belts, tires, hoses ext ext. I say no if they were I would have had to drag it in on a flat bed.

67for/me

This is a subject that can bring a spirited debate at shows and cruise-ins. I often will describe my car as basically original. Those of you who know the car would say that is an accurate description. I get those CAMARO EXPERTS at shows and cruise-ins Guys who dont have a Camaro. who say so are those are the original fan belts, tires, hoses ext ext. I say no if they were I would have had to drag it in on a flat bed.

67for/me

Its not original unless it has the original gas,oil and air in the tires also. :D Anything less is just not original :wacko:


I gave up on car shows because of the packs of "Those In The Know" type comments. Its funny, 95% of the "Mouths" never have or never will own a first generation Camaro or any other 60's car.

Kev

Or like Mom always said, "if you can't say something nice, keep your mouth shut"

;)

alan


Allen Mom's right ,over the years of Drag Racing ,I have met a lot of people at work and play and they see pictures or find out ( I ) you race ,oh boy the fast car my brother, cousin, or friend or I had it would break the tires loose on the freeway in 3 rd gear and smoke the tires ,I know it would run 9's at the track ,I would here stories like this all the time or similar ones, and smile listen nod my head ,say cool and exit stage left as soon as I could…now I am know mechanic specialist guru of any sort ,just a graduate of the school of hard knocks ,learned by trial and error, and can hold my own at the track, all the blow harts, alpha males ,what ever ya want to call them ,as my Mom always said and still does at 92 God bless her, quote Son the empty can rattles the loudest ,as to mean there's nothing up there of interest!!!!!!!...Happy Motoring :):yes:

I have a very simple response for the guys that come and pick our cars.

Where's Yours?

8 out of 10 times they have nothing but fantasies, the 2 out of 10, most of them have junk. Very rarely will you find a guy with a nice car picking other cars.

I had one A hole at SEMA come and rub the seat of Lisa's Project EmptyNest Trans Am, and asked, so, you had to cut corners at the end huh! I asked what he meant, he pointed out a minor, I MEAN MINOR wave in the stiching. I asked, can I ask where yours is? My what he asked? Your car here at the show. Oh, I don't have a car here, I am just a body man! I simply said..........

OHH!

He looked at me and walked away with his tail between his legs realizing he was just punked!

I had one A hole at SEMA come and rub the seat of Lisa's Project EmptyNest Trans Am, and asked, so, you had to cut corners at the end huh! I asked what he meant, he pointed out a minor, I MEAN MINOR wave in the stiching.

Speaking of seats, the red Ferrari from the movie National Lampoon Vacation was at a show and the guy had a sign on the top of the seat with an arrow pointing down that said "Christy Brinkley sat here". I asked him if he minded if I took sniff.

Now that wasn't rude, was it?:D

AHHHHHHH! I feel better after reading all these posts...I ain't alone after all. It does happen to others!

cap68

Who Care What Any Body Says! Be Your Self And Nothing Will Go Wrong!