Touch the car!

[CatBird]

I see so many 
Don't Touch the Car! I love to have people touch our cars. Car shows, gas stations, anywhere, people so often ask if they can take a picture of my car? I warmly suggest that they sit in my car and let me take an picture of them with their cell phones. Take a picture of their child. Hold the wheel and pretend they are driving it. Makes my day and theirs. I wonder that later that kid may buy an antique car because they remember this moment?

I'll bet that many of the people here bought their first classic after sitting in one? We need new blood in our hobby. Feel the car, the upholstery, the sensual curves of the metal, the smell of time and love? The pictures are in one afternoon.


 

Edited October 4, 2022 by CatBird (see edit history)

[Guest]

I have always allowed a small child to sit or even stand on the seat if they are too small and pretend to drive all of my cars.

 I like it, the parent likes it and most importantly, the child likes it.

 I also enjoy watching the spectators that are watching it.

👦  👩  🧓  👨‍🦳 

[plymouthcranbrook]

Well, I don’t have fancy expensive cars so I guess it is easer for me to let folks sit in the cars or let kids play in them.  I haven’t been to a show in a long time but occasionally someone will approach me in a parking lot to look at my cars. Especially if they have kids with them I ask in they want to sit in it.  Occasionally there is a hesitation especially for children but my standard answer is “It’s only a car, climb in”.  If you can give a child or an adult a bit of fun at no cost to you except for some time it’s silly not to. Only if I am tight on time do I cut things short and that is  rare.

Edited October 5, 2022 by plymouthcranbrook (see edit history)

[TAKerry]

I dont necessarily want people touching my car at random, but if I see a kid that seems to have an attraction to it I have no problem letting them sit in it. I was at a show last year that was on a Sat morning, adjacent to a ball field full of little leaguers. One of the games finished and there were a couple of kids about 7 or 8 staring my car down. I opened the doors and told them they could sit in it. To say that made their day is an understatement. 

[Jim Bollman]

I also encourage kids and adults to sit in my cars but I have cheap cars that are not perfect by any standard and I understand people on the other side of the coin. This thread remind me of a time probably 25 years ago now, I was showing Willy’s FC170 that I had at the time. Two fellows came up to me one blind and the sighted person ask if his friend could touch my truck because she could not explain what it was. I told him no problem and as the blind fellow walked around the FC lightly feeling it, the smile on his face was priceless.

[Studemax]

My Studebaker chapter used to invite people to sit behind the wheel of their cars. I had a Wagonaire with the opening rear roof, and urged kids to pose for pictures for their parents standing in the back of the wagon with their heads above the roofline. Gotta stir up interest, and keep it fun!

[CChinn]

A few years ago I was at a cars and coffee in Virginia and noticed an elderly couple in their 90s admiring my 1940 Chevy.  Thinking that they may have had a similar car in their youth, I asked if they wanted to sit in the front seat and relive old memories. My instincts were correct, they did own a pre-war Chevy, but they preferred to sit in the back seat where they had more “enjoyable” memories. The gathered crowd roared in laughter! 😀😀😀

[kgreen]

Always ask. Some are ok with it some are not. 

[Chris Bamford]

21 hours ago, CatBird said:

...Car shows, gas stations, anywhere, people so often ask if they can take a picture of my car? I warmly suggest that they sit in my car and let me take an picture of them with their cell phones...

I couldn't agree more.  Those kids in the last two photos just couldn't wait to see what that car was all about!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2022 by Chris Bamford (see edit history)

[SC38dls]

I try to always let kids in the car but mine is a driver with the seats redone by me using a $25 sewing machine. I did have an older lady admire the car, when I asked if she wanted to sit in it and I would take her picture she declined saying it would bring back to many memories. She left with a tear in her eye. Kids love to try and turn the steering wheel. 

dave s 

[Buffalowed Bill]

I wholeheartedly agree with the hands on approach. It just adds another layer of education and enjoyment. Not all cars are created equal however. For me this means what I'm the one to decide how I share my car with the public. I draw the line when it comes to one of my cars. What has bothered me at some events is the disregard that some spectators have towards someone else's car. At some events, and with some irresponsible parents, I've seen some shocking displays of entitlement. Admittedly some of the responsibility has to reside with the owner for choosing the wrong event-all events are not created equal either.   

Edited October 7, 2022 by Buffalowed Bill (see edit history)

[ch1929]

They especially like blowing the Ahooga Horn