Cars you never see

[Twitch]

You know after going to cruise-ins and shows for the past couple years now i have got to talking with other guys how some folks do not show their vehicles at venues like this. Everyone knows of guys who piddle with their old car, drive it occassionally and stick it in the garage again. You catch view of them on the street and know they aren't brought to shows.

Part of the whole thing is letting people see the various cars in person. I ain't no joiner but you don't need to be to simply bring out your old car for people to enjoy. This goes for other car owners too. I love to see them too. I am surprised how many cars show up that no one has seen before. Often they never return either.

Maybe it's just that there is a hardcore group who like to go to the cruise-ins. You do see lots of the same cars at various meets in the same general geographic area. But the viewers are mostly different and they're seeing most for the 1st time.

Anyhow I find it odd that folks will go to the time and expense of reviving a car and not bring it out in public. Is this unique or the same all over.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

For me the enjoyment of the hobby is taking a rusted out hulk and restoring to close to original condition. The challenge is the important thing to me, Not driving it or showing it off to other people. I like it when others enjoy seeing them, but it's a personal creation endeavor for me.

When you're constantly building, restoring and creating, you don't have time (or don't want to take the time) to go to Cruise-Ins. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Clipper47]

In this area there are quite a few cars both rare and fairly common that never see the light of day it seems. For example I know of a lovely original 1935 Rolls-Royce, a Jaguar XK-140 and a beautifully restored Daimler SP250 sports car that I have ever only seen a couple of times at Cruise-ins or car shows in 20 years. I know of only three other Packards in the area and only one ever comes out and rarely. I sometimes think that the owners don't like their cars mixing with the run o' trhe mill Chevies and Fords. I take my Packard out as much as I can so people can see what a beautiful car it is. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[bernardi]

I have several old cars - one restoredd to better than new and the others either not needing restoration (original) or being worked on. I didn't buy them or work on them for the pleasure of others; I bought them to enjoy driving them. With a little luck and better health in the family, I hope to drive about 3,000 miles on an extended vacation this spring in a '55 400. These cars are a joy to drive. I may go to one or two cruises or shows a year, but it is primarily to see the other cars and talk with their owners.

[bernardi]

I applaud those who are selfless enough to do the work and spend the money to provide others the pleasure of seeing the fruits of their labor. Maybe that is enlightened self-intrest. I enjoy the plaudits of those who see and appreciate a beautiful car, but that is a by-product of the original purpose. I don't mean to imply that those who do enjoy showing their cars are "show-offs" - they just enjoy their ownership a little differently than I do.

This would not be a second entry, but I hit the wrong key a few minutes ago.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I don't mean to imply that those who do enjoy showing their cars are "show-offs" </div></div>

I Am! Implying exactly That. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Not Really. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Clipper47]

I don't mean to imply that those who do enjoy showing their cars are "show-offs" - they just enjoy their ownership a little differently than I do.

Crossing the border into the USA last year a young US Customs officer made the remark that "So your going to show off your car are you?'

My response was "Show, yes, I'm not going to do the off part."

[R W Burgess]

I'm embarrassed to say, I have a few cars that don't get exercise as they should. I'm not yet retired so working for a living cuts down on my fun. I even offered to let my brother-in-law drive his wife to a fancy restaurant for their anniversity. Haven't heard from him yet.

My daughter wants to drive the 4-speed car over the holidays. I guess it's time to give her the chance, while I'm still alive to enjoy the smile on her face. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[tbirdman]

I drive my 32 Pckard Coupe Roadster and 64 Tbird for casual drives and also to cruise ins. The Bird is the long distance traveler. I do my restoration work in the winter so that I can drive them in the nice weather. Combined I drive them probably at least 3K miles. This year the Bird will be going to Couer d'Alene on a 1200 mile Cruise Oregon trip with about 150 other classic cars, and then I will go about 1600 miles round trip to Hot August Nights. I do get a lot of looks with the Packard including the usual question of where did you parlk the trailer.

My thoughts is that I own them to drive them.

[Rusty_OToole]

Maybe some people don't like being insulted by peabrains that nit pick all the faults they can find, or used to have one just like it except it was a 66 Chev, or try to tell you what's what and all about a car you have owned for 20 years, or sit their grandchild with the chocolate ice cream cone inside without asking, or drag a cowboy belt buckle the size of a hubcap over your fender peeking under the hood, etc etc.

I'm not saying anything. But some people are funny that way.

[Clipper47]

Maybe some people don't like being insulted by peabrains that nit pick all the faults they can find, or used to have one just like it except it was a 66 Chev, or try to tell you what's what and all about a car you have owned for 20 years,

That's one reason I got rid of a 66 Corvette. I was always getting the "Did you know the build date code on your alternator bracket is wrong?" from the "experts"

sit their grandchild with the chocolate ice cream cone inside without asking, or drag a cowboy belt buckle the size of a hubcap over your fender peeking under the hood, etc etc.

I have had all of that happen. You must be going to the same car shows I do! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[tbirdman]

That same guy who takes 30 minutes to tell you his story must be traveling around the country. After about 5 minutes I find that I need to polish something or good look at something else and leave. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Twitch]

Here's a good example. Went to a cruise-in Saturday and saw the only other Packard ever to attend this show. It was a nice silver 51 4-door with an Ultramatic. The owner got it from a guy who bought it with the idea of going to shows but instead kept it for 11 years without doing so!! It's not just Packards either as I've seen and heard of other cars that never "go out."

I guess eventually they'll all see the light of day when their owners need space or become bored with them.