Art & Inspiration "is that a real car?"

We are camping at a local state park here in Michigan, with our '47 Spartan Manor trailer which we hauled over with the Diamond T. Lots of passers by stop and ask questions about the trailer, the truck, and, since I've had the roadster there much of this past week, the car too. Of course the level of interest in old cars, and knowledge about them, varies, so we're used to questions that are well meaning but sometimes "uneducated", and sometimes irritating because we've been asked the same question hundreds of times.
For the Diamond T, the usual question is, "Did that used to be some kind of fire truck?"
The trailer gets, "What year is your Airstream?"
The roadster got a new one, "Is that a real car?"
I guess I should take that one as sort of a "left handed" compliment, because it's a 'glass body that must look authentic enough to make someone question it, but that question is only a couple of notches less insulting than, "How much ya got in that?", or, like my buddy was asked about his paint job, "How much did that cost?" (When he gave a rough answer, the reply was, "You think it's worth that much?")
When I get asked how much a car cost (and I've been asked that often), I usually reply, "That's an odd question to ask." and just leave it at that. To the "Is that a real car?", I was a bit taken aback, and said, "What part do think isn't real?"
To which the guy said, "I mean, is it steel or plastic?"
I said, "Some parts are steel, some Model A's were harmed to build it, so I'll leave it to you to pick out which parts."
I know that a "real steel" or "Henry Steel" bodied car commands more at retail, but, the buy in is usually enough to offset the difference in value at the end, and more importantly, it's my car, I built it to suit me, not a random guy who doesn't recognize what it is he's looking at. It fit my budget, it makes me happy, if I have to decide to sell it, I'll recoup my investment easily, so, it's real as far as I'm concerned.

 

There are a lot of people out there that just don't know any better. I have a sister-in-law like that - everything she says pisses people off, but she just doesn't think before the words come out of her mouth.

 

I always give a compliment when it’s due.I Never ask if it’s steel or fiberglass cause I don’t care. If it’s nice it’s nice .jmho.Snowman.⛄️

 

I get these.
Is it fast?
Nice rat rod.
You build that?
I’ll trade ya( usually from some white trash guy driving a car on its last leg.
Etc. etc.
the rat rod one gets me the most. I usually say there’s no log chains or saw blade hanging off it. It’s a nostalgic hotrod.

 

@flynbrian48 , astounding! As for the sideways comment, I know of a few guys with 'glass cars that are just as good as the real steel cars out there, that actually get driven much like yours.

 

Sounds like someone I know.....

 

When I get is it a rat rod I reply with Does it look ratty to you shuts them up

 

Is it a real car? What car man lol. What are you drinking I’m leaning on a lawn chair. Haha, hun this guys got jokes haha

 

I've gotten the "Is that a real car?" question before.

My favorite was the time I had stopped to get gas at a gas station in my 283 equipped '31 roadster and an older gentleman came over and walked around the car saying nothing.

Eventually when I finishing filling up the tank and was getting into the car he says, "What year is your Corvette?"

I was slightly surprised at the question but quickly realizing the only identifying script on the car was the finned aluminum Corvette valve covers I played along.

"It's a 1931, sir."

"Oh! I didn't realize they've been making Corvettes that long..."

I smiled, waved and zipped off in my little car.

 

‘Zat a Cadillac, or Impala?

I tell them to keep guessing…

 

Someone who’d ask of it was real or not, probably doesn’t know “Henry steel vs fiberglass “. They probably were actually asking if it was a kit/etc car you put together.
An interested “car” person would probably (I hope) look it over and say “man, that’s straight, is it steel or glass, either way it looks great”.

 

my '50 ford draws the usual "what year studebaker is that," but i loved it back in the '70s when old guys would approach me and talk about how they "courted" their wives in an old ford like mine!

 

"Hey Mister, can I go for a ride in your dune buggy"

 

I find myself not getting bothered by questions from people who are not educated in old cars like I am, hell I can’t keep up with what’s appropriate terminology for different genres. I take it as a compliment and carry on.

 

Man, I can’t believe you actually USE those old things.

 

My chopped '51 Merc w/Carson top: "What year Hudson is that?"
My '24 T roadster (turtledeck type) "Nice dune buggy!"
My '27 Hiboy atop '32 rails, flathead: "That a 'kit car'?"
My '55 F100, notably 'rubber-raked', Romeo Palamedes wheels: "Is that truck 'SMOG-LEGAL'?" That one floored me
so I started it up, pointed it to a wide opening and put my Moon pedal to the bottom. The poor sap (at least 45 yrs old!) was hopelessly engulfed in a white haze of thick smoke from my Uniroyal Laredo 255 70s! Right here at your Target Food Stores!
So THERE! So Fitting for the semblance of the Great Unwashed...
Won't get into queries about my 'DDE'...

 

Brian, Brenda & I have taken the old Shasta to several campgrounds over the years and the last time we went to Oconee State park Brenda drive the Ranch wagon and I towed the camper with the late model Ram, we always have people commenting about the '57 Shasta but the interest seemed to double when the Wagon ws parked close by.

It seems that many people that have vintage campers are also into older cars and hot rods, Have you ever noticed that? HRP

 

That Model A wouldn't happen to be Michigan Blue would it?

 

The 39 Ford truck I have driven every day for 17 years: Is that legal?

 

IKR? I HATE the "rat rod" question. I had a guy ask me once at a gas station, "What year is your Prowler?", which kind of tickled me.

 

I was once told, "It's against the law to drive a car that low." Right...

 

Oh yes. Many of our vintage trailer friends have hot rods. They go hand in glove.

 

My friend with a 59 Impala was asked, "what year Corvette is that?" 59 was the answer.....

 

Good answer, sir.

Ben

 

Friends of ours, also into cars, have a vintage trailer. He was asked by a woman at one of our vintage trailer gatherings, "Do you sleep in this?" He deadpanned right back, "No. It's just for sex." She walked away without another word.

 

I hear you Brian, a elderly lady came into my shop and ask me is that my dune buggy parked out front , I figure sometimes they are just trying to make conversation and not trying to piss us off.

BTW, this is the truck she was referring too as a dune buggy. HRP

 

Some people are morons. Just ask them moronic questions in return.

Love the truck and Airstream (er Spartan), as well as the roadster.

 

I kinda get the Airstream question. Shiny trailer = Airstream.
The truck? Would they ask the same question if it was light blue?
Real? No it's artificial.

 

Yep, same folks often ask if my daily has a cam in it...to which I reply...yep, just like everyone else’s car has one. Heck, some cars have more than one even.