So as I am in the garage staring off into space for 30 minutes (ya everyone does it) I was thinking about car people and cruise night and the roundup and wondered a couple of things...whats up with people that hover around their cars and everyone else...I dont want to talk about my car unless asked, I am interested in what others are doing..I already know everything about my car....some of hovers also dont know anything about cars other than their own..so are they actually into cars? or just their car? , If they arent into cars, are they just being cool? Or are they just tired, lazy, or just dont like walking around? I know this has been covered kinda once..but just wondering why people do the things they do.
Ice chest is in the trunk? Old guy with sore back? Afraid that someone might swipe their valvecovers? (It's happened) Told his friends he'd meet them at his car? Or just digs talking about his pride and joy? Or even, just lazy or tired
I think some people are so obsessed with their own car, that they can't stand to have it out of their sight unless it's locked in their garage. They guard it to make sure no body scratches it or puts fingerprints on it. I guess when you have a really nice car, it is tough to avoid being like that. Personally, I'd rather have a car that isn't perfect to begin with. That way I'm able to walk away and enjoy the rest of the show.
Maybe it's a mere matter of "automotive enthusiasts diversity"! Here locally we now have a phoenomenum called "Solstice Night" at what has always been the traditional "Cruise Night"! Go figure!
I have been the "hover" person several times--1 beer is in the trunk 2 my boys are parked next to me and their beer is in their trunk!lol I also did it for awhile cause i love to hear old timers stories and the flatty under the hood would always bring them over and start talking..I usually do my rounds as well though.
Parked beside Phil and I have a sore back also.....And just relaxing....I have been to so many shows all over the country...I guess I am just getting jaded in my old age of 33!!!! The last couple of years there have very few cars I would walk across a parking lot to look at....but I still like to look at different stuff....Its ok to be into YOUR car...you own it for a reason and you should be proud of it....I agree with Phil I dig talking about my car and I park next to my buddys at shows, and we talk about each others cars....OH YA did I mention the ice chest..... John
ive entered my car in one show last summer..the reason..bad back and very VERY hungover...i could give a **** about if someone crawls all over it..but its not much to look at...i bet i get more picky when the paints on it! like not havin my legs hangin out the door! this killer shoebox was one car over from mine...it had been rainin and the feller that owned it was like...hell jump in her..see whatcha think...killer guy...said i could have drove it if it wasnt raining and the beer was in his trunk!
Ditto here. Glad I did Saturday night at Roundup. Some random guy starts leaning on my car, the studs on his jeans diggin' into my clearcoat. Some people are just clueless...
I like to park mine and watch from afar. I get the same questions over and over "Why ain't it shinny?" ...."How do you drive it so low?" I like watching people scratch their heads
The 2 main reasons I hover around my own car is the same as the above mentioned reasons.......the beer is in the trunk...and all of my friends with cars are parked next to me. Plus, for some reason flat black paint must mean some hidden invitation to put your hands all over it. I'm not obsessive about my car. I park and leave it all the time. But, for some reason, it drives me nuts when people come up to it when its parked at a show and run their hands all over it....especially when I'm sitting right there. I was always told as a kid to NEVER touch someone elses car.
That's because alot of the people who go to shows, enjoy walking and looking, touching whatever, but don't have the same respect for cars that WE do and don't teach their kids not to touch. Pisses me off just the same and if I see a kid steppin' up on a running board or leaning against someone's ride I'll say something. -Troy
I'm not a "hover guy". I like to go mingle and talk to guys about their cars,and hear their stories. Where it came from,how long they have had it,who did this,how did you do that,how often do you drive it,etc..What I never ask...how much do you have in it,how much is it worth,how many trophys has it won,what shop built it,what kind of trailer do you have. You can tell when you meet one of those guys who can't wait to tell you those answers. But then,I don't go to those kind of shows. The shows and cruise nights I go to now,are the ones where a guy pulls in ,parks and walks away. Doesn't babysit his car. I'm done with the Burger Joint shows. Raffle,awards,music. I really enjoy my Tuesday night Village Idiot thing and Tet**** Shots,Anti-doughnut breakfast alot. Just meeting with friends and BSing,hanging out. Razzing each other,talking about new projects. Bringing out the newly acquired set of wheels. No drama... I've always liked it when a guy has a book of before pic's or progress pic's. I recently stopped and walked through a cruise night,and this guy had a book,which I thought was progress,build pic's. Turns out it was full of receipts! I looked at him and said"what the hell is this?" It even had the total amount 125k! WTF! It was a billet,trailer queen '40 Ford Sedan,with Lexas SUV seats!
I'm guilty of doing it. I generally make a few laps around the show just to make sure I didn't miss anything and then I'll sit for a bit.
I go to shows to socialize. Ill go where ever my buddys are but i did tend to hover alot with the space herpie but i would stay a car or so down. it was fun to hear peoples reactions. and it was all so nice to walk up to them in the middle of them talking **** and then them back peddling once they relized it was my car. But when i take my 67 Camaro places i just leave it there its a dumb camaro every one has one.
Bugs me to see people hanging around op cars, going between them to look inside, pocket knife clips, cell phones, keys, belt buckles. I stow that **** away first and stand far enough back to show respect.
Most times when i have one of my cars somewhere, i park it and disappear. I come back periodically and my neighbors say, hey, a guy was wondering this about your car, and what's his name told me to tell you he came by............Then i'm gone again for another couple hours. And again, hey, you had a bunch of interest in your car, you should stick around. What, i know what my junk looks like. I came here to see everyone elses stuff. Maybe if you got up and walked around too, you might see something you like. Or maybe lose a few pounds so's your wife'll give up the booty again
What I hate to see is the guy pull up to the show, get out, and his wife stays behind to read her book in the car. So then you go to loko at the car and have to lookaround her....... I think, why even come? She could have stayed home and read the book. But, to each is own.
Keeping tabs You know, since all the hot young foxes swarm you when you roll in a traditional rod or kustom
i go to a cruise in on thursday nights and meet with more of the tampa poor boys,but usally we take a seat right a way..most of us are on our feet all day and its good to just shoot the **** and talk hot rod trash...we usally draw a big crowd around our cars anyway,as far as car shows..they ****!!i'm tired of hearing what color are you going to paint it???or what kind of interior you goig to put in it??THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!!so i don't go to any car shows any more,idon't need the trophy or plaque..we call it lumber...i get the best felling we i get in the car that i built,turn the key,fire it up and take it out for a cruise..i built my coupe to drive it, not sit around and polish it and watch over it.if you build them for the lumber,you just don't enjoy driving em............rooster
Grandpa always says (Forest Gump style), "You'll find in life, some guys aren't interested in your car, they are ONLY interested in THEIR cars......" Not always, but I see it....... There are VERY few cars that I'm not interested in at all, I like just about anything....
The Jalopy Journal
