It's best to admire classic cars from afar???

hey not all of us who drive hondas are jack***es like that, i LIKE old cars, thats why i'm here, mine is no spring chicken herself being from early 86. and I've had ***hats tell me my car is old and dangerous too,even though it's been overhauled from the ground up.

 

The author was no doubt a Ralph Nader supporter. The scary part is that so much of this type of propaganda is entering our government. Misleading statistics hyping a non-problem. And because no other sources are known for refuting this propaganda it is accepted as fact. Help us all....

 

Mr. Muschick must have a very boring life and obviously has trouble finding more important things to write about. I guess two antique auto accidents since 1992 after his own exhausting research, qualifies as a rash of accidents. Whatever. He's "disturbed" all right by his own admission, I'll give him that, but in a much different way than he's thinking.

 

reply sent:

Mr. Kranzley,

I just read the article on The Watchdog blog, "It's Best To Admire Cl***ic Cars From Afar", and I'm so appalled that I'm taking time out of my legal studies to write to you. Never before have I read such a biased and utterly ignorant piece of journalism, and frankly your publication should be ashamed of itself.
You may have guessed that I am a cl***ic car owner, and you would be right. I'm the proud owner of a 1957 Ford coupe and a 1967 Chevrolet pickup, as well as a couple late models. Unlike the vast majority of of cl***ic car owners, I drive my cl***ic vehicles daily, and unfortunately have been involved in accidents with them. In both accidents, I've been rear ended by an inattentive driver of a car or SUV less than 5 years old. In fact, most cl***ic car owners would be quick to point out they probably fear drivers of new cars rather than the reverse.
Mr. Muschick's argument about cl***ic cars being a safety liability due to lack of state mandated inspection is valid on it's face, but only minor prodding and a neutral approach to journalism would reveal the reality to be much different. It is true that cars registered as cl***ics are exempt from state inspection, as they should be. The fanatical nature of cl***ic car owners, as well as a human sense of self-preservation, is the reason that most cl***ic cars have thoroughly rebuilt and meticulously maintained braking and steering systems. Common sense also dictates that if a vehicle is still functional and roadworthy after 30+ years, it has likely been well taken care of over the years. Contrast this with some of the atrocities we see driving on the road everyday, such as poorly maintained hoopties from the early to mid 1990s. These vehicles are now 15-20 years old, and with poor maintenance are as much, but probably more of a safety issue than a typical cl***ic car. Mr. Muschick laughably cites a blown tire on a 1974 motorcycle as a catalyst for his fear of vintage tin and tire blowouts. Does he really think that just because the bike is from 1974 that the tire is from 1974? Blowouts happen all the time and are caused by any number of reasons, age and wear being only one of them.
The truth is that mechanical failures by vehicles can cause accidents whether it be a cl***ic car or a new car. Google search recalls on new vehicle and you will stumble across hundreds of safety recalls by manufacturers for late model vehicles, ranging anywhere from poorly visible safety labels, to faulty fuel filters that cause fires.
Mr. Muschick erroneously states that cl***ic vehicles must be restored to factory specifications. Many cl***ic cars are often restored to better than showroom condition, and equipped with power disc brakes, electric windshield wipers, halogen headlamps, radial tires, power steering, etc. With the automotive after-market being a multi-billion dollar a year industry, there are no shortage of companies out there to not only help us restore our vehicles, but to make them safe for us and our loved ones to enjoy for years to come.
When it is conceded that cl***ics account for less than 1 in 100 vehicles on the road (and considered most are driven less than 2500 miles, a considerably lesser fraction of total miles driven), it's preposterous to write such biased drivel. Mr. Muschick's pathetic attempt at research for this article should not have yielded him a p***ing grade in high school, let alone be published on a public blog for the equally ignorant to mistake as fact. There are any number of cl***ic car insurers that he could have contacted regarding insurance claims and accident statistics. Your publication owes cl***ic car owners an apology.

Sincerely,
Joe ******

 

excellent response. and for a note,I saw one of those hoopty cars with the giant tires that just caused a wreck, the owner had lifted it with 2X4's. that's the kind of **** that makes people think all older cars are like that.

 

Here's what I wrote:

Noble, but a pretty far stretch. You're right about putting car guys in a "Lather". The fact is that the cars you're "afraid" of are not the antique vehicles. It's the neglected ones. Neglected ones from any year. Thanks for singling out a portion of true Americana culture that already has enough problems staying afloat. The reason why inspections on antique vehicles are further apart is because they are infrequently driven compared to newer vehicles. This can be abused of course, sort of like how Truckers abuse it. Hey, there's a thought! How many Truck tire treads do you see on the side of the road? How many articles have you written about that? Congratulations. You are the nose-picking, whining, tattletale kid in the cl*** that no one likes. For the record a rear tire blowout at speed can have dozens of causes. You saw it once. Big deal.


Plus He's a big douche.

 

He lost me at 'It's also not fair.' Right there should tell you all you need to know about this author.

 

what von dago said.

 

"It's obvious Paul Muschick(or the author) of this article knows little to past nothing about antique/cl***ic or specialty vehicles?
Most of these cars and trucks recieve more attention than your daily driver and have parts or work on them that requires a professional and specialized person to effect any repairs.That and they're garage kept and under the scrutiny of peer groups and club members who also have a knowledge of what it takes to own and operate a vehicle like this.
Mr Muschick,turn your attentions towards something you're knowledgable of and understand.
It's easier to be a critic than a victim,isn't it? "

 

I just faxed a terce letter and a picture of old Greeny from the sunny Virgin Islands, about his ****. My old truck is in better shape then what he's driving. He probably wonders how I got ahold of his artical any way. I'm 70, and didn't get this far driving rattle traps. Some nerve. If he did his home work, and looked at some of our cars he would have a different toon and be a better writer. Ice man

 

Guys, relax...a 'civillian' wrote an article for other 'civillians' to read.

...they don't count...

 

Here is what I sent him.


Dear Mr. Muschick
I just finished reading your article en***led &#8220;It&#8217;s best to admire cl***ic cars from afar&#8221; and I am appalled that anyone could write such drivel in good conscience. To begin with, many states have no annual vehicle inspection whatsoever other than smog checks. You are correct in stating that you will put the antique car owners in a lather. First let me clarify that just because a car is over 25 years old does not make it an antique or a cl***ic. It is just old. I happen to own several Vintage automobiles and drive them regularly; they are well maintained and are always in top mechanical condition. Most of them are worth considerably more than a new car and are not being recalled as my new cars are. It is irresponsible journalism such as your article that cause the general public to become concerned over problems that don&#8217;t exist. I am far more concerned with drivers that talk on cell phones, apply make up and read the paper while driving than I am of being hit by an antique vehicle. Most of the owner of antique vehicles that I know, and I know many, that are involved in a traffic incident in their vintage auto were not at fault. It is usually some incompetent driver that is distracted that is at fault. <o></o>
<o> </o>

 

I agree the article is ****, BUT I've also been told by someone connected to PA. inspection that there is thought to having inspection for antiques. At least when they are first licensed.

 

Hey!

Everyone on the board should be emailing this clown! I truly hope this is being spread around the hobby on all levels - hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, pre war, foreign and domestic...this guy should get an earful from everybody! Here's what I wrote.



Wow !

You obviously have no working knowledge of the automotive world. The number of poorly maintained vehicles less than 25 yrs old is undoubtably far greater than the antiques you point out. We had a repair shop in the family for a number of years and the things we saw at times were staggering! I've never seen an antique plate on clapped out junk - the likelihood that someone who is not involed in the hobby would use the antique plate just for economic advantages is very slim.

Before you sit down to write your next article consider multiple sources for your information. DOT stats presented here mean nothing, and to those in the hobby you have done nothing but insult us and show yourself to be ignorant.

Keep your distance from someone's cherished vehicle? Try again...you should fear the 15 yr old minivan driven by the distracted soccer mom. That van that's missed its regular maintenance, the one that makes a noise or rides funny that would allert a hobbiest to problems but goes unnoticed or ingored by the average Joe or Sue.

This article was posted on a website of some real die hard gear-heads; I'm sure you will be receiving much harsher (crude) criticism from my brethren on the H.A.M.B./The Jalopy Journal. Sorry, you deserve it and I hope many other groups find this as well.

Todd F. Wenzon, DDS
Crystal Lake, IL

 

actually they are the ones who cause the most problems.

 

It's 11:00 pm and there 55 post on the Morning Call,s web site about that article and only one aproved of the comments. You got to love old car people and old people too.

 

"I found only two other reports of antique car accidents in The Morning Call's archives since 1992, with neither mentioning a cause."

What a dip****! His whole point was to be old cars are unsafe (somehow because of a flat by a motorcycle?!?) then closes out the piece w/a statement that contradics what he is trying to suggest!

Only 2 accidents involving old cars since 1992? That sounds like pretty good statistics for us old car owners! Now how many accidents from newer cars, that were inspected by the state are in his archives!?!

( I left a comment on thier page regarding this. )

 

what kind of car does that ****ard drive? after we get done with him he will be quoting a famous line from monty python and the holy grail "RUN AWAY"!

 

This reporter relies on Monty Python logic:

Wood floats...
Witches float...
Therefore, witches are made of wood....

 

I saw the topic and I ***umed it was a car show thing...people were getting mad that spectators were messing with their cars. I read the article and just love the scare tactics used. Unfortunately some people are going to take this to heart.

 

This guy is probably pissed cause his wife runs the family and won't allow him to own anything like an antique car...or he is light in the loafers and doesn't like cars period.

Everyone has their own opinions and I'm glad mine differs from his

 

Paul Muschick is so misinformed it's unbelievable at best. I will be sending email in response to the editor Glen Kranzley and to the misguided write Paul Muschick. I emailed this to all my friends and to SEMA.


CRUISER

 

My reply...


How did the author of this article get appointed to the position? Any fool can write about things they know nothing about by fabrication and ***umption. That's all this drivel is. No facts, no research... other than finding 2 whole accidents caused in 16 years by the dangerous menace known as cl***ic cars. How does a motorcycle accident transform itself into bashing cl***ic cars, anyway?
The entire article goes in circles and contradicts itself in many ways. It truly seems like nothing more than a whine about having to pay for an inspection.
To the writer: Find a job you're good at.
To the editors: Hire a writer.



JOE

 

Come on Guys There is only 60 responces on that web @ 2:00 am Central time

We can do better than that : -)

 

Mr. Muschick sounds like an adverage Joe to me... he knows nothing about cars.

The absence of knowledge usually instills fear. Especially in the hearts of people who live their life by what they read from such sources as the Watchdog.

It's a shame that Mr. Muschick has chosen to spread unwarranted fear on this subject. He could have just wrote about the 'unfairness' of state inspection law, that is what his real agenda is.

 

ha.... i bet his neighbor drives an open exhaust hotrod and works the late shift.

 

The accident left the driver critically injured and tied up traffic.

Accidents tie up traffic? That IS a story. This "writer" (a stretch) seems more irritated at being inconvenienced than any concern for public safety.

I thought this thread was going to be about how cars look different when viewed at certain angles, or how if you get too close and drive one, you'll be addicted for life.

Anyone driving a cl***ic car is paying 3x as much attention to their driving and the road as a 'civilian'.

 

My 68 bsa has brand new tires and brakes... i figure anyone building a cl***ic ride of any kind is going to ensure that it can stop and move down the road safely.

hell last week some duche on a rice rocket with a fart can on the back p***ed me on a double yellow with threads showing on the tire, no helmet, wearing a t-shirt, bet if he had a blowout there would be a bit of a mess to clean up.

here in SC there is no inspection on ANY vehicles and i have seen some real GEM's that are less than 10 years old some people should think before writing articles when they are ill informed. I feel that the roads here are truly an experiment in social darwinism.

 

You have to open your eyes and remove your head to be a reporter,,HRP

 

Thats what I just did!