Rancheros are great entertainment. Every time I drive this one,,,,,well you know the rest of the story.
What year? Did you build this? How much did you pay? Are you restoring it? Nice 32. How fast does it go? All statements I hear just about everytime I go to the gas station or big box store. Most of the time I give simple 1 sentence answers to be nice because honestly I just want to continue about my day as quickly as possible without coming across as a dick. If someone really knows what they are looking at I have been stuck talking and listening for well over 30 minutes at the gas pump before. But if they have no idea my thoughts are whatever I tell them is more then likely going in one ear and out the other. So more then simple answers are a waste of time for the general public.-Weeks
Damn John , i thought it was a "Dune Buggy" .I had a 37 Fiat Topolino awhile back that i drove daily .I had lots of people ask me if it was a one of those late model VW bug conversions ,so dont feel bad .Had lots of people ask if my 61 Falcon Ranchero gasser was a 4x4 ...
My buddy and I were sitting in my 36 2dr sedan rest-o-rod back in the 70s (it was the style back then) A guy comes up and says this is the way I like 'em. I hate it when they put a Chevy in them and make them a "roadster". I didn't tell him it had 283 in it. My buddy just looked at me, smiled and said you WISH a Chevy engine could turn this into a roadster! Another time a guy next to me in traffic hollers.What year is your truck? I say a 36 Ford. He says not with that grille it's not! So why did you ask if you know so much?
Half of the people that see my Bantam Alterd ask " Now when you race do you go straight or around the track." and then " So who's your favorate NASCAR driver." I can handle the straight or around question, but that NASCAR question blows me away.
Had a buddy in Waco who bought the quintessential T bucket with big an littles, Tunnel rammed 454, chrome everything and bright yellow paint have an older lady yell out "nice June Buggy" when he made a stop. From on everyone in the club referred to that T as his june buggy. First time out around town with his wife in the car he had some Baylor student yell, "Hey take me for a ride". He says, 'can't I have my wife with me". She says 'go ditch her and come back". He never got to take the car out alone after that one. I've had more than one person yell nice Studebaker when they see my 48. I've had at least one guy ask me why I chopped and modified such a "rare" truck. And I have a coworker who just cannot comprehend why any of us would think about or have the audacity to lower or otherwise modify an old vehicle although he is not a restorer or old car nut in the least. He about had a fit when I was watching one of Bass's videos the other day and voiced his opinion about cutting an old car up.
Back in the early 1990's my friend Bob ('58 Impala) and I ('58 F100) did a week long cruise from Central California to Good Guys in Washington state then to Carson City, NV to the "Run What You Brung" show. We stopped for gas at this little back woods station in Oregon and I was gassing up my truck when this hillbilly walked up and ask me if that was my Chevy? I told him no mine is this Ford truck. Well he proceeds to tell me he had a car just like that except his was blue and a four door and it was an Oldsmobile!!!!
I had the Scout at the track this year (finally) and while it was in the lanes a father / son combo came over and gave it the once over. They looked, under and around. The dad stood up and said, "Nope, not a scout, not sure what it is but it sure ain't a scout" The son replied..." Probably just used the tailgate form one". When I tried to convice him the body really was a Scout 80 he just didn't buy it. Unless it had 4 wheel drive and tiny little 4 banger he wasn't convinced. I found it very odd that folks will come to a drag race or a Rod event, the two places where innovation and change are paramount, and not understand that a hot rodder or drag racer will make sweeping changes ot a vehicle to suit their wants and likes.
That's great! I just never saw the dune buggy thing coming. He was so sincere though. I have also heard the rat rod comments too and at first I was a bit offended, but now I realize they usually don't mean a thing. Especially the younger guys...they actually thinks it's a compliment!
A couple times when i had a my "bobber" 41 Ford truck (get over it) out someone would ask what frame it was on. When i replied that I built the frame myself they would ask "How did you know where to put everything" I tried to answer but I had nothing. this actually hapened several time with different people.
The wife and I had just moved into our new house.. I was out in the garage building the frame for my new race car and the neighbor showed up.. Didn't take him long to ask that same question.. In the best straight face I could muster, I replied, "Well I use special chalk and very accurate tape measure.." RustyPile
that is too funny !! i cant belive i have never thought of that . i have been asked the same " is that legal to drive " question , along with all the other ones ive read on this thread - is it done - is that the original motor ????- what color is that - is that a kit car - can you see the road - whats that "can" on the front end - but one of favorites is , is that thing LOUD ? i just repeat the ? several times , what ? did you ask if its loud . some peoples kids huh .
i drive my 53 ranchwagon a couple times a week to chase smokes and cokes at the little country store by my house, and many, many times ive been asked " is that a hearse"first time i just laughed second time i thought dumbass but now i tell them yea but just for short people.
The worst thing is when you build a car and put alot of time into building your chassis from scratch and you walk up on people talking about it telling each other how its a kit to put the body on a volkswagon frame...damn that pisses me off
Yeah, my know-it-all "husband in law" (wife's ex) is absolutely convinced this is the stock motor in my Buick
I drove my 51 chevy to work oneday and a lady asked me "does it run?", while looking at it in the parking lot.
i had my bugeye sprite project/roller/mockup at the stpaul motorama last year my dad was sitting near it and witnissed someone point at it and say "thats one of them amphibious cars"
I drive my avitar car as much as possible when its dry.My wife cuts hair at the house and one of her customers(male) walks up to the garage with a puzzled look on his face.Said to me"You drive that on the road,they let you drive that on the road?".I smile and say,Well yes.Then he goes,"Is it safe??" Yes Doesnt it mess up your hair?? Its a roadster "Do you where a helmet?. I laugh and go back to work. Or better yet at a store while someone is walking by me as Iam jumping out..."Theres no smog control on that thing"
When someone asks me the what is that question I tell um it's a rocket. Every now and then I'll tell someone I work for GM and this wont be out till 2013. You wold never belive how many people fall for that one.
In the early eighty's, myself and 2 of my friends decide to drive to West Palm Beach for vacation(from WI) Somewhere in Georgia we get a flat on the front. I go for the spare and its like a L78-15 studed snow tire. Had some big old meats on the back, so on the front it went. After a short time, we decided to stop and get a tire. Pulled into a small station in the middle of BFE. Two younger men greet us(greasy and wearing bibs) "What can I do ya?". I say, we need a tire. They look at each other kind of funny then one says, "Well, ya got a mudgripper there".I just bust out laughing and say "Where we come from, thats called a snow tire". Then they laughed. It was all good.
Took my rolling chassis to the chicago motorama last year and I had somebody kneel down, knock on my wheel and ask if they were real wood....followed by a gentleman asking "is that six cylinder you got there?" Well, 1...2...3...4...oh shit! whered my last two cylinders go?!
I have had a couple of doozies myslef, and mind you the car has only been back together since late September: "why would you put a Harley motor in that old car??' in refrence to the 235 rapping through the the lakes pipes "is that progressive linkage" no its not "but when you run 2 4bbl carbs ya gotta run progressive linkage" in refrence to my 235 with duals " why would you take out the stock V8 and put in a 6 cylinder???" I guess I was bored I love people!!!
I have a 63 merc comet all shaved down, I always get "Hey is that an impala?" or "what is that a 52?" its frustrating when its older dudes that were around when it came out.... im gonna start saying its a rambler concept car from the 50's and see how ridiculous I can get haha
My wife and I were spending a few days at San Onofre beach a few months back. Its a really cool old style surf beach and there are alway a few cool cars there. We were having a walk along the beach when I spotted a woodie. We went to have a look. It was a 47/48 Mercury. A major big bucks resto. The wood was buried in what looked like about a 1/4" of clear and polished to perfection. It was, to me, the classic case of over restoration. My wife love woodies but basically is not very knowledgeable. She was looking at the glossy wood panels and asked "Is that real wood or plastic?" I told her for all the crap on the wood it might as well be plastic. Glad to owner wasn't within earshot.
The Jalopy Journal
