What the fuck are you looking at?

[tooSavvy]

.... people just look at MrSavvy & laugh.

 

I'm the only driver of the car - ever - so I comfort myself with the thought:- It must be my mullet

 

 

TS

[eddyramrod]

I used to love rolling around town (and country) in my MG Maestro - dirty-blue, plastic hubcaps - winning the traffic light drags.  Didn't matter what the opposition was.

My first Cadillac, and the subsequent black Buick, used to gather stares as I drove past people, I rather liked that.  Attention on my terms FTW.

My second Cadillac, the green 62, was a joy in so many ways, but if I used it to nip to the post office or chippy, I could park right outside and still not be in the shop ten minutes later.  I was usually happy to chat, show people the interior, engine, etc... (sad bastard!)

The real attention-grabber came in Cyprus, where I bought the red Capri.  1971 Capri in lipstick red, on RoStyles.  You want something to stand out in the sea of grey blobs?  There's your answer, forget bright green Cadillacs with fins...  Everyone, literally everyone, wanted to chat, wherever I went with it.  I was in a queue of traffic one lovely Saturday morning, listening to the local Brit FM radio station, when the presenter came back at the end of an old song I'd been enjoying and said "We've just had a text from (insert name, I've forgotten) who wants to say hello to the guy in the red Capri in front who is obviously also listening to Rock FM!"  Exactly then the queue started to move so I waved at the car behind as I set off.  Up the road I pulled in and called the show - "I'm the guy in the red Capri, and Matthew (one of the presenters) knows me, he lives in my village!"  I got a heck of a lot of attention in that car.  Everybody had one/learned to drive in one/had a parent or uncle who had one.  Probably 15% of Capri production was 3-litre, but to listen to these guys, the figure was more like 99%.

 

Bringing the Granada back from Cyprus was a good move.  Where we unloaded the container was at a haulage  yard owned by a family big in banger circles (Barrow is a massive banger town even though it no longer has a track) so obviously the Granada gave me instant kudos.  Unloading a mint Metro van from the same container was a bonus!

[DVee8]

I can and have spent 20+mins in the petrol station,educating that its not a mk2 2.4 Jaguar and infact a Daimler 2.5V8.The amount of time i have been told no its not lol.I also get asked were is the wedding even though i don't use it for wedding any more.

And no i don't think i am Inspector Morse or Inspector gadget for that matter.

Oh yes i remember them posh.

As said before i often get the lad in the Transit that must be in front of the old car no matter how,as its a old slow car.

[danthecapriman]

I tend to get good reactions from people in all my cars. The Mercury definitely gets the most stares though. I saw one guy almost crash his car trying to drive and video it on the M25 when I picked it up! When it broke down at Fleet services and was waiting for recovery a couple of guys in a van were staring at it, one of them came over later on and had a good look around it and a chat. He said it made his day to see such a thing! Which was nice as my day up until then had been pretty shit!

Kids love it too, I was on the A3 last time I used it and got overtaken by some modern people carrier bland mobile with a little lad sat in the back, face pressed up against the window staring in amazement and waving!

 

I don't mind being stopped for a chat either, it's kind of nice that people appreciate old cars and the efforts people go to keeping them going.

[Lord Sterling]

Depends what car I'm in;

 

In my Mk1 G-reg Rover Sterling, it gets a few looks usually from older chaps who probably owned one or knew someone who did. Once, a riot van full of coppers pulled up next to me at the petrol station and admire the Rover, they were interested to know what engine it had in and reminisced the days when they were used as response cars. That's one car I'm keeping.

 

I once parked the E-reg Sterling outside some shops and came out to see some youths looking at it, they weren't looking to steal it, they just wanted to know what it was.

 

Alot of younger people seem to have been educated by looking/being in my older Rover 800s, they really honestly expect it to be like a 1970s Vauxhall Viva and are truly surprised when they see the amount of toys it has on it, the opulent comfort it offers and it's power and ease of keeping up with modern traffic.

 

The Merc hasn't yet had any admiring looks yet but I guess people see it as a work horse even though usually clean and I'm wearing a suit when I'm driving it. Old Money sheik?

 

With the Mk2 Sterlings; the Mk2 KV6 was spotted and photographed by a FlickR papper which was nice as was the dog 827 Coupe, in fact, the Coupe did get some attention once when a chap in a BINI asked about it as we strolled into the Job Centre. Also, an Imam at my local mosque commented on what a nice car it was.

 

I'm sure the D-reg 820E will get some looks seeing as it looks (from a distance) straight out of 1987.

[Matt]

My MK2 and MK2F Polos got the odd comment from older chaps usually saying that they had one back in the day and how great they were. It was kind of a nice feeling really, I do miss it sometimes. One guy starting waxing lyrical about how all modern cars are crap and how the new Polos just rust away, I just nodded politely and drove off when the traffic light changed... The only car that I wouldn't own because of the attention would be a DeLorean, you just know what people are going to talk about constantly.

 

*Goes off to look for MK3 Golfs to paint like a clown car*

[Farmerpug]

I was suprised by how many times i get talked to when driving about in the 305, over here its usually people that have owned them in the past, generally most of them had vans, one man actually followed me into a carpark just to get a look round the S5 he owned a 1.6 the same colour as it. Havent had any negative reactions to the 305 thankfully. they were well liked over here back in their day especially the van. 

[scruff]

I have had all sorts but mostly positive and friendly. A couple of know it alls tried telling me the history of Land Rover at length (virtually every detail was wrong but I just nodded... those sorts of people). One bloke in Stamford got quite pushy trying to buy it. It kind of blends in around here though it is the oldest one I know of locally in regular use, certainly daily use. 

In summer with the roof off and screen down it gets loads of looks - totally know what you mean Jonny about those lingering looks from "normals"

 

[theorganist]

I was always surprised by how little people noticed my Allegro's considering the slating they often get particularly by Mr Clarkson. The Maxi's had a lot of attention including one day when I had drove the matt Black one to work and some workmen came to the door and started quizzing my boss about it!

 

The Princess gets lots of attention especially in car parks and on the motorway. the Talbot also gets quite a lot of attention although due to the missing badges (soon to be put right) they are confused as to what it is?

 

The Renault 14 was the best as it looked so tatty people would stare at is as if to say how does that function. It certainly got the attention two very puzzled looking police officers at a set of traffic lights once. 

 

I used to be quite embarrassed driving cars that were so noticeable but I think people enjoy seeing them still on the road even if most say "I couldn't drive a car without power steering" when I suggest getting a old car!

[oman5]

The limited attention I've had in the Allegro has, to my surprise, been only positive, with the usual "my dad used to have one of those/bloody hell, an all-aggro, haven't seen one of those for years, etc.

What does piss me off is those who have to tell me about how it's more aerodynamic going backwards. Like I've never heard it before. And everyone is disappointed that it hasn't got a square steering wheel.

[Lankytim]

Don't you have an Allegro estate though?

[trigger]

My Cortina is a bit of a nightmare, I'm always getting waves and thumbs up, even from passing policeman, a trip to the petrol station is normally a drawn out affair with people coming over to take photos and telling me how they used to own one or how they had one as a first car or even used to shag their girlfriend in one.

 

On the other hand the Civic might as well be invisible, I rarely get a second glance in it, even when parked at a car show.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

no-one ever says owt about any of my old shit

[Albert Ross]

<<< I drive this nail every day, for everything. Those that commute near me hate it. It's slow, vague, and smoke like a cunt. If I'm on a pleasure drive, that's a party of one that's deriving pleasure from it being on the road. Actually two... The Mrs is happy I'm out of her hair etc.... I rarely park anywhere other than the works car park or near Morrisons cashpoint.  When I go to shows it gets nominated for a few trophies, like best rat, least likely to make it home, WTF is that thing, etc. It doesn't win a thing, which is good, because I couldn't be arsed to collect it.  Here's a picture of me on one of my jaunts. Note: I travel alone. The passenger seat is normally covered in all sorts of crap.

[lisbon_road]

I get plenty of interest in the Vauxhall Viva.  People used to be split into two camps: 50% saying, 'I had one of them - best car I ever had', and 50% saying 'I had one of them, worst car I ever had.'  And never anyone indifferent.  But now no-one knows what it is!  Shows the car and I are getting old.

 

My Mk3 Astra had its first admiring comment recently.

[cort16]

no-one ever says owt about any of my old shit

Not to your face

[Partridge]

I'm suprised at how many looks the Rover gets, and a few smiles too. I suppose it's a shape you don't see anymore, and it's hardly a common car.

[derskine]

Cortina gets big time attention, because it's a rare car everyone knows, and it's paint job isn't exactly subtle.

Most times when filling up with petrol people come and talk to me, quite a lot of people also look when filling it up as the filler is on the rear panel.

I even got the thumbs up from two police officers armed with a radar gun on the way back from Scottish Ford day.

 

The Renault also gets a fair bit of attention, most people don't know what it is so most of the looks are confused ones.

Today I was at a local engineering shop and a guy said "Fuck me a Renault 18", and also today, I was at a garage getting tyres fitted and some guy asked if it was a Renault 11.

I don't think it's always viewed positively though, sometimes people look offended!

[HMC]

Re the Bluebird from a young girl at work- " its awful, If it were mine I'd drive it into a wall"

 

Maybe thats how the whole bluebird/banger thing got going?

[wuvvum]

I get varying reactions depending on what I'm driving.  The Rover of Doom gets anything from mild pity (usually when I pull into a supermarket car park) to seething rage (generally from modern VAG drivers who I've just overtaken / beaten away from the lights).  The Mondeo is the epitome of automotive anonymity and gets no reaction at all.  The Innocenti turns surprisingly few heads seeing as it's the only '90s example in the country - but then I suppose it is a bit bland-looking really.  The MG gets plenty of stares, but I've not yet been able to decode quite what the starers are thinking. Once the weather warms up and the Tartan-red-and-wire-wheels brigade start to get their cars out of hibernation I'm hoping for some slightly stronger reactions.

[chaseracer]

The Dyane once got a standing ovation from the good people of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain.  Something to do with the bonnet being painted as the Welsh flag... 

[brickwall]

"Yeah,the boxy ones are best", "Are you selling it?" or similar comments about the RR.

 

Metro GTa: "Is it actually any good? I mean for a Metro...it is a metro, yes?"

 

SIIa: "How old is it?",   "They don't make 'em like that anymore"   as so on.

 

Everything else was kinda boring and mundane - on purpose you understand

[wuvvum]

Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain

Did your cat just sit on your keyboard?

[dugong]

The barometer for unusual comments on all things automotive is Stockport, a special kind of special in any context you wish to place it in. I don't like Stockport and it doesn't like me.

 

Made the mistake of going for a pint in the Amazon a while back and parking near the old market. It was so long ago I was still working at the Marks n' Sparks call centre so my patience for Johnny Public was not where it is nowadays.

 

I was aware of an arse on a sports bike riding oddly behind. He'd followed me up into the few spaces available. This being Stockport, I knew a forthright opinion or such was mere seconds away - ranging from 'I wish to talk about your car (dick 'ead)' to 'There's an 'a' in the name of the day and you looked at me unintentionally I'm going to scream abuse then kick the shite out of you for no reason at all (dick 'ead).'

 

I remember his bike being deafeaningly loud as he pulled up alongside, and sure enough, his visor came up and he began shouting something over the drone of two unsilenced race cans.

 

'OW MUCH IS THAH WORRF? 'OW MUCH?'

 

Me: Dunno (we'd pulled up by this stage and I was getting out).

 

'YOU MUST 'AVE SUM IDEOH' (he was in my face yelling at this point even though he'd turned his bike off and had stood it on the centre stand).

 

Me: More than a knackered Suzuki Bandit with a fucked exhaust?

 

'FUCK OFF DICK 'EAD (yay), DAT EGZORTS WHERF TOO GRAND'', Mr. SK1 bellows.

 

Taking his phone out, he clicks off a picture of me and the car before wandering off swearing to himself in that endearingly passive aggressive tone condusive to a Mancunian night out.

 

Nice to meet you as well, mate.

 

I moved the Volvo when he went round the corner and took a different route to the pub. I may be without many things in Cambridgeshire, but I won't forget the charm and sophistication of my fellow Northerners - ever.

[chaseracer]

Did your cat just sit on your keyboard?

 

 

 

No, but Tiddles loves it when I need to refer to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch... 

[dugong]

The pub expert reactions to my first Piazza usually raised a smie.

 

I got chapter and verse on the suitability of the back axles to hot up Chevettes and Manta As one night from a bloke who clocked it at a pub meet car show - all the greats such as 'the LSDs drop straight in (wrong)', the gear ratios and final drive suit Chevettes and Mantas (wrong) and 'the pick up points are the same' (wrong).

 

He went on to tell me that it had an engine from an M100 Elan (wrong) and that it was a rejected design for the MkII Scirocco Isuzu purchased from VW (wrong). He wasn't interested on whether or not these facts were accurate, he just wanted to talk at me unabated .

 

Several Dubbers were keen on telling me that last factoid and insisted I was mistaken. When I told them otherwise, things getting quite heated. Had a couple of comedians swear blind it was a 'Scirocco with a bodykit' and 'a fucking DeLorean' on more than one occasion, too.

[Lacquer Peel]

I don't think a Piazza looks that much like a Scirocco.

 

Dubbers seem to have this idea that VAG are automotive visionaries, and everything they produce is the greatest, even if it's a Mk4 Golf.

"FUCKIN HELL LADS, DAMPED GRAB HANDLES!" and practically the same engines and suspension as a 1974 Golf.

[dugong]

I don't think a Piazza looks that much like a Scirocco.

 

Dubbers seem to have this idea that VAG are automotive visionaries, and everything they produce is the greatest, even if it's a Mk4 Golf.

I think you're right. Woe betide anyone who goes against the Wolfsburg doctrine, even it is underwhelming nonsense. Of all the disinformation surrounding the Piazza, the origin of its shape is the most persistent. I think it stemmed from a 1986 CAR roadtest which mentioned it and the 'forthcoming Scirocco' in the same sentence.

 

Piazzas sort of look like MKII Sciroccos side on, but the frontal aspect's more like a cuboid Iso Lele mash up. The back end is a complete mess which at least has the distinction of looking like no other car (unless you're a paid up Dubber).

[messerschmitt owner]

you can't be shy when you drive a bubble car!

[dugong]

you can't be shy when you drive a bubble car!

Fred T certainly wasn't (sorry).