Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22840 Location: UK

One thing that drives me potty is people messing about with your car, without asking first.

As mentioned I took the truck out last night. I knew that someone interested in Dodges would be attending, he usually does. Returning back to the field from the pub I noticed he had the bonnet up, and was draped over the front wing, peering inside. This drives me nuts - as the wings are quite deep, it's a fair stretch to see inside the engine bay. I always chuck some clean blankets over the wing before doing it myself, and I remove my belt as it has a pronounced buckle on it which might damage the paint. He was just slouched over it, the wing taking his weight, while he peered in, pint in hand. Fortunately he didn't have a watch or wedding ring on, and he's too short (fortunately) for his trouser belt to do any paint damage.

Why do people think that because a vehicle is on show, they can lift the bonnet, open doors etc without asking first. Grrrrrrrrrr.

When the truck went to Race Retro for a few days in 2011, one morning I noticed that someone had been clambering over the steps in muddy shoes, scratching the brand new paint. Also a Grrrrrrrrr moment.

RJ
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colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

I'm on your side with that one Rick although your "friend" does seem to be at the extreme end of the range of folk who take a liberty. With a pint in his hand he must be old enough to know better. I guess it's just an indication of his general attitude to things as much as his not having empathy with the care you take with your car.

I often see people from afar as I return to my car in Tesco's car park. It's interesting that they feel entitled to rub the headlights, feel the hood material, put a foot hard on the running board and generally put their head in the back to look it over.

Obviously I am attracted to old cars, but I make an almost theatrical performance of giving it a metre or so's berth mainly to make sure I am not winding the poor owner up.

JohnDale · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 3:44 pm Post subject:

I hope you booted his southern aspect & spilled his pint. I do find that doors need to be locked at shows now or you come back to a car full of kids with the proud parents beaming on - beaming smile usually disappears after a few well chosen words - sign of the times = no respect for others property.
Cheers,JD.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22840 Location: UK

Greg · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 445 Location: Dreamland Margate

Yes, I've witnessed this type of thing before. ..people taking it upon themselves to open the bonnet!!!!.....I do find this unbelievable.....what would they say if we were to just open the door to their house and look around?
.......don't get me started Wink

kevin2306 · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 6:02 pm Post subject:

when we were down in beaulieu a few months back (down there again on sunday for 2 lovely weeks) we called in the beaulieu garage. they always have a lovely selection of classic for sale.
there was a japanese couple there, the man was taking pictures of his wife who was draping herself over the various cars, opening doors, sitting in them etc, best (worst) part was when she decoded to sit on the bonnet of an e type!, made me feel quite sick thinking of the damage she could have been doing.

kev

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

We have found people sitting inside at shows and when asked if they would like us to maraud all over their (modern) car uninvited they are quite affronted or rude as they assumed being an exhibit it was their right.

We now lock them up when left alone but still find people handling them or with our Rover P2 allowing their unruly kids climb up on the running boards or hanging on the door handles or trying to pull out the trafficators.

They even try when we are sitting next to it
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D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Yet you must all enjoy it really or you wouldn't do it surely? Wink

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

Yet another reason why I rarely go to static shows.

ChrisD · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Location: South Wales

Blimey, this has never happened to me and I go to a fair number of shows in the locality!
I do often get back to one of my classics just parked on the streets to find people looking at it, but that's fine by me as we usually have a chat.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

I did two shows in my Peugeot D4B van last year, which is still mostly in
it's original scruffy scratched dented patina, and I was inviting people to
climb in.... they seemed to enjoy it

however it was probably the least shiny vehicle there and was definately the odd one out;
wont be doing any more ~ not really my thing Confused

Ellis · Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject:

When the restoration of the Mark 2 was completed in November 1996 I took it for a sixty mile gentle run to let things bed in and settle.

Inevitably I had to stop for fuel at a filling station on the North Wales coast which also sold used cars. I didn't lock the Mark 2 and proceeded to the shop to pay. I was there perhaps for five minutes or so waiting my turn and when I returned to the car the bonnet was open and the owner of the car lot was seated in the driver's seat feeling the wood trim. His salesman was actually underneath the Mark 2 having a good look.

He saw me approach and said " not bad, not bad....". The car really looked like new. I asked exactly what he thought he was doing. "Having a good look, I could move this on......"
"Not this one" I said.
"Pity it's not a three point eight, they were the ones....."
I then asked if he had a 3.8 of his own. "Nah!"

That said it all.
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Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2154 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Rootes75 · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject:

Luckily this type of thing has never happened to us. I do as a rule keep the doors locked and windows closed when we are not about at shows.
I must admit it can be a problem but I really don't like the 'keep off' signs that seem to be appearing on cars at shows.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22840 Location: UK

When I owned the Standard Companion, I took it to a local bash. After wandering around the show, we returned to the car to find various Standard owners - only one of whom I'd spoken to on one occasion - with the car's back door open, inspecting the inside, with all our picnic stuff, camera bag etc on view to all.

While I don't like the "Do not touch" sign any more than the next person, I understand why they appear and on the truck at least, I'll have a couple in evidence if it goes to a public show in future. I can't afford to have things damaged by people not being able to keep their sticky mitts to themselves.

RJ
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