Car shows: Unbelievable acts by attendees...

I had a heart attack when some kids with two pound necklaces hanging to their waist bend over to look inside letting the jewelry bang into the car. Makes you want to go postal!!

If the show admission is free for the spectators, be prepared for these types - they really just have NO clue.

A club show - Vegas, etc - or Concorso will not have this type of idiot in the group of participants or spectators.

You COULD have had her arrested for tampering with a vehicle.

Larry

quote:

You COULD have had her arrested for tampering with a vehicle.

If ignorance and stupidity were criminal, I would give her 20 years hard labor.

This woman was in her 60's. Doesn't that much life experience teach you anything?!?

I watched as a kid with a coke in his hand leaned in to look inside the Pantera and proceed to tip his cup and spill coke inside the car and down the outside of the door as he backed up. The parents just said to the kid ok lets go as they had just seen what had happened. No apology, no effort to try to clean up the mess (and no I would not want them to touch the car), and the worse thing is that they did not even say anything to the kid, not even be more careful. People just do not care!

presidents pet peeve...

stand by your car. Its only 1/2 a display if the owner isn't there to answer questions (and control the spectators).

cowboy from hell

Are her legs still in one piece? Or did you help the knee bend in the opposite direction that it was designed to?

quote:

Originally posted by RRS:
Are her legs still in one piece? Or did you help the knee bend in the opposite direction that it was designed to?

If it was a younger woman or a male, I probably would've raised my voice. However, being an older lady, it probably would've looked pretty bad had I gone off.

quote:

Originally posted by Cowboy from Hell:
stand by your car. Its only 1/2 a display if the owner isn't there to answer questions (and control the spectators).

I was about 20' away and the exhibitor next to me was seated between the cars, so she couldn't have known it was "unattended". I watched the entire incident, but it was one of those things that happens in slow motion as your brain is trying to register what's happening. There was no damage done, but the shock of seeing someone behave like this damaged my trust in other people. You can be certain I'll be standing next to the car like a hawk in the future.

I can't tell you how many thumb and elbow marks I've left on my fenders and hoods. Bugs and rocks slam into it at 140 mph. I've dropped my bike against it a dozen times. I've chunked every wheel on one thing or another. Every passenger drops the seatbelt onto the sill. I even drop my tools on the wing.

I don't know why, but I don't really worry about stuff like that.

Like my uncle used to say, "look at friends and bodywork with one eye closed." Looking too cloesely may cause you to give up your friends and stop driving your car.

Maybe because the paint and bodywork is all that remains original and is so "less than perfect" its the one thing I don't really get excited about.

Just don't put greasy fingers on my new interior!

To some segments of the the public, anything less than a rope surrounding a car on display can be an open invitation.

I inspected a car last year, the owner had done a bare metal restoration of the car. The body had been professionally smoothed, one of those flawlessly straight show car type jobs. You know, beautiful to look at. Then a professional paint job went on top. The car was gorgeous.

Except....there were two round tennis ball size dimples in the driver door where a spectator at a car show had leaned their knees against the door in order to lean their head in the window to look inside.

cowboy from hell

quote:

Originally posted by deeb:
Like my uncle used to say, "look at friends and bodywork with one eye closed." Looking too cloesely may cause you to give up your friends and stop driving your car.

I drive the car minimally in order to preserve its future value. I take it to shows to promote it in the event of a future sale. I would let any friend drive it if they asked. I would not expect a complete stranger to open the door of the car and step inside, uninvited.

quote:

Originally posted by Cowboy from Hell:
Except....there were two round tennis ball size dimples in the driver door where a spectator at a car show had leaned their knees against the door in order to lean their head in the window to look inside.

I would've puked...then beat the idiot with a tire iron.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Cowboy from Hell:
Except....there were two round tennis ball size dimples in the driver door where a spectator at a car show had leaned their knees against the door in order to lean their head in the window to look inside.


I would've puked...then beat the idiot with a tire iron.

I would of just politely asked for the persons name, address and insurance agent. And would of told them that I would be making a claim for damages and that if they did not like it, they could talk to the police.

quote:

Originally posted by CrazyDave:
[QUOTE]I would of just politely asked for the persons name, address and insurance agent. And would of told them that I would be making a claim for damages and that if they did not like it, they could talk to the police.

You're right. Then after I received their info I would've puked and beat them with a tire iron!

Well george, I love to look at such cars, but can only imagine the stress of owning such a perfect machine. It would be a very different experience and probably too much for me to handle.

Danny, as for future value, I will never get back the money I have invested in my Pant. Therefore my dividends are all in the thrill of the ride and the fun I have tinkering and learning what makes her go. And I guess I will continue this for as long as I can.

I also have some art and it all sits or hangs around the house where we can all enjoy it. I don't care if it appreciates in value - I appreciate looking at it and collecting it. I let the grandchildren grab it and hold it. It isn't hidden away in some climate controlled chamber.

So I guess it makes sense that I have always driven the crap out of my Panteras every chance I got. I've also let every kid in the neighborhood climb in the car and I have done this for 20 years.

It weird, though, that I stil avoid bumps in the road, wet spots that might splash my underside and I still race the rain home when it threatens.

But it's sorta nice letting people enjoy it instead of worrying about it.

And Dave, I have lots of insurance (more than I have invested) and expect those with perfect show cars do too. Poorly educated people with no respect for others peoples' property and hard work are everywhere. But a few dings on a car that is insured isn't cancer, just an inconvenience. I guess if it's more inconvenient to stay with and protect your baby at a show, watching it like a hawk every minute, then better to just keep it it under covers in the garage.

I think some people just don't understand, running around in their mini-vans & such, door dings, etc doesn't bother them. I suppose they figure the same here. A car show to them is just like going to the zoo for the day. Once at a Bellmont Shore car show here in CA, I saw a kid on a bike take a fall and his handle scraping the side door of a car with a $50K mirror finish paint job (at least it was a $50K paint job before the incident).

quote:

Originally posted by deeb:
And Dave, I have lots of insurance (more than I have invested) and expect those with perfect show cars do too. But a few dings on a car that is insured isn't cancer, just an inconvenience. I guess if it's more inconvenient to stay with and protect your baby at a show, watching it like a hawk every minute, then better to just keep it it under covers in the garage.

Well, I also have insurance and a few dings in my perfect paint will cause me to file a claim. I know the insurance company won't pay to re-paint the entire car, so I'll have to live with a car that is "spot-painted". Hopefully it will match, but most likely it won't. Then, I'll have to explain to potential buyers why the paint isn't perfect and probably accept less for the car than I wanted/needed. On top of that, my insurance rates will rise and/or I will be cancelled.

Inconvenience? No. It's much more than that. It's money out of my pocket.

I've got a garage full of "drivers". My Pantera isn't one of them...




Bottom line: People should learn to not touch crap that doesn't belong to them.

why is anyone surprised by this type of conduct, stupid people do stupid things, and actions have no consequences. personal responsibility-ha whats that?? the government will do it for me!!!!!

nazgul

Guys, not to dismiss the callous disregard for other peoples property, it's not the end of the world. As to insurance for a door ding, forget about it. Each ding is a separate "accident" claim, each subject to your deductible. And, if you are in a parking lot, the police won't do anything for you unless they happen to witness it. Even then they probably won't. And without a police report that shows the other person did it, forget about getting the other person's insurance to pay. Your only recourse is small claims court and then it's your word against theirs. Good luck there.

So what's a guy gonna do? As George says, watch your car but don't be afraid to enjoy the show and see the other cars. This is supposed to be fun. And when you do get a ding, in most cases, a good Paintless Dent Repair technician can work wonders. It doesn't involve going to a body shop, there is no bondo or paint, it can be done quickly so you don't have to leave your car, it pretty inexpensive, and when it's done well, the dent is gone. Just make sure the tech is good. ( References from used car lots or dealerships don't count. Think about it, would you accept a reference from a car salesman. I sure wouldn't and I'm in the business.)

Jeff (in the PDR business 15 years)
6559

You guys are freaking me out!
Im putting my car in a show here in Sydney next week!
There having an Italian Festival in Sydney and all Italian cars are on display.
All the money we raise goes to the childrens foundation for the local hospital.
No Im not sure if im doing the right thing....

I used to work on a multi million dollar private yacht. I cannot even count on all my fingers and toes hown many people had the gall to walk right up on the boat and start looking around and taking pictures. One drunk guy even crawled on board in the middle of the night and fell asleep in the cockpit. Makes you scratch your head. http://www.eliteyacht.com/galileo.htm

At least the drunk guy that fell asleep in the cockpit had good taste.....

Last August, just before leaving for Monterey, I managed to push up on my wiper motor splash shield too much and put a dent (bump?)in the top of my fender. After contemplating suicide but quickly realizing I was too much of a coward, I went to Plan 'B' and found a paintless dent repairman through the recommendation of the service department of the Monterey Mercedes dealership. The guy took me on very short notice, and did a fantastic job. So, if you are taking your car to the Concorso Italiano in August, jot down the following information just in case:

Tip Weiss
The Perfect Touch
Paintless Dent Repair
Monterey, CA
Work: 1 (831) 648-1542
E-Mail: Contact@Dentperfection.com
E-Mail: aircamphotography@yahoo.com

Years ago while driving the pantera, I went into a convenient store to purchase some beer. When I came out there was an older man sitting in the car holding on to the shifter knob making racing noises and grinning ear to ear. When I ask him what he was doing be didn't know what to say. told him I was pissed and if I ever caught him in my car again I would kill him! When I left the lot I did a big burnout. Go figure. some people have no respect for others property. If he would have ask me to sit in the car I would have let him.

quote:

Originally posted by george scott:
Years ago while driving the pantera, I went into a convenient store to purchase some beer. When I came out there was an older man sitting in the car holding on to the shifter knob making racing noises and grinning ear to ear. When I ask him what he was doing be didn't know what to say. told him I was pissed and if I ever caught him in my car again I would kill him! When I left the lot I did a big burnout. Go figure. some people have no respect for others property. If he would have ask me to sit in the car I would have let him.

Did you have to wipe the slobber and spittle off the inside of the windshield?

Nine months out of the year, here in Palmdale, there is The Fourth Saturday Car Cruise. It brings out all types of cars. I used to take my GN to it when I still owned it. Moms with baby carriages, kids with cokes, it made me a little nervous.
I haven't taken my Pantera to this event yet. My car is not a show piece. It has some dings and chips, but the paint is good and its a wonderful driver. The average person looks at it, and thinks its damn near perfect...a car nut looks at it..and sees flaws in the paint etc.
Having a "perfect" car is too much strain for me...I want to enjoy it...stick my foot in the gas and listen to the mechanical symphony!

I just paid to have a dent the size of a coffee plate pulled out of the top of my driver's side front fender.

It didn't happen at a show, but it is the same feeling. I see people take pictures of my car, but I never imagined anyone would actually molest it.

I'm not sure exactly what caused the dent, but the popular theory is...butt cheek.

R.

i got a big ol' dent from an SUV door last weekend. no note either. either 'they' noticed it and freaked out, or, probably, was on the cell phone and clueless as be.

either way, i'm stuck getting the paintless dent removal process underway. it's a driver car, not perfect but very nice, and i love driving it. hard.

but there's something about an anonymous dent that just bugs the crap outta me. i've been saying all day, "don't sweat the small stuff."

i have a wonderful family, and a PANTERA for crying out loud. i get to stay home with my kids every day. life could not be better.

ok, i'm done now.

thank you for the cathartic experience.

peace out.

--s

p.s. i can't believe george's story about that dude in his car. no way. that's just plain nuts! the funny thing about these cars, they're so intimidating, i figure they've got like this built in mess-with protection, as they're so high profile and whatnot. anyone who touches them or gets near them is in that moment clinically insane - it's that impressive. there's something that happens. i've been captivated by them for 25+ years, and have been driving one for almost a year now. there's sumptin goin' on here, with these vehicles, that just transcends the human experience.

except for the proverbial 'soccer moms'. for some reason they just don't see em'. LOL. i know you all know what i'm talkin about.

which, funny enough, brings me back to the subject of my post. that's who i suspect tagged my car in the parking lot.

Hey Skat, You dont think it was Britney do you??? Maybe the paparazi got pics of the vandal??
Jeff

that's funny you ask that.

i had the same exact thought.

this morning, just now, dropping my daughter off at school, i saw a woman flip a u-turn into traffic (this was in front of the school), causing everyone to stop for her. she accelerated at the point she should have stopped and done a 3 point turn, and missed a bumper by an inch or so.

pure luck. if it was skill, she would not have pulled out anyway.

don't think it was britney there tho, as k-fed has the kids this week.

forgot to specify: she did the u-turn from a parking spot against the right hand curb.

just launched out into traffic.

quote:

Danny, as for future value, I will never get back the money I have invested in my Pant. Therefore my dividends are all in the thrill of the ride and the fun I have tinkering and learning what makes her go. And I guess I will continue this for as long as I can.

...

So I guess it makes sense that I have always driven the crap out of my Panteras every chance I got. I've also let every kid in the neighborhood climb in the car and I have done this for 20 years.

Amen.

Michael

We were at a club meeting in Tempe,Az several years back. We look out the window and there is a college girl jumping back on the hood of one of the members Pantera. The room cleared as everyone in the meeting headed for the parking lot. This girl wanted to have a picture of her on the car. Since she was wearing jeans, as she slides down the hood she scrapes the hood with the rivets on the jeans. So now he has a dented and scratched hood on his beautiful painted Pantera. The girl and her friends are partially drunk and when he asks what in the "blank" she thought she was doing, she proceeds to cuss him out. He asks if she knows how much that it will cost to fix the damage, and she cusses him out and mouths off more. One of our members is a sheriff's deputy (and has an unmarked car at the meeting and his daughter is a dispatch operator for the Tempe police department) goes to his car and radios the Tempe police dept. and they show up and arrest the loud mouthed girl who is no longer cussing but crying now. The owner presses charges and wins a $3500 dollar settlement in court to get the damage repaired. Bet she doesn't jump on more cars!

Holy CRAP! I know guys that would be in JAIL while there car was being fixed. Talk about they are among us.

The owner restrained himself because it was a girl but her friend was saved by the prompt arrival of the police! He was seriously pissed! This owner was very meticulous in how he maintained his car.