The Cal-look Lounge

This subject could go in a lot of different directions, but I'll start this thread on one thing that bugs the hell out of me.  It fits in the category of automotive snobbery, chiefly among the American/muscle car set.  Guys that turn those nose up at anything that doesn't fit their particular article of taste, which includes VWs in the eyes of some muscle gurus.  I posted earlier about a machine shop that refused to work on my VW stuff for my 2017 build, didn't say no, but just refused to return my calls so basically turned me down without telling me so.
This is a shop that all the local V8 guys absolutely revere, I guess as they should since they're all into American iron, and my uncle does, as well, since he's done business with the guy on his own projects, mostly Chevy truck related.
My uncle incessantly gives me shit about being into "piece of shit German cars," and I never engage with him, as it's a battle that neither side will win... but it sure does wear thin at times.
I've got another uncle that builds hot rods and customs for a living, and the first mentioned uncle always talk about the insane amounts of horsepower that the cars put out... and it may well be true, I've seen some photos and some of the cars in person, even... but I never hear anything about 1/4 mile or even 1/8 mile performances... so my question is what's the point in having a show car with a big bad fire breather engine that never gets run or proves its performance? 
My uncle seems to be one of these types, obsessed with numbers but never for any other reason but to brag.  I at least show respect for whatever car I see or hear about... but it would sure be nice for the respect to be reciprocated.
That's kind of the part of some of the all-makes car shows that I find pointless... all these cars built with big bucks and it's only for show.
I'll always be a VW guy first and foremost, primarily because of the different quality of people you find in the scene... namely friendly as a rule and almost like a brotherhood of sorts... I want to laugh in the face of some of the 50 and 60-somethings that turn into a 12-year-old brat when you ask about their '30-something Ford  and you mention you're a Volkswagen guy.  Of course, they're not all like that, but the few that are really leave a bad taste in my mouth.

I was buying some random parts at the portland swap meet a few years ago when one of the old timers asked me what I am going to do with all my "new treasures"  I told him I am building a bug and he all but laughed at me.  Whatever Gomer Pyle.

I am not brand loyal but have a fasination with all things that utilize internal combustion.

That is why I have had muscle cars, my bug, and now a bonifide lowrider.  It has hydraulics and at one time had wire wheels on it.  But it was driven to mexico from where I live to have a Tijuana interior put into it.  No trailer.

Cars that run are way more fun than cars that get carted around like treasures and wiped with baby diapers...

Yeah, that's my thought... I should make it clear that I've met far more good people in the car circles that are down to earth and friendly and what not, and a little good natured ribbing goes with the territory... but people who are one-minded annoy the hell out of me.  Lol.  I like everything, VWs are my specialty, but I can barely afford to put a VW together let alone an American hot rod...;D

That's the sort of crap that starts in childhood... parents not raising their kids to have respect for other peoples' property.  I wholeheartedly agree.  I've seen people at car shows with absolutely zero sense of etiquette for other peoples' cars and property. 

I had a similar problem with a guy at a show last year .
Peppercorn vintage VW show in Kent , drove my 49 the 120 miles there , parked up just as I was putting the carb covers on this guy opens up the drivers door and sits his kid in the car to take a photo of him in it  >:(
Before i know what's going on the kids got his foot on the gas pedal and i nearly loose a finger in my linkage !
Not wanting to blow a fuse in front of the little guy , I ask the guy what the hell he thinks he's doing ,
"oh he says I didn't think it would be a problem"

 Another one of my favorites is Subaru obsessed guy's who think they have the quickest car in town ,
I love showing these numb nuts the footage of me in my car beating a WRX at shakey when i had a misfire  ;D

A lot of it comes right down to poor manners, overall...some people don't have a clue.

Ugh... kids at car shows are the worst...

Then there's the guys who don't know anything who talk like they do... like the guys that make up some inane BS story that VW contracted with Chevy to build Corvairs for awhile, in reference to Type 3 ghias...lol.

Along those same lines... I was racing my old '67 one evening at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix for a run what you brung Friday Night Drags. I'm in the staging lanes, decklid up, 44's sitting there wide open on top of my healthy 1600. I'm standing by the back end waiting to move forward, this guy starts looking at my engine and I shit you not, asks me if it's turbo'd, as he earlier saw my car make a decent pass (I was in the high 14's). I told him, "Sure, it's up the right front fender" I can't remember what else followed as I was completely blinded by his ignorance...

Lol...;D  Ranks right up there with "I knew a guy with one of these that had a PORSCHE in there..."   ::)

I hate bad attitudes.

Hehe.. no Fred, not you!
 ;D

My biggest pet peeve of all time is Washington drivers. If you've ever driven I-5 from Canada to So Cal, every asshole driver in the fast lane driving 10-20 mph under the speed limit, obliviously to the rest of the world, holding up traffic for hundreds of miles 99% of the time has a Washington state license plate. >:(

*****Washington Drivers, Stay the f@#k out of the fast lane******

I was just over visiting family overnight yesterday and into today... My uncle basically said that he's not terribly concerned with what numbers a particular car/hot rod whatever will turn at the dragstrip... he basically seems to be more impressed with overpowered street rods that can raise hell on the street, even though the streets are by no means a legal venue... I told him about the local car club's '62 Impala here in Lakeview that runs 8.50s int he 1/8 mile (the car has run 12's in the quarter), and he said "Well, that's only 16 something in the 1/4..."  I had to explain it's not a x2 factor in converting the 1/8 mile figure to 1/4 mile...ha ha.

With some folks it's all about numbers... the bigger is better, no matter what, even if there's no time slips to prove it's true capabilities.  Myself, I'm all about the drag strip... there' s no bullshit in timeslips.  :D

In 92' I crossed into Washington state from Oregon with this rig wondering "why are they all driving so slow?".   Saving money on gas, I suppose.

Hey, that photo shows one of my pet peeves - tailgaters! :D