Things people say when windows are rolled down

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by palallin

Where do you some of you guys live that people cuss at you for driving an old truck? I have yet to hear a negative comment about mine, and it's in much worse shape than most.

One of my younger brothers was filling up his '62 C10 that he had done a frame-off restoration on. Some gal with a Hybrid was giving him guff at the pump for using too much gas. He thanked her for saving fuel for him to use. You can't jab a member of our family without getting a barb back, nope.

[nikwho]

I always drive my old trucks with the windows down. As said earlier in this thread, it drives me nuts to have them up. Anyhow, recently I came out of the grocery store to see a crowd of 20-25 people gathered around my '59. At first I thought that something was wrong, but realized that about 50 yards away was a tour bus stopped in the same parking lot. There was a large group of Asian tourists gathered around the truck, posing for pictures! They were trading cameras, and swapping photographers. It was fun to see the group enjoying the truck. I didn't approach right away, as I wanted to let them finish taking pictures. I loitered half way to my truck for a minute or so and they all headed back to the tour bus. I put my grocery bags in the back, rolled the windows down and fired the truck up. I got a lot of smiles and peace signs. They sure got a kick of the the '59!

I get TONS of looks, smiles, thumbs up and compliments about both old trucks at stop lights and in traffic. Even a lot of pictures taken. And, the funny thing is that both of my trucks are pretty ugly, at least to me. I focus on fixing every little detail in an OCD way and get frustrated at the funky paint, but when I drive them, I realize that people don't only appreciate perfection. And, they don't see all of the IMperfection in my old trucks that I do. I have a newer truck thats great, but it has never given me the $hit eating grin that my old trucks do, every time I drive them!

[4carbcorvair]

I get the usual 'Nice truck!'. Usually gets attention whenever I'm out. The funny thing, assuming because it's a wrecker, I get a LOT of people who will let me out when trying to get into traffic. They stop and let me go.

[DT1]

My windows are never rolled down this time of year but I get a compliment or two almost every time I take it out, which is daily. Most all compliments start out with "Nice looking truck". The only appropriate reply I can give back is "Thank you very much" It's gotten so bad with me that if I go to a gas station and I don't get my daily compliment by the time I leave, I feel like turning around and topping off again.

[dmjlambert]

That's not the first time I've heard that type of story. I don't know what some people have against hearses. I think it's ridiculous. Dead people need to get around, too, and they ain't gonna drive themselves. Some kind of discrimination...

[HO455]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

That's not the first time I've heard that type of story. I don't know what some people have against hearses. I think it's ridiculous. Dead people need to get around, too, and they ain't gonna drive themselves. Some kind of discrimination...

[toms68cst]

I get a lot of "Nice truck" comments and questions as to its year. One time last year a motorcyclist give me a huge wave out of the blue.

It seems I don't see as many 67-72's out and about as I used to 10 or even 5 years ago. It's fun to wave at other 67-72's or other old chevy trucks you see on the road.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by toms68cst

It's fun to wave at other 67-72's or other old chevy trucks you see on the road.

It the south it gets exhausting. In the old truck I have to wave at the other old trucks (and since its lowered the hot rods and muscle cars too). In the corvette I have to give other corvettes the wave (I didnt know that was a thing but it is, jeeps too my Brother tells me).

In the big truck there are some more specific rules. On a rural two lane you can wave to another driver (optional and more expected the further out from a city you are). On the big road you usually give a wave or nod to a rig you are passing or one passing you (same direction of travel but not to any oncoming). In a parking lot you have to give a slight wave or nod but usually not in a truckstop unless to a truck of the same model or company as yours.

In my late model silverado a lot of the other pickup guys will wave but only in very rural areas. SC especially. I'll usually just lift a couple fingers off the rim of the steering wheel so I will return a wave but not look stupid if they don't. Maybe I'm just stretching my hand, who knows for sure.

At least the harley is gone so I don't have to worry about other bikes anymore, although they will often wave at the old truck too. This is going to be tough to teach to my kid when he starts driving.

[toms68cst]

BTW, DT1, That is one of the nicest pictures of our trucks I have ever seen! Stunning!

[special-K]

I was headed to a job up on the mountain in PA in my '72 with ladders and gear up on the racks. On Menzler Gap Rd I passed a red mid-80s C30 dump truck and we waved at each other. Just a couple old GMs gettin' the job done.

[Overdriven]

My open window story is a bit weird. I’m at home just sitting down to eat dinner when I hear someone say “hello”. My windows are open, tv on, so I start looking out the front windows to see if anyone is at the front door. Then I hear “hello” again, this time I can clearly tell coming it’s from the back door and some guy is walking up to my back door which is open, screen door closed. Sprinkle expletives into “what are you doing in my backyard?” “Uh, you want to sell that truck?” “No” Guy just stands there with a shocked look on his face. I don’t know if he was shocked that I was pissed he was in my backyard or that I wouldn’t entertain selling the truck to him. I’m getting more pissed this guy is still standing there and not moving though so, sprinkle some more expletives into “now get out of my backyard and off my property”. He spoke like he didn’t have brain damage but it still took longer than most to figure out he should walk away but he finally did.

When I have the truck out it’s mostly ignored around here. Old guys and little kids like it, some of their moms are afraid of it and it’s Mother Nature perfected finish. Perfect!

[Red71gmc]

Originally Posted by Overdriven

My open window story is a bit weird. I’m at home just sitting down to eat dinner when I hear someone say “hello”. My windows are open, tv on, so I start looking out the front windows to see if anyone is at the front door. Then I hear “hello” again, this time I can clearly tell coming it’s from the back door and some guy is walking up to my back door which is open, screen door closed. Sprinkle expletives into “what are you doing in my backyard?” “Uh, you want to sell that truck?” “No” Guy just stands there with a shocked look on his face. I don’t know if he was shocked that I was pissed he was in my backyard or that I wouldn’t entertain selling the truck to him. I’m getting more pissed this guy is still standing there and not moving though so, sprinkle some more expletives into “now get out of my backyard and off my property”. He spoke like he didn’t have brain damage but it still took longer than most to figure out he should walk away but he finally did.

When I have the truck out it’s mostly ignored around here. Old guys and little kids like it, some of their moms are afraid of it and it’s Mother Nature perfected finish. Perfect!

I've had plenty of those kind of experiences but with other things. I thought it was just a country thing at the farm. I have people walking in places that are obviously private and not even safe for the public. When confronted I think they expect me to offer them a glass of home squeezed lemonade.

[special-K]

In really rural areas everybody waves no matter what they are driving or if you are driving by their house. The way to tell city people is they don't wave, nod, or lift a finger.

[Canuckvetter]

Originally Posted by special-K

In really rural areas everybody waves no matter what they are driving or if you are driving by their house. The way to tell city people is they don't wave, nod, or lift a finger.

So true where I’m from lol. I wave to anybody on our road. 35 yrs of owning a corvette it’s part of the code to wave. I always nod or lift a finger to any car/truck pre 1975. Sometimes I wave very enthusiastically and smile just to see the expression on a strangers face lol. Sometimes I get a friendly wave back or “who the F was that”.

[toms68cst]

Many years ago when I first started driving some of the less traveled roads of North Dakota a lot, I noticed random people waving at me. It took me aback at first being from New England!

[68SWB4x4]

Two guys in a jacked up super duty told me to do a burnout very enthusiastically.

I found it funny as my suburban is a very stock looking lifted 4x4 not exactly a muscle car.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by 68SWB4x4

Two guys in a jacked up super duty told me to do a burnout Beth enthusiastically.

I remember Burnout Beth. She was always enthusiastic!

[68SWB4x4]

Originally Posted by HO455

I remember Burnout Beth. She was always enthusiastic!

hahaha auto correct on my phone...

good ole Burnout Beth

[YBNORML]

I'm used to getting comments when out cruising in the Blazer. Most of the times they are positive. but this past friday I wanted to get out and have a not so friendly conversation.

My son and I were on our way to a local cruise night, this guy pulls up beside us in a very beat up Buick Century. Tells me "your truck sounds good, too bad you ruined it" I was a little surprised. I'm used to the odd comment about the fact that I lowered the truck but nothing usually so bold. But, since my boy was with me, all I did was tell him " At least its not a Buick" and drove away.

Kaleb later told me he was surprised that I was so polite. I just told him that the guy was jealous and wasn't worth the effort of getting pissed at him.

[CUDA8U]

i had a guy pull up beside my 1970 challenger IN AN 80 CAMARO ,its a 512 stroker with 550-600 hp and 600plus tq. He says your car is too loud and sounds like its going to stall out,maybe get a tune up on that SLOPAR!!! He ate rubber and choked on smoke as i laid down a 120' of stripes for him,he finally came out the cloud of smoke and i was a 1/2 mile up the road,after a few lights he reappeared beside and wouldn't even look over.My wife said she was waiting for him to roll down his window to ask how he liked the SLOPAR now,she laughed

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by CUDA8U

i had a guy pull up beside my 1970 challenger IN AN 80 CAMARO ,its a 512 stroker with 550-600 hp and 600plus tq. He says your car is too loud and sounds like its going to stall out,maybe get a tune up on that SLOPAR!!! He ate rubber and choked on smoke as i laid down a 120' of stripes for him,he finally came out the cloud of smoke and i was a 1/2 mile up the road,after a few lights he reappeared beside and wouldn't even look over.My wife said she was waiting for him to roll down his window to ask how he liked the SLOPAR now,she laughed

I'm not a MOPAR guy, but I can appreciate a kill story when I see one!

[Red71gmc]

I got another "nice truck" today in a small parking lot when I was getting out. With other things when strangers are being nice I usually respond kindly with maybe a sentence or two.
When its about the truck, I have learned to stop and have a dialog. They want to ask questions and talk about one they had back in the day. It's a nice break from daily duties and demands. Two strangers get to have a little better day and there is nothing wrong with that.

[CUDA8U]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I'm not a MOPAR guy, but I can appreciate a kill story when I see one!

this guy has a story for his buddies now!!! The challenger has a custom grind hughes cam and 3" x-pipe exhaust with 10" race bullets,its crazy loud and has a nasty idle.With 512 cubes there isn't many who can stay beside it.It's topped off with dual quads (whichI hate) soon will be a sniper efi because I know I'm leaving a min of 50hp on the table with that set up.It's running a 10.5-1 ratio,aluminum eddy heads,its been race balanced/rollered so it screams to 6000rpm easily .My buddies say they can hear me all the way home and I live 4 miles out on an acreage

[projectking]

Originally Posted by CUDA8U

this guy has a story for his buddies now!!! The challenger has a custom grind hughes cam and 3" x-pipe exhaust with 10" race bullets,its crazy loud and has a nasty idle.With 512 cubes there isn't many who can stay beside it.It's topped off with dual quads (whichI hate) soon will be a sniper efi because I know I'm leaving a min of 50hp on the table with that set up.It's running a 10.5-1 ratio,aluminum eddy heads,its been race balanced/rollered so it screams to 6000rpm easily .My buddies say they can hear me all the way home and I live 4 miles out on an acreage

I’d love to try it with my little pump gas 347/C4 ‘90 coupe! 8 or so years ago I was on a popular cruise route on a Friday night, a strong sounding ‘70 Charger running race fuel pulls out and gets next to me with his wife and kid inside and they sort of smirked at my little Mustang. Light turned green and I left off idle and it looked like he was in reverse, didn’t even use the nitrous lol. I can appreciate all types of cars/trucks and don’t understand the negative people out there.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

Kaleb later told me he was surprised that I was so polite.

Isn't that a requirement to be our super polite northern neighbors?

Bill