Add us to your favorite social media
Aggressive Design
  • Articles
  • Shop
  • The Story
  • Contact

They Called My Dad's Car a Shit Box.

12/23/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Everyone gets into the car world for different reasons.  I got into automotive because of my grandfather.  You could say that movies like Smokey and the Bandit threw gasoline on the fire, but the reality is sitting in my grandfather's shop with his garage full of cars hearing things like "the first fully loaded car" meant that I was always being introduced to cool automotive things. So when I purchased my first car I wanted to remember him and although it wasn't a car he owned, it was still dedicated to him.   

Every day all around the world gear heads purchase vehicles, whether they are old or new, and secretly dedicate them to their hero.  It may be their first car or they may have a vision that reminds them of their hero or their mentor or it may actually be the vehicle their mentor owned, and here's a chance to relive that perfect childhood vision.  They finally have set out on their own and they want to make that person proud. 

Now imagine they drive up to the first meet and the criticisms fly.  It's not fast or it just doesn't make the grade or it's just a rusty old shitbox and those slinging the insults don't understand what they're saying is taking a toll that they don't realize.  They're not calling that car a "shit box" they're calling that person's dreams, their memories, their vision, the dedication, they're calling that mentor a piece of shit.  

What will this person do?  Will they get callous and just hate everyone else like they were hated?  Will they take their vision and hide it away in a garage somewhere to just disappear?  Will they blast back by becoming even more flamboyant and just get negative attention because that's all the attention they can get and yell back just as hard?  Nobody really knows.  It's up to the person that receives the jeer as to how they'll deal with it, but you can be assured it won't be good. 

For people like me who live the car world and really don't have the option to give it up we tend to become passive about the community, experiencing it from the outside instead of being a part of it.  It took me awhile to realize that the criticism is just part of the gig that is fame and you take the good with the bad.  Thankfully I met people that were genuine and appreciate me, my vehicle, and were genuinely interested in the history that got me to purchase a slow old car. 

I get it though, you can't like every car at the car show.  You never will and it's unfair to ask you to.  What I am asking is you find something to appreciate.  One good thing to focus on.  Get to know the owner and hear the history of what got them where they are and you'll always find there's someone, just like you, that got them into cars and they'll undoubtedly want to know your story too, which is what this is all about.  It's why they're taking time out of their schedule to sit and share a parking lot with you and all they ask is you be cordial and hopefully friendly.  If you can't do that then just say, "those cars aren't for me" and remove the derogatory comment you're considering and move along.  The character you save just may be your own. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Allen "Primo" Harris

    Allen has contributed to HINCity, prolific writer, exotic car event organizer and current Automotive Marketer tthrough articles and videos.  His focus is on helping people in the automotive community improve their results and through this provide a better experience for everyone. 

    Archives

    May 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.