Our Two Cents: Signs You’re Taking The Car Hobby Too Seriously
Passion is a double-edged sword. It lets us create things that others can appreciate, but sometimes it takes us so far down a wormhole that we no longer know what direction is up. Perhaps you have been lucky enough to fall in said wormhole, climb your way out, and live to tell the tale. Or perhaps you never fell down in the first place?
No matter what corner of this hobby you find yourself in, odds are you have a thought or two about taking this scene too seriously for your own good. That’s what I figured, anyway, when asking this question to members of Hagerty Media, and the team did not disappoint. Here are their replies:
Hoarding
“Parts hoarding. Bonus points if you have parts lying around for cars you don’t own. I recently found a set of polyurethane diff bushings meant for a Miata I sold years ago. I haven’t got rid of them yet because I might want another Miata someday.” – Chris Stark
The Forest vs. The Trees
“I know I am getting too serious when I lose sight of the bigger picture and get caught up in what I am doing in the moment. Whether it’s old cars, amateur racing, or any other facet of the car hobby, attitude can be almost everything.
I just had a really frustrating weekend at Mid-Ohio, chasing my go kart’s engine issues. I was miles off my pace from last year. My initial anger told me that having fun shouldn’t be such work. Then I took stock: I am at the track, doing what I love. Yes, there was no way I’d set a PR with a hobbled engine, but the thrill of correcting oversteer in a kart at 80 mph and wrenching under a tent on a beautiful day are a lot better than the alternative.” – Eddy Eckart
Look But Don’t Touch
“Signs that say ‘Don’t touch me, I’m not that kind of car’ and the like. It’s a car. You might as well put a sign on it that says ‘Go away,’ or ‘I hate people.’ If you’re that worried about it, don’t take it out of the garage. Kids experience the world in part by touching, and fingerprints are just that, fingerprints. They wipe off. Accidents happen at car shows, prams and bikes sometimes touch metal, a sign won’t stop that.
I saw a ‘don’t touch’ sign on a WW2 Jeep in Normandy last month. Really? It’s a military vehicle with a renowned reputation for toughness and being filthy, and you’re worried about some kid fondling the bumper? As far as I’m concerned, a ‘don’t touch’ sign is quite literally a sign that you are taking it all much too seriously.” – Aaron Robinson
“I’ll have to agree with Aaron’s response. I’d like to add one thing: When you talk to the guy (usually a guy) who owns a classic car and they nonchalantly mention in conversation how the car is their baby. Their wife or kids aren’t allowed to touch the car (I suspect these are the same folks who wonder why younger people don’t seem interested in cars). When you’re prioritizing the car over your spouse or family, then something has gone seriously wrong with your priorities.” – Greg Ingold
All Work And No Play?
“For me is when you spend more time working on them than actually driving them. Unless you’re restoring a low mile museum piece, they need to be enjoyed and driven, even if they may break down 2 miles from the garage.” – Sajeev Mehta
Closed Minds
“I get annoyed any time I hear somebody say something like, ‘I don’t understand why anyone would like that car.’ Maybe it irks me because I like so many weird vehicles that most people don’t care for. But thinking your opinion on cars is the be-all, end-all for what is ‘cool’ or ‘collectible’ or ‘interesting’ is peak taking it too seriously.
People like what they like, who cares what you think? Enjoy the fact that they’re into cars and move on with your life.” – Ben Woodworth
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You forgot “Only talks about what the car is worth” and “Never shuts up about what a similar car sold for at auction”
Hoarding depends on what you hoard. Some items it is smart to hold more than one if they are rare. This way you can fix your car our a buddies.
No touch. Well having a black car and seen people with kids that are not taught to keep their hands to them selves. I have had to correct paint due to damage these kids inflict. I have seen women sit on cars to get a photo. Great if you have a Camaro but if you have a 421 SD Catalina with aluminum front clip it could be devastating.
Nothing wrong with work if it keeps me in the garage and I love to do it.
I am open minded as much or more than most. But you always have limits.
I was at a car show a few years ago when I heard a commotion and looked up to see someone’s CHILD running his Matchbox car over the curves of a 1967 Corvette.Not just once but many time before his FATHER told him very nonchalantly oh now son you shouldn’t do that and just walked away like it was no big deal.I personally looked at the damage and the scratches were significant.What came about after,I have no idea but from experience the paint job on my 70 Corvette 20 years ago was $10,000 and that 67 was beautiful.Sometimes signs are essential for stupid. Just sayin!!
One thing that I was guilty of in the past, but I have grown out of is the “competitiveness” at a car show and only being concerned with how you place in the show or comparing how your car is better than someone else’s. I like to take my car to shows when I can, and I think I have more fun looking at all the cars and talking with the owners rather than bringing home a trophy.
I agree. Sharing stories and enjoying. We all have a reason why we own what we do.
Cars are the topic. The stories about why we own and what we have experienced with them is the fun. When I go through a salvage yard it is fun to dream about all the things that went on and story of each one of those cars out there.
Thanks for all the comments.
quick question. what does this mean, prams?
Accidents happen at car shows, prams and bikes sometimes touch metal, a sign won’t stop that.
BTW i love the pinto cruising wagon!!!
A pram is a baby stroller by a different name. One of those example of different parts of the world calling the same object different names.
I don’t care for the look don’t touch signs. I do wonder if anyone thinks positively about those signs who came to visit the show. I don’t touch other peoples cars and most I know don’t and no sign is going to affect that. Some people have no sense and are likely not reading the signs anyway.
Only one I could be guilty of is the hoarding. It’s just a few boxes of stuff, is that OK? For example, I have the lug nuts caps from my old SAAB Viggen and just can’t toss them.
I enjoyed all of the comments. I’m in the backyard with my German Shepherd. Those comments responding to the subject “When a car enthusiasts has cross the line” brought great joy and laughter to me. Thanks you very much. Be safe and enjoy your day. James
So I get it. Nobody wants their ride scratched, dented, puked on, etc., and there are good reasons that folks have those signs (I don’t see anyone fender-humping the Ridler Award cars in Detroit). But here’s the thing. I took my ‘66 Mustang convertible to the grocery store to pick up a few things, and in the parking lot, this woman in her late 70’s came over to look at the car and said to me “I used to drive this exact car when I was a girl”. I just handed her the keys and let her take a few spins around the parking lot. Watching the age vanish from her face as she steered the car in broad circles around the lot was worth more than the whole car.
In the “Look, Don’t Touch” category, it is not an obsession to NOT want people who have an “it’s just a car” mentality when the cost to correct THEIR indiscretion can amount to a sizable investment of time and money to correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say “LOOK & DON’T TOUCH” without asking!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s interesting to read these comments about car shows.
I park my British car with the other Brits and we keep an eye on each other’s cars. It gives us a chance to walk around and look and talk to owners about the other interesting cars.
In 25 or so years, I’ve never had a problem with visitors disrespecting the car. If I see a kid that seems interested, I invite them to sit in the car (with Dad’s permission) and they really light up. Fun!
A couple observations. I have shown my cars at the Pittsburgh Vintage GP for many years. Never won anything as there are pristine examples of automotive art from every domestic and foreign automaker.
I own two Miatas. My 92 is in good shape with 105,000 miles. Want to touch it? Go ahead. In fact I have allowed several people to learn to drive stick with it.
My 1995 Miata has “patina”.
I bought it to drive it and autocross on weekends. She’s definitely not a garage queen.
And again, you want to drive it? Here are the keys.
It surprises me that so many have the attitude of look but don’t touch.
Driving the car under normal conditions can do as much damage with rock chips and other debris.
For me cars are meant to be driven. It’s why I own them and why I’ve taught my sons to drive stick. Life’s too short to get caught up in stuff that after I die won’t matter.
We got our 53 356 back in fall of 2022 and did a few shows in 23 between gremlin fixes and have started anew this year. I can’t agree more that the don’t touch people need to get real. It never fails that when somebody in a nearby car sees my wife stick a kid (of all ages ) in the car so they can get some of the experience they freak.
We were at a show yesterday and parked next to an absolutely new (11Miles) 57 Chev restomod that was stunning. The shop brought it to deliver to the owner and we had fun talking to both the shop owner and car owner the only thing I heard negative was a litany of the Foose/Cragar wheels were all wrong. Gorgeous and his choice just like it was our choice to blow large buck on returning the 356 to original Radium Green paint.
And because we live in the land of Detroit iron we go home hoarse from explaining our car .
I most love talking to people who are genuinely curious about things not created by the big three (plus AMC).
People should know better than to touch something that isn’t theirs without asking. If they have the “it’s just a car” mentality, then they still shouldn’t treat someone else’s car like it doesn’t matter. Look and don’t touch without asking. Don’t sit on someone else’s car, even if it’s a 2019 Kia.
…and PS, I drive all my cars, and I let kids sit in them if they are interested.