Re: IML: Gawkers and Ego and Peeves

I am certain that you are right, but I want to add that these days I generally drive my Imperials because I have to in order to keep them running right. I have an FMC '40s car that I enjoy driving, and do so purely for that reason. It isn't restored, and I am constantly being criticized by almost everyone who sees me that "you really should have it painted", or "what are you going to do about that broken windshield?", or "are you trying to live in the past???". The last one always cracks me up.

All of my cars need work, so the majority of the comments are from well intentioned but generally misinformed folk who think that they are helping me out by telling me where to have things done. My Imperials were mostly driven during the 1970s and the 1980's when they were pretty much just considered to be "big old gas guzzlers". I drove them because I enjoyed the way that they handled, drove, stopped, and yes, I LOVE they way that they look. At that time, though, most other people in the vicinity seemed to have disdain for me and my big old cars.

These days, there are times when I sit off in the distance at a Starbucks, and watch folks in the parking lot as they pear into the windows, point at the white walls, or finger the curb whiskers. Occasionally, in the '62 or the '63, while merging onto the freeway I'll get a good stare. That may be as much to do with my foot as with the obsolete car bursting onto the highway. Of the two, the sensation in my foot far exceeds the satisfaction of the visual from the gawkers.

Imperialists,

It goes without saying we are in this for ego: because few people have them, and because we LOVE to be looked at, waved at, thumbs-upped at as we cruise in our dream behemoths.....people, even strangers, ask me if I take her to shows and I laugh as I tell them by the mere conversation taking place, the truth is I AM a show wherever I go, though I do visit them on occasion.....I have a particular place I go for relaxation in a downtown area and often either leaving or entering my vehicle I am accosted by the gawkers and nosers who want the WHOLE history, which sometimes I am wont to give and other times I JUST WANT MY PEACE.....adding to the ego thing is walking away from her and watching other peoples reaction to the car, just as she sits, and I could watch others' gander at the car all the day long and never reveal who I am, just steps away at my bench.....but then I HAVE to, as improper Gawk Etiquette is tossed, and some, not so much disrespectful (sometimes though) as inconsiderate, come over to the car and PAW AT IT.....the cupped face and the cheek/nose on the windows; the palm prints on the roof as they try and lean in to a closed car; and my all time favorite: the window left down and the gentleman/lady has his/her FRONT TORSO levered over the door to the point of I can read the imprint on the sole of their shoes, inside the car with their hands all over the steering wheel, dash and/or seats..... when I explain that one puts one's hands behind their backs and leans no closer than a foot from the vehicle to look, while NEVER touching without the owner's permission, they are understanding, though some are actually standoffish.....a good cleaning of my car takes 4 to 6 hours-- a great cleaning is an all day love affair/inspection--and those who don't understand that, have never cared for a car.....

ybshore