I
think a lot of people start out "gawking", because many have either never, or
seldom, seen a car like the one they are looking at. I tend to prefer staying
near the car, both to protect it from thoughtless lookers, and also to answer
the inevitable questions. I have found that by far, most people become admirers,
especially after they have been gently and respectfully corrected-- "No, this is
most definitely NOT an Impala-- it is an IMPERIAL, and it was made by Chrysler".
Then I explain the reasons for such things as the rectangular steering-wheel_
"Yes, it IS very comfortable and does not feel weird when you've used it
awhile"; "Yes, the push-buttons are wonderful to drive with, and I prefer
it to the lever"; and so-on.
On the
other end of the spectrum are the ones about whom I have commented on one or two
other occasions-- the crowd that gets their kicks from destroying rare beauty.
They usually "admire" in a different fashion-- they stand and talk, not TO me,
but obviously want me to hear them, and describe to each other what they would
do if they had that car. I usually don't engage them conversationally, because
they are completely un-remorseful for what they've done and would do again, and
I'm afraid I might lose my patience and say exactly what I think. I am not
"elite" in comparison to anyone else, but I know I would be put into the
position of "talking down" to people like that, so I figure it's best not
to even recognise their presence.
The
ones I REALLY like are the young kids/ folks who have no clue what this thing is
because they've never seen or heard of this kind of car, but really want to
know about it, and they usually leave as great admirers.
Kristian
Oyen
1963 Imperial Crown
Southampton
1966 Imperial Crown
Sedan
1967 Imperial Crown
Coupe
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of YBSHORE@xxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 4:21 PM To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: YBSHORE@xxxxxxx Subject: Re: IML: Gawker's vs. Admirer's Imperialists,
..............I believe Imperialist in no way implies
Elitist, and also certainly no one enjoys the attention more than ANY
car enthusiast who owns a vintage vehicle of any make or model and
receives glory for it..... and a true admirer understands the
etiquette these cars require....."peeved" is being there to
watch them dishonor a car via "gawk" and coming back to find hand prints,
drool, dings in irreplaceable stainless steel side moulding's and bodywork as
drivers open adjacent car doors with no respect despite how far off in
the parking lot you go (in fact someone is usually waiting for me there
to ask questions) , scratches (from "belt buckles and rings" or "nearly being
run off the road by the gawker who then speeds away in embarrassment" as another
member put it), or even 6'8" "admirer's" leaning their 300+ pound carcass
on your masterpiece while they tell you their story about "the
one that got away" and forever crease what was a perfect body
line.....owning cars of special effort and heritage such as ours does not
require us to "owe" anyone else anything in terms of
explanation, expectation or invitation......if one is "peeved" at not
seeing them at car shows, my suggestion is you put your body,
soul, time and monies (and eBay/Hemmings search) into an Imperial and
clean up after an "admirers" once over.....attention or questions are not
discouraged, in fact they are quite usually appreciated.......and lastly,
True Imperialists never hide, we are MUCH too proud, you
just need to look harder.....
ybshore
56 Imperial Sedan
55 NY'er Deluxe Sedan
--- USFamily.Net - $8.25/mo! -- Highspeed - $19.99/mo! --- |