General Car Confusion

[Eagle Kammback]

Over the weekend I was riding around with my friend (he's younger than me, no license, and I like to stay in shape)
And I saw this sweet 51 Chevy Gasser with a 355 SBC.
and a beuatiful Nova with the smae engine, but more streetable.
My friend was next to me as we were talking, at the end of the conversation I asked my friend
"Did you enderstand anything we just said?"
"Only the part about the tires"

It was hillarious.

Even better when I completed my report on my Dream Car (Rebel Machine) in Driver's Ed, I asked
"WHo here understood anything I just said?"
1 person raised his hand.


Same when I did the presentation for my real life car (83 Eagle Wagon)

I love those reactions

[IowaEagle]

Just don't know about this younger generation.

[jim]

At least EK is furthering their education.

[IowaEagle]

Yup!  I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed?  I hope not.

[Eagle Kammback]

More people care about style than performance these days, so nobody really knows about what I was talking about

[Obscurity]

Yup!  I wonder if young wrenchers are a dying breed?  I hope not.

I think they are....I was working on the Eagle out back and a young guy (about 18) asked what I was doing (removing the water pump due to an enormous kablooey), and he asked me why bother, why not just buy a new car.
I even had an older guy (old enough to call a 30 year old a kid), the next day tell me he didn't see many "kids like you" working on cars these days.
It doesn't seem that anybody understands the joy of wrenching....

[v0rt3x86]

I think the biggest issue is that old-school tech is slowly fading out to 4-bangers that have the same horsepower ratings, so they think they're better... Plus they never get the chance to feel an old V8 pull their face back

[IowaEagle]

I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.

[Obscurity]

I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.

Almost....I have met the odd person that has actually hooked their laptop up to the computer in their car and done some "tweaking". It may not be old-school, but its still at very least DIY, getting into things and improving (hopefully) a car without taking it to a mechanic, who knows in 10 or 20 years maybe most of the backyard mechanics will be playing with laptops.  Its definately better than nothing.

[Eagle Kammback]

people can already do that with 80s GNs (my buddy with the GN does)
its pretty cool

[83Eagle!]

I think with the advent of aut computers, throw away parts and minimum maintenance needs the days of shade tree mechanics was doomed.

I will agree with that.  There are still some simple things that anyone can do, but the vehicles are getting more and more complicated.  I do not think I would personally go more complicated that the 1995 Geo I have.  I think I might try a few things on the Elantra, but with it still under warranty the dealer says I have to be careful.

[Eagle Kammback]

My buddy doesn't know crap about cars, he thinks just because there is a little surface rust, it is a piece of junk
man he gets on my nerves all the time now

[Obscurity]

My buddy doesn't know crap about cars, he thinks just because there is a little surface rust, it is a piece of junk man he gets on my nerves all the time now

I know the ones you mean....I tend to encounter people who are either like that, or claim to be really into cars but they always do really shoddy work out of laziness and don't finish anything they start (ie: who on earth only changes ONE break pad?)

I hate to say it but today's mentality might mean that in 30 years from now the only classic cars will be the ones that are already considered classic (unfortunately the Eagles aren't usually included in this). Very sad. A disposable society, driving the vehicular version of a bic lighter as opposed to a zippo. 

[Eagle Kammback]

THis is also the person who will never consider a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles, even if the car is restored to better than facotry condition.

[83Eagle!]

There are not a lot of people who would consider sinking money into a vehicle that has over 100,000 miles on it.  Me I could care less as long as it is in good running condition.