I've re-posted this as me and Simon got side tracked and well off the subject, and as i thought it was an important subject i thought i'd re post it:
Custom cars and Volkswagens
I've never understood why they dont mix?
In the 80s i used to be quite into my VW's, never got one but i really liked them and still do. We used to go to custom shows and there was always a good turnout of air cooled VW's until the late 80's when (mainly due to the difference in music) they split into 2 seperate groups. The last couple of years i've noticed a few more VW's on the show fields, Billing was a good example of this. And after going to a couple of Volkswagen events recently I saw that there events are excellent, the quality of the cars is excellent and the people are great, good sense of humour and just enjoying there cars.
So why are they so seperate?
Yesterday i was following a beetle, the owner couldn't have been more than 20, his car was the nuts. Satin black, seriously low, loud, with teardrop rear lights, it even had a turtle picture (might have been a tortoise) on the rear. I bet he uses it everyday too.
Recently, everyone has been talking about getting on with modern car modifiers (you know how i feel about that ), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
Can we please stop talking about Simon the sex god and get back to the subject. I had a horrible vision in my head a minute ago of Simon in high heels and knickers, believe me it wasn't nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Recently, everyone has been talking about getting on with modern car modifiers (you know how i feel about that ), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
-- Edited by Mitch at 12:36, 2006-11-03
YES! The VW owners seem far more open minded regarding the rod / kustom scenes, and many are obviously very inspired by it too. The vast majority of "modders" wouldn't dare admire a rod or kustom in front of their mates because it would go against the whole fashion of their scene. And if they bought / built an old car they'd be branded "gay innit m8". I can't think of many "modders" who've actually broken out of their scene and done anything different... I admire any of them who do, but the fact is 99.9% won't...
JonnySierra wrote: I can't think of many "modders" who've actually broken out of their scene and done anything different... I admire any of them who do, but the fact is 99.9% won't...
Keith AKA Juiced Benz has kinda broken away with his low riders, all of the lads on one forum he goes on loved the purple metal flake Benz he built this year and can't wait to see his next project which I believe is an 1980's low rider.
I guess that the true low rider scene is different in that way.
True, and I know what a can of worms the whole subject is! I can't wait to see his next project either, it's guaranteed to be great!
I'm just pissed off at the minute because:
* I've read a lot of stuff that some "modders" have posted which has killed 99.9% of positive feelings I may have had towards their cause.... I just don't understand their attitudes. They may be nice blokes but they need to think more and talk / type less....
*I'm sick of idiots asking when I'm going to turn my 3-door into a wikkid Cozzi rep innit m8. They honestly can't see past bodykits and big stereos. One even thought I'd converted a Cosworth into a metallic blue 1.6 automatic.
John I think it's not that we have to try and understand the attitude that the modders you spoke to. We just have to communicate so they can understand us.
I think the ones you spoke to are the 'my car is a fashion statement and not a way of life'. Yep there are an awful lot of these about simply because there are a lot of peeps who go through a fasion is king phase in there life. Nobody is happy with them representing cruising.
To be fair there are a lot of modders with the same attitude as us and progress is being made, albeit slowly. There is a growing number of forums I know of in East Anglia and some national where this is becoming apparent as well as mods n rodders.
Back to Vee dubs. I think the VW scene bacame massive and shows started being organised just for them as there was enough to attend a successful event.
Seperate shows for a long period of time soon becomes Two tribes. A bit like 'Lost' or 'Lord of the flies'.
Which is why we need to communicate and not add fuel to why we are different.
This is just my personal opinion and I'm not starting a fight...lol
Having looked at these forums, nothing has changed. Its the same 4 or 5 people on all the forums. I know a couple of you have your own section on a forum and are representatives for 'classic' and 'rods', but how many Modders have actually come to you asking questions? It would appear to me that they are all far more interested in which car park they can race around in as they are being closed to them.
The AHRA has now been associated with these clubs for over a year and as yet I have not seen anyone sell their modern car and buy a yank, classic, retro or rod.
I dont understand why there is a need for us to join together. Why we cant just get on in our little groups is beyond me.
In the 60's, 70's and 80's when there where lots of different fashions, no one set up a club to build bridges so that the Mods, punks, skinheads and rockers all joined together. They just got on with it enjoying there own things.
99% of us dont like them and 99% of them dont like us. I think its more to do with age. We are percieved to be old and what teenager wants to be like his Dad!!! They think they are doing something new and we are doing something old and for that reason they will never join us.
I would love to convert them all to rods but that will never happen. At best we can mix our cars in their clubs around their modern cars and I for one dont want that. I'm this side of the fence and am very happy that they are on the other. I'm happy to throw them a rope, but I aint buildin no bridge and I aint crossin!!!!!
Thats fair enough. There is nothing wrong with staying in little groups at all.
I think, though, there isn't enough going on for people who want to come out of their own back yard and play in someone elses back yard.
You are right that most on the forums dont talk but whats important is they know we are there and are not complaining. Going back several years if I went on a modder forum I would be made to feel most unwelcome.
When it comes down to it. It's not the building bridges or about the cars. It's about the feeling of 'hate' that screws me up. When it's hate stemming from what car someone drives. I wonder in amazement!! As we all know that not even that should be more important than the number 42!! lol.
If the answer is 42....What is the question oh deep thought!!!!!
You are right of course. Its the hatred/jelousy that I get annoyed with. Coming back from Mean streets at the a13/m25 roundabout one night a nova full of kids pulled up and shouted abuse, followed by another nova full of kids who told mw I was a lucky bastard and they loved my car. Same group at the same event. I dislike people for their words and actions not what they drive or the music they listen to. (but people who listen to the best of Perry Como are pushing thier luck!!)
Went to a air cooled VW parts fair yesterday and it was good. The place was full of retro parts with parts such as Empi, Moon, Hurst and many other familiar names. You could buy Moon discs, teardrop lights, Malteze cross lights, loads of rod related parts. The car park was full of Kool cars. Lots of chrome, lowered suspension and white wall tyres. Twas good. The people were all friendly and, yes i did sell some number plates.
I talked to the Splitters (essex and herts VW club) and they were definitely interested in our show. should be good. Just got to find a venue now.
Recently, everyone has been talking about getting on with modern car modifiers (you know how i feel about that ), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
-- Edited by Mitch at 12:36, 2006-11-03
YES! The VW owners seem far more open minded regarding the rod / kustom scenes, and many are obviously very inspired by it too. The vast majority of "modders" wouldn't dare admire a rod or kustom in front of their mates because it would go against the whole fashion of their scene. And if they bought / built an old car they'd be branded "gay innit m8". I can't think of many "modders" who've actually broken out of their scene and done anything different... I admire any of them who do, but the fact is 99.9% won't...
I used to be involved with (still am a bit really) with the watercooled VW scene and TBH I found them very narrow minded and only liked what they like and everything else gets flamed!! Just my experience.
), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
Sounds German but its not!
