It has been a good many years since I drove an old vehicle of any configuration. When I did drive an old vehicle it was looking sharp with new paint, wheels & tires etc. People of course were always commenting on it any where I went. The thing that is really blowing my mind since I started driving the '68 Flare Side is how many people stare at it when I ride through towns. People actually pull up beside it on the interstate for miles checking it out. People that past a gas station when I am refueling & actually turn around & come back to check it out.
It's hard to believe that people would be interested in this old Ford with surface rust, bends & scratches, not to mention my $60.00 indian blanket seat cover. I've had more conversation around this truck in the last three weeks than I have in years concerning some real nice vehicles I've owned. It's just uncanny to see the reaction of the general public when they see it being driven or sitting somewhere. I wonder what it is that draws people to it. The young, the old, male, female, law enforcement.
I think it is the fact that in the condition yours is in...and my own....that people recognize a successful survivor. Not some body shop refit. Almost anybody can restore one or refurbish it........but the so called patina look shows how durable the vehicle was. The most frequent comment I get on mine is something like....Holy Crap ! No real rust!
Presently in the stable
1969 Ford F-350 DRW
1989 Chevy S-10 Tahoe ( It gets me to work and back and fetches parts and groceries)
1981 Buick Regal ( My deceased uncles last project/driver....renamed project Regal Eagle to be finished in his honor)
1990 Ford F-150 ( Miss Yvonnes Daily Driver )
My F-350 project http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=41744
I know i pay more attention to the old beat up, rusty verhicles because, lets face it.... alot of people who have nice shiny hot rods have just that. nice, shiny hot rods. built by someone else, none of thier own blood sweat and tears went into it. all they did was write the check.
That being said, when my 72 flare was on the road, i used to get thumbs ups, people pulling up beside me in traffic asking what it was and telling me how nice it was. and this was with a 302 that smoked and knocked. (later found out i cracked a piston almost in half, drove it like that for months...). same with my 71 long bed. both were lowered, my 71 had a rattle can black and white paint job. i took my 71 to some shows, and i noticed alot of people look at home made, low buck cars and trucks more than the high dollar ones.
I think older cars and trucks that look like yours are just more approachable. people want to talk to you and look at it because they know theres a story behind all that faded paint and surface rust..... and your willing to share it.
Ex Ford diesel dealership senior master tech (6 years)
Current bmw level 4 tech.
1972 Ford F100 Stepside - 302, forged TRW flat tops, performer 289 intake, edelbrock 600 cfm carb, CV IFS swap, 4.10 LSD disc 8.8 , AOD 4 speed auto. Currently 5 years in the making.
what help it out is that it a flareside people do that in my 82. My dad and I was driving down to Bowling green to a car show. He was in 1965 chevy impala SS that he restored and i was in my 82 that is orginal paint that is faded and surface rust people was pointing and looking at my truck. At the car show me people stopped and was talking to me about my truck.
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Jeremy
1971 Ford F250 camper special 360 T18(old model) 4 speed 4.11 gears 2wd with 1969 doghouse soon to be daily driver FRANKENFORD
1982 Ford F150 flareside 300 T18(new model) 4 speed 4.11 gears 4wd Daily driver
Some people say my truck is ugly and all i say is "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
71fordkid wrote:I know i pay more attention to the old beat up, rusty verhicles because, lets face it.... alot of people who have nice shiny hot rods have just that. nice, shiny hot rods. built by someone else, none of thier own blood sweat and tears went into it. all they did was write the check.
not every one lets some one else build there ride (I don't! )just becuase some has a nice and shiny ride don't always mean they payed some one to do it! I see a lot of rides that look all beat to hell rusted down and built by some one other than the guy with a big fat check
there is alway the rich dude out there with a bad azz ride but that does not mean only rich do
Last edited by fbomb100 on Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:17 am, edited 2 times in total.
If you are the type of person that likes to stay to yourself, don't care much about being around a bunch of people, do not buy an old Ford truck. I drove the old Flareside up to the local Ford dealership the other day & parked in front of the parts department. Two of the three parts guys left the counter & came out to check it out. Later I had several salesmen walking around the old girl talking up a storm. I got the feeling they were enjoying the show & thinking about the old days. Have A Great Ford Day!
Fbomb, i didnt meant to offend anyone. Ive just noticed when i go to car shows,its all too often that ill walk up to someone and start talking to them about thier ride, they dont know sh!t about it. they just get in it, turn the key, and drive it. it just gets old.
Ex Ford diesel dealership senior master tech (6 years)
Current bmw level 4 tech.
1972 Ford F100 Stepside - 302, forged TRW flat tops, performer 289 intake, edelbrock 600 cfm carb, CV IFS swap, 4.10 LSD disc 8.8 , AOD 4 speed auto. Currently 5 years in the making.
71fordkid wrote:Fbomb, i didnt meant to offend anyone. Ive just noticed when i go to car shows,its all too often that ill walk up to someone and start talking to them about thier ride, they dont know sh!t about it. they just get in it, turn the key, and drive it. it just gets old.
you did'nt offend me.. I know all too well what you mean on that point of it!!!,
