Things people say

[grandmas55]

I was doing an appraisal in Daly City one day in my '55. I was just getting ready to leave when the neighbor came out and said, "nice '56", to which I replied, "thank you, but its a '55". He replied, "I know my cars, and it's a '56". To which I replied, "no, it's a '55. '56s have bullet taillights". After that , he walked back and looked at the date stamp on my taillight lens, and said, "you're right, it is a '55".

I was at a graffitti night this past summer when a spectator came by my '55 210 Del Ray and asked if it was a Bel Air, to which I replied, "its a 210". He then asked, "so it's a 210 Bel Air?". I said, "no, it's a 210 Del Ray", to which he asked, "so then what is a 210 Bel Air?"

I pulled up at a light alongside another '55 Chevy. I asked the driver, "what year is it?" He smiled and said out the window, "I think its a '56".

[55ChevDelray]

hehehe...Perfect..:D:D:D

[keith]

Hahaha,,,good stuff.

[lonewolf85]

People are always calling our 55 handyman 2 dr wagon a nomad.I dont even bother to try and educate then anymore. Most are to smart to learn anything fron someone else. thats why i like this site ive messed with old cars for years and i learn something new almost every day:

[55mike]

The one I get weary of is...... "I had one JUST like it..!"

55 Mike

[Tabasco]

The one I get weary of is...... "I had one JUST like it..!"

55 Mike

I agree.

Also, I always say there are two cars I can never beat at a car show. It is the car people "used to have" or the one they are "going to build".

They always point out the flaws in mine and tell me that theirs (was) or (will be) better.

[stillz 55]

My wife and I were at Lowes a few weeks ago in the 55.When we got back to the car,A Man and woman came over to us and was complimenting the car.Well I told him that we really enjoy driving around in it,and the people enjoying it.I told him that I would rather drive it than a new Cadillac.When he walked off,Guess what kind of car he got in??

[dseale4888]

When I took my 55 to my first cruise last spring and I looked at all the "done" cars I said to my self " I guess I've got the clunker here". Then I realized that I have a 55 chevy and they don't build brand new ones. It is what it is and it is mine and a driver that I've put over 6,000 miles on this year.
Dave

[grandmas55]

Hi, Dave: There is a lot to be said for a person who keeps an old car on the road and uses it regularly, not to knock people who trailer their cars to shows. I'll bet everyone recognizes you on the road. Mark

[dseale4888]

I've had a blast this year. A lot of the cars I see at the cruises look like show cars. Unfortunately they are calling for snow Sunday night so that will be the end of driving it for this year. I'll get to work on it some again. I've got to get my interior finished, replace the gaskets and seals in the engine, repair the radiator, and get it ready for another year of enjoyment.
Dave

[Russell@NerdRods]

I agree.

Also, I always say there are two cars I can never beat at a car show. It is the car people "used to have" or the one they are "going to build".

They always point out the flaws in mine and tell me that theirs (was) or (will be) better.

YES!!!!!!!!

And being 21 I always get older guys who want to tell me about their old conquest, the one they sold, let go or use to have and all the girls they use to get. Sorry guys I appreciate the history lessons but sometimes I’m looking to get some girls and your presence isn’t helping and after the third or fourth guy I just don’t care anymore. And that was in my 32 ford. The one thing, besides a top and AC, that I’m looking forward to is not having guys ask “What kind of carburetor is that?” and then explain what fuel injection is and how it’s been around since the 80’s 3-4 times a drive.
But ripping up that new Corvette next to you at the light is always a blast.

[Tuned55]

My wife and I were out in the 55 a few years back and she said to me "after being married for 30 years she thought we would have a newer car by now" :D:D:D

All in all most of the commnets I get being in my 55, mostly at gas stops, I enjoy. It's no surprise my car will not appeal to all and I'm fine with that. The ones that want to tell me about the one they had and how it was the fastest make me chuckle as they relive some of their pass. It's like the tee shirt. "The older I get the faster I was". It's one of the things I enjoy about my car:cool:

[jpblues]

im 35 years old so i probably dont know half of what you guys do about gassers, but let me just tell you what happened to me. when i was in high school about 18 years ago i had a 63 impala ss and i had the car raised up really high it looked good chrome reverse wheels and no front bumper headers with glass packed mufflers on it. well i was sitting at a light waiting to go when a guy pulled up next to me and said hey buddy is that car 4 wheel drive!!! can you believe that any body could ever be that stupid???

[Frisco 57]

I kind of like the people who say; "I used to have one....", "My dad / uncle had one...", "We used to race one..." whatever. They care enough about my ride to talk to me and you know what they're really thinking is..."I wish I still had one." :tu

[grandmas55]

At car shows I see a lot of vehicles I used to have, and "I used to have one of those" is one of my lines also. I saw a '49 Studebaker Starlight Coupe at the Classic Chevy show last month and said, "I used to have one of those but mine was a '48". When the owner saw I was really interested he was very gracious and opened the hood, started the engine, etc.

I love sharing with people about my '55, especially since it was purchased new by my grandparents, and I have a photo I show of my grandparents holding me in front of their new 1955 Chevy parked in the driveway of my parents' brand-new house in San Jose. I think the nature of the question and how it is asked determines my response. A guy came up to me a couple of months ago at a Graffitti night and pointed to my Be Cool aluminum downflow radiator and said, "you need a bigger radiator". "I do?", I replied. He said, "yeah, that little radiator will NEVER cool that big engine", (a 327) to which I replied, "funny, its a Be Cool radiator designed for hot rods, and I have had the car on the road for over a year with this radiator and its never even gotten really hot, let alone overheated yet". Some people just don't know, and some people are really stupid.

Rat Rod Russell, its really cool to see someone 21 years old who has already had a '32 Ford. Love the way you guys are taking the vintage stuff and bringing back flatheads, etc. and your girlfriends really get into the scene with the old-style fashions. Keep up the good work.

[Frisco 57]

Ya know we are the ambassadors, the promoters and the educators for these cars. I think it's good to be patient with all "john Q public" questions or comments no mater how odd they sometimes come across at first.

So, how many times have you had to explain what you mean when you use the term "Tri-Five"? ;):)

[dseale4888]

I always try to answer thier questions. Some are totally ridiculous but I still answer them. Some times you get some that want to argue about different things so I'll just keep nodding my head and smiling until they have finished teaching me about these cars. They don't always notice that they're telling it to and old fart.
Dave

[auggie56]

You know it don't hurt to smile and nod to someone, when they talk to you, even if they are a whack-job. :rolleyes:

[grandmas55]

You guys are right, at least people enjoy looking at our old cars and we are ambassadors. I know I sure appreciate it when a guy has a big-buck car and a humble attitude at the same time.

[Black 55]

I always enjoy the people looking at my car and they always say the same thing I used to have one just like that, but why is the air cleaner sticking out the hood? I always raise the hood and they quickly decide they didn't have one exactly like that. Then they always ask how much hp? When I tell them between 8-900 hp they really freak and always dilly around to hear it start and leave. I try to be accomodating and leave them a little 15" wide black marks. They love it. Jim

[Russell@NerdRods]

I’m sorry that sounded bad earlier, I had just come from a run in with two of those people you can win against, at the same time, and they wouldn’t go away.

I think I saw it on some one’s Sig. “Don’t argue with stupidity they’ll only drag you down to their level and win with experience.”

Personally I love it when people want to know how to do it or have constructive feedback about any car or project. I love to explain the general run through and evolution of the LS motors where to get stuff how to wire them which motors have what and why. (And I’m working on a long right up with lots of links and helpful info on these motors and how to install them with these motors.) But I think we’ll all agree if you built it or work on it yourself I’m impressed, and so many people here are like that too which is why I like hanging around this forum.

and sorry grandmas55 the roadster like my 57 had a Corvette suspension, LS1 and Viper 6 Speed. no flathead's here

[grandmas55]

I'd settle for LS1, Corvette suspension, and Viper six-speed.

[CLSSY56]

The one I get weary of is...... "I had one JUST like it..!"

55 Mike

I always hear, "Too bad it's a 4 door."

Best one I heard was when I was driving home from work on night a few years ago an a few jobs ago. I got up to the light and a guy pulled up next to me and asked me if it was a 59...... I should of told him to read my license plate as it reads "CLSSY 56".

[selfce]

Thats all fine and ok guys but I think that I have the show stopper here. Last summer I was at a small car show in Olympia, Wa at the K-Mart parking lot. There were lots of nice cars there as with all call show... But the thing that really amazed me was the car that won best Ford in show. Amazingly it was a 76 Corvette. I think the owners friends all got together to play a trick on her and voted for her car. Regardless of how it happened, when it came time for awarding the trophies she didn't want the trophy but the organizers of the car show made her take it because that who the people voted for. So in this case who was the confused party?

[warpwr]

(And I’m working on a long right up with lots of links and helpful info on these motors and how to install them with these motors.)

I'll be waiting for that.

I have a love affair with the LS1 in my Camaro. It is way more potent and fuel efficient than the 327. If I win the lottery maybe LS7 or 9.

I want to put one (LS1) in the '56, just don't know if it's worth the trouble or not.
I would like to keep the Tremec and Lakewood blowproof bellhousing for example but I doubt the bell housing will work.
Any good info will be welcome.

I'm one of those guys that 'used to have' one and now have one again.....

[55ChevDelray]

My 76 Ford! :D:D:D

http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1771/10266983/18425890/290745915.jpg

[55mike]

If someone asks me a well thought out question or even just an honest question, I'll talk till my voice quits... The other comments... well let's just say, I'm trying to be nicer to them...

55 Mike

[teetoe]

Each year during the fall we have a fall fesitval/car show that brings nice cars from all over to Camden Ar. I was admiring a slammed S-10 with the wheels up in the bed and all the cool stuff right? I looked at how well the guy put on the sued blue paint with dark blue and black pinstriping. Two guys looked at it and said, 'Too bad they put that on the primer, wonder what color it will be when it's finished?':confused: I just smiled to myself.

[dseale4888]

They breath the same air we do and they beed too. HELP!!!!!!!
Dave

[Black 55]

Anybody wanna quess what year they think my car is?

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o31/Black-55/55%20Tires/DCP_0598.jpg

[ETriggs]

1927 Whippet? ;)

[210ratrod]

OBVIOUSLY, its a '54! the license plate says so! I had one just like it, except... Just kiddin'

Sweet ride! TnT

[grandmas55]

My friend Norman Beam passed last Sunday and the funeral was held this past Saturday. He just missed his 85th birthday. Since Norm was the local Indian guru, his funeral procession from Los Gatos to Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, about ten miles, had about 50 old Harleys, Indians, a flathead '39 BMW, a couple of Triumphs, some modern Harleys, and Grandma's '55 in case the family wanted me to drive someone to the gravesite service. Full military honors, by the way, since Norm was a WWII vet. Since we live near Oak Hill, I went home and got my Harley and rode it back to Norm's house for the celebration of his life.

Back a few years ago, Indian motorcycles were being built in Gilroy, CA, and were mostly a Harley clone with S&S Evolution-style motor, Harley-style trans, etc. but proprietary frames, skirted fenders, and tanks. Norm, when he wasn't riding his '39 Indian 4, rode his '46 Indian Chief which has a v-twin flathead engine. People would come up to Norm on his Chief and ask, "Did you know they are building Indians again?", and he would look all wide-eyed and say in a surprised voice, "They are? I didn't know that!". To which the spectator would point to Norm's bike and say, "Yes, they are and THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS YOURS!"

[mickeywestsr]

Or.....I had one just like it, but it was......... :O(

[ETriggs]

Nothing beats the kid that told me his dad had a 1962 Mustang... :rolleyes:

[grandmas55]

There was a guy at our high school who said he was going to get a 57 Chevy and put in a 390 and Hurst racing gears.

[Ratpackin]

Anybody wanna quess what year they think my car is?



Hmm, dunno - never seen headlights like that before.



.

[15055chevy]

I drive my 55 every chance I get. I have a Harley, that I put a lot of chrome on that I don't ride when its raining, getting ready to rain, think it might rain, already rained....well you get the picture. Anyway, I don't want to be like that with my 55...I'll drive it in a thunderstorm lol. Love being behind the wheel no matter what.

[Shua57]

At this point I'm still enjoying talking about mine. Usually when someone swings by I tell them the specs of the car within the first 5 min of them being there. Can't help it.
Ronnie's 55 came down a while back and he let me drive is 55. We went down to the gas station and as we were pulling out a guy yelled "is that a 56 "Ronnie says "nope, it's a 55" to which the guy replies "I had one just like that"....lol.
I do get that "what is it" or "is that a Belair?".
I try to say what it is up front so people don't make a mistake and call my car something that it is not.
I do realize not all people are car crazy like me and so i cut them some slack and try to be nice if I do have to correct them. I'm 33 and get alot of older guys wanting to give me history lessons. I'm cool with that as I don't know everything.
These cars are a part of history and life. It's funny how cars can bring back memories of a era that is nothing like it is now. I don't mind that and so I overlook the errors when they say "I had one of those" and it was a 56 and my car is a 57.
Enjoy them while you can.

Josh

[belairbob1957]

i get this all the time some people

[210ratrod]

Don't you just love how some guys that think every '55-'57 is a BelAir? When I bought mine, the guy kept calling it a BA until I pointed out it was a 210, then he referred to it as a 210 BelAir. Sheesh!
Ford drivers.

Tim

[KINGS X 56]

How about this one:

How much would it take to buy it?

Answer is: If your pants are at your waist line then your pockets aren't deep enough to buy it & take it home. Sorry not for sale!

KINGS X 56

[fruit1955]

here one that use to bother me inthe 70s :sign0020::sign0020: why are you driving that old ambulance is it a 57

[wraplock]

I was bringing my 60 Vette to local cruises and a local guy would always come up and tell me "I used to have one just like this". This went on for a few years when I discovered it indeed WAS his old car! He was shocked when I told him.

Don

[NickP]

I was bringing my 60 Vette to local cruises and a local guy would always come up and tell me "I used to have one just like this". This went on for a few years when I discovered it indeed WAS his old car! He was shocked when I told him.

Don

Don! It's a small world.

I try to listen to others and their stories, regardless of how far fetched it might seem. We all have stories to tell. Some get a bit big, some are just modest truths - most are harmless. People are a hoot....................

[4beers4me]

The one thing, besides a top and AC, that I’m looking forward to is not having guys ask “What kind of carburetor is that?” and then explain what fuel injection is and how it’s been around since the 80’s 3-4 times a drive.

I didn't know fuel injection started in the 80's. :confused0006: Sorry, I tried to resist but was weak... I WAS WEAK!

[4beers4me]

There is a kid that stops by from time to time. I don't want to discourage him by over correcting him; however, he has some sins that must be fixed. Like the "Shoebox Ford" his dad wants to buy. Which after many, many questions turned out to be a Studebaker. "Yeah, a Ford Studebaker." Okay. Then he tells me his dad already has a Buick Roadmaster. This interested me and I asked what year. "1994."

[NickP]

I didn't know fuel injection started in the 80's. :confused0006: Sorry, I tried to resist but was weak... I WAS WEAK!

the 50's in reality. Now electronic fuel injection, the 80's. Prior to that, diesel engines used fuel injection back in the mid to late 20's.

[210ratrod]

the 50's in reality. Now electronic fuel injection, the 80's. Prior to that, diesel engines used fuel injection back in the mid to late 20's.

Actually Nick, the Bendix Electro-Jet fuel injection was available on some Mopars like the 300D and DeSoto Adventurer in '58. Supposedly didn't work very well and most were converted to dual quads because of driveability issues. Though there are some survivors out there that actually run quite well.
Wasn't the Tucker fuel injected???
Tim

[NickP]

Hmmmmmm, yes, you are certainly correct. :) Although......................... isn't 1958 in the 50's?:sign0020:

[grandmas55]

My friend Don Peterson has a '57 Bel Air with factory fuel injection.

[grandmas55]

I get a kick out of ebay and Craigslist ads when a guy is selling a generic TriFive part such as a control arm or taillight he says it is from a Nomad or a Bel Air.

[4beers4me]

At a swap meet yesterday a guy was selling a 57 2 dr sedan that looked fresh from the pasture. Which I am glad to see it at a swap meet. I overheard him tell a guy, "It's almost rust free." I just grinned to myself because here and there you could see a few patches of paint.

[mickeywestsr]

Yep, been there - had that arguement - never did change his mind cause he had one almost just like it.

[210ratrod]

At a swap meet yesterday a guy was selling a 57 2 dr sedan that looked fresh from the pasture. Which I am glad to see it at a swap meet. I overheard him tell a guy, "It's almost rust free." I just grinned to myself because here and there you could see a few patches of paint.

Just a fancy way of saying "You still have to pay for the rust".

[scotty t]

is that a REAL nomad?
how can it be a nomad AND a belair?

when in my 60 vette;
does it still have the original 6 cyl?
i know where one just like it is but it's rusted out

my 55 convert has a 348 in it
is that the original eng?
348? you mean a 350?

[Ratpackin]

You can imaging the comments '57 150 owners get.
-years back some guy dropped by four seporate times! Insisting he has the correct trim for my car and wanted to sell it to me. Nothing i could say would convince him I didn't have '56 trim on my '57.
It's amazing how some folks insist they know your car better then you do.

[rwhit57]

I was at a car show with my 69 427 Caprice one time. (Rooster Days BA Ok.)
I noticed this guy bent over looking at my wheels, didn't think much of it. Then I saw him bend over and look at the other 3, hmm so I walked over and looked, he stole my valve stem caps!! Can you believe it? I chased him through the crowd and held out my hand, he handed me back the caps. The kicker he had his kid with him.

RW

[Vetteman61]

I've been driving older cars since I could drive. When I was 19 I bought myself a 60 Cadillac with money I saved, then in 2005 I bought a '57 chevrolet 150 sedan.

The first thing that's annoying is people who instantly assume it belongs to your father or grandfather.

The second thing is when people feel the need to tell me incorrect information about my car because they think I'm young and can't know anything. I'm 28 now, so it happens much less, but it never ceases to amaze me.

That being said, I love it when people come up to me and tell me about their old vehicles. These cars are a way for me to connect with the past, and one of the best things about them for me are when people come up and have that smile that reminds them of a time past and then they share it with you. It's a great way to meet and get to know people. The people I have no interest in are young kids that want to come up and say it's cool, not because they appreciate the car, but because they just think it would get them attention.

A few weeks ago a gentlemen came up to me at a bank parking lot. I just bought a 31 Chevrolet a few months ago and he came up and started talking about it. He showed me where a Model T almost broke his thumb off from starting it and he explained how he was in the korean war. I believe he said he was 90 or so. I always try to make time to listen because I think these people who grew up with these cars won't be here forever and soon it will be impossible to hear them. In a way, the way I see it, that guy had more right to my car than I did, I'm just fortunate enough to get to be the keeper for a while.

[Vetteman61]

P.S. Oh yes, and... MY '57 150 IS NOT A 55 CHEVROLET. If you ask that's ok, but don't argue with me. hehe.

[USA1]

How many 55/56 owners get tired of the question. Does it still have a 283 in it or better yet 327. Had a guy tell me his dad had bought a one just like mine with factory 3x2 carbs.

[G.R.]

I had a fella, must've been in his late 70's, come up to my '55 last summer at a small local car show. He looked over the car with sort of a longing in his eyes...he told me that he was a Korean War vet and the first new car he ever bought was a '55 Bel Air HT. Bought it in Oct. '54 when the new models came out. Said that when it was new he couldn't hear the 265 engine running and oft times would try to start it again...said he loved that car and regreted selling it some 20 years later.

[benniemo]

The license plate on my car reads BENS55. and folks walk up all the time and ask what year is it. I just say its a 57 chevy soooo funny my brothers plate reads 98vette and same thing.

[dnsdoor]

rwhit i could not stop laughing at the stem cap theif .who would of thunk it lol

[210ratrod]

Started driving mine again last summer, with 1957 plates on it, right below the Chevrolet crests. Had a couple folks ask what year it was, what kind of car is it, while looking right at the front/rear of the car. Seriously?:rolleyes:
Not to mention the usual "When ya gonna paint it?" "What color ya gonna paint it?" You should paint it red", "you should paint it black", "why are you washing the primer?"