What Makes Your Car Feel Like Yours?

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 09/25/2014 at 19:53 • Filed to: None

1

74

If you're here, it's because you love cars. And you've bought cars. And sometime between when you bought it and today, the car stopped feeling like a car you bought and started feeling like YOUR car.

Often, for car people, the moment when it stops feeling like a car and starts being your car is with a modification. And really, it can be anything. New wheels, a stereo and speakers, Plasti-Dipped badges. That's the lovely thing about cars and our culture, you can take a pile of metal and rubber and make it feel like an extension of yourself through customization.

For me, that modification has always been a shift knob. Specifically, a white 'cue ball' style knob with the shift pattern in black.

I apologize for the picture quality, but try taking a picture of a gloss white shift knob in the evening when you need a flash because your dome light is 45 years old and not all that bright. You can't. But I digress.

For my birthday, my wife bought me this knob for my Corvair from Clark's Corvair Parts (shameless plug, sponsor me!). This is probably the 10th or so plain white shift knob I've had in one of my cars...I actually had to have one custom made for my 2001 allroad quattro because nobody sells one with a euro-style 6-speed pattern on it.

Until I get that shift knob in there, I'm driving somebody else's car. Now I've got a white shift knob, and the car is mine.

So Oppo, is there one specific thing you need to do with your car before it feels like it's yours?

Nibby > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 19:55

2

THE TITLE WITH THE NAME ON IT

jkm7680 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 19:55

0

New wheels probably, they really make the car feel like my car.

ly2v8-Brian > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 19:56

0

Hard to say anything specific other than I own it. But the fact that it is exactly as I wanted it says a lot.

Brian Silvestro > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 19:59

1

The fact that it's seen about 8 autocross days and 2 track days by the end of this weekend, and it only has 3000 miles on it.

XJDano > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:00

0

When I drive away by myself, alone with the car & go for our first drive. After that, then drilling holes or something someone else wouldn't appreciate if it was their car.

My citroen won't start > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:01

1

The fact that I don't let people eat inside it and that one time I forgot the suspension on the lowest setting and scraped the front.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > My citroen won't start 09/25/2014 at 20:04

0

What car did you have adjustable suspension on? Reminds me of all the times my allroad's suspension failed.

McMike > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:04

3

My citroen won't start > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:05

1

My french barge, the C5.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > jkm7680 09/25/2014 at 20:07

1

As someone who just got new wheels: Agreed.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > XJDano 09/25/2014 at 20:07

0

I thought about the first drive. I have a route I like to do, not a long one, but it's a great driver's road as long as you don't get stuck behind a Camry.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > McMike 09/25/2014 at 20:09

0

That will certainly do it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > My citroen won't start 09/25/2014 at 20:10

0

God Citroens are cool. I wish we had them in the States.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:11

0

"Often, for car people, the moment when it stops feeling like a car and starts being your car is with a modification."

That's it right there. Sometimes, for me, it means de-modifying a purchase.

Work vans are a different story.

I'm a Plumber so mine are always owned by someone else. I don't consider them mine until I mount the 12v Coffee maker.

Once that goes in I've marked my territory. I don't even like giving it up for maintenance at that point.

Bandit > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:16

1

The fact that I have worked on almost every single nut and bolt on the car and that I know that I built the engine and did all the restoration gives me some sort of pride feeling whenever I drive it. Sort of a "look at me world, look at what I've accomplished. I did this all myself" kind of feel.

McMike > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:17

0

Seriously for me, I think it's when I detail it, put my tool bag in the trunk, and get two full sets of keys made.

Here's the sets from the last two cars I bought. I toss the keys that came with the car in a box, and only use the new sets.

Now, that doesn't work really with today's vehicles, but I don't buy today's vehicles.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Birddog 09/25/2014 at 20:18

0

An excellent point on having to undo a modification. When I bought my '88 IROC, it had a t-handle shifter on it. I brought the car home from PA and had that stupid knob off the thing 10 minutes later. Unfortunately, that meant I was driving around with literally no shift knob for a week until my new shifter arrived.

My work van is much the same...I do on-site hydraulic hose repair, and I inherited somebody's else mess. Still doesn't feel like mine, and I'm not sure what I need to do to get it there.

T5Killer > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:22

1

In the right corner of the rear window of every car I have owned I put a small Terran Empire sticker that I made with my car forum/clubs vinyl cutter. Its super obscure geeky and most people pass it off as military related when they see my Army Aviation sticker. Its my little inside joke.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > McMike 09/25/2014 at 20:23

0

Love the Austin key fobs. Mini?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > T5Killer 09/25/2014 at 20:26

3

Love it. I do the same thing with the Clan Fett logo from Boba Fett's armor. The Corvair is my 4th car that's featured said sticker.

T5Killer > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:27

1

Awesome secret geekery FTW!

Sally O'Broder > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:31

0

One car really feels like mine owing to the scar I have from it. It's a carbon scar; it will probably never go away. That car is a permanent part of me for as long as I have on that hand now.

Jedidiah > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:32

0

I've never seen pictures of your corvair. Show us please. :) I'm starting to like them more and more.

I can't possibly think of one thing that makes my car feel mine. When you restore one, you know it like the back of your hand.

If it had to pick it would be the way it sounds and shakes at idle or the popping of the exhaust on decel.

I set the idle speed low so cheaper gas would be kinder to the car, so it shakes to the thumping of the Olds' firing order.

It sounds like an f-type on decel, which is incredibly auddible on the interstate when it echos off of things and thunders across the landscape.

McMike > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:33

0

Yes

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:36

1

When I toss in my favorite air freshener. I've never known anyone else who uses this smell, so it makes me unique.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Jedidiah 09/25/2014 at 20:40

1

See, I've never restored a car. I gotta imagine though that when you go through it like that, you've got no choice but to feel like the car is yours right from the first time it runs.

Here's the Corvair:

Work in progress! But drivable work in progress, which is big to me, since I'm the least patient man...in the world.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:42

1

For me, it's simple. Once I've worked on her and gotten to know everything about her (flaws included) ...once I've pushed her to her limits and feel what she can do with me in her driver's seat. Then she isn't just a car to me.

Scary__goongala! > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:42

1

When I put 6hrs into correcting the paint of my NA Miata. Plus a timing belt change that took aprox 20hrs total. It was my first time doing this and other small annoyances popped up.

Jedidiah > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:45

0

Looks incredible.

It's like a time machine with the slotted mags and Radial T/As, it's so period correct its perfect.

The 4-speed has got to be fun.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 20:55

0

Funny you should mention Irocs. The first thing I did when I got mine (this was years ago) was to rip the T handle off and put a Firebird button type knob on.

I usually do more to my work vans, this last one came to me totally empty. I did a full interior detail before stocking it.

I got lucky.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Jedidiah 09/25/2014 at 20:59

1

Thanks, I love the way it looks right now. The wife says I need to get it painted next year, but I can figure that out when I get there. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the shifter...considering it's a 45 year old setup with linkages, it's actually quite good, lots of fun to row.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Birddog 09/25/2014 at 21:02

0

I wish I got mine empty. It still has a bunch of my boss's old stuff behind the passenger seat. And then hundreds of feet of hose and thousands of fittings in the back in a kind of order but not really.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 21:16

0

I hate that. "Here's your rig, good luck". The last shop I worked for donated a lot of scrap metal to my cause by doing that.

I get to take the truck home, so on Sundays after the house is clean, the DD is clean and if there's no good Football on I do "donate" some time to organization.

webmonkees > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 21:17

1

Usually it's when I go to the junkyard and start adding factory upgrades or what will fit. Third brake light, that sort of thing.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 21:19

0

Playing my music mix in it, the first handwash after owning it, setting everything to my own settings, and just driving it and breaking it in, while listening to said tunes, usually at night, going nowhere in particular, just driving it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > webmonkees 09/25/2014 at 21:24

0

Factory Road Warrior package on that Subaru. They're still paying royalties to Mel Gibson for it.

marshknute > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 22:02

1

There are hundreds of B7 Audi A4's on the road, but mine is the only one displaying a bumper sticker that reads:

mycarneverruns87 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/25/2014 at 22:19

0

I had to think about this but for me I think it is the keys. They build anticipation and get your head in the right spot. The way they feel in your hand as you head to your desired vehicle, the sound they make as they clank together, the sense you get as they slide into the lock cylinder. You twist them and wait for that familiar sound of your baby breathing to life in all of its glory! Sound like heaven to me. Of course you can add things on your key ring which makes it even more personalized. Who agrees!?

webmonkees > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 03:55

1

Nah, I'm just not picky as to what factory the part originates from. Helicopter exhausts that were no longer certified. Someday I might actually connect them to something.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 04:50

0

For me, it's fixing something on it. Usually it really feels like mine once I've done some welding work (probably because most of my cars have been bargain-basement rusty messes), but any old thing will do.

Cool idea with the cue-ball shifter as a theme tying together all the cars you've had. I'd love to have something like that, but I can't think of anything that I'd like to do...

Perhaps a sticker of my own design hidden somewhere out of the way. Something so that there's a record on all the cars I've owned :)

Two Drink Minimum > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 07:44

0

Had this on the back of my old car. Need to get a new one for the Abarth.

Tohru > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 17:19

0

For my daily drivers, it's when I put my stereo in it. Some backstory:

In early 2002, the head unit (Bose system, natch) crapped out in my parent's '92 Caprice sedan. Dad and I both worked at a salvage yard, and one day we got in a wrecked '00 Volvo sedan. It had a bunch of amp wiring and a CD player, which we took out and bought from the yard for $100. The CD player was a Clarion DRX7575z:

We put that in the Caprice, wired up a speaker box, and off we went.

In September '02, I totaled the Caprice. It ended up at the body shop owned by the family that owned the salvage yard we worked at. It was not reparable. After the insurance adjuster looked at the car, we removed the amp wiring and the Clarion.

Every primary daily driver I've had since then has gotten the stereo put in it - when I sell cars I pull it out and put the stock unit back in, just to put it in the next one. It's been in 10 of the 12 cars that I've had registered for the road in my name - the Delta and the grey '91 Caprice didn't get it only because it was already in my red Escort at the time.

While I'd like to get something with USB or aux. input, the Clarion still works perfectly 12 years and two car crashes later. As long as it keeps working, it's got a spot in my dashboard.

Tohru > T5Killer 09/26/2014 at 17:26

2

I do something similar:

My current truck has this in the rear window since the original Valve one is pretty faded (decal is roughly 3"x5"):

T5Killer > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 17:28

1

EPIC!

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 17:35

1

I can relate to mods/demods to make a car unique. Accessories an debadging/rebadging are also a favorite past time of mine. But the car isn't mine really until I find a spot for my mascot to see out the front of the car.

Old habits never die. I've had a mascot for over 30 years. Whether I'm piloting a jet or cruising down the highway, as long as I have my mascot with me I've never been stranded or had a major accident or emergency. The first time I forget him, the Aircraft radios went out or in the car the alternator failed 500 miles from home. So I go out of my way to find him a prominent place in my vehicles to keep me safe.

OBTW, my mascot is a soft figurine of Gizmo - "the only good gremlin." He's been sighted on 6 continents, traveled to and raced with me at numerous venues.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 17:51

0

This is the coolest thing ever.

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 18:22

0

I had a whole series of them on RedBubble until Valve sent me an email to stop selling them. I had them at $2/ea. and after manufacturing I was making a whole $0.25 on each one.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 18:24

0

Awww :(

I'm sure you still print them for personal use. Which is awesome.

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 18:31

0

Of course I print them for personal use. And for folks that ask me for one.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 18:36

0

[want intensifies]

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 18:44

0

If you want a set I'm sure we can work something out. What number do you want on them?

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 19:19

0

wait..really? I would love some. 1416?

Zerofret > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 19:27

0

Winner!

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 19:38

0

Kay, I'll work on it tonight. RedBubble charges me $1/sticker for any order over 6 and about $3 shipping. I could make a '14-'15 sticker too, to make it a set of 7.

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 19:47

1

Sneak peek.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 20:40

0

YES PLEASE

how would you like to go about paying?

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 20:53

0

Paypal works just like money, or Amazon Payments.

If you send me an email at tohrusburneremail@sharklasers.com I can message you from my real account for payment info.

If I do all 7 my cost from RedBubble is $10. Straight cost, nothing for me. Up to you if I earn a tip on top of that.

This is what I was thinking for the '14-'15 - follow the trend started with the '13-'14 and use a previous color in a different shade. '13-'14 is blue like '08-'09, so '14-'15 has to be orange like '09-'10. I went a bit darker, but I can go darker or a different color altogether if you want. All the passes so far are based on actual portal colors, but could change that if you want.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 09/26/2014 at 21:05

1

That's fantastic. Exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 21:05

0

email sent.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 21:08

0

That's pretty damn good. Not at all what I was expecting when you said you put 'my stereo' in it...not a stereo, YOUR stereo. Excellent story, I love anything with a back story like that.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Two Drink Minimum 09/26/2014 at 21:09

0

Took me a second to remember the Flying Spaghetti Monster, haha. Very cool.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > McMike 09/26/2014 at 21:12

0

Excellent. I wouldn't it in an original Mini...I'd be better off wearing it as a backpack.

Tohru > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 21:13

0

I can understand the concern for a minute. I don't usually do a speaker box anymore, just upgraded speakers in the factory locations.

It's a common spot of familiarity on the dash. With it installed, I know the car is mine.

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/26/2014 at 21:22

0

Email replied. The '08-'09 sticker pretty much exactly matches the original window-cling one.

This is what a darker blue one would look like:

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 21:23

0

I dig it. Which reminds me, the radio in my Corvair doesn't work...and even if it did, its an AM unit with a single speaker in the dash. Gonna have to do something about that.

Tohru > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/26/2014 at 21:37

0

For a Corvair I'd get a Custom AutoSound or similar head unit, and mount a pair of quality 6 1/2" speakers under the dash aiming at the floor. No extra holes, but stereo AM/FM sound with an aux. input.

http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/CAM-CO…

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 21:39

0

That's what I was thinking. I don't need much, just a way to get the Stones and Led Zep up in the Corvair and I'm happy.

Brian Silvestro > Tohru 09/26/2014 at 21:56

1

That looks pretty perfect.

Tohru > Brian Silvestro 09/27/2014 at 01:22

1

Got the lot all done. Just gotta get them on RedBubble's servers.

Vimto > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/27/2014 at 07:42

0

I always put some sort of plush in the backseat, on the passenger side, so I see it when I check over my shoulder to change lanes. In my Kia Forte it was a companion cube, I have a Plato the Publix Dinosaur in my Mercury (dinosaur in a dinosaur...) haven't decided on a plush for my new Nissan yet.

Mike > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/28/2014 at 10:35

0

For me, I made my little Civic "mine" when I started sticking little Firefly references all over it. Keychain here, plate frame there, window sticker up there, etc. I really should get a Serenity badge made for, well, "Serenity".

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mike 09/28/2014 at 14:40

0

All of my friends swear by Firefly, and I've never seen a minute of it. I should probably watch it eventually.

Tohru > Tohru 09/28/2014 at 16:47

0

They're up on the servers. Just waiting for them to approve them so I can order them.

Noodles > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/29/2014 at 11:00

0

I only buy used cars, with that said. the first real detail I put on the car makes it mine in my heart. I bought the car (most recently an 09 G8 GT) because I loved the lines, but it became "mine" when I became familiar with all the little blemishes, and started making the list that will ultimately put those things right.