The Automotive World Doesn’t Have To Be So Complicated

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 07/25/2014 at 12:01 • Filed to: automotive world

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In the past few months, since getting involved with the great crew over at Road Magazine I've found myself looking at Cars and Motorsport in a slightly different light. Don't get me wrong, I've always tried to keep an open mind about the industry, but actually getting involved and sharing my opinion has made me step back and try to view it as a whole. Not an easy task I might add. What I have started to notice in doing so, is that it's big, and it's broad. Much more so than I have ever thought before. It doesn't discriminate between demographics or socioeconomics. It's one of the few subjects that is likely to be a common interest between, let's just say a Tyre fitter from Alabama, USA, and an Investment Banker from London, England. Take a minute and let that swirl around your head. What other topics could two people from such different backgrounds (I am generalizing here to highlight a point) possibly have in common?

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As with any new job or activity that you are partaking in, social media tends to broadcast it to your friends and family, which leads to conversations about said activity. These conversations have ranged from "That's awesome that you're doing something that you love" to "Wow, I didn't know that you were that in to Cars". It's these conversations with Non Motoring Enthusiasts (NME's) that have made me look at my own interest in the subject in a way that I never have before. Relax, I'm not going to enter that psychological mine field with you here. But it is that kind of thinking that has me looking at the subject in a much wider scope.

Since I was a kid I have always tried to stay abreast of current motoring news, my Automotive Magazine collection was quite impressive, spanning many years and types of publications, but looking back, it was quite a narrow field of interest, possibly due to the lack of exposure to an Aussie kid, in rural Australia, pre internet. My focus was more on the local market and classic muscle cars. This lead to my first car being a 1971 XY Ford Fairmont with quite a few modifications to suit the style of an 18 year old enthusiast (lowered, rims, flame throwers, the usual). When I moved away from home for school I found that true motoring enthusiasts were few and far between in the realm that I had put myself in, so my passion was kind of put in the closet so to speak, only coming out when I deemed it absolutely necessary, for fear of being pigeon holed as an out and out Hoon.

And so it stayed there for the next few years as I enjoyed the life of a broke Snowboarder in North America. I would still spend a lot of time searching classifieds for cheap cars that fit my desires of the time, mostly big American trucks (Bronco's and F-150's) never learning my lesson that such cheap rides were only ever a few hundred miles away from needing something fixed. It did, however, show me the benefits of having an old banged up POS that you never think twice about the aesthetics of.

It wasn't until I was living in Denver CO that I came across a rare (for the US) 1990 Audi Quattro V8 that I began to take notice of what the Europeans were capable of. In the 6 months that I had that car, before it completely shat itself, I found a renewed vigor in the motoring world. What had I been missing? This was one of many "Whoa!" moments that make you realize that there is still way more for you to learn about a subject that you are already quite passionate about. Living in the US, it was easy to find new segments and groups of people that got together to appreciate these segments. And this was just Colorado during the summers, I can only imagine what California or the East Coast had on offer every weekend. Even after returning to Australia, after almost 10 years away, it was fantastic to see how much diversity had developed, and with it, a greater acceptance of the industry as a whole, shedding some of that "Hoon" persona that I had grown up with.

I found that the only disappointing aspect of all of this diversity was the actual lack of knowledge of all this diversity. Most of the people that I spoke to over the years seemed to have one thing in common, a lack of interest in genre's other than their own. I've always found this odd. I'm not saying all car people are like this, but I've come across it enough over the years that it's become an obvious trend to me. People only seem to be in to the things that they know, and can be quite negative towards anything else. Whether it be different racing categories or different car clubs, the "us vs them" mentality is always there, keeping the diversity separate, somewhat thinning the numbers of each event. It was something that I just accepted through the years. Never pushed the issue with anyone that I met and kept conversations on the topics that they knew and were comfortable with. Nothing highlighted my own shortcomings of this more to me than NASCAR. I sat on the side of the fence that every other Non American sat with regard to this motorsport. I looked down on it, thought it was primitive and boring. Until I decided that there had to be something to this style of racing that people enjoyed, may as well give it a chance. Why not add a purpose to my hungover Sundays on the couch. Before I knew it, I was a fan. Didn't take long either. It was one of those things, that if you take the time to understand it, the real craft of it begins to shine through. Another "Whoa!" moment.

For me, this was all positive stuff, my love of cars and motorsport was encompassing an ever growing variety of disciplines and cultures. A trip to Europe last year (read about it !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) and new friends that work in the industry in Germany, have cast a whole new light on the "how's and why's" of manufactures decisions and processes, further increasing my understanding, but unlocking even more avenues to explore. Yet, that disappointing aspect was still there, becoming even more baffling to me as I was looking more and more at the big picture. Why do so many people with such a similar interest have such divided attitudes, even disdain for other types of motoring? It hit me a few weeks ago, not like a tonne of bricks, more a warm, growing sensation as I looked back through my experiences over the years. I was pulling up to a tuner shop to ask about ECU mapping for my wife's Lancer Ralli-Art, I happened to take my truck down, as I hadn't run it in a while. As I pulled up to the entrance of the Garage full of Silvia's, GTR's and WRX's, I thought to myself that I might be starting off on the back foot by arriving in something this opposite to what these guys are interested in.

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It only took a few minutes before the conversation turned to my truck and we were standing out next to it. I'm used to it attracting attention, an old Ford F-150 with a big lift, 37 tyres and not much in the way of mufflers is pretty rare in this part of the world. I started to notice that although this is not their cup of tea, they were pointing out stuff that they liked about it, smiling and generally enjoying seeing something out of their realm. It got me thinking about all times I've been with people when they get to see a car or a race that was not in their scope of interest. How, if given a few moments to soak it in, they nearly always immediately find positive things, things that link what they're seeing to what they actually like, followed by the differences and usually the word "cool".

In all my "stepping back" to see the bigger picture, I missed the most basic part about the Automotive world and the people that are interested in it……..Wonder. When car people get in front of something new, we can't help but wonder, I wonder what it sounds like, what it goes like, how fast it is, how cool it is. No matter what your interest is in cars, something new and different will always make you wonder, pique your interest even when you weren't looking for that. Most of the time though, you need to be in it's presence to feel it. When was the last time you just stood in wonder, while soaking in something new and different?

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Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Road Magazine 07/24/2014 at 17:45

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Wait a minute... Your in colorado?

turbo-prius > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 12:45

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This is a beauty of a read.

Stef Schrader > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 12:52

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HRRRRRNNNNGG

Fenderaddict2 > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 12:54

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Nice piece. Never really thought about the wonderment before. Great observation.

Pdb > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 12:58

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Not many "Tyre" fitters in Alabama, though

Annie P. Chatmon > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:01

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catkam623 misses his 944 > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:01

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Excellent read and it brings up the good point of no matter where you stand there is always something worth enjoying about the other areas of enthusiasm. Which is what's great about oppo all are welcome and we just exist as a giant car loving family.

CaptainBoss > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:02

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Its a very good point; a lot of "car lovers" are in fact only lovers of one particular brand or style. I'd like to think I'm not like that, and I've owned and modified 8 cars including muscle cars, trucks, SUVs, boring commuters, luxury cars, and sports sedans, and I can respect different styles and manufacturers regardless of my personal opinion. Any car lover's vehicle, especially if it has been modified, has been chosen for a reason and typically I can agree with the reasoning even if it doesn't fit my personal style.

RelentlessSlacker > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:16

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"Pea gravel can be fascinating if you know enough about pea gravel".

It's the whole NMEs saying "isn't it boring to watch cars go around in circles?" vs. my knowledge that racing is a huge endeavour of mental and physical conditioning, applied engineering and physics knowledge, split second decision-making required to achieve tiny time advantages that accumulate to a good result at the end...there's a whole philosophical background that must be applied relentlessly and expertly in a competitive arena where everyone else is trying to do the same.

Isn't it boring to watch cars go around in circles? Isn't it boring to assume that everything you don't understand has no point?

Eric Sean Delaney > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:17

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I hate the people that I know that go to rallies, but then talk down about NASCAR or other motorsports. I can't be happy with just one series, or even just one style. I don't think I'll ever truly be fully satisfied with car and racing because there's so much more than any one person can do.

Dest > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:19

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What other topics could two people from such different backgrounds possibly have in common?

Women.

ScreenShot > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:24

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Reactions are like brand loyalties & that's a good thing. - they differ in so many ways and any claim that 'complications' are involved misses the point.

Maxaxle > CaptainBoss 07/25/2014 at 13:41

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Even ricers, stancers, and etc. people who don't really understand cars at all?

Thias Wolfe > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:41

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My least favorite aspect of car culture is the closed mindedness of many of its followers. the attitude that they know what they're talking about and you dont and therefore they are better than you. I've always tried to help educate the less informed about the things I know as opposed to throw it in their faces but I feel thats not true for many people. I still get called out as being a kid and not knowing anything on a regular basis but I have seen a slow shift towards a more interactive and social car culture as the years goes by which makes me very happy

Makoyouidiot > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:45

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This is an excellent post!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 13:49

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Says something isn't complicated, then writes 1500+ words on the subject ...

Camry-Into-Canyon > CaptainBoss 07/25/2014 at 14:04

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That's like my friend, who's owned and sometimes modified everything from a Panther to an Explorer to VW Mark IVs (interestingly enough, he hasn't had a single one with electrical issues) to Mustangs, to F-150s, a Hummer, a Jeep, a Malibu and even a Honda Accord.

Bfil > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 14:16

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Dawn.. I love this Alfa Wheels..

This generation of Alfas are becoming more and more attractive..

Richard Bartrop > Thias Wolfe 07/25/2014 at 14:26

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A lot of this stuff isn't even about liking cars, it's about their hierarchy in the pack. If they can say that people who like x aren't as good as people who like y, they can somehow persuade themselves that they're a better person because they're a y-lover, regardless of how badly the rest of their life is going.

TireKicker22 > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 14:32

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This photo is glorious.

sskillett > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 14:39

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Great piece and I agree. I'm 44 years old now and I find myself interested in way more Marques or genres of Autodom than I was when younger. I never would have thought to lust over a "lowly 6 cylinder powered" European car (M-B SL, M3, 911, etc) in my younger years. That's just the way I thought back then. I always felt a 'proper' vehicle should be V8 powered and rwd. Who knew the Germans actually built a few fun cars? Lol. Even some of the Japanese 4cyl cars I would love to own these days.

Blondude > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 14:40

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So much this! I see this closed-mindedness here on Oppo every time the stance debate comes up. It's always, "I don't like it, so everyone that does like it is retarded." Yes, it's not really my cup of tea, but at least I understand that there are people out there who really do like it and I can respect that.

Why can't we just agree cars are awesome and leave it at that?

CaptainBoss > Maxaxle 07/25/2014 at 15:32

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I understand where they're coming from and I can respect the effort and craftsmanship that went into a well done car in either of those styles. Emphasis on the "well done;" crappy and half-assed builds need not apply. And none of this is to say that I necessarily like the style, or would do it to my own car, but I respect that everyone has a different opinion and that they put the effort in to make it their own.

mierdv > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 16:56

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There will always be that one chasm that will never be bridged. new vs old - good vs bad - paddle vs manual

Andrew T. Maness > Road Magazine 07/25/2014 at 21:08

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It doesn't discriminate between demographics or socioeconomics. It's one of the few subjects that is likely to be a common interest between, let's just say a Tyre fitter from Alabama, USA, and an Investment Banker from London, England. Take a minute and let that swirl around your head. What other topics could two people from such different backgrounds (I am generalizing here to highlight a point) possibly have in common?

I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with people I never would have otherwise approached due to what they were driving. It's actually been the basis for some of my longest friendships and certainly the start of many a funny story.

As with any new job or activity that you are partaking in, social media tends to broadcast it to your friends and family, which leads to conversations about said activity. These conversations have ranged from "That's awesome that you're doing something that you love" to "Wow, I didn't know that you were that in to Cars". It's these conversations with Non Motoring Enthusiasts (NME's) that have made me look at my own interest in the subject in a way that I never have before.

This hits incredibly close to home. Every old friend of mine I ran into on my last trip home took a moment to bend my ear about something auto related. As for my NME(needs trademark) friends, they are just psyched to know someone who gets new vehicles dropped off at their house.

Sarconio > CaptainBoss 07/26/2014 at 01:46

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This. Right here. Respect your fellow automotive enthusiast. It's all really a matter of opinion, and every style has it's place somewhere. If you can tell someone has really put work into something and has made it how they want it, then don't put them down for it. Talk to them, get to know them and maybe learn a little about a car culture you knew nothing about.

DanZman > Sarconio 07/26/2014 at 01:51

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I feel exactly the same as you and it really rings true for the Donks and "ricers" of the world. I can always appreciate a car that is cleanly done and truly loved by its owner, even if its a caprice on 30s thats painted with a Dr Pepper theme.

Sarconio > Maxaxle 07/26/2014 at 01:52

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Stanced cars that get so much hate on here. They have their place. They're show cars. They're not supposed to be on the track. They're not supposed to be practical. They are made to look good in the eyes of people that enjoy them. Don't think for one second that the people who enjoy this style don't understand cars. That's just being ignorant. Yes people drive them on the road, and yes it is not always practical, but they make it work.

SilentRacer911 > Road Magazine 07/26/2014 at 02:49

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Im just curious, but how much did you spend on gas during that 2 weeks in Europe with the M3?

LincVattic > Road Magazine 07/26/2014 at 09:22

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You have 2 types of car lovers: The superficial and the genuine. The superficial bleed the colors of a particular brand and use vehicles to define their "masculinity" or "status". The genuine appreciate cars for how insane of an idea they are and how each has their own personality. I've been a part of several different motorsports clubs and it's the genuine that are the rare breed.

Maxaxle > Sarconio 07/26/2014 at 13:38

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Obviously you haven't seen ANY of the people who stance their cars in my area. 90% of the time, the car they've stanced was already half an inch of the ground (usually an Acura TL or newer Lexus 4-door), the car itself is an automatic, and if they're not blasting music then they're texting while driving.

torque > RelentlessSlacker 07/26/2014 at 14:12

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very well said Matt

torque > LincVattic 07/26/2014 at 14:31

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There are definitely superficial enthusiasts for whom interest/love/ownership/knowledge about car or truck or xyz is all about status.

However there are plenty of genuine car lovers that for whatever reason are super focused on 1 particular brand (hell sometimes even 1 particular model! - camero vs mustang anyone?). Often brand loyalty is handed down from 1 generation to the next, you especially can see this with truck buyers.

And of course brand loyalty is not limited to just cars/trucks either. Just go try to convince a John Deere guy of the merits of an IH or a Massey (or often times vice versa) etc...

Same is true of many plane enthusiasts or watch (ok "chronograph) enthusiasts, whom love them some Cessnas (and only Cessnas) or Tag Heuer (and only Tag Heuer) respectively.

Personally I love variety (design, thought, approach), Teslas, Tatras, steam, diesels, wankels, diesel mercs, trucks, Range/Land Rovers (When they're running of course), USA, British, German, Japanese, French (always something intersting), kia cars, micro cars, hell even some (old or modern) hybrids are interesting & of course the list goes on...

Tom Bennett > Road Magazine 07/27/2014 at 14:59

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This is a very cool photograph... captures what I dig about car culture.

Tom Bennett > Road Magazine 07/27/2014 at 14:59

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This is a very cool photograph... captures what I dig about car culture.

Sarconio > Maxaxle 07/28/2014 at 19:22

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So because you don't personally like it, that means that it's bad for everyone? It doesn't matter if it's an Acura or a Ferrari, they put effort into it. If they're texting and driving then yes, they're pretty stupid, but blasting music is hardly a valid complaint and is not even remotely limited to stanced cars.

Maxaxle > Sarconio 07/28/2014 at 22:17

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>put effort into it
Orrr they just told a mechanic to carelessly chop the springs and put ridiculous rims on it and/or stretch the tires? AFAIK the ride quality actually gets worse, performance usually takes a nosedive, and the only possible "upside", aesthetics, is just a flimsy justification for ruining perfectly good cars.

Sarconio > Maxaxle 07/29/2014 at 03:44

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If it's clear they just chopped the springs and put the cheapest chrome-iest rims they could find on it, then ya, that's what you call rice. And you're right, most of the time, on a set up without super-expensive adjustable air bags, the handling and performance usually take a massive hit. But the people who stance their cars right don't give a single fuck about performance. Absolutely none. Zero. If someone is trying to make a "stanced" car that is also a performance track star, they're just dumb. The upside (Notice upside is not in quotations, because there's absolutely no reason for it to be) is definitely because when it is done right, it looks very cool (In the opinion of many, many, many, thousands of people around the world who are apparently not you). And you should respect that other people have an opinion and different taste. If you don't like stanced cars, don't look at them. Look the other way, and enjoy your properly aligned wheels and tires that fit. Nobody will blame you for disliking the culture, it's really not for everyone. But don't put it down just because you don't like it. Or because there are a large amount of idiots who do it completely wrong.

Tohru > CaptainBoss 08/14/2014 at 00:39

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Cars aren't the only thing like that, where certain groups only love one particular brand or style.

If you go to any motorcycle meetup, there'll be two groups: the BMW riders, and everyone else.

The BMW guys cluster off in a corner with their dual-sports, aluminum panniers, reflective safety vests, and GPS mounts; while everyone else socializes.