People you would assume we're into cars and aren't.....
Discussion
In general, there are people who are into cars to a varying degree and there are those who don't get cars, don't like cars and who treat them as white goods.
It just shows that you shouldn't make assumptions.
Mate number 1
A mans man, certainly a ladies man. Aged 40, very successful job in the media at the top of his game.. Well dressed happy in any social situation but with a taste for the finer things in life.
He doesn't drive. Was with him recently and I was admiring a very nice new Aston. He didn't have a clue what it was, and thought it looked "nice". He thinks I have a Range Rover, he's been told its a Freelander but he ignores this and tells how it's like the one (insert footballer/actor/other celebrity) has.
Mate number 2
He's now a senior military officer so doesn't go flying helicopters any more. Bags of fantastic stories from 30 years service. Still plays football/rugby and like my friend above is the sort of guy you'd assume having spent his adult life living in the fast lane had an interesting car.
He called me before Christmas to excitedly tell me he'd bought "One of those electric hybrid Toyotas". A Prius I guess. In the years I have known him he's had an old Fiesta, a Korean people carrier (TriStar?) and a scruffy Avensis. He's not old money posh by the way. That could have explained it. Working class comp educated boy done good.
I'm not criticising them, it's just you'd probably assume with their careers, money and lifestyles they'd be into cars.
On the other side of the coin, my wife has a friend who is a Vicar's wife, obsessed with MGFs like ours. Her knowledge is encyclopaedic. Her husaband the Vicar's passion? Range Rovers. He runs a nice 3 year old L322. (I guess her job pays for it)
Anyone got a stuntman mate with a Nissan Bluebird? Or a 90 year old aunt with an F-Type?
Another clergyman, a catholic priest I know drives an Audi TT.
I used to know a catholic priest who rode a ZZR1100.
And a multi-millionaire, with no interest in cars whatsoever, who drove a Ford Focus.
I suppose I'm also a weird example of a piston header - I can afford a good few of the more sought after PH motors, yet I drive a Mondeo (although, in my defence, that's more to with living in London and having relatively limited use for a car).
And a multi-millionaire, with no interest in cars whatsoever, who drove a Ford Focus.
I suppose I'm also a weird example of a piston header - I can afford a good few of the more sought after PH motors, yet I drive a Mondeo (although, in my defence, that's more to with living in London and having relatively limited use for a car).
A couple of ex Graphic Design students I worked with, one a slim twenty year old lass (think Hayley Williams-esque in stature, same coloured hair, dyed, slightly better looking), well into her cars, though she can only afford a Ka she knew a fair bit about it (we spent an hour at the end of one winters day talking about motors as we cleaned up the studio). On the other hand a couple of twenty year old male students that'd look as if they'd take a vague interest wouldn't be able to tell you which end of the car was which until it hit them (even then only maybe).
Patrick1964 said:
I remember many years ago seeing footage of an elderly English lady with a 289 Cobra. Can't remember the details.
Going one better, I saw a mini documentary once about an octogenarian lady whose daily driver was a vintage car, a Vauxhall 14/40 or 30/98 IIRC. I am damned if I can find a copy of it online anywhere but it was most interesting. I used to see a grey haired lady in a white r26.r fairly regularly a couple of years ago - not so much now but have seen the car a couple of times sice.
I mentioned it on the clio forums and apparently she had been known to do trackdays and had a couple of other sporty motors tucked away.
A tvr,911 or some sort of r badged jag i wouldn't have batted an eyelid round here but plastic windows, harnesses and a climbing frame in the boot shows a certain level of commitment to the cause.
I mentioned it on the clio forums and apparently she had been known to do trackdays and had a couple of other sporty motors tucked away.
A tvr,911 or some sort of r badged jag i wouldn't have batted an eyelid round here but plastic windows, harnesses and a climbing frame in the boot shows a certain level of commitment to the cause.
Isn't this thread supposed to be about people you would think are interested in cars and aren't, not the other way round?
Anyway, it surprises me the amount of people in the automotive engineering industry that aren't really passionate about cars and drive around in "white goods" that produce a lot more miles per gallon than smiles per gallon. Even on some of the much less mainstream bespoke cars I've been surprised to find the people doing the design and engineering aren't really that interested in cars.
Anyway, it surprises me the amount of people in the automotive engineering industry that aren't really passionate about cars and drive around in "white goods" that produce a lot more miles per gallon than smiles per gallon. Even on some of the much less mainstream bespoke cars I've been surprised to find the people doing the design and engineering aren't really that interested in cars.
My old boss, who was the owner on=f a group of Garages that sold a large variety of new and used cars. Obviously into cars, as his company sells and services them. Could have had his pick of pretty much anything he wanted, he was about 6'3", so the last car you would expect him to choose was the Peugeot 106, but that was indeed his choice.
No accounting for taste I guess. Wasn't even a GTi.
No accounting for taste I guess. Wasn't even a GTi.
Al U said:
Isn't this thread supposed to be about people you would think are interested in cars and aren't, not the other way round?
Anyway, it surprises me the amount of people in the automotive engineering industry that aren't really passionate about cars and drive around in "white goods" that produce a lot more miles per gallon than smiles per gallon. Even on some of the much less mainstream bespoke cars I've been surprised to find the people doing the design and engineering aren't really that interested in cars.
Isn't that just work though? Anecdotally; I work in investments. No-one I work with is that interested in investments. I mean we do the job, but we're not enthusiastic about unit trusts. I mean why would you be, they're terrifyingly dull. However most on the outside with a financial mindset: accountants, tax dodgers, Daily Mail readers etc assume I find investments as endlessly fascinating as they do. They devote time to it, they read about them, talk about them, even go on internet forums to discuss them with complete strangers. I don't get it at all. Which is how the automotive engineers you mention feel about car enthusiasts! Similarly a previous life working in a supermarket didn't inspire me to become a chef.Anyway, it surprises me the amount of people in the automotive engineering industry that aren't really passionate about cars and drive around in "white goods" that produce a lot more miles per gallon than smiles per gallon. Even on some of the much less mainstream bespoke cars I've been surprised to find the people doing the design and engineering aren't really that interested in cars.
delboy735 said:
My old boss, who was the owner on=f a group of Garages that sold a large variety of new and used cars. Obviously into cars, as his company sells and services them. Could have had his pick of pretty much anything he wanted, he was about 6'3", so the last car you would expect him to choose was the Peugeot 106, but that was indeed his choice.
No accounting for taste I guess. Wasn't even a GTi.
That's not surprising I know a load of mechanics and people in the trade with no interest whatsoever in cars, then again working on cars all day does that to you after a while.No accounting for taste I guess. Wasn't even a GTi.
MagneticMeerkat said:
Isn't that just work though? Anecdotally; I work in investments. No-one I work with is that interested in investments. I mean we do the job, but we're not enthusiastic about unit trusts. I mean why would you be, they're terrifyingly dull. However most on the outside with a financial mindset: accountants, tax dodgers, Daily Mail readers etc assume I find investments as endlessly fascinating as they do. They devote time to it, they read about them, talk about them, even go on internet forums to discuss them with complete strangers. I don't get it at all. Which is how the automotive engineers you mention feel about car enthusiasts! Similarly a previous life working in a supermarket didn't inspire me to become a chef.
I'd say that's a bit different really. Why did you get into investments? I got into automotive engineering because I've always been intersted in cars, I think if you do a degree in something you aren't passionate about or aren't that interested in then what's the point? I'm not saying that it's all automotive engineers just some,. When you say isn't it "just work" to be honest no it isn't it's more than just work to me, I thoroughly enjoy what I do and feel proud when I see a car I've worked on drive past.Edited by Al U on Monday 29th December 02:37
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