Well guys it happened today, just as I feared..........

[OnyxRider]

A few years ago at a west coast track I brought a bunch of USN SEALS from Coronada and one stood guard over a few cars. Everyone was basically taking laps and enjoying some R & R. A year later one of the guys brought these life size figures in full gear. Had to add a few non-functioning weapons and these stand guard in the garages with a sign "Don't even think about it" A few machine guns and an anti-tank weapon does wonders. lol

[mtrain2000]

The other part of it was that the mom, allowed her little girl to push the full sized stroller at breakneck speed all around the parking lot.

Right before we left the show her mother asked us, "have you seen where my little girl went". My wife started to say something, and I gently pinched her leg under the registration table.

[Steve Gallegos]

I was at the Bob's Big Boy weekly cruise in on Friday night when a child, about 4, went to step on my side pipe to look in the car. My response GET OFF THE PIPES NOW Mother and dad were standing right there and looked at me. Mom grabbed the kids arm and said I told you not to get close to the car

[mtrain2000]

You know really, I can't understand why this is even an issue.

For as long as I remember my parents taught me not to touch anything that wasn't mine. Most all of the kids I remember were taught that way.

I even remember when a rich kid brought his dads 68 vette to the school home comming. There were a group of about ten of us goofing off [ I guess we were about 14 years old], and not one of us touched the car.

This is a strange, new world we are living in.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by mtrain2000

This is a strange, new world we are living in.

It sure is. When my parents sold our family home years ago we had to have new locks put on the door for the inspection because we couldn't find the key - hadn't locked the house in years. Try that in today's world.

[Jaydee]

I had a similar experience as Kevin. One guy leaning on the paint work. I had to ask him not to, and I felt like a prick. Worse idiots are when the car is dusty, and they rub their finger down the paint and say, wow that's dusty. Leaving fine scratch marks. All the stories you guys are telling, is sort of making me dread finishing my Cobra, or to say screw it, I'm not going to worry about every scratch as I'll probably wrap the car eventually, so I don't have to worry anymore.
JD

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by Tommy

What follows is not advice. It is merely what I do.
When I arrive where I suspect naive people may get too close (e.g., a cruise-in), I set up my folding chair nearby and monitor things until the sidepipes have cooled enough to not be dangerous. Sooner or later I'll wander off to register or see the other cars. If some moron lets their unruly child scratch my car or leave sticky handprints on it, that's the price I pay for bringing my car to a public place and leaving it unguarded. Should they know better? Yes. But as I know some will be irresponsible, the ultimate decision to participate or not is mine. ... BTW, I routinely allow well behaved children to sit in my car.

My thoughts exactly.

[RET_COP]

I'm not taking the chance of a child getting burned by the pipes. It sounds like a lawsuit to me. Not saying a good lawsuit but you know how that goes [Most of us don't have shields].
Stay with the car until the pipes are cooled or buy some nice welding blankets and cut them to fit nicely over the pipes until they cool. That's what I do anyway. It also makes for some good questions and conversation.
As far as parenting and kids at car shows. Ive seen out of control kids and bad parenting but even with good parenting kids make stupid decisions when the back is turned, been there.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by olddog

Ovoid car shows next to government housing projects, where people can walk to the show for something to do. There are people living there that do not make good choices.

WOW


Does that mean you can't park at WalMart either???



Again WOW - no words....

[LRRCobradreamer]

I few yeas ago at LCS, I was away from the Cobra and pipes were cool. My wife was sitting there and looked at the Cobra behind us and saw a young boy standing on the side pipes bare footed. She knew the pipes were cool, but yelled anyway since next time they could be hot. The mother just looked at her and took the kid away not saying a work. Not sure what my wife said to her.

I have allowed children to sit in my car for photos, but usually try to pick the time when not many children are around. The worst one was a boy that was too young, maybe 2-3 years old. He cried because he did not want to get out. That made me feel bad, since I suggested it. I now only pick older children.

One of my first car shows I wandered off and came back with a group of adults around the car. One guy was talking up the car, like he knew it. Then he touched it several times. I corrected him on one or two points and informed all I was the owner. He continued to talk about the car and keep touching it. Finally I had had enough. I pointed out he was the ONLY one in the group touching and car I had spend all day waxing. He stopped and all the people walked away.


Lee

[GRUF78]

Funny...

I don't even let my own kids sit in my car....and the youngest is 15....oldest is 24.

you guys are pretty generous....

GRUFF

[rpatton3]

Didn't Mark Twain write something about a cat and a hot stove?

[G-Pete]

Ooops, I printed your car - can I get my spanking now???

hehehehehe

[Luce]

I don't mind kids touching my car. Their dirty little paw prints wash off. I don't let strippers touch my car. That nastiness requires lacquer thinner, sandpaper and flea bombs to get off.