OK Club Cobra - Here's a Tough One!

[CobERA]

We've been on the road for about three weeks now, and having a blast!

I have a question for you veterans - - What is the proper response to the ubiquitous thumbs up?

Is it a return thumbs up?

Is it a knowing nod?

Is it a return wave?

Is it a friendly bip of the throttle?

Just want to make sure we are representing the fraternity well.

[Mark Roe]

The answer is:

Yes--if it's another guy--

or

if it's a "lady"--just have a stupid smile--like a guy

or

if it's a "chick"--look cool--and try not to crash

or

if it's any of the above--the straight stare (translation--I don't know what to do)

But most of all------let 'em enjoy the sight

[TerribleTed13]

Rick,

Been on the road since December,and loving every miniute!!
I think any return and polite responce/jesture is ok. If they smile and you smile - life must be great!! But even better since were driving the cobras!!

[Excaliber]

Often I "blip" the throttle plenty hard. My pipes are louder than my horn.

Ernie

[750hp]

Mark -

[wilf leek]

For reserved englishmen, a slight inclination or nod of the head, no more than 10 degrees from the horizontal, and lasting less than 500 milliseconds, eyes front, was what I found when I looked it up in the "Englishman gentleman's handbook of motoring etiquette".

I also noticed that we are supposed to very noticeably avert our eyes whilst a lady climbs into any low-slung sportscar. Gosh, what a shame.

There is also a long section about correct behaviour whilst using public toilets in the course of a long drive. I won't go into that, and anyway, I would not want to look.

[casaleenie]

Originally posted by Excaliber


Often I "blip" the throttle plenty hard. My pipes are louder than my horn.

Ernie

Ernie,

YOU HAVE A HORN?????
COOL!!!

[JWheaton]

Originally posted by wilf leek


For reserved englishmen, ....

Wilv's

What about the unreserved?

What type of hat should you be wearing?

This is good info, please educate some more.

[wtcobra]

Turk sticks his thumb in his mouth as if sucking it. Meets a lot of other drivers that way he claims.

Wayne Turpin

[wilf leek]

JWheaton - there ARE no "unreserved" englishmen. I rather suspect that I myself might no longer be 100% "english", but some strange mid-Atlantic hybrid.

As to what type of hat, the book allowed for Trilbies, tweed flat caps, "Biggles" type driving caps with goggles, or a straw boater.

Wayne - think yourself lucky that Turk stopped at sticking his thumb in his mouth.

Since I now habitually drive with a "Gashole " hat on, sometimes back to front if travelling at any speed, I am awaiting the deportation order any day now. Look out America.

[Flyin_Freddie]

Wilf's lecture on civility indeed brings culture and a 'proper English perspective' to the question on returning a 'thumbs up' gesture from the adoring masses of motoring civilians. However....from my point of view...

If it's another guy....a simple wave of the hand....nothing too faggish...just throw up your right hand to indicate you're not carrying a weapon will put your fellow man at ease.

If it's an older lady...a simple nod will do....see Wilf's proper Englishman's nod. Very appropriate, also, to tip the bowler ever so slightly. Try not to drool too noticeably.

If it's a babe....depending on her attire.... motion her to pull over and hop in...or hop 'on' as the case may be. Give her the ride of her life...drooling is acceptable, but try not to drool directly on her....unless, of course, she asks....then, by all means, it's acceptable to drool, but do try to establish a price before things get out of hand...so to speak.

If it's a constable....a proper salute is appropriate. Extend the fingers of the right hand, and bring the tip of your middle finger to touch the right eyebrow and then smartly drop your hand back to the shift knob. Select second gear and throw him/her some 'pipes' as you accelerate away from the officer while maintaining all due respect to the legal speed limit...or not, as the case may warrant.

If it's a fellow Gashole....simply raise up off one cheek and bellow a friendly greeting from your posterior region... returning a proper Gasholian greeting is oh so appropriate in these awkward situations. Meeting a fellow Gashole is indeed a priviledge and an excellent opportunity to 'make one count'....

If it's a fellow Gashole and it happens to be LNP.....just duck down in the car a low as you can go and still see out...then nail the throttle and get outta there as soon as possible, lest you be overcome by the spreading gaseous clouds. Check your mirror frequently to insure you're not being followed...make sure you stay up wind. Do not stop....

[mikiec]

Freddy...

The problem with LNP is that you never know what he is driving..

He could be in one of these and sneak up on you.



Mike

[Flyin_Freddie]

See that evil grin on his face...d'ya see it?

Guess what he just did in someone else's driver's seat? I'm tellin' ya, ya can't trust this man...this Gashole extraordinaire...

[mikiec]

Speaking of grins...

[Flyin_Freddie]

I know this guy to Honest, Brave, Loyal, Clean, Trustworthy and Reverent. Well, hell, okay....three outta six, your pick!

I also know him to be Hungover, Sunburned, Tired, Stinky, and damned glad to make everyone's acquaintance at this year's DVSF.3.... Not to mention looking forward to seeing everyone again NEXT year!

[SCOBRAC]

I pretty much ignore it for safety reasons. I counted them one time I got an average of three honks, waives or thumbs-up per mile. I do tend to acknowledge other very cool cars or bikes.

I have stopped looking altogether at the 17-24 year old females who are either walking, or are with their BF's in any kind of "cool" car who would obviously rather be in mine. I have been flashed 3 times that I know of by almost-old-enough's walking in my neighborhood.

I will admit I do tend to notice the soccer moms, 25-40 year hotties and former hard bodies that have been sentenced to 20 years behind the wheel of a BMW station wagon, GMC Yukon or even a mini van who are looking like they would do ANYTHING for a ride.

The interesting ones are the 45-60 year old's who were around when these cars were on the street. I'm not sure how many actually got to take a ride but it's obvious lots of them want to. I get the distinct feeling it would be a ride I wouldn't forget either.

The funniest are the men. Guys are either into it and honk or waive or totally ignore it as if it isn't there. I was at an outdoor shopping outlet center and I was about 40 feet from my car and this late 20's ish family walked by. A guy his wife and a 3 year old... The wife is looking, the kid is looking like she is seeing color for the first time. But the guy is looking straight ahead almost like it isn't there, but he is completely aware of what his wife and daughter are doing. Finally the little girl says "WOOOOOWWW.. Daddy what is that?" The father almost scowling, still not looking over says, "It's a cobra" and tells his wife who had stopped to look "we have to go" and he hurried off.

I live at a busy 4 way stop. I have noticed a few near misses at the intersection when the car is uncovered. People are loking over and forget to stop or not noticing someone else that has stopped.

[Roscoe]

Good manners for drivers
Introduction by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu
'To drive on one's own side of the highway is the first principle in the etiquette of the road 1907. £3.99



Roscoe

[wilf leek]

Thank you Roscoe.

You guys thought I was joking about the book, didn't you??? We Englishmen like to know the "proper" way to do most anything. We even call s*x "marital unpleasantness".

[Roscoe]

HEY WILF!

Check it out:

http://www.btinternet.com/~copperbee...ooksummary.htm

Roscoe

[Edley Rondinone]

I prefer an easy nod of the head, or a slight wave of the hand. I believe any positive recognition should be returned if at all possible; would hate for Cobra owners to be lumped in the same category as those "snobbish" Ferrari owners!! lol !!