Is it real?

[Three Peaks]

I've had my scratch built on the road for about 2 years now and I still get this question. Most of the time it is "is it real, or is it a kit car?".

I try not to have an ego about this thing- after all I built it for me and I don't expect anyone else to understand my motivations or desire for this car but trying to tell somebody "no, it's not a kit car and it's not an original, I built it pretty much from scratch" can be kind of draining. But not for the reasons you would think.
To explain to someone why or how you built one of these cars from scratch means explaining why you decided to go that route, how you accomplished it, the research that went into it, the parts and pieces, friends you made in the process, etc.... How do you explain all that in a short conversation? Most of the time after a couple sentences, the guy asking the question has a blank look on his face and looks like it is time to move on to the next car at the show, or cruise in, or change his babie's diaper, or......

So, I know there are only a few of us here but how do you guys explain this to "interested" parties?

Bob

[Morris]

It’s a “Morris/Kirkham”.......that really confuses the issue....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Morris

It’s a “Morris/Kirkham”.......that really confuses the issue....

Had a friend in high school that drove a Morris Marina. That may have been the ugliest car I have every actually ridden in in my life.

[patrickt]

In fact, to this day, if you Google "POS car" it will bounce you to pic of the Morris Marina.

[RodKnock]

Nope, I have you beat. My girlfriend from WAY back owned a Datsun B210 Honey Bee. That's the ugliest POS car ever built.

[blykins]

My parents owned a Honey Bee when I was born/toddler.

I remember talking to them about it and they said that they were worried when they first bought it because they didn't know if they could afford the $60/month payment.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

My parents owned a Honey Bee when I was born/toddler.
.

Hmmmm, any chance you were conceived in that Honey Bee? That could explain a lot....

[blykins]

Hittin the cocaine this early in the day?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Hittin the cocaine this early in the day?

I don't think people do cocaine anymore. Opiods are the ticket.

That Honey Bee was embarassing to drive around in. But she, the girlfriend, not the car, was worth it.

[AC Ventura]

I share the OP’s weariness with the original question. I think we all feel that we don’t have to justify the validity of our machine, to a thrill seeking total stranger. I mean he wouldn’t dare ask a Ferrari owner how much it cost, but somehow he needs to justify that the car he is excited about is period original. Almost as if we need to reassure him of his good judgment.
I’d just say, obviously it’s real but newly constructed, taking advantage all the lessons learned in the interim. As you will doubtless appreciate a far better proposition than the 1960s cars, which of course never had the benefit of 50 years development and improvement.

[rodneym]

You got to have a thick skin with these cars.

I'm truthful and succinct. If they want more, they'll ask.

[Morris]

Originally Posted by patrickt

In fact, to this day, if you Google "POS car" it will bounce you to pic of the Morris .

Are you saying my car is a POS.....???


Where’s Patrick when I want to have some fun....

[cobrakiwi]

When asked, 9 out of 10 times I answer, it's a copy.
Every now and then If I think it's needed I will have a little fun with an answer.

If more questions are asked and someone shows an interest I will give more details.

Most of the time it's all good fun.

[cobrakiwi]

True story,
I had just finished a 427 cobra build and was taking a test drive, as I was driving down the road an oncoming car passed me and I noticed his brake lights come on.
Dang, plain clothes cop I was thinking, I kept going and pulled into the Post office and here he comes.
The guy parks and comes over and the questions start, all good.
Then he asked to take a picture, I said help your self just be careful of the side pipes, Hot!
The guy then asked if I would open the hood so he could look at the engine, sure no problem!
He asked again to take a picture, sure no problem.
The next thing that happened was a total surprise to both of us, he fell into the engine bay
With both feet in the air, face down on the other side value cover,
I grabbed him by back of his shirt and pulled him back to earth. Wow!!
Lucky no damage to him or the car, guy was very embarrassed and very apologetic.
Lucky for the paint the guy was a Doctor and had scrubs on.

Be careful out there.

[ChiChris]

He must be a wiz in the operating room!

[1985 CCX]

I usually say it’s a replica.
Not a kit, wished at times it was.
Not original, as I am not that financially successful.
If they ask if it’s a 427, I say yes and run...
Now and then I get s real enthusiast which is nice.

[Three Peaks]

I'm not really complaining, just sometimes left a little dumbfounded about what to say or wonder if I'm giving a neophyte more info than they can process at times. I usually tell people that if I had been smart, I would have built a kit- would have been a lot easier...

However, once in a while I do get a real enthusiast and the conversations can be real interesting at times.

Bob

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Had a friend in high school that drove a Morris Marina. That may have been the ugliest car I have every actually ridden in in my life.

More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Marina


Okay, not the best looking car out there, but still nowhere near as fugly as a Pontiac Aztek:

[ScratchBuilder]

I have a real Shelby and a replica. Most common question on both is “Can I buy that from you?” Secondary is what is that and in both cases i usually say replica....

SB

[patrickt]

This might have been the exact car I remember. If not, it's a friggin' clone.