So I took out the '69 for a general cruise this morning. I finally had time when it is not in the 90's outside. I pulled into a Wawa parking lot (local convenience store) to download an app to gps check my speed, as my speedo has always been way off. I was engrossed in choosing the app, when Bubba approached......

Now, I more than welcome, in fact enjoy, when people come up and compliment the car and want to talk cars. It is part of the whole experience. After saying how much he loved the car, he told me he has an '81. "Nice," I responded.

"What is this [looking nose to tail], a '71?"

"Actually it's a '69."

"That's what I want," he exclaimed.

[First proof of Bubbaness. If a '69 is what you want, I guess you are overlooking 427 v 454 and the louvers v egg crate front fender treatment. Too harsh?]

"What's it got, a 5 speed? Oh, a 4? You should get 6 Speed. 6th gear is like an overdrive -- great for gas mileage" [Ommmm. Unless you get under my car and see I have installed suspension components that are a bit of an upgrade from '69, you would think you are looking at a 100% stock car. Zero restomod touches. And mileage? We're talkin' about mileage? With a big block? That can be read in the style of Jim Mora (Playoffs?) or Alan Iverson (Practice?)]

"Is it fast? When you get on it does it [hand gestures torquing frame] or just go straight? Cause that's how you know if its a posi." [I am daydreaming of Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny waiting at this point waiting for it to end.]

"It will just step out to the right when I push. It definitely lets you know you're driving without all the computer nannies we are used to now," I offered.

"I'm running 650 horsepower in my Dodge pick up. It's got a Hemi, and I got a tune and one of those cold air, uh, om, that has, ya know, that thing on the end." [Resisting asking if he is thinking of a cone air filter]

This continued as I kept returning my gaze to the phone to download the gps app for what seemed like an hour but probably was all of 5 minutes. I know the guy was just being friendly and probably had a couple minutes to kill. But when I was coming up and knew nothing, I asked my fair share of questions, but I do not remember trying to fake my way through announcing as much misinfomration as possible. I am sure I used, and continue to use, the wrong mechanical or technical term when talking cars, but I am the first to admit I am far from an expert. Heck, since my first car that had a carb when I bought the Haynes manual to try and learn how to work on it, everything since has had a computer and often featured thing like plugs you can't get to without a lift or special tool (89 Taurus SHO). I missed out on a whole lot of the common sense answers you guys offer on this site you learned growing up with plugs and points, for which I am very grateful. It's fine to be clueless -- just don't be Bubba. And for what it's worth, I have not embellished in the slightest.

 

He is not Bubba. Bubba actually knows how to (sort of) work on a car. Calling him Bubba is an insult to Bubba...

 

Thats like the person at the car cruise the other night, Told me my 78 wasn't a real silver anniversity because it wasn't silver. Its factory dark Brown.

 

I had a guy tell me my car with a TH400 actually has 8 gears...he was adamant about this so I just agreed with him...

 

Fine. Sorry Bubba.

 

I still hear people say they have a 3/4 cam.

 

People with a v6 have 3/4 of a cam...

 

You got to have your phone set up so you touch a button and it rings and you have to take the call. Must be an app for that. Maybe called the anti Bubba app?

 

YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAaawww!!!! I luve me some bubba....

 

I don't mind talking to Bubba, I just don't want him working on my car.

 

Bubbas, equipped with baling wire and duct tape will survive long after the the geniuses succumb from being unable to replace a fuse.

 

I just act like my phone's ringer is on silent..... That way I can pick it up anytime during an annoying conversation and say hello and start talking. Works everytime.

 

Had the '67 coupe out at a cruise-in on Saturday night. A guy walks up and admires the car for a bit then tells me about his cousin "that has a '63 split window, it's a convertible."

A convertible split window?

"Yeah, it's a pretty rare car."

I'll say.

 

I heard about those...., didn't they come with a Hemi ?

 

Nope-ZL-1 and a power glide......

 

I forgot to mention, Bubba also pointed out my '69 was a split window. He probably meant "removable" and "split" came out of his mouth.

 

A harmless and fun conversation for at least one person. We are the ambassadors of these cars. Not everyone has the depth and breadth of knowledge about C3s as those of us on the Forum.

You didn't meet Bubba, but you may have met the person who would hire Bubba to work on their car, rather than do it themselves.

 

My 75 convertible was a split window. I used duct tape for the center of window until i could find a hard top.

 

Who among us haven't gotten that feeling of being snobbishly snubbed by a subject matter expert for an innocent gaffe while taking a chance on connecting with someone whose somethin' or other you've been admiring? Google is your friend for when you may encounter a high-brow....

 

This guy may have been a bit uninformed, but I have talked to people who knew far less about Corvettes than what he sounded like. I am not an expert myself and I probably make people cringe at some of my questions I ask, but that is one way I learn. There are also some things about Corvettes that I am very knowledgeable about and I enjoy sharing those things. I also enjoy engaging people who are more informed than I. If this guy owns an 81, he is a member of the brotherhood. From the sound of the conversation, he was only trying to be friendly. Down here in Texas that is considered a good thing.

I guess we all have our own level of tolerance. I hope he does not read this forum.