Automotive Blasphemy

[Pat Dilling]

Freedom of choice gives us the right to do what we want with our cars or other possessions. That same freedom gives people the right to criticize it if they don't like it. The pendulum swings both ways.

[63 R2 Hawk]

If it weren't for the (maladictae deleleted) hot rodders in the '50s and '60s, there wouldn't be very many old Fords, Chevys and Henry Js still around, they would have long been sent to the crushers. Studebaker were different, considered "grandpa cars" and the grandpas continued to drive them until they couldn't drive anymore, then they were put in the barn or back yard or wherever they weren't in the way. I'm guessing it's considerably less expensive to put a modern Viper motor in a Pierce rather than rebuild it. I would say that, as long as he didn't completely destroy the car doing so, I'm all for it. At least it can be driven as opposed to sitting in a museum or garage and trailered around the rest of its life.

[SScopelli]

If you take something beautiful..


Decide people will like it better if it is more particle


And try to get as much out of it..


Why is there such a resistance from people wanting to do what they want?

[Chris Pile]

Automotive blasphemy? No such thing.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Freedom of choice gives us the right to do what we want with our cars or other possessions. That same freedom gives people the right to criticize it if they don't like it. The pendulum swings both ways.

Yessir.......

[prescottstude]

I think the point Jeff was making is: it's your car, it's your money, it's your choice. No law prevents you doing what you want with it, no matter what anyone else thinks!

That's all.

Agreed, there is no law...I guess I am a little taken back by inference that the big"C" should be brought in to justify someone messing with a Pierce Arrow....It seems to me that there is/are far more important issues that the big "C" was designed for...Further, using the showbiz kid logic, I guess if you buy something, you can preserve it, or use it or destroy it...hopefully the mona lisa is above that logic...with all due respect...

[DEEPNHOCK]

Agreed, there is no law...I guess I am a little taken back by inference that the big"C" should be brought in to justify someone messing with a Pierce Arrow....It seems to me that there is/are far more important issues that the big "C" was designed for...Further, using the showbiz kid logic, I guess if you buy something, you can preserve it, or use it or destroy it...hopefully the mona lisa is above that logic...with all due respect...

Good point..
But the herd mentality within a 'club' can cause some unnerving swerves to common sense.
Just because someone buys the Mona Lisa and paints a mustache on the Mona Lisa does not mean they are not going to receive scorn for doing so.
But, as a group of enthusiasts...With the emphasis on enthusiasts... We should, as a club, refrain from driving a wedge in between our personal tastes and what other enthusiasts might like.
That's the two edge sword of liberty.
You have the right to do the right thing... and you have the right to do the wrong thing...within the law.
If one wants to paint their bulletnose polka dot and put it in a puppet movie... Go ahead! Await the critical response.
If changing the OEM air in the tire causes one to write excoriating comments in numerous forums...That can happen too.
But tell me if that will perpetuate the hobby?
Will that retain membership?
(Or is that unimportant if it conflicts with your personal goals or agendas?)
Manners on a forum are still manners, and we all need to be positive to all people that want to enjoy and share our hobby.
That's all I was saying...

[prescottstude]

Believe me when I say that most of what you say is agreeable to me...It is I just believe that the big "C" is very ,very important...As far a a Pierce Arrow goes, I prefer stock...but as you say it is his car...But if you deface the mona lisa,,,well that is different ....Just because someone disagrees on a point of view should not be a wedge...but would you put a crate 350 in a golden hawk 400 ? I would not...so lets be friends and agree to disagree on this one....btw sdc #8646 40 year member take care

[Studedude]

As our dearly departed friend Bondo Billy used to say, "It's a hobby, not a religion."

[showbizkid]

Exactly!

I can put a Chevy engine in my Isotta Fraschini if I want, and it's OK 'cuz it's my car.
You can tell me you wouldn't have done that, and it's OK, 'cuz you're entitled to your opinion.

Disagreement is fine! As long as we don't get belligerent about it.

[Jessie J.]

Is it politically correct to exclaim Ghaaaak! ???

[hausdok]

Yeah, his car, his money.

Of course, I know how the OP felt when he saw it. As a long time Toyota devotee, I felt exactly the same way when I read this.

[Xcalibur]

I feel about your response as you did to the car!

[studeclunker]

I agree with you Peter. As to the heretics who defend the idiot, if he did have the proper engine, then why take it to a show with the wrong one? If he had the original motor, it might have been better to put it in the car for the show or take it along on a rack to display with the car. That way he might not have been shown the door. Attitude is usually the reason people are asked to leave and a lot of 'Rodders have huge chips on their shoulders, or such is my experience.

I don't mind a modification as described for drive-ability as long as it is warranted. Like an alternator in lieu of original genny, or modifying the front-end to add power steering for instance. In the OPs case it might be, as parts for P.A.s are very hard to come by. It is possible to do modifications respectfully and with quality work (Jeff's truck for instance). I get really annoyed when people yank out the old motor and install a (for instance) Chevy or Ford in a Studebaker when the original could have done the job. The usual excuse is 'reliability', which is total B.S. as I haven't noticed any difference in reliability (all things being equal with a rebuilt Studee motor) between Studebaker and the ersatz replacements. Yes, yes, I know it's a free country. Stupidity is protected quite well. We all have the right to be as stupid as we wish to be (I mean, look at me driving a fifty-year-old truck). It's just sad when another rare and irreplaceable car is vandalized by its own owner. Don't look for kudos or support from me when such happens.

Who knows? I might be joining the ranks of the heretics soon as a move is again facing me and I need a truck that can pull the load and my little Champs just aren't up to it. I may just have to shove a Chevy in there just to get across the country. Thankfully that decision won't have to be made for some time though as I don't know which, if any, of the eggs in my basket will even hatch into chickens. I'm sure all of you are familiar with that old saw about counting Chickens...

[bob40]

Stupid...idiots... heretics... vandalized...more money than brains(love that one as the owner has enough brains to make enough money to not only buy a Pierce Arrow but modify it.)
No wonder the club has a hard time recruiting new members.
Other posters are right.Everyone is entitled to their opinion.No matter how narrow minded that opinion may be.