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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Are my cars that odd that nobody knows what they are?

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May 9, 2010 2:01 p.m. Mazdax605 Reader

Hey guys,

I have noticed this in the past,and it happened again on Friday. I brought my 74 RX-4 to the local cruise night/car show,and had any number of people comment on it as I was driving in,and had lots of guesses ranging from an Opel Manta to a Datsun 210!!!

Really,a Datsun 210? Wow did that guy miss his guess.To me it looks,and sounds nothing like a Datsun 210.

Now I have had my REPU mistaken for a Chevy LUV,and I get that,but it says Mazda all over it,so why would you guess Chevy? Do you think someone would go to the trouble of putting Mazda stickers,and logo's on a Chevy?

I have even had my RX-7 called a Datsun Z as well. I mean they sort of have the same wedge shape to them,and they are both hatchback coupes,but wow Anne Frank could see the difference. Bad joke I know. What movie was that in again? Oh maybe it was a TV show I was watching.

Are these cars that different looking that I should just plan on having this mistaken identity for as long as I drive them,or are people just that clueless? I know they are not cars that are seen much if at all especially around these parts,but wow I guess Japanese cars are forgettable from the 70's. Or maybe it was just Mazda's from the 70's that were forgettable.

I suppose if it isn't a fire-breathing V-8 muscle car it doesn't rate. Oh well I don't want one of them anyway. I suppose the answer is to just not go anymore,and just enjoy the cars,but I think they are unique,and love to have people ask me question about them,so who knows.

Chris
May 9, 2010 2:06 p.m. ReverendDexter Dork

I think you were looking for "Helen Keller", not "Anne Frank".

Your stuff doesn't sound that odd to me. I was expecting you to bust out some really esoteric stuff, not old rotaries.

And people really are just that clueless. I've had a couple friends with Plymouth Dusters, and they get compliments on their "Novas" all the time. Drive's 'em absolutely nuts.
May 9, 2010 2:09 p.m. Jay Dork

I dunno if it's that big of a deal. It all depends on what you're into. I would have a hard time telling various Chevelles, Novas, and, uh... Parisiennes? apart but a lot of guys love those things and know every inch about them. Of course I'd go look at the badges before I said something stupid.
May 9, 2010 2:17 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Happens to me, too.

I've had my MX6 called a Skyline, an Integra, and even a..... Saab?!?!?!? WTF?
May 9, 2010 2:36 p.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

I had a bricklin mistaken for a Lamborghini and a Delorian. (I can understand them not knowing that one, but they look quite different then a Delorian)

I drove a datsun 280zx through a drivethru and had someone compliment me on my jaguar...

It happens.. people dont know what they are talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlDLybhuOH0 for example..
May 9, 2010 2:37 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

People are car-stupid anyhow.....I've had people IN my old Maxima ask me if it's a BMW (duh...Nissan badge on the steering wheel).

I always get it in my GT6....guy says "ah I had one of these back in the day, except it was a convertible. How long have you had your MG?"

Plus, I don't know if I've ever "in person" seen an RX-4...I'd probably take a few seconds to figure out what it was.....
May 9, 2010 2:50 p.m. Opus Dork

I take it a step further, I have rebadged my Nissan Titan as a Datsun. (720 emblem up front and a 240z hood emblem on the back. All other Nissan emblems are removed or painted over to help mask them. I get a lot of smiles, but there are those that ask if they were making cars again. My answer is Yup, just last year.
May 9, 2010 2:56 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

You guys like my Lexus?
May 9, 2010 3:29 p.m. unevolved Reader

ReverendDexter wrote:

I've had a couple friends with Plymouth Dusters, and they get compliments on their "Novas" all the time. Drive's 'em absolutely nuts.

I'll admit to doing stuff like that on purpose sometimes. It's especially fun with Trans Am guys. "Hey, nice Firebird, bro."

I'm planning on rebadging the RX-7 with original badges just to cut down on the questions. Hopefully.
May 9, 2010 3:33 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

I smile back and enjoy their enjoyment. OK, so they don't know an MG from a Fiat, so what. They think my car is interesting, and that's enough.
May 9, 2010 4:18 p.m. Kia_racer Reader

http://justacargeek.blogspot.com/2010/02/1969-sunbeam-alpine-gt-alpine-fastback.html

I had one of these a while back and people that drove Sunbeams didn't know what it was. It was only made for 2 years. Drives a little like an old Alfa, the inside front tire lifts if you are going fast enough. Still felt stable though.
May 9, 2010 5:12 p.m. Toyman01 Dork

I've had people ask who makes the GSL??? And while the RX-7 was undergoing paint and had no emblems everyone wanted to know what it was. You might as well get used to it, it's only going to get worse.
May 9, 2010 5:32 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

I miss the days when people thought my Corrado was a Scirocco. Nowdays, it's "..pump 4, the black Mitsu..ah..Pors..uh..sports car, you're ready to fill.."
May 9, 2010 5:37 p.m. grimmelshanks Reader

i like intentionally messing up names, like seeing a 911 and saying "nice vw beetle" (yes, my true identity is Jeremy Clarkson)
May 9, 2010 5:48 p.m. jrw1621 Dork

Except for the Fast and Furious kids, no one ever really seemed to know what my '97 240sx was.
One silver Nissan badge on the hood and a black on black one to the rear.

As for the RX4, just imagine their surprise if you tried to explain that the car has a 1.2L engine.
May 9, 2010 6:00 p.m. Marty! Dork

I get it all the time in my Solstice, everything from Porsche to Toyota. You should see the looks when I say Pontiac.
May 9, 2010 6:11 p.m. 924guy Dork

get it all the time with my 924's , most popular is it being mistaken for a mazda rx-7 which is okay since at least the rx-7 body style is pretty close (some would even say its a knockoff, whatever...) my cars have also been accused of being datsuns, mitsus, and even "the new vega" once, which gave me a good giggle, few other things i dont recall...

If they really seemed interested ill tell them about it and politely correct them, but mostly, i just say thanks and move on...

with the truck , i usually have to educate, they dont know what the heck to call it. Vehi-What????
May 9, 2010 6:30 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

I was talking to a guy this weekend who first felt he had to preface ownership of a Fiat X1/9 with an explanation of what one is (like I'd never heard of such a rare thing) and then later in the same conversation I said how my dream car du jour is an early 60s 500 Abarth in race trim he said "Whats that?" How can you own a Fiat and not know about Abarth or the 500s?

It takes all kinds I guess.
May 9, 2010 6:30 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

They were neat cars, but hardly anyone knew what an RX-4 was back in 1974, let alone today.
May 9, 2010 6:32 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

grimmelshanks wrote:

i like intentionally messing up names, like seeing a 911 and saying "nice vw beetle" (yes, my true identity is Jeremy Clarkson)

I've been referring to my 964 as The Squashed Bug. More than a few people have raised an eyebrow like it was not nearly as clever as I thought it was.
May 9, 2010 7:52 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I have had my fiat called everything from an MG to a Karman Ghia.... but nobody ever guessed it was a fiat
May 9, 2010 8:05 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork

When the Jensen was apart for paint, a guy driving by saw the rear of it and wanted to know when my Mustang was going to be finished. It's not a well known car by any means. Most people who ask what it is will, when I say 'Jensen Healey' nod knowingly and then their brows furrow and they say 'Austin Healey'? It's been called a Spitfire too and you know what? it does bear some resemblance to a Mk IV Spit.
May 9, 2010 8:26 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork

when I was in high school I had someone ask if my TR7 was a ferrari. I said yes, and offered to sell it to him for 7000 dollars.
May 9, 2010 8:35 p.m. Winston Reader

Mazdax605 wrote: ... but wow Anne Frank could see the difference. Bad joke I know. What movie was that in again? Oh maybe it was a TV show I was watching.

Funny! Clerks II was the movie.
May 9, 2010 8:55 p.m. Mazdax605 Reader

ReverendDexter wrote:

I think you were looking for "Helen Keller", not "Anne Frank".

I know that was the joke. Damn if I can't remember where that joke came from though. Someone help me out here.

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