Well guys it happened today, just as I feared..........

[GRUF78]

Amen brother.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

After having raised 4 kids and having taught them the value of someone else' property; if they got burned on someone's car my response would be, "you won't do that again, will you...."

Works every time....

GRUFF

[kevins2]

My car got mauled and it's still in my garage with no engine yet! Had some friends over for dinner and, of course, they both wanted to see the Cobra so we went out to the garage. Within seconds, they were running their hands up and down the fenders - she had a ring on but fortunately didn't scratch the car. At one point, he leaned on the car with his hand and left a complete and detailed palm print. And then the best part. He opened the trunk (without asking) so I walked quickly back there. He tried to close it and it wouldn't close so he started forcing it down. I actually yelled "No, no!!! - lift it up to release the latch. I didn't wait for him to do that and took hold of the trunk lid and closed it myself.

Unbelievable. I wasn't concerned about the finger prints - they cleaned right off with detailer spray. But I would never touch someone's car let alone maul it like that and try to force a trunk closed.

My opinion of this particular friend dropped a few points that evening.

[mdross1]

Yup have to agree about those side pipes we had a big block 69 Vette with them besides the noise they were a pain when taking the car to any family function. Our Harleys over the years has tattooed a few who learned the hard way about hot exhaust.

[MaSnaka]

I was at a show yesterday and saw this mom (nice looking but that did not sway my judgment) pointing the gauges out on another Cobra's dash to her son of about 10 years old. Leaning in and being careful not to touch. I asked her if she had a camera and if so would she like to take a picture of her son sitting in my car. I did not have to twist his arm and the smile on his face sitting strapped into my seat holding the steering wheel was priceless. I then asked if he would like to start it up and take his mom for a spin around the parking lot and he got this serious look on his face and said "no that would be illegal". I tell ya there may be a few bad apples out there but there are plenty of good ones too. The dream has to start somewhere, why not when you see a deserving youngster help encourage it. I hate to say it but a lot of you sound like grouchy old men. But then I haven't had all the bad experiences you have had with ice cream and sticky fingers and such.

John

[OnyxRider]

A few years ago at a west coast track I brought a bunch of USN SEALS from Coronada and one stood guard over a few cars. Everyone was basically taking laps and enjoying some R & R. A year later one of the guys brought these life size figures in full gear. Had to add a few non-functioning weapons and these stand guard in the garages with a sign "Don't even think about it" A few machine guns and an anti-tank weapon does wonders. lol

[mtrain2000]

The other part of it was that the mom, allowed her little girl to push the full sized stroller at breakneck speed all around the parking lot.

Right before we left the show her mother asked us, "have you seen where my little girl went". My wife started to say something, and I gently pinched her leg under the registration table.

[Steve Gallegos]

I was at the Bob's Big Boy weekly cruise in on Friday night when a child, about 4, went to step on my side pipe to look in the car. My response GET OFF THE PIPES NOW Mother and dad were standing right there and looked at me. Mom grabbed the kids arm and said I told you not to get close to the car

[mtrain2000]

You know really, I can't understand why this is even an issue.

For as long as I remember my parents taught me not to touch anything that wasn't mine. Most all of the kids I remember were taught that way.

I even remember when a rich kid brought his dads 68 vette to the school home comming. There were a group of about ten of us goofing off [ I guess we were about 14 years old], and not one of us touched the car.

This is a strange, new world we are living in.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by mtrain2000

This is a strange, new world we are living in.

It sure is. When my parents sold our family home years ago we had to have new locks put on the door for the inspection because we couldn't find the key - hadn't locked the house in years. Try that in today's world.

[Jaydee]

I had a similar experience as Kevin. One guy leaning on the paint work. I had to ask him not to, and I felt like a prick. Worse idiots are when the car is dusty, and they rub their finger down the paint and say, wow that's dusty. Leaving fine scratch marks. All the stories you guys are telling, is sort of making me dread finishing my Cobra, or to say screw it, I'm not going to worry about every scratch as I'll probably wrap the car eventually, so I don't have to worry anymore.
JD

[RET_COP]

I'm not taking the chance of a child getting burned by the pipes. It sounds like a lawsuit to me. Not saying a good lawsuit but you know how that goes [Most of us don't have shields].
Stay with the car until the pipes are cooled or buy some nice welding blankets and cut them to fit nicely over the pipes until they cool. That's what I do anyway. It also makes for some good questions and conversation.
As far as parenting and kids at car shows. Ive seen out of control kids and bad parenting but even with good parenting kids make stupid decisions when the back is turned, been there.

[rpatton3]

Didn't Mark Twain write something about a cat and a hot stove?

[G-Pete]

Ooops, I printed your car - can I get my spanking now???

hehehehehe

[Luce]

I don't mind kids touching my car. Their dirty little paw prints wash off. I don't let strippers touch my car. That nastiness requires lacquer thinner, sandpaper and flea bombs to get off.