Kit Cars, Hot Rods and Respect

[Wayne Maybury]

As I have said on several occasions, I don't like the term "kit" and I normally explain to people why. I much prefer to call the car a replica or a component vehicle.

Last week I went to a cruise in at a local burger joint where I go a few times each summer. The Cobra was surrounded most of the night by many admirers. I was off to the side a bit, answering some questions from someone when I noticed 2 or 3 reasonably well dressed men in their 60's come over to look at my car. One said in a very knowledgeable manner "that's one of those kit cars" and then they moved on before I had a chance to talk to them. I was going to ask the know-it-all what kind of car he had, but I didn't get the chance.

For some reason or another, a awful lot of people are asking me what the car is worth, lately. When this used to happen once in a while, I would give an honest answer, especially if the person appeared to be very interested in the car. Now it seems to be the first question out of some people's mouth. I am so fed up with this inappropriate question that I have taken to saying "It's worth between $25,000 and $125,000". Anybody else getting asked this more often lately.

Wayne