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Thread: Our Trucks are not worthy??
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mazdarx605
Redlining
Posts: 314
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posted June 30, 2007 05:34 AM |
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Our Trucks are not worthy??
Hey guys,
Well after spending the better part of friday working on my 2001 Dodge van(water pump,radiator,thermostat), I decided to take my son,and the RE/PU to a local car show.Now I have been going to this show for the last few months with my 79 RX-7,and last year with it as well. Well yesterday I brought the REPU up there as my son loves it,and it is registered now. While pulling into the show area there was a guy that hands out raffle tickets to the participating cars. When I pulled up to him the guy say "I am not sure this truck qualifys for the show" I said "Why not?" He says "This is for classic cars,and such" So I say "So how does this not qualify" He says "well it's not a classic" I say "Why not it's a 1974?" He looks it over again,and says "Really?" scratching his head. I told him "Yes,and give me the stupid ticket,I am going in".
I didn't even want the damn ticket,and this guy pissed me off to no end.No word of a lie about 5-6 cars back from me in the line was a 1985ish Chrysler Lebaron(K-car) complete with the lousy wood(plastic) trim.Now that is okay to come in,but my classic Japanese truck isn't.
Later on I see a 1989 or so Toyota 4wd truck pull in with a largish lift,and mud all over it.The guy lets him in to a car show,and then gives me crap!!
Have any of you guys ever experienced this? I realize my truck isn't in pwerfect show car shape,but I saw a Karman Ghia there that had wood blocks holding up the seat,and the fllor was so rotted out I think it was almost touching the ground. I wonder if my truck was a Ford Courier if he would have given me any hassle? I realize that these cars shows are usually about street rods,corvettes(of any year),and older muscle cars,but I have seen some odd cars in the past at this show,and yesterday as well. I would think that maybe my truck was one of the more rare cars at the show,and I bet noone knew or cared,and that is fine,but don't you think the guy at the gate should know about cars?It really ticked me off,and I wanted to do a smokey burn-out in front of the guy to show my displeasure,but alas I didn't have the guts.Sorry for the rant guys,I just thought I would share.
Chris
74 REPU
79 RX-7 GS
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RX8Guy
Revvin Up
Posts: 65
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posted June 30, 2007 11:21 AM |
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Show cars
Keep in mind, if you not a rotor head...ya just dont know. I went to the local Thursday night Sonic night. Most the local hot rods and show cars show up there. I happen to also own a 1966 427 Corvette roadster, and a 1970 Buick GSX. Most of these guy know me and those cars. this night I chose to drive my 74 REPU that I'm restoring. Its done except the front bumper. Those guys start asking me why in the world I brought that little truck instead of my Vette. I look around and see 6 mid year Vettes, 4 or 5 late model vettes, and of course several other neat cars.... and I say "the Vette? Look around...they're a dime a dozen...but the Mazda....where ya gonna find another one of these?" I loved it!!!
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If it aint broke, dont fix it!
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mazdarx605
Redlining
Posts: 314
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posted June 30, 2007 06:06 PM |
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I understand that,and I love the old classic cars,and yes even the dime a dozen Corvettes,but come on what year did this gy think my truck was? It doesn't look like any other truck on the road,and it certainly doesn't look new. If they let in a K-car then they shouldn't have any problem letting in a 30+ year old Mazda truck. The thing that gets me is that no-one knows what this truck is.I had a guy at another carshow years ago say while I was driving by "Hey thats a nice old Datsun" I poked my head out the window,and said "read the tailgate,it ain't no Datsun". The guy looked in amazment while I drove past,and he saw the Mazda logo,and asked me what year it was.When I told him it was a 74 his jaw nearly hit the ground.He says "I didn't know mazda made trucks back then". I asked him he ever heard of the Ford Courier,and he say "Yeah of course!". So I tell him well that was a Mazda in disguise,and I don't think he believed me. I just wish I had the ROTORY POWER on my tailgate to really show it off. It seems people in my neck of the woods don't know anything about old Mazda's,and truely don't care either.Oh well I guess I am a weird person to like the old things.
Chris
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Klaus44
Redlining
Posts: 365
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posted July 01, 2007 07:06 AM |
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Idiots aplenty...
I'm having a yard sale this weekend; you should've heard the stuff coming out of the mouths of some of the guys asking 'about those trucks': "What about your Datsuns, do any of them run?" "Those are Couriers, right?" "These days, everyone thinks they've got gold..."
Personally, I always wanted a switchable exhaust bypass, right off the header -- that way I could drown out the hate speech with a little rev or two... (Heh, heh, heh...)
(I'll turn my herd into parts before I sell one to just any bozo!)
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Hunter
Hauling
Posts: 178
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posted July 01, 2007 07:01 PM |
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classic ?
RX8guy hit it on the head .....
Of course Vettes and Mustangs etc are collector cars but there are many ignorant jerks out there who speak before they think ... or they think but their thought processes are .... let's say ... limited.
There are many qualities that make up a classic ... the term is nebulous and difficult to define.
Many of the qualities are in the eye of the beholder, like beauty, charisma, elegance etc.
Uniqueness or rarity is another parameter of course.
Boils down to this .
1) Only Wankel engine pickup ever sold in the World.
2) Only sold for four years.
3) Only sold in the USA.
4) Production was limited for the most part.
Nothing compares to the "smoothness" of cruising in a rotary engine vehicle, be it a car or a motorcycle.
nuff said.
Bruce Toski
1974 REPU
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RX8Guy
Revvin Up
Posts: 65
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posted July 01, 2007 09:01 PM |
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People just dont know. And its not just Rotor Trucks. Last year I took my 68 AMX to the same Sonic night. Some kid came up to me and ask my "what kind of mustang it that?" I told him what it was and he replied " thats what I need to find..and old car like that thats cheap and fast!" I sold it last summer for $15,00.00....I guess that could be cheap....and it was fast. some people just dont know.
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If it aint broke, dont fix it!
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Courierlenny
Newbie
Posts: 7
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posted July 01, 2007 09:45 PM |
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Trucks not worthy????
Greetings: Your comments are right on. I have had some strange comments when people see my Courier, but my response usually is: Wait till gas hits 5 bucks a gallon and we will see whose pickup has more value, the gas hog "hemi" which need a computer/ and a 90 dollar garage to fix it or mine sitting in my workshop surrounded by spare parts being recycled over and over.
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Klaus44
Redlining
Posts: 365
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posted July 02, 2007 10:33 AM |
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One more (for the thread):
File this one under, "Listen to your gut when your first thought is, 'Uh-oh, here comes trouble'...":
Had one guy show up yesterday with his extended family in tow at my yard sale; none of 'em seemed interested in anything I had out -- and no small talk, either, or even questions about my three visible REPU's -- just this: "What kinda car you got back there behind that tarp?" (In my carport). (Me):"It's not for sale." "Yeah, but what kind of car is it?" (Me): --after a little pause to consider who and what I might be dealing with-- "Mine." ...(whereupon they left, grumbling to themselves)...
Just have to wonder about people who are *only* interested in what they cannot see. 'nuff said.
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mazdarx605
Redlining
Posts: 314
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posted July 03, 2007 09:44 AM |
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This also reminds me about when I owned my 1992 Dodge Ram 250. If you know anything about Dodge trucks you know they vcahnged little from 1971-1993,and then they had the new bold drop-down fendered model that debuted in 1994.
My truck wasn't in the greatest of shapes,but it looked nice,and with the 12-valve Cummins turbo diesel,and 5-speed transmission it could tow a house off it's foundation at idle. When people would ask me what I drove I told them a 92 Dodge Ram,and they would say"oh yeah I love those trucks with the cool fenders" I would say "No my truck is a previous generation truck that has squared off front sheetmetal" ,and then some of them would say "Oh dodge made a truck before the current body style?" Man I wanted to kill them!! You would think that the Dodge truck never existed before 1994,and that couldn't be further from the truth. In my opinion when they re-designed the truck in 94 they wussified them,and made them so women would drive them,and such. Now I did own a 2003 for a year,and it was anice truck,but not as nice as my ole blue 92.
It amazes me how stupid some people can be about vehicles.Now I don't claim to be an expert in all areas of cars,but man I can usually nail down a decade a car,or truck is from by looking at it,and I sure wouldn't have questioned a guy driving in to a car show in a truck like mine. As a matter of fact I would love to see more of these old vintage rare cars,and trucks than the same old smae old mustangs,and such.
I don't want to put down old Mustangs,and Vette's as they are probably my most favorite era of cars,and I am relatively young,but I like unique,and odd cars,more than looking at how chromed out a guy can make his engine bay.I would rather look at a rusty car,or truck that was rare,and odd with potential than some trailer queen anyday.
I plan on bringing my truck bak there in a few weeks,and see if I get any hassle,and I will bring it to another local show when I get back from vacation,and see what type of reaction I get.
Chris
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mazdarx605
Redlining
Posts: 314
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posted June 14, 2008 09:40 AM |
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Sorry guys,but I had to resurect this thread. Yesterday evening I brought the truck out to the same local cruise night/car show at the local wal-mart,and I had troubles again. I have brought my RX-7 there a few times this season,and had no problem. Again like last year the guy at the gate was giving me looks as I drove up,and then when he was giving me the stupid raffle ticket he looks at me,and the truck,and say " I don't know?" I told him "Hey give me a break,it's a 74,is that old enough?"
I didn't even give him a chance to answer,and I pulled through. It really pisses me off,and I almost went back over to talk to him after I parked to give him a piece of my mind(not that I can spare much). It really drives me nuts that this guy gives me such a hassle. I know my truck isn't the greatest looking ride,but it is mostly shiney,it isn't rotted,and is a complete vehicle unlike much of the others I saw there. I would say it also maybe the most rare vehicle at the show,and the only one anyone will ever see probably in all of Massachusetts.
What do you guys think I should do next time I go if he gives me a hassle?
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Klaus44
Redlining
Posts: 365
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posted June 14, 2008 11:24 AM |
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You ought to...
...begin by attempting to educate doofus in a friendly manner: Ask him what's his ride... and then ask him if he's up for a little 1/8th mile drag, for 'pinks'. If he balks, up the ante: Tell him you'll give him every advantage -- that your REPU is faster than his V-8 POS, even without the benefit of a distributor cap... that'll get him to commit! (Make sure all his buddies are around when you do this, though.)
Proceed to pull your dizzy cap and rotor, hand them to him for 'safekeeping', and run the appropriate leading and trailing wires direct from the coils to the leading plugs on each rotor, (make sure you try this at home, first, so there's no chance of messing it up) -- and proceed to smoke his sorry ass through 1st, 2nd, and into 3rd!
That'll make all the Bubba's STFU! ;)
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mazdarx605
Redlining
Posts: 314
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posted June 15, 2008 12:30 PM |
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Does anyone have a link to a website,or something with the history of the REPU,and the production numbers so I could print it up,and give it to this nitwit the next time he gives me crap?
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Klaus44
Redlining
Posts: 365
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posted June 15, 2008 11:12 PM |
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Don't bother handing reading material...
quote:
Does anyone have a link to a website,or something with the history of the REPU,and the production numbers so I could print it up,and give it to this nitwit the next time he gives me crap?
...to someone who couldn't care less, right off the bat. Don't even say a word to him; just get out, open the hood, and point... when he says "what's that?"... maybe *then* you hand him some literature.
Options/resources:
Direct him/them to this site. Search the Mazda Rotary Webring for additional sites. Show 'em a copy of the Mazda brochure, "The pickup with pickup." (The one featuring the yellow REPU tow-launching the glider...) Road & Track reviewed the REPU... (I think in '74.) Hot Rod magazine featured the REPU in their 'Roddin' at random' section (half-page)on page 34...might have been Sept. '74 issue. Motor Trend did a 5-truck comparison test, including a REPU, for their Sept. '77 issue. A rotary-powered B-2000 finished second in class 7 in the '84 Baja 1000. Chapter 8 of a certain book on oldschool rotaries (I neglected to note/can't remember the author...) is devoted to the REPU, (but lists it as '74 -'76, go figure.) Hoyt Childers wrote an article for the 'Work in Progress' section of Auto Restorer magazine May 1999 issue, entitled "Rotary-powered Hauler" that includes a lot of good historical data, including production numbers by year, (taken from Ward's Automotive Yearbook, as well as Al Binder, it's editor)...
While not REPU-specific, there's lots of good info in the No. 65 1974 edition of the "Shooter's Bible", which featured an extensive article entitled "Rotary Roundup" by Roger Barlow, automotive editor. The February 2002 edition of "Sport Aviation" magazine also features a great article by Paul Lamar entitled, "Why not a rotary?"
...just a few of the many, many possible resources!
I'd suggest looking up old copies of the NADA guides, both blue and orange books... (but good luck getting any favorable valuations that way, if at all!)
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micah
Hauling
Posts: 167
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posted June 16, 2008 09:30 PM |
 Edited By: micah on 16 Jun 2008 21:31 |
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Guy offered me a third gen rx7 and money for my truck, I said no.....Some kids..(Well 20 somethings) ask me why I would'nt do it and told me I was crazy.I said that I can get a third gen anytime but a nice repu is hard to find.
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RX8Guy
Revvin Up
Posts: 65
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posted June 17, 2008 07:59 AM |
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Folks just are not aware of these trucks. I've been driving mine every day to the dealership. I park it on the east side of the showroom and I'm amazed how many folks say they didnt know Mazda still built those trucks...or when did they start building them again....or younger folks wanting to buy one of those little red trucks....or I didnt know they put Rotary's in pick up trucks....
My wife just hates my truck, so I make sure I park it right in the middle of my driveway every night. My wife, kids, and friends think im nuts. I can drive any vehicle I want to from the dealership, yet I choose to drive a 74 Rotary truck every day. Im not sure I understand it...but I just love my Rotary Truck!
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If it aint broke, dont fix it!
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MAZDAMARK
Hauling
Posts: 139
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posted June 17, 2008 09:55 AM |
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It's funny, most people have no idea about these trucks. But the people who know what they are are very enthusiastic. I've been stopped on the street, had people knock on the door to my house, leave notes on the windshield etc. asking if the truck was for sale. My truck's not near as nice as some of the others on this site, but I'd still never sell it... Well, unless a nice 77 came along...
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94 RX7
89 RX7 GTUs
85 GSLSE
88 323 GTX
1975 REPU
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ratboy
Revvin Up
Posts: 53
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posted June 17, 2008 10:11 AM |
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I only drive my repu ~ twice a week but nearly everytime I do, I get compliments and questions about it. Sure I get dirty looks from some people that Im sure disaprove of an excessivly loud, stinky exhaust mini truck but those are the people I scream by @ 8000rpm!
Im looking to put the rotary power decals on the tailgate too to educate the masses a bit more.....
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1985 Mazda Rx7 GSLSE
1977 REPU
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