Comedian Jeff Foxworthy gave up his career as a computer system analyst for IBM’s Atlanta office to make a new career out of observing the foibles of rural Americans. His comedy act largely revolves around examining the behavior patterns of “just plain folks� that indicate that, “You may be a Redneck.� In that vein I say that if you behave in certain, predictable manner, “You may be a Car Person.�
Do you know and care about the differences between an Audi and a Volkswagen? Are you willing to endure increased brake dust for less brake fade? Do you have an opinion on the outcome of Formula 1, NASCAR or the Indy Racing League? Can you detail the running changes in the first model of the original Mustang? If the answer is yes to any of those questions then there is a good chance you are a Car Person.
As a “car person� are you merely involved or are your committed? If you are unclear on the difference between involvement and commitment consider the analogy of the Bacon and Egg breakfast: The Chicken is involved with a bacon and egg breakfast, but that the Pig is committed to that breakfast.
Let me give you an example of a type of hobbyist who is committed to his leisure time pursuit. People who own and race sail boats long distances across oceans describe the experience of standing long watches at the wheel of their frightenly expensive sailboats in fierce storms as being like standing in an ice cold shower tearing up one hundred dollar bills all night long with no sleep. To a rational person this sounds like an illogical waste of time and money to achieve nothing more substantial that a handshake and a ten dollar trophy. But to the avid hobbyist, a person who is committed to the cause, there is no reflection upon doing what most rational people would find repellant.
The cost of being an automobile hobbyist can be measured in money but it is much more difficult to measure the emotional quotient. The money portion is easy enough to observe as it leaves your wallet in exchange for goods and services for your car. The emotional quotient is harder to measure but is just as clearly felt as the lightness in your wallet after you have paid dearly for some obscure part to complete your car hobby project. The warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from finally identifying and fixing the single sticky valve out of 16, finding the source of the oil stain on your garage floor, or getting the paint and chrome to gleam in the sun can not be measured by scientific observation but to a Car Person they are as real as any number or statistic.
So if rational and observable standards cannot be used to measure the pleasure you receive from the time spent with your hands covered in grease, driving with the throttle wide open (in a safe and controlled environment) or listening to the judges finding you car represent the finest achievement within it class of automobiles then you are a committed Car Person.