Antique & Classic Cars Blog

I love Minnesota…the parks, the theaters, restaurants, lakes and of course the many car get-togethers. This is as good a place to shiver and shoo mosquitoes as any other and a great place to bike and eat and drive and live.

But there is the thumb issue…. We need to resolve this. It’s good for the hobby; it’s good for the soul.

On the East Coast, round about Philadelphia, if you see a great car, you give the driver thumbs up. This is not a request to hitchhike. It does not indicate something is stuck in your thumb or on it. Doesn’t mean “look up.”

When you’re in your classic Mustang or MG or ‘Cuda or ‘32 Ford or ‘27 Model T or ‘55 Chevy pickup or ‘67 XKE and someone gives you the thumbs up, he or she is saying “cool car.” (Didn’t they have Happy Days here?)

The correct way to spread the love and acknowledge the compliment is to wave or nod–not frown or stare blankly or look suddenly the same degrees of rotation to the opposite side of the road as if you’re scanning for…your lost dog. A simple wave says, “thanks for noticing; you have good taste.”

After uncountable failed exchanges–many wonderful cars whose owners think I’m vaguely gesturing at rain clouds or have a bad hangnail, I have to conclude that this practice is not followed here.

Let’s start! Once you’ve had a handful of folks out walking and jogging and toodling the other way demonstrate that they like your car, and you’ve duly nodded or waved in return, a fine drive is made even better and the world is a kinder, happier place.

How about a dry run, right here in cyberspace….

You’re in your ‘68 Camaro SS, yellow with white interior and top (down), and I’m biking the other way. Biker approaching…looks up…eyebrows raise in pleasant surprise…thumbs up! Now you–

Did you say “wave?” “Nod?” Super! If “look away” or “stare blankly” or “act like disk jockey said something very interesting requiring quick look at radio” leapt to mind, repeat above paragraph.

Thumbs Up…. Wave.   Good for the hobby, good for the soul.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm and is filed under Car stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.