My name is Cam and I have a problem. I think nothing of walking up to people if I have questions or if they seem as though they need a hand.
It started as a kid. I walked up to many an open garage when people were inside working on old cars. Two doors down from me in the latter 60s was a gear-head who was doing a first class resto all himself on a 1931 Packard dual cowl phaeton. He also had a 32 Bantam waiting and a Nash Metro. Later he did a magnificent '47 Chrysler Town & Country convertible in which he commissioned a Swedish ship builder to do all-new wood. There also was a circle-track racer on the edge of my neighborhood back in the 60's. Naturally I rode my tricycle up and engaged him. Walking up to strangers got me the lowdown on a 1930s MG a few blocks away, in fact when I showed curiosity they actually invited me in to take a look (this was in the 70's).
Around my current place when after when I one time saw a '70 Cuda 340 in his driveway, I went over and introduced myself to a neighbour. Next thing I know he's bringing the car out of his garage. He gave me the story of how he got married in '70, bought the Cuda 340 (he didn't get the famed 5/50000 warranty on a Hemi so he skipped it) and it ended up being stored since '75. Unfortunately he sold it in 90 & bought a new V8 Dakota with the proceeds (he's a Mopar or no-car guy). He still lives in the same place since '70. In the close vicinity there's a '32 Deuce like American Graffiti, a '69 Ram Air III Judge, a '63 Thunderbird Sports Roadster, '69 Camaro RS convertible (modded back in the day, he's owned since '71, he's a gearhead!). There's was a '63 Bel Air 2 blocks from my house that when he started the car, so did the loud crackle from the exhaust. I loved it, especially since I never had to pay his noise citations! He sold it and now has a really nice modded '70 Chevelle Malibu with a beautiful body & paint.
One day in the 90's I was walking down my street when I saw what looked like an old VW wheel, chromed but pitted, put out with the trash. I brought it home & realized it was a Porsche 356 wheel. Later when I saw that neighbour I asked him about the wheel, and did he have a Porsche? He opened his garage to show me TWO beautiful 356s, a coupe and a cabriolet. He had 3 Toyotas in his driveway, so I asked if he worked for Toyota. Turned out I was speaking with Toyota's National Service Manager! He started with VW-Porsche in the 1950s in Toronto. It is interesting what you can learn by asking.
I was out for a long walk one evening when I heard a hot Mopar 340. I walked up to where I heard the sound in a detached garage set back in a ways. The door was open so I walked right up & saw a '68 Barracuda S fastback, 340 4-speed with headers. I said, "340 1968 stick had the hottest factory cam". The 2 guys smiled when I said, "not bad for a Chevy guy." Next thing you know I was having a beer with them.
Note: Your results may vary depending on numerous things. We don't have concealed-carry permits in these parts, in fact Trudeau banned all handguns this year.
