Last night I went to a small local car meet for the first time in my little project car. For those who don't know it's an RX7 with a mild magnum 360. I parked away from everyone since my car was dirty, but almost as soon as I pulled in, a guy walked up and asked if it had a small block Ford in it (apparently sounds like it, my buddies say the same thing), and was asking how quick it was, etc ,etc. I talked to him for a minute or two, but as soon as I said it had a 360 under the hood he almost immediately lost interest, pretty much telling me that if it had a Ford or Chevy under the hood it would be fast, but not with my crappy Mopar, basically. I just say "yeah, ok", shrug it off and go about my business of checking out the other cars.
After I make my first lap around the parking lot, I notice a few guys looking at the air cleaner sticking out of my hood (I never opened it). I walked over and they asked what was done to my 350. I said it's pretty mild with a performance intake, cam, and headers, but it's not a 350, it a 360. One guy asked if it was bored, I said no, stock bore, it's a Mopar. Then the same thing that happened earlier, happened again. They asked why not a Chevy, and that anything but a new hemi or big block was worthless when it comes to Mopars. Again I just say "yeah sure, whatever you say", and try to shrug it off telling myself that these guys are idiots. I stayed a little while longer, but left early.
I know that people are very brand loyal (also brand stupid), but to say that my mild little 360 is worthless, and SLOW, is, well, DUMB. I know it, and you know it. Most of the time stuff like this doesn't bother me (it's MY car and I'll do what I want with it), but I guess I thought car guys would be more open to my project. I don't know, I just thought I would share since it's been on my mind all day. What's your thoughts? Thanks for letting me rant a little.
