The Golden Rule is pretty simple: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
The motto has guided everything from religious doctrine to revenge doctrine, depending upon whether you are a preacher or a gang member.
Jim Sutherland
Or perhaps a car guy for our purposes here at MyStarCollectorCar. Consequently, we decided to offer our readers five Golden Rules for car guys. Our choices bounce off the yin-and-yang notion that we need a balance to achieve success, and the car hobby is not an exception to the rule.
The first car guy Golden Rule is “Sell unto others as they would sell unto you”. These days many sellers believe their rust-infested parts car is worth at least 10 times its true value and want other car guys to pay their extortion rate without question.
One could understand the outrageous price tag if the seller was hooked on hallucinogenic drugs or missing at least 50 IQ points but one should have less sympathy for a seller who does not fall into either category.
The second car guy Golden Rule is a converse of the first rule: “Buy unto others as they would buy unto you”. The reverse maxim means car guys need to avoid excessive low-balling (aka “stink bids”) at all costs when it comes to old iron.
There is a realistic price for every vintage ride but, if you crash well short of the runway on that price, you are simply insulting the sellers and wasting their time. Additionally, there is an excellent chance you may anger them up and risk losing access to future sales negotiations.
Curt phrases that begin with “F” and end with “you” may end your opportunity to buy a vintage ride when you open with an ultra-low bid.
The third car guy Golden Rule is “Lie unto others as they would lie unto you”.
The rule is self-explanatory, but we will illuminate its significance in the vintage car hobby. In short, we believe the seller is morally obligated to tell the truth about his vehicle or parts for sale. The seller needs to be truthful in his ads and not offer up a Bondo bucket as a perfectly restored ride. Or a worn-out powertrain touted as recently rebuilt unless the seller has extreme trouble grasping the concept of time because he just came out of a 25-year coma.
The fourth car guy Golden Rule is “Respect borrowed tools like you just bought them with your first-born kid”.
A car guy’s tools are not something they want to let other people use. Tools are as off-limits as a bride for most car guys, so an act of extreme generosity occurs whenever a car guy lends his beloved tools to a car buddy. Do not return them dirty or damaged and, if you choose to ignore this rule, then you need to immediately open a tool catalog and buy a replacement of equal or more value. Anything less should be a hanging offence.
The fifth and final car guy Golden Rule: “Always stop when you see an old ride with its hood up on the side of the road”.
It’s the right thing to do because every car guy has walked a mile (at least) in the stranded owner’s shoes because of an issue with his vintage ride. Car guys are generally good guys who want to lend a helping hand whenever they can, so pull over and be that guy. The stranded owner will undoubtedly pay it forward because of your actions.
It’s the car guy way.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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