This is the first year driving my vette and I was wondering if waving to fellow vettes on the road is a rule. I noticed some do and some dont. So whats the story about this.
-
-
Re: waving
I think the tradition started in the early post war years when GIs brought sports cars back from Europe, and the Corvette guys picked it up in the fifties. I remember a tongue-in-cheek article in Corvette News sometime in the mid-sixties that offered a "waving protocol" i.e. who should wave first. I also remember when I first bought my '63 (new) that a lot of the solid axle guys would never wave first, so I always did. I was just a kid.
As the years progressed convertibles got scarcer, the window were rolled up, air conditioners were turned on, and window tinting got darker. It got to the point where you couldn't even see the other driver, and as we became a more "self-oriented" and rude society, the practice seems to die out. Too bad. It was kind of fun.
Duke -
Re: waving
Pucho,
Good info by Duke. The rule is "wave". TBarr #24014Comment
-
Waving what?
Gentlemen (and Ladies):
I can't speak for the traditions Stateside, but I have noted that here in Switzerland, the acknowledgement behavior SOP for Corvette drivers depends upon what the other driver is driving. For example, when the other driver is:
1. driving an old American car of indiscriminate make (non-Corvette), the Corvette driver shall casually raise the index finger of the visible steering wheel hand. This SOP is specific to the European continent where old American cars are seldom seen. It is important to note, however, that the driver of the non-Corvette must initiate.
2. driving a Corvette newer than chrome-bumper C3: Casual extension of all fingers of visible hand (without taking hand from steering wheel).
3. driving a Corvette older than chrome bumper C3: Elbow on door, hand on vent window, casual lifting of hand with extended index finger.
4. driving a Corvette of identical vistage (must be C1 or C2): Elbow on door, hand on vent window, open hand wave.
5. an attractive blonde driving a C5: If she waves first, U-turn and follow.
6. a tailgating Alfa Romeo: At next red light, unbuckle lap belt, drop pants and moon for 5 seconds.
Accolades from pedestrians are acknowledged by a casual tip of the NCRS baseball hat, or if hatless, see #2 above.
I hope these guidelines have been informative. I would, in the interest of international cooperation, welcome guidelines from my resident US colleagues.
BillComment
-
I'll tell ya what
You've been living in the gentile, pastoral, old country way too long, Bill. In the last twenty years, about the only wave I've seen in LA is the proverbial middle finger salute.
Duke
P.S. C1s and C3s don't have vent windows, but as a fellow C2 guy I sometimes forget that,too. Makes it easier to drive our mid-years like the "headknocker". "He drives a '57 coupe, walks with a stoop, and claims James Dean isn't dead" Trivia question: Who was the group and what year?Comment
-
Re: Also Known As....
....the Hawaiian sign for "good luck". It's sort of amazing how many people from my area have visited the Tropical Island. I get wished "good luck" all the time (usually when passing someone). TBarr #24014Comment
-
Re: Waving what?
Most other drivers acknowledge me when in traffic by extending the middle finger or either hand passively or in some cases aggressively depending on their perceived evaluation of my driving habits. The last instance of this friendly greeting consisted of an extremely enthusiastic salute with two arms and most of a torso hanging out the driver's window. Both hands were waving in the air with middle fingers extended. I smiled in appreciation but declined to wave back considering that the other vehicle was foreign made.
Varooooooooooooom!Comment
-
Re: wave delete option
Pucho-Here in Michigan the Wave seems to be prevalent in chrome bumper cars especially top down roadsters(is there any other way!)most of the time.C4s and up i believe have a Wave delete option availible which many seem to have ordered!Coupe owners,usually the guy with the cast on his right hand from trying to wave and hitting the roof,sometimes wave with their left hand if they can get it out the little window without hitting the door frame.Regards,LouComment
-
Recall the periodic 'Save the Wave' attempts?
As it was fading there were numerous attempts to revive it. But the wave by edict just wasn't the same...
When out cruising (in the C5, only running C Anything I have these days) I wave and the C1, 2 and 3 guys nearly fall out of their cars waving in return. The C4 crowd is a different story.
JPComment
-
Re: Wave requirements in Texas................
All Vette Owners of C1 to C3 are REQUIRED by law to Wave. C2 and c3 are required to Honk and then wave at C1's. Its an option for all other models. We are just happy here to see each other still alive and kicking.Comment
-
Re: Waving what?
Hell, Dale, the "torso out the window gesturing with both hands" is actually a REQUIREMENT to pass the driver's test in France. As Duke says, I have evidently been away from the States too long.
BillComment
-
Re: I'll tell ya what
'Fraid ya got me on the trivia question, although I was going to guess it was that Canadian punk musician actually named "Joey S**thead", or "Teenage Jesus and the Jerks".
BillComment
-
Re: I'll tell ya what
Duke, as for the trivia, I've heard that song alot and didn't pay attention to who it was by. I know you said "group" but (don't laugh too hard) is it Sammy Hagar? Doubt if I can get the year. TBarr #24014Comment
-
Re: waving
Wave or just acknowledge with a slight flip of the forehand. My first car was a 61 corvette when I was a teenager and I kept seeing other corvettes mostly solid axles wave. It was their way of saying or stating we had a common bond so I was told. I never waved back until I told that by my older brothers friend who had a nice 58. I did notice the C-2 crowd when they were new show little effort in a wave or gesture since they had the latest corvettes the "Stingray". But I grew up when we cruised the streets and hung out at hamburger stands and the ultimate job was pumping gas and having access to gas station equipment,lifts ,tools and meeting girls etc. And all the radio stations played car songs and you had your car tuned for the street. Any stop light ment you had a possible race to contend with.So you hit the street ready. Since I've gotten older I have noticed a decline in the acknowledgement or wave since the early years. I have owned C-1s up to C-4 years. Nearly slipped and bought a C-5 but remembered my roots.I went out and bought a 67 L-71 coupe and am restoring at present. As posted most of these people don't really know the car they are driving has a place in American history, its just a "leased car to them" usually if it's new so they don't what the heck your waving at. I would say that most of the members of the NCRS carry on the tradition the car had way back when a car was part of your life's history and brings back a lot of good memories. When I see an older corvette, I flashback to the good old days and was glad to be part of them.Happy Easter,GRR#33570.Comment
-
Re: waving
Well said Duke. Waving has been a long time tradition amount Corvette owners. Back in the mid-sixties several friends of mine and I started the "Downriver Corvette Club" and "lived" at Big Boy's in Lincoln Park, Michigan. That was my first Corvette (second owner), 64 Red/Red roadster and began my professional career at General Motor's Detroit Diesel Division. All Corvette owners, at Diesel, parked in one section of the parking lot and always waved. When driving around south eastern Michigan it was always a welcome site when another Corvette owner waved. As Lou so carefully pointed out Coupe owners, on occasion, would beak their arms trying to wave through the roof. This condition was further aggravated by the following: 1) If the coupe owner had previously owned a roadster, 2) depending on the night before, at Big Boy's, he many not have been to coherent. Presently, I own two 63 Coupes and when my wife and I "ride around" I carry a first aid kit.
Best Wishes, Franz EComment
Comment