Drivers, Collectors, Diddlers and Mechanics

[DUCeditor]

"Drivers, Collectors, Diddlers and Mechanics" - Which are of those are you? One, or more than one?

In truth there are plenty of each here on the Fiat Spider forum. And each makes a real contribution.

"Drivers" are those of us who own a Spider primarily for the pure driving pleasure they give. (I list this first because it is the one I most closely relate too.) For some of us its the pure, top-down, wind in the hair, joy of back-road motoring. That's me. The car comes out of storage, typically in early April. The top goes down. And from there on its all about two-lane roads. The roar of the engine and the song of the exhaust. Tranquil beauty only occasionally broken by the squeal of tire brought on by a bit of over-enthusiastic driving.

"Collectors" see their Spider for what it is: A truly gorgeous example of the motor art. Inside and out. To be seen, shown and rejoiced over. Perhaps the sole collectible in an otherwise rather uninteresting garage, or maybe one of many. To be kept shiny. To be preserved. And maybe, just maybe, occasional driven.

"Diddlers" -- a group to which I suppose I also belong -- are people with a fascination with a cars mechanical, but only limited skills. Or, perhaps, lots of skill but a lack of needed tools and work space. "Diddlers" enjoy diddling. -Getting a bit of grease under their nails (plus an occasional skinned knuckle), but you won't generally find such with a thousand parts spread out in a pattern on their garage floor. For if you did you likely find them there again the next time you visit.

"Mechanics" are just that. The truly mechanically skilled among us. Those who explain the likely cause of what is ailing our beloved, and also the ability if only they were close enough (and had the time) to fix it. Of such I, for one, am in awe.

The existence of such a variety of members is not unique to this forum, or even motor forums in general. I've been a guitarist since the early sixties, saw some success (http://www.break-a-way.de/bands/abtracts.html) as such, and continue even now, as I approach 70 years of age, to love chatting about guitars and music with fellow musicians. And there, too, such differences exist. Serious players, dabblers, folks who know rather a lot about guitars, and even a few real luthiers -- guys who can (and do) modify, repair and/or even build a guitar from base wood and metal.

Each there makes a contribution -- as here.

So, which are you? A driver, a collector, a diddler or a full-fledged, honest-to-God, mechanic?

-don

[AriK]

I lean on all the options. I can relate to the uninteresting garage, the skill but lack of work space, the joy of 2 lane roads and the grease under the nails but doing without the parts spread all over the floor. I could be more accurate by placing a percentage on all the items. Since the survey allows for one choice I voted for the collector in me since the car is in good shape and only needs limited attention.

[DUCeditor]

Since the survey allows for one choice I voted for the collector in me since the car is in good shape and only needs limited attention.

Actually it allows for as many as you choose. (Alas, not with percentages.)

Thanks for filling in your details with a comment!

-Don

[AriK]

I just noticed this now. I might as well not vote at all if I decided to vote for all 4, I'd feel as if I cancel out my vote. Collector it is!

[azruss]

driver is my top motivation for owning my spider. Next is collector as i just look at myself as a steward for this car that will be passed on to a grandkid. I guess i fit in the mechanic category as there is no part of these cars i haven't rebuilt or repaired.

[spiderdan]

I'm a driver.
I guess by default, owning a 68 survivor (not many Canadian 68s around anymore) I'm also a collector but

And maybe, just maybe, occasional driven.

Naw that will never be me
Lucky for me I have "Canadan" as my mechanic/diddler. He has kept my Angelina running for my 14 years/+80,000 miles of ownership.
Hell, I've never even changed the oil...

[AriK]

Lucky for me I have "Canadan" as my mechanic/diddler. He has kept my Angelina running for my 14 years/+80,000 miles of ownership.
Hell, I've never even changed the oil...

You mean you've never changed the oil YOURSELF!?

[spiderdan]

You mean you've never changed the oil YOURSELF!?

NEVER!
I buy the oil.
I buy the installation fluid
I bring him the car (he supplies filter)
He keeps the old oil (I think he runs it in one of his big orange machines)
I offer him a few bucks
I spend a few hours with him checking over things, talking Fiats and generaly shooting the shit with a knowledgeable friend.

Definition of a real "Driver"

[Nanonevol]

I choose "diddler" but prefer the term "tinkerer". "Diddler" has an altogether different connotation where I'm from.

[AriK]

Definition of a real "Driver"

A real "Driver" wouldn't have missed the trek to Montreal's main Italian car event two years in a row. Better yet a real "Driver" would accompany us to Detroit next week!

Sorry you walked right into that one!

[PhillySpider]

I'm a diddler that always wanted to be a mechanic. Unfortunately my father said i wasn't allowed to be a loser (not my words), made me drop shop and take typing in high school . While I make a good living and my dad still tries to make fun of me to this day for not wanting to go to college I truly believe I'd be f'g Boyd Coddington and Chip Fooz's superior by now had I been encouraged! LOL, I'm happy to have a career and a spider, but would desperately like a mechanic friend in Philly to take me under their wing and scratch that itch of desire to truly understand and know how to fix my Spider...

[DUCeditor]

Good story PhillySpider. I expect more than a few here will be nodding their heads and muttering "Uh huh. Me too!"

-don

[81SPIDERMATT]

driver for sure then diddler although after my initial work it has not left me much opportunity ... quite reliable .... and girlfriend says always diddle before driving

and more than words can say I love the mechanics .... without them = dynamite fiat