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Looking under car cover - etiquette question

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gotham

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Jul 21, 2013
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Colorado
I showed up at my in-law's condo the other day and there was a car parked outside in the guest parking area under a car cover. Clearly a sports car, small, long hood. What got my attention was modern, big tread block tires peaking out. I was thinking vintage but with mods that would require big tires which is interesting to me.

What's the protocol on peaking under a car cover? I've always thought look but never ever touch someone else car.
 
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Squankum

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Yeah, I suspect the owner wouldn't like that. So don't get caught! :D

I've always enjoyed a car cover puzzler. Maybe if you get on your hands and knees and peer underneath you can figure it out that way?

In my teens and twenties I spent a lot of time peeking in windows of kewl cars. A few decades later, it's only an occasional thing and my gal is finger wagging at me about that that people might not like it get creeped out and think I'm a thief or something. Uh, yeah, I really fit the profile.

What if you just touch the cover and try to feel about that car that way? Senator Franken rules... you're not really touching the car.

I've got it! Is there a locking cable underneath? If not, wait for a really windy day and pull it off and then tell the guy you found it loose and flapping and knock on his door and tell him you saved his car cover from flying to the east side of the county and hey, neat Datsun 2000 you got there!

_
 
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NUTTSGT

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Personally to me, lifting a cover is wrong and invasion of ones privacy whether inside or out. To me, it's like opening a door to check out what's inside.

However, if the car is outside, what you can see underneath (not lifting the cover) of the undercarriage is in plain view for all to see. It's that touching/lifting the cover is where the barrier is broken.
 
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Nor'Easter

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Maine
I have a friend who hand builds radiators for some of the rarest pre-war cars in the world. Pebble Beach, Concours, he's there. He once told me, if you are close enough to touch it, you're too close.

I try to abide by that rule.
 
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Done That

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Aug 18, 2017
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MO
Reminded me of Stripes....

"You just made the list, buddy. Also, I don't like no one touching my stuff. So just keep your meathooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff... I'll kill ya."
 

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zmotorsports

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I think the protocol would be to just ask the owner about it. If he's like me or others that I know, he'll love showing it off and appreciate you asking.
 
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ddawg16

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S. California
Take a six pack of good beer over and ask the owner for a peek....

With luck, he might take you for a spin before you both finish that 6-pak
 
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koondog

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Pennsylvania
It's simple: don't do it without the owner's permission.
Nor'easter gave the best description of the rules.
 
C

coljar

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Belpre, Ohio
Whether it is sitting outside or in a garage, ask first. The owner usually prefer's taking the cover off himself. I know I do, and I like showing what's under the cover, unless the person is a ****.
 
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Lassen Forge

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The romantic hills of central Umbria, Italy,
The rule is "No yours, no touch". If you're that intrigued, leave a note on the cover by the door or on the hood, asking if they would mind if you could look at it, with your name and contact info.

What if it was yours, someone just "lifted the cover to peek", and in the process their rolex watch scratched their paint or whatnot... or you saw the dead body hidden within? Hmmm???

I had a landlord do this on one of my vehicles in my garage (my antique harley) - he then (stupidly) asked what the story was on the "old WW1 motorcycle i had out in the garage"... mind you, it was under a tarp, behind some boxes, and no where near visible unless he was "snooping".

He then tried to tell me, since he owned the building, he had the right to look. For some reason, he felt it was also his right to look in our house windows while he was gardening to see what was going on - didn't realize it until I came out of the bathroom after taking a shower...

I got a judge to sign a cease and desist order against him until we moved. That's serious business.

Doesn't matter how cool you think something being kept private and covered might be, it's not your stuff. And some people who are big, ugly, and possibly armed might take offense to your nosiness into their business.

Nor'Easter said:
I have a friend who hand builds radiators for some of the rarest pre-war cars in the world. Pebble Beach, Concours, he's there. He once told me, if you are close enough to touch it, you're too close.
Click to expand...

Good to know - can I file that info? I have a couple projects on the back burner that might need his talents. :D
 
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engineer2

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Chicago burbs
Admire from a distance when the owner might be around. Hopefully he will see you, and after proper introductions, show it to you.
 
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Walter_TA

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Mar 11, 2017
Messages
191
I had a black Trans Am that I kept waxed and clean. It always had fingerprints on the top of the door by the window. I was looking hard to find out who was doing it. Then two little kids came running up and put there fingers on the door as the looked in. I just smiled. So if you are a little kid you can get away with looking, else dont touch.
 
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Todd.Brock

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Cincinnati
Can we at least see a pic of the car in question? That way when you tell the person you like their *** , you can tell them a group of strangers that convene at the same web stop all concluded you have an X brand car, but you might have the wrong year fenders and tires are incorrect for the period. That should freak’em our good!

Please post pics of the “engineering” too!
 
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lakeroadster

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Jan 19, 2015
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Central Colorado
Lassen Forge said:
... If you're that intrigued, leave a note on the cover by the door or on the hood, asking if they would mind if you could look at it, with your name and contact info.
Click to expand...

Not even sure how they would put a note on a car cover? I cringe at the options..

I get your drift....... but that always pisses me off, when folks put flyers or notes on my vehicles.

If it's for sale... sure. Otherwise if ya see the owner, ask them. Any other instance, leave it alone.
 
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Vegaman_Dan

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Pacific, WA
My first thought is to leave a note on the vehicle, but that can tip people off that it hasn't been moved in a while, or not being monitored. Owner might not like a note on their cover.

Since this is an apartment/condo complex, I would ask the office manager whom owns the car and if they are not willing to tell you (respect the owner's privacy), ask if the manager will let you leave a note for the owner asking about the car to make contact. That way it's kept anonymous if desired and privacy maintained.

Likely the owner will be glad to show it off to another car enthusiast and you might make a very good new friend. How you approach it makes all the difference.
 
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MoonRise

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NJ
LS6 Tommy said:
A guy I know is proud of his second (much younger) wife's, umm, "engineering". He's told her to let someone see it on at least one occasion. :headscrat

Tommy
Click to expand...

OEM or 'modified'? :lol_hitti

re: the OP

Ask first, don't touch.
 
D

drx2

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Mar 31, 2015
Messages
55
Was selling my home a couple of years ago. I have a Vette that was in the garage, under a cover, and on a battery tender. Someone came to look at the house and upon our return, the cover was half off.

I was really pissed off!

Leave it alone and don't mess with it. Try to find out who's car it is and ask them to take a peek. I'm sure they will be proud to show it off.
 
P

PT Doc

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Nov 12, 2010
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3,197
gotham said:
I showed up at my in-law's condo the other day and there was a car parked outside in the guest parking area under a car cover. Clearly a sports car, small, long hood. What got my attention was modern, big tread block tires peaking out. I was thinking vintage but with mods that would require big tires which is interesting to me.

What's the protocol on peaking under a car cover? I've always thought look but never ever touch someone else car.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't look up his wife's skirt would you? So hands off the car and cover!
 
K

kwb

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May 1, 2009
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1,771
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PNW
Don't touch. Cover or not don't touch other people's things doesn't matter if it is Shelby A-C #1 or a car getting picked up for crushing in a couple minutes.

Not yours - No explicit permission to touch - Stay back

In public view but on private property - don't get closer than the property line.

If you want to ask to see it the first and only place you go is the FRONT Door and knock/ring the bell.

If there is a for sale sign then getting a bit closer is okay on private property to read details and get the phone number but still no touch.

I don't think anybody has said that you can touch.

I can't believe someone even had to ask this question.
 
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Bluevista

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Dec 13, 2017
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86
Location
N.E. Ohio
Must not be a car guy. I walk around with my hands behind my back at car shows, and I'm usually a participant.

I opened up my garage when there were guys putting a roof on the house next door
and one of the guys yelled "What's under the cover!", I yelled back "A car!". That's all they needed to know.
You can touch my wife all day, she'd be thrilled by the attention.
 
T

T_R

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Jul 2, 2015
Messages
902
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Maine
You would have a 50/50 chance of getting shot here for it. Maybe NY is different.
 
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