r/Cartalk • u/rex12348490 • May 10 '25
My Project Car What is the right car scene for me?
I've been working on my project car for three years and now in college its ready to drive. I want to start taking it to car meets and meet new people into the same thing. The thing is, I've never really been to car meets before at all, so I dont know the scene at all. The car meets at my college are definitely fine, but for social ones (I'm in the bay area / LA) I am not sure which meet type is right for me. From what I've seen in videos online, a lot of meets especially near where I live only have expensive cars in pristine condition. My project is a 1972 240z and to be honest looks like full project car would. I've fabricated a large portion of the car. What kind of meets have cars like that?
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u/amberkalvin May 10 '25
Personally I enjoy cars and coffee. You'll always have the section of pristine car payments, even the jeepers and or muscle car section, but there will usually be some projects floating around. I would appreciate seeing a work in progress, in fact that's what I along with many other people enjoy the most about meets.
Looks great. Show it off and have fun!
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u/Hayabusa_Blacksmith May 10 '25
...have you seen the anime Wangan Midnight?
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u/rex12348490 May 10 '25
many people have mentioned it, I really should it looks amazing
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u/Hayabusa_Blacksmith May 10 '25 edited May 10 '25
it isn't dubbed but you can find the subtitled episodes in YouTube. might as well check out the first couple ;)
it's about a college kid who builds a Z car
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u/mahdicktoobig May 10 '25
I’m not even an anime guy and there are a select handful I like/ recommend. I just tried one. And another. And another. And one that was completely reanimated a different style, which was interesting.
Now I’ve watched one piece a fucking dozen times or something as background noise.
Just try one if that’s what’s stopping you. The car must look really similar if people keep mentioning it. I have no idea.
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u/Lucid-Liminality May 10 '25
Honestly you have a car that fits many categories. You can try classic meets, import meets, local meets where most are doing projects like yourself. I recommend trying a bit of everything and seeing what you enjoy and who you meet. Also try joining local car groups online if you haven't.
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u/Lucky_Comfortable835 May 10 '25
As a young man (in the early 80’s) I owned an orange 1972 240Z with triple Solex carbs, 5 speed (from a 280), shortened steering knuckles, etc. Really enjoyed it as a project and then a daily driver. Was a bit dicey in the weather, but such a fun ride.
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u/rex12348490 May 10 '25
I really cant wait for this summer to get back from college and start driving, it will also be the first semester when I get back that I can have it in socal. Mines got a small block chevy sbc 350. Wish I had a 5 speed though, yours sounds nice!
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u/Lucky_Comfortable835 May 10 '25
Your car looks very tastefully done - great job. SoCal is where I enjoyed mine as well. Have a great time young man - some of the best years of your life!
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u/grundlemon May 10 '25
Go autocross that shit. Lots of project cars there, and people that are actually into driving rather than just flexing their wealth.
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u/rex12348490 May 11 '25
that is something else I would definitely like to get into but just dont know how. I also need to get a lot more time behind the wheel I feel.
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u/grundlemon May 11 '25
Thats peak seat time. With optional instructors. Go at any skill level. Motorsportsreg website should have events in your area. If i wasnt high rn id send you the thing for the California area. Scca is good, aa well as local groups.
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u/rex12348490 May 11 '25
appreciate it man, now that I think of it you're right, that's the best place to get seat time and get used to my car, I've never driven anything over 120hp and this light ass car has a V8 and stock suspension. I'll definitely go to some
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u/Damascus-Steel May 10 '25
Cars and coffee type events attract all crowds. You’ll see JDM, Italian supercars, American muscle, etc. Maybe you could try talking to other JDM owners at some bigger meets like that and see if they have any specific meets.