This article is in the new DialD mag. it is really a good article and so much truth to what Andy Goodman says. Everyone can relate at one time or another. It's a little long but worth the read:

dialD(TM) Volume. 4 Issue 9

Racism In Our Industry

Now that I have your attention, we are not here to discuss human racism
but rather automotive racism. Yes, you heard me correctly our industry suffers
from the worst type of racism, and we are all guilty of it in some fashion or form.
True story, one of my closest industry friends was building a Scion TC and told
me he was going to put a set of HRE’s on it. You know what my first comment
was “Hold on Neil, your going to put a set of nine thousand dollars wheels on a
car worth eighteen grand, your nuts.” Personally I did not see it as he did. Who
is right and who is wrong? Neither of us! Just because that is something I would
not do myself, should mean nothing to his decision. It was his car, his creation,
his expression, HIS CHOICE!

Another true story, this same person
assisted me in picking the color of my current project, a Mitsubishi FTO. After
sending me samples of all these different plum like colors I just did not see it as
he did and had my painter mix up a custom Purple blend as that is my
favorite color. Now this so called friend busted my you know whats for about a
month as the color was just not for him. Well where am I going with all of this you
ask? I’ll tell you the one thing that makes life so great is that each and every one
of us are different. We are all unique individuals, blame it on our up bringing,
our socio economic placement, our education and the million other reasons
as to why, but this is what makes car building so great – you get to express
yourself through yourself.

Every one of us has what we call our
preferences, but does that mean you need to dishonor and disrespect those
that don’t see things as you do? I have been a part of the car show scene for
more than nine years, spending the last five of them with the NCCA. I know I
have not seen it all but I have seen a lot. One thing I always try to keep in mind is;
that machine, that creation that I am looking at is the heart and soul of another
person. That car is the canvas for someone’s self expression and should be
respected as so. Just because you do not see it as hot or properly built according
to your standards it still deserves the same honor and respect as you wish for
yourself and your creation.

There are several styles and themes
one may choose to follow when building their own project vehicle from mini
trucks slammed on the ground to monster trucks so high you need a ladder just
to reach the door. There is an entire community for Low rider fans appreciating
hydraulic suspensions and plush interiors. There is the DUB community enjoying
their Gucci interior and shoes so big you can see the laces and let’s not forget
those race fans that gut their interiors just to save a few hundred pounds to
gain that extra one-hundredth of a second. With all the different styles one has
to choose from, who is to say that one style is better then another? No one!

As I have grown in this industry I have seen two prevalent types of styles
emerge from the Sport Compact Scene, two drastically different styles
that is. First there is what we will refer to as the Radical style of building. This
includes wild body work such as headlight and taillight conversions, flashy wild
body kits and paint jobs, stand out rims and gallons of fiberglass to house a
countless number of TV’s and audio equipment. Usually these types of builds
have minimal, if any, motor works as this type of builder is more concerned with
the wow factor then anything else. The second is more performance oriented
catering to less wow and a more functional approach with functional body
enhancements, light weight performance wheels, and minimal electronics;
even sometimes gutted interiors to finish that race theme. Much of the focus is on
the engine and drive-tran with this type of builder trying to squeeze every last
pony out or sometimes performing a full transplant. I have seen some performance
builders change their suspension numerous times in one season as they
just are not satisfied. This is what we will refer to as the Performance style.

Both the Radical and Performance styles of building are completely different.
Both have their good points and their bad but the truth is to each their
own. One should build their car to their own specific taste, don’t follow what
you see around you. Be yourself. Express your car through who you are
and let the creativity flow. The one thing about building cars is you’re
never wrong. There is no right and wrong in the design process. If you like
pink, paint it pink. If you want Ford Mustang headlights in your Civic go for
it. Or if you want to put a 350 Chevy motor in a 300zx take me for a ride.

The one thing that is wrong is the Racism displayed at events; every
enthusiast is guilty of it. The soft quite whispers you say to a friend like ewe
look at that thing, or what a tacky car, or what’s the point of a 700hp motor that
never sees the track. Why do you have to even make those comments in the
first place? Are you scared because you can’t relate to something different? Or
do you not know enough about that style of build so human nature kicks in
and your defense mechanisms turn on? Are you immediately getting defensive
because you are uncomfortable not understanding? What ever the case
may be think twice before you put someone else’s work down. Think before
you make an unnecessary comment. Try to see it from another perspective, you
just may learn something new. No one says you have to like it, but you should
respect it. In a way this vehicle owner is just like you, an auto enthusiast at heart.

When you are at the next car show, be it as a competitor or spectator, try to
appreciate the machines in front of you for what they are. Though it may not
match your personal taste and preference in building the odds are that someone
will feel the same way when they see your creations. Treat others as you
would like to be treated and stop hating on the other guy. Respect what is
around you and the respect will come back to you, but portray ignorance and
it will be remembered by your peers.