"Ass Engined Nazi Slot Car"

[Jeff Higgins]

O.k., so most of us are familiar with P.J. O'Rourke's famous (infamous?) quote in Car and Driver in what, about 1980 or so? It's become a pretty ubiquitous tongue-in-cheek, self deprecating description of our favorite cars.

So, being the smart ass that I can sometimes be, I had a license plate frame made up years ago. I've since removed it for my daily driving and travels, only installing it for "events" - cars and coffees, PCA gatherings, etc. Places where I'm with other "car guys", if not specifically "Porsche people".



Reactions range from folks laughing their asses off to wanting to kick mine. I do understand it's a bit provocative, and that's precisely why Mr. O'Rourke said it so many years ago. And, really, the vast majority of people who choose to say anything at all have positive comments, and think it's kind of funny. Some of those who do take offense, however, seem to really take offense. And, interestingly, none of them claim to be Jewish, and all are too young to have had any connection with any of that anyway.

Anyway, it's not on the car right now. I'm kind of pondering whether or not I'll even put it back on for any "events". Whaddaya all think?

[pwd72s]

I think it's funny as hell...love it.

Alas, it's not 1980 anymore and we have violence prone "woke" everywhere these days.
I'd suggest leaving it at home.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I think it's funny as hell...love it.

Alas, it's not 1980 anymore and we have violence prone "woke" everywhere these days.
I'd suggest leaving it at home.

I agree with this statement.

[oldE]

Leave it at home. Some people used to use the "N" word too. Best grow with the times.

Best
Les

[greglepore]

I think the quote is funny as all get out, and pretty accurate, given the known involvement of the family.
But I have to agree that it probably is too far out of current bounds. While I'm not a fan of all things "woke" by any means, some things just aren't as funny out of context.
But man, I miss the DED era C&D. Yates, Bedard, O'Rourke. Every time I see an ad for a Pinzgauer, I think of the old guy.

[dentist90]

It’s a shame today’s social environment is so easily ‘triggered’ by just about anything cuz i think it’s hilarious.

Maybe change nazi to ‘nasty’ and us insiders will still get the reference? 😏

[flipper35]

Some truths have no place in the world today.

If I were to see it on your car I would comment positively though, but I tend to be offensive and grumpy feelings be darned type of guy.

[masraum]

I think it's funny, and I don't see a problem with running it. Using the word "Nazi" shouldn't be forbidden.

On a related note, you may find this interesting. (I love the guy's T-shirt)



I would not run the sticker in the video on any of my vehicles, but I'm not going to force someone else not to. I've also seen crude T-shirts that are funny, but I wouldn't wear them in public.

I don't have a problem with it, but I would not run it. I generally try to avoid stuff that I find tactless or tacky, and that would fit. If I was wandering around with my grandson, I wouldn't necessarily want him to see it or have to talk to him about it until he was older.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by oldE

Leave it at home. Some people used to use the "N" word too. Best grow with the times.

Best
Les

Originally Posted by greglepore

I
But I have to agree that it probably is too far out of current bounds. While I'm not a fan of all things "woke" by any means, some things just aren't as funny out of context.

I'd like to preface, that I'm not trying to be antagonistic. I'm asking for opinion and trying to have a discussion.

To the folks that think it should not be displayed, if you are familiar with the Jerry Seinfeld show and the "soup nazi," do you think that episode should be censored from TV or maybe have the audio dubbed over with the word "nasty"?

I get it what you are saying, but this is a slippery slope. I don't see this particular use as being offensive. And I don't think "Nazi" and the other "N" word or valid comparisons. It's not like the descendants of Nazi's are ever going to complain about discrimination and ask for reparations.

[greglepore]

The soup nazi wasn't an actual Nazi. Ferdinand was.

[IROC]

I think its funny and appropriate (it is a direct quote from someone referring to the exact type of car its on), but unfortunately there are way too many people who don't get it and are going to be offended. For some reason.

It's kind of like quoting lines from Blazing Saddles in meetings.

[Rusty Heap]

What is this? Higgins starting to care about other peoples feelings?

say it isn't so.

"Retched excess is a good place to start!"

[jcommin]

I didn't vote because I can't agree with the choices.

There is a time and place this type of humor and it has passed. I have never liked the term Nazi in recent references or comparisons. That's just me.

[ted]

Jeff it's an obscure reference that will be lost on non car people.
Which is almost everyone on the road today.
you will be mistaken as an anti Semite and a bigot.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

What is this? Higgins starting to care about other peoples feelings?

say it isn't so.

"Retched excess is a good place to start!"

Probably cares more about not having his car trashed or his ass kicked. No need to ask for a fight...that's just being smart.

[Robert Coats]

What in the Wide, Wide World of Sports is a-going on here?!?

P.J. has been a favorite, ever since "How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink" in '79

While the plate frame is dated, so are we. What is the old saying? "You are the company you keep."

Besides, funny is funny, no matter what. Many professional comics love to push an audience to an uncomfortable limit. So yeah, I'd keep it on all the time.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by greglepore

The soup nazi wasn't an actual Nazi. Ferdinand was.

Ferdinand Porsche, the original died in 1951! He had nothing to do at all with the 911, and very little to do with the 356. His son Ferdinand Porsche, usually called Ferry Porsche, designed the 356. His grandson Ferdinand Porsche, or Butzi get the credit for the 911.

Ferdinand Porsche the original had a choice. Adolph Hitler sent word, come see me. No one survived a snub of Hitler, so he went to see the Fuhrer. He was told, design me a peoples car. What would you have done in that situation? Tell the Fuhrer, screw off? He joined the Nazi party only to stay alive. They were not going to have some Austrian non Nazi design the people car.

The Porsche family is not real original with the name of the first born male.

[Ronbo]

Okay I’m Jewish and I’ve had relatives of my parent’s generation who were killed in the extermination camps. While I understand that this quote is “funny”, personally I find it offensive and in extremely poor taste to put on display. I think you should have every right to put this on your car, but if I saw it out on the road or at a meet I would never confront you but I would think lesser of you. I don’t want to be reminded of this part of my family’s history if I’m just out enjoying cars.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JackDidley]

I have a sense of humor and I like the plate frame. I dont have any thing on my car that is not factory because I prefer the factory look but I still like it. Cant change the past.

[Tobra]

I got a warning from Wayne for using that aphorism about 15 years ago.

PJ O Rourke coined that, to my recollection.