I don't have such a strange hobby, more that the subject for that hobby is strange. There's nothing weird about fixing up a 35 year old sports car or truck or something.
But I've been working on what I thought was a well-known model of 4x4, but now that it's running it draws a crowd of onlookers when I take it somewhere, and many people, even adults, don't know what a Suzuki Samurai is and have never seen one before.
I think you have to be part of the greater car community, at least, to know much about one, but probably a smaller niche of people looking for practical vehicles that are fun to know about the samurai.
I love the first gen RX7, and while far more well known (the FD anyhow), than the samurai, there is a LOT of confusion and misinformation out there about my car and the rotary engine in general. I feel your pain.
About 20 years ago I daily drove a 1979 Mazda Rx-7. It was pretty dependable with its carburetor equipped 12A rotary, and it was amazing fun in the corners. And it was such a pure sports car - two seats, four wheels, and an engine. No power steering, no automatic transmission, no traction control or ABS. I remember having to drive it while leaned over toward the passenger side so my head didn't hit the ceiling.
I’ve had mine for about 15 years now. It’s a 1982 GSL with all the original factory options. Mines pretty heavily modified though. It made a huge 89rwhp on the dyno out of the carb’d 12a.
Just about everyone I know has trouble fitting in all the fun cars. I’m relatively small, so I fit great in my rx7 and Miata.
Honestly I'm kind of glad I got my Samurai, because I have a neighbor with a 1983 or 1984 Rx7 that looks great but never moves, and I was having to talk myself out of offering him money for it.
It's getting very difficult to find parts for the FB. There are a lot less people who know how to work on them, or are willing to work on them too. They are a blast to drive, and every time I think I should sell mine, I go for a drive, and remember why I can't.
[…] many people, even adults, don't know what a Suzuki Samurai is and have never seen one before.
Where in the world is this!? I find it hard to believe that anyone anywhere, who cares enough about cars to take a look at yours, wouldn't be familiar with such a classic and iconic car.
The one I have has been in my family for some time. I've witnessed it dragging full size 4x4 trucks out with all of its 65 horsepower multiple times. It handles deep water especially well.