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.