Take the poll: Red hairpins? Or chrome hairpins?

The last guy who owned Hiboy decided to paint the hairpins red. I don't mind it, but I think it is clashing with the marroon/burgendy interior color. I think I would like to revert back to chromed hairpins. But wanted to take a poll first. I have had mixed responses at car meets, many people seemed to really love the red hairpins, while some others felt that it clashed with the burgundy.

I know I have red wheels and grill shell anyways LOL, and that is not about to change ever. Come to think about it I also have red accents on my front axle and my backing plates, spindles and steering arms are also red. I like that as well... So one might wonder why the hairpins is not OK red, while everything else seems to be.... Maybe because One mainly sees the burgundy color while looking at the car from the side, you can see the top of back seat, tucked over the back of car body. You can also really notice the hairpins from that same angle.

Anyways, let me know what you guys think.

http://www.bettatalk.com/hiboy%20images/SPECS.jpg

PS: Initially I had wanted a black car with red grill and red interior. Beggers can't be choosers, this one came with burgundy interior. Subsequently, I received a lot of compliments about that color, cause it is less "common" than red, so it sets my car apart from other red/black roadsters. It has grown on me and now I am thinking that I might keep it this way (at least for a while). Just thought I'd mention.

Well, I like red ones too, but an interior that doesn't quite match can throw too many colors into the mix. When we picked the last interior for my '27 my then-Girlfriend and I ran all over town looking for the right "red" vinyl. Some just didn't go with the red wheels, hairpins, etc. Finally found one that did.

Really a tough call on yours, because you certainly don't want to replace the entire interior, and yet your car sports so many other red parts. I guess your thinking is that the hairpins are right there on the side and can be compared to the interior. In that case, maybe chrome would take some of that side by side comparison away.

Ok, I vote for chrome, but as you can see from the picture of mine below, I really like red.

Don

They do seem to stand out a little bit as the red color seems brighter then the rims because they are right there while the rims have less light shining on them. Definitely a tough call, it would be nice to see it with chrome ones to see how it would look.

The only concern I would have with the chrome ones is they would be so shiney compared to the flat black paint, I think I would keep them the way they are. Everything flows so good on the car you do not want to get something that would stand out to much. In the end it is pretty much a personal choice on what kind of "look" you are going for.

if the wheels don't match the interior i don't see no reason to change it.

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Originally Posted by DennyW

I don't know, but that Pink is a little loud Don. :LOL: :LOL:

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i agree. must have been his "then girlfriend" car. :HMMM: :LOL: :LOL: just joking don

I think chrome hairpins would accent the chrome hub caps...

Just My 2¢...

Dave Brisco

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Originally Posted by DennyW

I don't know, but that Pink is a little loud Don. :LOL: :LOL:

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It's PURPLE I tell you, PURPLE. It just photographs pink. :D :D :D :D


Geesh.........no wonder the car is getting painted black next time. :D :D :D :LOL:


Don

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Originally Posted by dangeroustoy

I think chrome hairpins would accent the chrome hub caps...

Just My 2¢...

Dave Brisco

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I'm with Dave.

It doesn't matter what we think......do what you like.;) If your not sure what to do pick something and go with it. If you change your mind , change it back. I'm totally cool with it.

p.s. I'd leave them red. They match the grill, axle, and rims.

I'm thinking you've got a particular look going on with your car; mostly painted...either black or red, even your grill insert is painted red.
I've always thought that the red hairpins were kind of unique.
I know others have said chrome hairpins will match the chrome wheel covers, but my opinion is that if you go to chrome you're going to lose some of that character the car currently has...seems like everybody has chrome hairpins...my vote is go with something different than the rest of us...stick with the red ones.

Chrome don't moan.....
I'm for Chrome.
Bling....
41

Hmmmm..... Always the racer and in favor of good handling vs. a bound up hairpin front. My vote would go for a four bar set up on the front.

Well if your worried about clashing colors why not leave them painted but painted black like the car.

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Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Hmmmm..... Always the racer and in favor of good handling vs. a bound up hairpin front. My vote would go for a four bar set up on the front.

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Have to disagree with the "bound up" thing. No question 4 bars may move a litle more freely , but I have never run anything BUT hairpins or split bones and have a zillion miles on both. Never have experienced any bind or problems.

Also, when I look at an otherwise traditional car and see four bars, something is just out of place. Just like seeing disc brakes on a traditional car. :HMMM:


Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Have to disagree with the "bound up" thing. No question 4 bars may move a litle more freely , but I have never run anything BUT hairpins or split bones and have a zillion miles on both. Never have experienced any bind or problems.

Also, when I look at an otherwise traditional car and see four bars, something is just out of place. Just like seeing disc brakes on a traditional car. :HMMM:


Don

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Don, just plot out the arc on the wishbone cars.... They are twisting the axle every time one tire hits a bump, or whenever the car is stuffed into a corner...... I agree hairpins have the look for traditional cars, but they are a comprimise on what would be better handling, and yes the 4 bar is a comprimise of the even better handling of an IFS. I guess I'm just always more concerned about the performance rather then just looking correct in the parking lot...... Same thing on the disc vs. drum brake debate. Put me down as in favor of what works better. Another major area of concern on the handling is sprung vs. unsprung weight. Granted, not an area of concern on traditional looking cars, but definitely and area of concern in performance and handling.

I just think all options should be looked at, then the builder has to decide on how many comprimises the want to make to have the traditional look vs. better handling.......

Here's a very traditional looking coupe with full IFS and IRS....

Like I said Dave, I know in theory you are absolutely correct, and I have seen all the diagrams showing axle arc, twist, etc. But what I am saying is that hairpins and split bones aren't the doom and gloom engineering everybody makes them out to be. If they were, you wouldn't see them on the market, and being used almost exclusively on the majority of T buckets and similar cars turned out by companies like Total Performance, etc.

Let's face it, NO straight axle setup we use is perfect. It is 100 year old technology, and even though we have made improvements over the years, it will never compare to a properly setup IFS . But, we use them because we do like the looks, so we make them operate as well as possible.

Although I have had a bunch of cars over the years with hairpins and split bones, the one I drove the most was my '27. This was pretty much my daily driver for about 7 years, day in day out. I could run down the interstate at 70 or 80 and it tracked like an arrow, and in the turns it never wandered. So I am not talking from a position of not living behind the wheel for many miles.

I simply want to make the point that not all cars HAVE to scrap these in favor of four bars and still be a very good driving machine.

Don




Here's a very traditional looking coupe with full IFS and IRS....



Yes, but it also has fenders.

Don't doubt your instincts. You're asking the question because it hits your eye wrong. Red as a highlight color is fine, but too much in the "wrong" place(s) is no longer a highlight, it's a blight.

I'm with Charlie.................black. Chrome would be fine if you're going "upscale" and have a shiny axle and attached hardware.

Well, looks like we're making the same point, Don!!!! Had a few with the hairpins, a few with 4 bars, then the first time I built one with IFS I totally lost interest in the traditional look!!!!

My pride and joy (too bad it was built for someone else) was a full fendered Deuce roadster with IFS and IRS, Ford Windsor (aluminum block and heads)!!!! Handles like a slot car and accelerates like a Pro Stock!!!! Gonna rob the bank one of these days and build me one just like it!!!!!!!!:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Ok, I'll buy you a beer and well call it a draw. :D :D :D :D :D


Don

I vote for polished stainless steel or chrome.

Kitz

Stay with the red. It matches your tennis shoes!:3dSMILE:

Chrome goes well with any dark colour, and with a lot of lighter ones. I would vote for chrome, if expense is not an issue. One thing about Chrome (and this may be sacrilege)---if you put chrome hairpins on and find you really don't like them, it takes about half a day to pop them off and paint the darn things red.

Chrome.

Use it as an accent.
It goes well on bones & bars etc.

Except for the $$ bit, it's easy to put too much chrome on a car.

A little bit goes a long way....:)

You could always paint the bars ,grill and rims a matching color to the interior.

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Originally Posted by dangeroustoy

I think chrome hairpins would accent the chrome hub caps...

Just My 2¢...

Dave Brisco

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I'm with Dave also.

Since you have a chrome and red axle either would work, but my vote would be for chrome.

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car. Just mask it off & throw some chome looking paint on it. Leave it like that for a day as you walk around and get the 'feel' for the chrome look. Red one side, chrome 'look' on the other.... Then if you like the look, have them both chromed.... If you don't like the look then paint the one red again..... This is probably the cheapest way to make up your mind if your in doubt.... Your car already looks GREAT, I saw it at the Primer Nationals & I didn't even notice any 'contrast' between the maroon interior & the red wheels, grill, etc {& neither did the judges;), BUT it does have a LOT of red on it.... Bill

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Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car. Just mask it off & throw some chome looking paint on it. Leave it like that for a day as you walk around and get the 'feel' for the chrome look. Red one side, chrome 'look' on the other.... Then if you like the look, have them both chromed.... If you don't like the look then paint the one red again..... This is probably the cheapest way to make up your mind if your in doubt.... Your car already looks GREAT, I saw it at the Primer Nationals & I didn't even notice any 'contrast' between the maroon interior & the red wheels, grill, etc {& neither did the judges;), BUT it does have a LOT of red on it.... Bill

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Bill, was it you I met at the Primers? I met a nice guy from this forum but cannot remember what his handle name is... Nor how our conversation ended... We were standing next to Hiboy while he was on "display" with the other 6 winners. I think (? everything is a blur) the producer of the show came to talk to me about the trophy ceremony and interrupted our conversation and I can't even remember saying goodbye... sigh... This was quite an overwhelming afternoon for me (but how much fun!)... Anywhoo, whomever you are, if i didn't have a chance to properly say "goodbye" I am sorry :o

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Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car.

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Well, I think there is chrome under the red paint ;). Might not need tt rechrome, maybe only take paint off? I'll call previous owner and ask him if chrome was in good shape. Maybe it wasn't and that's why he painted it. Or he got spraycan happy :rolleyes: .

I can do all the changes in photoshop, it is less of a commitment / work. I'll post the altered photos here, later when I have them done.

Chrome on hairpins are the ticket. It makes them stand out, especially on a black or dark car.
As far as the hairpin handling deal, the straight axel is not high tech and neither is a traditional deuce...and that is a good thing. Sprint cars used hairpins for years with cross spring front ends. The four bar is a must for torsion bars but on a beam axel the hairpins are just dandy. If you are using a tube axel then you probably want to update to four bar. I personally enjoy the primitive ride and handling of the traditional deuce roadster as well as some rude exaust noise. Same goes with a Harley, primitive with plenty of "bark" and no rubber mounted motor. I've got a nice riding modern pick up with a/c, stereo and windows for transportation. The hot rod and bike are for fun!

I vote for CHROME!!!! Cause it go wif my toofes.

Thank God your toofes aren't red !!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


Don

That does it Mr. Denny...............turn in your computer mouse. :eek: :eek: :LOL:

Don

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If you are using a tube axel then you probably want to update to four bar.

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Not me. Most street rod suspensions don't have enough travel to make the tube axle w/ hairpins a problem.

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Not me. Most street rod suspensions don't have enough travel to make the tube axle w/ hairpins a problem.

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Maybe Jack has hit it on the head. In all the diagrams they show the front end swinging in this big arc, when, in reality, our front ends only go a couple inches in either direction at the most. Does anyone actually know anyone who had broken an axle through this twisting action ?? I have never met one, or seen one anywhere.

Don

It looks good now, but would definitely would look even better with chrome hairpins... no question about it IMO.

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Originally Posted by HiboyGal

Bill, was it you I met at the Primers? I met a nice guy from this forum but cannot remember what his handle name is... Nor how our conversation ended... We were standing next to Hiboy while he was on "display" with the other 6 winners. I think (? everything is a blur) the producer of the show came to talk to me about the trophy ceremony and interrupted our conversation and I can't even remember saying goodbye... sigh... This was quite an overwhelming afternoon for me (but how much fun!)... Anywhoo, whomever you are, if i didn't have a chance to properly say "goodbye" I am sorry :o

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....Well Faith if it was a nice guy then it must have been me! ;).... LOL..... Yes it was, you were SO excited I think you were in another world!!! {as you should have been;)...Gee whiz, YOU don't have to say your sorry for not saying goodbye.... I have to say "I'm sorry" for leaving BEFORE you had a change to say "goodbye" ;)..... Bill

I have built and ran cars with both hairpins and 4 bar front ends, and I can honestly say I didn't notice any difference. I have heard all the arguments about not running hairpins with tube axles, only I-beams---yada, yada, yada. Again, and I concur with Henry Rifle, the front axle does not travel enough to make it matter which type of axle locator you use.

Chrome--definitely. But don't expect the chrome to be nice under the paint. They were probably roughed up with sandpaper to make the primer stick.

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Originally Posted by DennyW

I don't know. Back in the day (as quoted by many), you had to be well off to wear chrome things, or a good sponsor. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

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Or have a job as a night watchman in a chrome factory. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:


Don