Thread: Grand National Roadster Show

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[QUOTE=HOTRODPAINT]Don, those comments were not pointed at anyone on this site. You guys are real gentlemen compared to other sites!

I have quit a couple of them, due to the rudeness. I think what bothers me the most is that it is tolerated by their moderators.]


No intent here to side-track a good thread, but you're absolutely right, Jay. People here are much more civilized.

On another site I mentioned that I once had a very strong running Corvair Corsa with, among many other things, a four barrel. Some guy responded with "Scuse me, but Corsas came with four single throat carbs, not four barrels". Then another hammerhead chimed in with "obviously he (meaning me) don't know WTF he's talking about". (I interpreted this comment to mean that I had somehow strayed from the true course of rectitude).

Well, dang it, I know that. When I got the car the engine was disassembled and piled in the back seat. The whole intake system, including carburetors, was missing, so I bought a "spider" four barrel intake manifold from Clifford.

Then, on the same site, some young guy who was in the process of building up a Chrysler 413 from a motor home asked if there is anything different or unique about the motor home engine. Well, there are several differences, some of which make them unsuitable for extensive modification, so I listed them.

Then a guy jumps in the middle of me for discouraging the boy by telling him what he was attempting to do couldn't be done when he was well on the way to doing it. HUH?

Who was it that squawked at me? THE MODERATOR!

Apologies for sticking in this rant where it maybe shouldn't be.


Jim

Ken don't feel bad about not trophying, everyone on here knows your truck is a winner, both visually and engineering-wise. I've taken my T to two shows (aside from Turkey Run) and haven't trophied either, and that is ok. I tossed out a bunch of trophies that I won with my '27 when we moved our shop, because they were a pain to keep dusted.

Dan and I have talked about it. The cars that win are generally not what you or I would build for ourselves. We see it at show after show, the cars that win are done up so gaudy with over the top elements that I wouldn't want to own them. This isn't always true, but more often than not. Plus, shows are getting more attendance all the time, so it is hard to stand out in a crowd of 1000 or 2000 other cars.

What I really enjoy is what you mentioned Ken, the comments of other rodders who take the time to get down on their knees and take in all the little stuff you have done to your rod. I have had some very nice (sometimes embarrasingly so) comments from people who are nice enough to tell you how much they like your car. It is so much fun when someone asks you how you did some little aspect of the car, and/or tells you they are going to copy that on theirs. I;ve even seen one guy with a video camera running it all along the underside of my T, shooting up under the frame and floor.

As for People's Choice, that becomes a mixed bag too. The things the general public see as cool are usually the things we rodders snicker at. I have heard civilians make some of the strangest remarks about cars and the things that catch their attention (Oh look Harry, they have stuffed animals even in the trunk!! )

I also like cruises better than shows. You don't have to spend 8 hours in the sun and you can BS with lots of like-minded people in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Don

Well, I didn't sleep to well last night. I kept thinking about all the post in this thread and all the people who respond on this site. I'm going to try and respond more to treads, not that my input will help anyone more but just the friendships that develop from this place is amazing.
I can't wait for next years show, wait till those white glove, mirror laden judges see my new roadster!
Don, you are right on, the camaraderie in this sport and actually using these vehicles is the real fun.
I think I'm going to take a nap.
Ken

[QUOTE=Ken Thurm]
I can't wait for next years show, wait till those white glove, mirror laden judges see my new roadster!


Oh oh, Ken's been bitten by the GNRS bug!!! This oughta be GOOD!!


Don

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

Well, I didn't sleep to well last night. I kept thinking about all the post in this thread and all the people who respond on this site. I'm going to try and respond more to treads, not that my input will help anyone more but just the friendships that develop from this place is amazing.
I can't wait for next years show, wait till those white glove, mirror laden judges see my new roadster!
Don, you are right on, the camaraderie in this sport and actually using these vehicles is the real fun.
I think I'm going to take a nap.
Ken

Ken I finished my 34 last Spring and have shown it 4 times.I have won 1ST.in 2 shows,IBM Employees Show and Automaniac Car Show,these are local 1 day shows.I won Best Of Show at the local SPCA Road Dog Show.I just finished a 3 day(Austin Auto Show 34th anniversary) show competing with the central Texas cars.I finished 2nd in the altered street coupe class.I toured the show and just knew I would not even place,after looking at the displays.I only had wood pedestals and rope.I was scared when they came and judged the car with the flash lights,looking into every crack and crevis on and under the car.

I am debating whether to sell the car as I cannot drive it without having to clean it each time I take it for a spin.It is nice to talk to people at the shows and especially when they say nice car.If I had it to do over I would have built a driver,as I ant no spring chicken and want to feel the thrill at the wheels.

Don, you know your motivations best, but just some thoughts on what you're debating with yourself. Often people will build a "once in a lifetime" high quality car. They pamper and show the car for the first year or so in the more highly competitive arenae. Then..............they learn to embrace road rash and just enjoy the heck out of it. Having once owned a car that I avoided driving because I "didn't want to lower it's value" I can appreciate where your head is. It sucks. In my case it was a low volume, low mileage "collectible". I ended up selling it, but in retrospect, when I did drive it I enjoyed the heck out of it as it was a drivers car. Since then no matter how nice I'll finish a car, my mindset is, drive it. It's all attitude and expectation..................you control those.

My mailbox overfloweth...............here's some more.................

http://www.pbase.com/xl1ken/gnrs081&view=slideshow

Ken, I'm sure everyone on here will agree, your builds and your posts are both done extremely well. Every time you would post something that you did on your truck it was exciting to see. The level of fabrication skills on these cars is really top notch..........I just wish you had done lots more of these.

I've saved this picture since you originally posted it because of it being such an example of how neat something like a frame and running gear can turn out with a little thought and lots of attention to detail. It is one of those cars that you could look at for hours and still be finding new details.

BTW, did you take your Grandson to the show? If so, I bet he loved it. Maybe your display next year should include his mini roadster.

Don

Don,
Thanks, you have motivated me on this site numerous times, I threw stuff away because of people like you and others. This site has made me a better builder.
Matthew went everyday, I had to leave the show, drive home and pick him up and take him out there Thursday and Friday. Believe me I didn't mind.
He has driven his car everyday since, this was yesterday with one of his little friends from school.
It's really neat to listen to him, he wants to so something to it but doesn't know what he wants to do, so he waxes it again.
Ken

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

My mailbox overfloweth...............here's some more.................

http://www.pbase.com/xl1ken/gnrs081&view=slideshow

Bob;nice slide show and thanks for the comments.I am leaning toward driving the car and enjoying it come what may.

Dave;I wish I was not so possesive,but having waited so long to build another car and it turning out so well,it's going to be a keeper.I know once I start driving it it will lose some value,but I'll get over that (I Hope).

Hehe. Ken, that picture is CLASSIC !!! Just what hot rods were made to do, take a pretty girl and go riding.

It has become my new screen saver.

Don

[QUOTE=Big Tracks]

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Apologies for sticking in this rant where it maybe shouldn't be.


Jim

Since you're the eldest member of the site some babbling is allowed............we understand.

[QUOTE=Bob Parmenter]

Originally Posted by Big Tracks

Since you're the eldest member of the site some babbling is allowed............we understand.

Absolutely correct, Uncle Bob!

It is a God-given privilege of all card-carrying geezers to babble. Veracity and factuality are not requirements when a competent babbler is holding forth.

Personally, I studied babbling under the G.I. bill of rights in the early fifties and I do appreciate babbling when it is properly done.

Jim
Elder Geezer