Well, personally, I prefer old school and original setups. Granted, each month something "new" shows up in the mags, but it is usually short lived. Halibrands, steelies, chops, prime-evils, etc. are still alive and well. I prefer the junkyard crawl over phoning in an order. I believe the "big" guys are a great inspiration for the hobby (the huge wheel/skinny sidewall get's the younger generation onboard), but for myself, I don't really find many of their mega-buck cars that appealing. The "Boydster"; nice, the "California Kid", superb !

I guess another reason for my choice of modification is that I drive my toys. If I spent $50k on up for a hot rod, I'd have a difficult time enjoying a cruise, waiting for a pothole or paint chip. I like to buy them driveable and safe (and usually cheap), and work as I drive.

For example, all of mine are "20 footers", but they still get a lot of heads turning. At a show, if I'm next to a Foose-type rod, I might only get a sideways glance. I'm fine with that, because I know that my rides are never done. I can get ideas at the show, take them home, and re-hash the car as I wish, without fear of my high dolar paint job. I mean really, is a hot rod ever done ? I'm working with a 2000 Dodge pick-em-up grille now for the '55 ford, along with '65 T-bird door handles (in and out). If I don't like it, I still have the originals. I like the wagon wheels, but am watching for a set of real mags, or even wire wheels (they are still cool to me). The Plym is going to get Miata door handles, frenched lights, possible hood louvers, and a late model interior. As for the drive line, still don't know. I have no time schedule for it.

I will follow some of the "trends" when it come to creature comforts and reliability. Elcetronic ignition is, for me, a must. 12 volt instead of 6. FM and at least cassette are necessities. Power windows...if I get the urge. Same with door locks. Updated suspension and steering are usually in the "planning" stage, to be done when I have the heart to not drive them for a while, and these will be from the "yard", not the catalogs.

I will also fabricate some of my one parts when needed. I've been customizing / rodding a golf cart. A gas job bought as a beater. For fun, I took the body off, broke it down to bare frame, and just went a little nuts with it. This a is great low-buck way to learn, make mistakes, and learn from them. I'm stretching it, modifying the body, and it is going to get a flame paint job (nothing funnier to me than a slow vehicle with flames). Probably next winter, the single cylinder will come out, and a 440 snowmobile motor will take it's place.

And a final note; I prefer the odd or un-mainstream rods and rides. Two of mine are typical rides, but the '40 Plym and the '73 F-100 are far from mainstream today. Why be normal? They keep the costs down, and allow for ample experimentation. Who knows, maybe something I try will inspire the big boys.

Matt

By the way... Dave, what does your ranchero currently have ? I had a '67 with 390 some years back and loved it. It had a Lincoln Mark 4 interior with power seats. Nice thing about the interior, they formed a bench seat. Just an idea.