Thread: SBC, the Generic Hot Rod Engine

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First off, that is a beautiful Deuce, and you have done it right.

Now, this is in no way meant to knock the vernerable sbc engine, I am running one in my T and have gained a whole lot of respect for the looks, compactness, power, performance, and dependability of them. There is a reason they are the most used engine in hot rod history. However, when someone says to me "what engine is in your T?" I sheepishly say "just a 350 Chevy."

The reason I am not shouting it out is because, as good as they are, they are sort of a "like everybody else in the world" engine. I don't know if "overdone" is the right term, but there is certainly no uniqueness about having one in a hot rod any more. If I had an Olds, Buick, or Hemi in there my car would be different and in my mind a little cooler. When I would take my '27 to a show people would walk up and peek at the engine and say "Oh good, it's not a sbc, you actually put a Ford in it!"

So the bottom line is that real hot rodders would appreciate the Buick engine in your '32 for those reasons, whereas the people you are getting are evidently not as saavy to the fact that some engines (like your Buick) are generally held in high regard by those in the know. You just have not met the right buyer yet.

The other aspect is that the market is horrible right now, not only for hot rods, but new cars, homes, and retail sales in general. Hang in there and advertise it in other venues, perhaps with a sign at some major events. Somewhere out there is a guy who is looking for exactly a car like yours.

Don