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Dave, when I started collecting parts, one of the first things I bought was a good used stereo sound system. I don't think that it will put too much strain on the electrical system, as they bolt to the exhaust ports,and run down either side into about 30 in long muffled speakers lets say. Hank
Yea, me too. My father was an auto mech. for about 30yrs. and he saw my love for the same shit when I was about 9. He let me go and hang out in a buddy's garage at nights in the summer (no school) when they did side jobs. I would get greasier than them just runnin around handing them tools. As I got older and my ideas were turnin to building my own shit, he told me this "Son, if you love this shit as much as I think you do, and if I had anything to do with this love of car shit, then don't become what I am" Workin on cars for a livin will eventually strip your love of them. I did follow that, and he was right. I still love this shit and look to other cars and the ideas behind what they have created. This is a great hobby. I just hope the EPA leaves us the hell alone.Quote:
Originally Posted by flh4speed
I have hesitated adding to this Thread for I don't want to take it off Topic. I have had a lot of Muscle Cars through the Years, and this is my first Street Rod build (or, is it Hot Rod)?
With the previous Cars I've built ('69 Z/28, '55-'57 Chevy, 66 BBF GT Fairlane, '70 BBC Nova, etc.), it wasn't hard to decide what parts to use and how it would look. I was always after performance, so, you buy performance.
In the '35 Ford Coupe build I'm doing now, I have hesitated in buying some of the parts that will determine what "class" it will be in, but I am after performance (is there anything else?). I keep working on stuff (and slowly progressing), but I know I have to make these decisions soon.
For instance, Gauges-I do like the look of in-Dash, center mounted Gauges, but it makes the Car definitely a "Street Rod"-I have decided on black Moon Guages for more of a "Hot Rod" look (mounted in the stock location).
Steering Wheel-dilemma here, do you go Billet or Sprint Car style? I want a Tilt Wheel, Stainless type Column, but like the Sprint type Wheel too, however they don't seem to look right together. Hood-I have an original '35 Hood, but the Rootlieb's with Louvers scream Hot Rod to me.
I know you need to keep a "scheme", and I have decided to go Hot Rod, but it is so much more difficult deciding these types of things than building a Muscle Car-
when you pick the parts for your Rod, how do you keep it on track and "in class"?
Money is not the problem here, it's indecision-there's just too many choices-any insight Guys?
You're a good example of why folks go to shows and look at cars. Inspiration! Magazines are another source. There's a lot to learn about making it "your way". Your example of the later model stuff implies that following a restoration, or restification, certain decisions are already made for you. In a rod, more of the responsibility falls on you. Some decisions work, some don't work as well or at all. It comes down to how much you allow yourself to learn. Then there's leaving yourself open to asking for feedback from sites such as this. Just a couple examples that we've seen on this site over the years (persons involved left anonymous by intent).Quote:
Originally Posted by 35WINDOW
Learning from those who've gone down the road ahead of you would teach that all assembly, design, modification, fabrication, etc. should be done entirely BEFORE painting. Though it's exciting to see that nice finish, and might seem motivational, the risks of damaging that finish trying to fabricate around it are way too high.
A few years back a member was nearing the end of his build on a red car. He was asking opinions about interior color, with most suggestions hovering around some form of grey. Then one member asked what color his gauge faces were. On the surface that might seem a strange question, but one of the mistakes the less experienced make is having too many different colors, or conflicting colors, in an enclosed area. Turns out his gauge faces were a light tan............tah dah!! the direction of color choice was narrowed right there. He went with a complimentary color and ended up very happy. Had he been aware of the concept ahead of time he might have chosen a different face color to go with fabric preference, but once committed to the set of gauges purchased it went the other way. It's all about the details (at least once you're aware of them:D ).
I would say that the difference between the Muscle car and any kind of rod, is that the rod is more of an object of personal expression...or "art". The era, paint color and/or graphics, body restyling, parts additions or deletions, nterior style, etc., is wide open, and you decide the limitations.
now that is my kind of stereo!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by halftanked
Bob,
Thanks for the reply, I do go to Shows and read everything I can get my hands on. I've pretty much finished my main Body (Chop Fill, smooth, some Body Mods)-Frame's done, and so on- it's just the pieces that give that "style", you know?
Have already figured out the main Color (Black-you mean there is another Color?), with Black Moon Gauges-it's in keeping with a theme-I've seen some Cars that were a mish-mash of parts, and I'm trying to not get off track.
HOTRODPAINT,
Unfortuneatly, I'm no "Artist", just a dumb grown up kid with an idea that keeps evolving, changing and is kinda blurry.
Thanks again for listening guys, it just seems like the line between Street Rod and Hot Rod is very blurry when you have that Catalog in one hand, your Credit Card in the other, you are on the phone ordering parts and you just lost track of your "vision"-
Sounds like you've got the right outlook.
We each have our own vision, but I'm going to throw out a pic to help inspire you toward the hot rod end of things. It's a year off, but close enough......;)
I have joked with our kids, telling them that our cars "thumped" too, but we used a flat tappet, headers, and a pair of resonators. :-)~Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
(QUOTE) "Unfortuneatly, I'm no "Artist", just a dumb grown up kid with an idea that keeps evolving, changing and is kinda blurry".
Being an artist doesn't necessarily mean you have to be able to draw.....you just need to know what you like, and what you don't! ...then you make a vision in your mind, and try to build it. :-)
some of the crap I've cobbled together makes me question my skill everytime I look at it, but I had fun doing it. and learning something in the process is a bonus.
to me, utility is the primary function of any car. does it go and stop reliably?
then performance is the next priority, followed by ergonomics and interior refinement. no need ignoring available technology to improve life.
lastly when all this stuff is in order any paint so long as it stops the rust.
I love looking at nice paintjobs but not owning them:HMMM:
only one of these must be met for me to consider it a hotrod.performance.
add too much of the other things and it kinda loses its appeal to me.
starts looking too much like something that belongs in a museum and less like something I could have fun floggin around.
to each his own I guess
True. I have done my own projects to almost every degree, except show cars. I wanted to drive 'em too! I never compromised on mechanical correctness, and they always had to have enough power to scare me a little! Like you, the appearance came last, but was always a part of the plan.
Somewhere along the line I got interested in them as art. They had to sit just right...have that look of power....(and intimidation)....and there was nothing wrong with being able to say "I did it myself"....especially if the workmanship was stunning, which makes you even more proud.
I think looks are important to every rodder. Otherwise, they would build a $500 lightweight '80s model, instead of spending countless hours trying to find and save a relic?.....Because the relic gets people's attention! "Looks" do matter!
The major difference I see today...and I've been in this a long time...is that, for many guys, the appearance has become a "social statement", or a sign of rebellion. For my generation, the looks were more for getting attention, (from the ladies, too), and being proud of what you had put together. I liked it best when the guys got a real good look at my back bumper, as I smoked their a$$! :-)
so is this a hot rod??
http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...7andcar005.jpg
http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...7andcar003.jpg
Pardon the crappy pics, its about time to retire my digital camera
That!....is most definitely a hot rod! :-) I think of them as the "chopper of the car world". Minimal bodywork, radical appearance, plenty of throttle!
One of my favorite stories is the blown Chevy T-bucket, complete with slicks, that belonged to a couple with two toys. The Tee was officially hers, and when she picked it up from the shop, she showed us she was not intimidated by it, and proceeded to "restripe" the street, as she left! :-)~
minimal body work?? how bout NO body work....body pannels weigh too much!! take a look **)
http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...es_car_011.jpg
http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s...es_car_008.jpg
whats up with the pictures not showing up in the thread?
yup thats a hot rod , you need to use the [IMG] tags for them to show up..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter
Bob,
Sorry, I was away from the Computer this weekend, and thanks for the "Inspiration"-I was working on my Car this weekend, thinking of this conversation. To me , there seems to be no real definition of "Hot Rod"-you can put so many styles and "looks" in either Category that it is a moving target.I looked at some old magazines this weekend, trying to decide the definition of each one, and some of them could be either class. I guess you just buy the parts you like and hope they work. I have done some sketches (and believe me, I am NO Artist), so I guess I have an idea-it's the little parts that get me-like, who's A/C Vents to use, Pedals, Knobs-that sort of thing.
By the way, love the '36!