Thread: Who took the "hot" out of hot rod?

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I have been looking at pictures of many recent gatherings, and I have to admit that the new "old skool" styles are incredibly boring for me. I would not cross the street to attend some of these events. This was very shocking for me since I have been an absolute rod-race & custom guy, totally personally immersed in this hobby for about 50 years!!!

I've been thinking about it a lot today, trying to decide, what is the cause of this reaction, and I think I have the answer.

There are two things involved:

First, I could not see the attraction for some of todays "car culture" members for these older cars, clothes, music, and even hair styles.....then it dawned on me! The difference is that I remember these things from my younger years! My parents dressed that way, listened to that music, and my earliest interest was in these very cars! Today...for that very reason...it bores me to the point of having no interest at all. But here is the difference...for most of them, being 20-40 years old, it is a totally new experience!

The other issue is that, since I have been deeply involved in the car hobby for so long, that you are never ever going to impress me with a flathead, or an inline 6. My '53 Chevy was an absolute pig, even with the bigger '58 engine I put in. I rode with my buddies in their flat head cars, with their multi carbs, cams, and high compression heads, and I gotta tell ya, my 283 '57 Bel Air was light years ahead in horsepower. I guess it's a case of "conditioning". I've ridden in factory Hemi Superstocks, screwed together a few cars that scared me, and been around to see the evolution of performance in American musclecars, and drag racers.

I would be more interested in going to an Import event, and watch the FWD cars go 7s, with nitrous and hairdryers. It simply will never be a hot rod in my eyes, unless it's hot!

You will notice I haven't even mentioned the crude workmanship, and lack of any imagination or sophistication in the appearance of these "vintage" cars.

What has happened to the hobby I love so much? Anyone else have similar feelings?