We have it a lot easier to get this kind of info today than we old timers did in the past. We had to rely on the latest issue of Hot Rod or Rod and Custom showing up at our door, or things we learned by making mistakes and by watching our buddies do work on their cars. Today with the internet a whole world of information has opened up and you virtually can find how to's on every subject out there.

The first step is to find out what kind of car you want to build, some like roadsters, some like coupes, some like traditional type cars, some like more modern street rods, etc. Find one that turns you on and then plan how to build your car similar to that one. Go to lots of shows and get down under the cars you like and see how they did what they did.

Finally, have at least the body, engine, and representative tires BEFORE you start building the frame (or ordering the frame). You need to mock up your car with pieces of wood, jack stands, concrete blocks, and anything you have handy to get the ride height and stance you are after. Having those components there will allow you to sit back and see if you like what you have created, or if things need moved around yet.

Don