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Hi everyone, my name is Ken (30) and from the Hershey, PA area.

I lookin' to get into the street rod scene and build a few cars. I've been in the sport compact scene for the longest time and need to make a change into something better.

Here is a pic of the last car I am finishing up.

Nice looking ride. Do you have an idea what you want to build?
Welcome to CHR
Charlie

I would like to build a 32 ford roadster (no fenders) a 37 ford sedan, a chopped 55 chevy on bigh ol wheels and a 65-66 impala conv.

That's the wish list. I don't know however, which one's would bring the most return on investment. Any input there?

Welcome: I'm from Pittsburgh originally, and unless Pennsylvania has relaxed their antiquated vehicle laws, you won't be driving that fenderless '32, at least legally. I built a '32 Roadster Pickup, Olds engine, cad-lasalle trans, chopped, channelled, fenderless, hoodless, when I lived there, and had to part it out, as I could never get an inspection sticker on it. Finally had to move to Florida, where we have NO RULES (about much of anything )

I'm like you, I have a wish list, but I had better get moving, because Father Time is catching up to me quickly.

Nice ride you posted, too. As for return on investment, forget that. Every ad I see for a car says "invested $ 50,000. will take $ 20,000. " That has been my experience, too.


Don

"unless Pennsylvania has relaxed their antiquated vehicle laws, you won't be driving that fenderless '32, at least legally"

Don, sing praises. PA changed their streetrod rules last year, no need for a hood, fenders or bumpers! I have been running bumperless (front) for so long I had forgotten that I was illegal. Never had a problem with state inspection, though! Thanks to the great group of rodders working with PennDot to get things changed.

dezigninmotion: welcome aboard. Great looking car! Was that a Ford Probe in it's earlier life? Being from Hershey area, you got a wealth of info just down the road. You should check in to membership with the Blue Moon Cruisers Rod and Custom Association. They could provide a lot of help and inspiration if you are set on building a streetrod. You also will get a wealth of information right here from a lot of experienced rodders and builders.

Good luck and keep us up to date with your builds.

I don't know however, which one's would bring the most return on investment. Any input there?(QUOTE)

I'll agree with Don. After 40 years in the car game, building for profit is only a distant dream. That's the reason I paint today.

I used to buy and build early Vettes. One day I started figuring how much I had made per hour of work, on the '61 I had just sold. It was 25 cents an hour. I knew that I made money on the ones I just bought and sold, without any changes. I decided to stop trying to build 'em, and eventually stopped "turning" them, too.

Today I get a reasonable wage per hour, get to help with some really great projects, and let the owner get his money back in enjoyment.

If the return on investment is so low, how do other rod shops stay in business?

I am looking to get into the business however, I don't want to be just a parts pusher like everyone else.

Don, sing praises. PA changed their streetrod rules last year, no need for a hood, fenders or bumpers! I have been running bumperless (front) for so long I had forgotten that I was illegal. Never had a problem with state inspection, though! Thanks to the great group of rodders working with PennDot to get things changed


Wow, this is absolutely unbelievable. Pennsylvania has now accepted cars with no fenders and hoods? I'm floored. When I lived there (up until 1982) you could get pulled over for ANY modification, if the cop wanted to be a p*****.

I had Olds Fiesta spinners on a '56 Ford, and the cop was debating whether to ticket me because they looked like "those things Ben Hur had on his Chariot wheels, and are probably dangerous to bystanders." I kid you not. Pa. was full of Barney Fife types, especially in the small borourghs.

I considered setting up a phoney residence in Ohio because they had no fender laws, but I was told I could be ticketed once I drove back across the State line, so I passed on that idea.

I'm really happy for you rodders still living there.


Don