Thread: Ideas on rat work and anyone seen this rat on Overhauling overtime?

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So HOTRODDADDY, who do I make the check payable to?

While your compliments are really nice to hear, I know my limitations only too well. Some golfers hit the ball pretty well, and then there are the Tigre Woods of the world. I'm the guy who carries their clubs. That is why I build simple, basic rods. They don't take too much imagination.

The Chip Fooses of this world (and to a lesser degree, my Son Dan) have some gift that goes beyond just being a good rod builder. They "see" things that most of us overlook. Like I have said, when I see my kid sitting staring at something I have built on the T, I know some revelation is coming. So I will say "Ok, what don't you like?" At first he won't say anything, but finally will offer, " well, if you did this like that, it would fit better and flow more smoothly" or something like that. After I relook at what he is talking about I have to usually admit "d*** he is right."

I worked at a body shop as a Production Manager for a while, and we had some very top notch body techs there. But the owner could walk by a car while we were talking and say "have Bill go back over those bolts on the bottom of the fender, they need touched up." No one knew how the heck he could see things everybody else missed, but he did. Chip seems to have that knack also.

In watching Chip on various shows, it is apparent the crew who works on the cars have a deep respect for Chip's abilities, and he seems to be the polar opposite of Boyd who goes through people like kleenex. I've never met Chip, but bet he is not much different than what you see on TV.

Don

Amen, Don! Yes, with unlimited finds, we may have gotten a really nice car, but what Chip did went far beyond "vision" we might have had for it. He is a genuine person who loves what he does, and does it for the love of the car and thrill of seeing the owner's reaction; not for money and glory ala Boyd and the dweeb from Wrecks to Riches.....

Thank you everyone for your input. I did not figure my question would result in so much discussion. Photochk1 I would love to see more picts of your car. I would love to see more picts of cars like it as well. I do not know if I will ever obtain my dream, but it is there. I want to make sure of what I want before I go after it. Do my homework..... I am sure all of you who have made a hotrod have your own individual talents. You have to give Chip Foose his propers for what he has done. I only know one show that is named OH, and he has won the Riddler award. I have the desire, the time, some funds, but lack the education. I believe the car hobby is about to loose tried and true techniques that have been learned through trial and error over the years as people die. How do you learn to lead a seam, or whatever? I understand there is hot rod u and Wyo tech, but are they doing all of the tricks. I know you have to find people who can teach you. I will. I just get impatient. My best friend and neighbor is 87 years old. He was one of the original hot-rodders and stockcar drivers back in the day. He was asked to drive Indy car when Indy car was not was it is today. Carl raced a lot of tracks with his 37 ford that he cut 9 inches off of by hanging the body from the rafters and drawing a line. He bored engines with a boring bar, etc. He built a ton of trick cars and now he has cancer and can not teach me what I desire to know. I wish there was a way for that knowledge to be passes on. Do not get me wrong I know that kids are doing new things that are amazing, and I like that, however I love old school and just want to learn. I would love to spend a year learning from Chip Foose, or George Barris, or any of the others, however I do not think I will be moving from my roots. Why is it that you do not read more about groups like the cheeters club that everyone just gets together once or twice a week or month and work on hotrods? This forum is a great place. I look forward to learning more from all of you.
Paul

Ritterp - Not sure if you know, but TLC has another show coming out that is basically about learning the tricks of the trade from a master car builder. Don't remember what it's called, but you can submit an application and hope to be picked... Try the TLC website.

Here are some pics of highboy Model A's I have collected from various sites over the years. I have collected lots of Model A pics as I was going to build a Model A before I found my Nash's.

Here are some tudors.

Here are some coupes.