Just got done looking at pictures from the Symco Shakedown, and a few other shows that Hambers have posted. Seems like what used to be mostly 2 door cars are now 50 50 2 dr to 4 dr. Is it because 2 dr cars cost so much more, or most of the 2 dr cars are already taken and only 4 dr cars are left? Maybe since most all of the new cars are 4 drs the younger people are not so against having a 4 dr hot rod or custom car, plus if you have a family more practical. Back in the day almost no one would build a 4dr, only 2drs. Look at old show car pictures, no 4 drs, all 2drs. What's your take on this new trend?
All of the above. I have no problem with a 4 dr. When you get older and your friends do to, getting in and out of a 2 dr backseat becomes quite a chore. And the family thing with the kids, is another good reason.
All the above. Maybe new blood is coming in, maybe younger people are inheriting Grandpas car? There is no shortage of classics, and these cars have survived, in better condition since new for the most part. Passed over cars can be bought and driven home for less than their more popular brethren
My dad always told me growing up that 4 door cars were just not cool. Whenever we went to shows or cruise ins he would just walk right by them. He changed his tune later in life when he had a family to haul around and had several really cool 4 door cars. His first 4 door classic was a 60 Impala he bought when I was in high school. That was a great car and if I ever see it again I'm sure I would try to buy it even though it's a 4 door and they are not typically my thing. I have also noticed people in the younger generations, born in the 90s or later, don't buy in to the 4 doors are not cool.
We have my 51 Merc 4 door at school. Told students I had the most of the pieces to do a 2 door conversion. They had the funniest look “Why, a 4 door is much cooler” I have seen old pics of 4 doors customs, gassers and hot rods. Many posted here. I think I time traveled back and built them just to mess with folks today
I was born in the late 80’s, and I have a personal anecdote about this. This was probably 2011-2012, and I had to go to my college to get a transcript or something, so I took my 55 olds (2 door hardtop). As I was walking back to the car through the student lot, I was walking in the same direction as a group of 3 college students, all males probably 5 ish years younger than I was at the time- easily born in the early 90’s. As we get closer to my car, I hear them getting worked up about the awesome car in the lot. They start making a lot of noise, and although I’m used to the car getting attention at this point I am feeling about 10 feet tall. They are hyping this car up in a big way, and when we finally get to my car and I pop the door open (shaved handles with door poppers) they immediately cut right around my car like it’s in their f’n way to ogle at the 80’s BMW 4 door shitbox parked in the space directly next to my olds. I get in my car in a much grumpier mood as they had a circle jerk over that stupid car.
I honestly believe it has a lot to do with what era you grew up in, I was raised with the 50's and 60s cars, during that time 2 door cars were considered more appealing to the younger hot rodder and the cost of buying a 2 door coupe or sedan wasn't really anymore than a 4 door. With the advancement of the 70's and 80's the availability of 2 doors and coupes was noticeably drying up, older guys like myself still liked the lack of doors but with some of the older cars that use to be considered parts cars started finding acceptance with some of us, I have owned a couple of 1932 ford four doors and enjoyed them both. During the 90's and on many members of the younger generation have been raised on 4 door cars and find no fault in owning one, after all most of them have inherited a family members 4 door Honda or Toyota. Another thing is these guys just want a old car and have created a demand for cars a lot of us overlooked. IMHO, these young guys have taught us old dogs some new tricks and having the older guys teaching in technical trades, like Anthony Myrick helping to bring out a new desire to build yesterdays overlooked cars, 4 doors and odd ball ugly ducklings. HRP
Another point I would like to make is just how many young and older guys have built that dream hot rod but now a days start looking for something to play with and not spend your kids inheritance. I joined the hamb almost 20 years ago and during that time I kind of held with the NSRA sanctioned 48 and older attitude, my attitude like many others have changed, when I joined I saw guys taking other peoples left over junk and building nice hot rods and since I had thee makings of a wagon in my barn I thought why not? During that time I have been a member of the hamb I have seen a lot of redheaded stepchildren (cars) become popular with the members here, the '52-'54 Fords for example, 2 door and 4 door but that goes for almost all the makes be it Chevy, Buick, Plymouth,Dodge, on and on. I believe Ryan's enthusiasm and the Hokey Ass Message Board has had a major impact on hot rodding in general. Viva la Hamb! HRP
I also remember the time when station wagons were never popular. But likes change in all of us over time. Attractive women, homes, clothing, haircuts, tattoos, jobs etc. 1969… my very first car I cut my teeth on at 16. My brothers 61 My sons 1950
As the builder and owner of a four door..... strictly availability and price. I was actually able to buy this 53 out of a field complete with title in as found after sitting 50 years for a cost to me of $200. But the plan has always been a two door conversion. I also jumped at the chance to buy my 54 two door even though it was in pieces.....I'll also be building it to a higher standard than my 53. Car I really wanted was a 56 Chevy two door sedan but this 53 was about as close as I could get to a usable one I could buy for $200 lol Speech cut short... Cost and availability lol
From our family's first car, a '41 Pontiac Torpedo two-door (my avatar) to the '52 Henry J to the '53 Willys Aero Ace hardtop to the '62 four-door Valiant station wagon to the '29 Model A standard coupe (my first car) to the '64 Barracuda, I want them all - and a whole lot more. I want the '53, then '54 chevy four-doors that my friend, David, drove in high school and college, the '63 Plymouth that my friend, Wes, drove, the '34 Plymouth four-door sedan that my friend, Grant, drove. I want them all. But I cherish the memories I had in each, and that's pretty good, too.
I'm also from the "4 doors are for your mom" era. Of all the cars I've built over the years, and there's been a bunch, only ONE was ((started out) a 4 door...but I changed that.
As far as I'm concerned if it's old, loved and on the road then I'm happy to see it. I guess I'm an old car slut, I like just about everything except rat rods. Even if it's not something I would own, build or drive, I understand the hard work and pride that's put in to an old car and can appreciate that. I see too many people crap on the work on others and then complain about the lack of interest from others in the car world. Don't limit yourself to what you like, try to see what the other guy is seeing and understand why they enjoy what they are doing. Two or four doors, who cares? If it's old and built to roll then it's cool with me. Except rat rods... rolling junk is still junk.
Era that you grew up in for sure although I had a 55 Buick 4 door hardtop in 66/67 that was still one of my favorite cars and the car that my friends wanted to take when we went somewhere as a group. Still up through the years I never wanted a 4 door and always looked for two doors if I was hunting for a fun car. I can remember back in the 60's and were cruising the Ave on Friday night a lot of the gals wouldn't talk to you if you were driving a 4 door sedan. With that, I'd say the stigma of "settling for a 4 door" is gone as far as HAMB friendly cars go. Where a 4 door used to be looked as a parts donor now it is a builder simply because it is what is available that a lot of guys can afford. That solid 4 door that is all there and has an honest price on it looks pretty good compared to that ragged out two door hardtop that is missing pieces and has a price tag three times the more door. That said, right now there are four cars sitting in my yard (all OT) three of them are four doors and the only one that is a two door is a 97 Monte Carlo. OOPs, 4 more doors If you count the HHR that isn't at home right now. All the trucks have 2 doors though.
Life is a circle. My first car, that I traded a $80 guitar for, was a '51 Ford 4dr. A year later I was cruising in my red and white '57 Chevy 4dr wagon. That was my last 4dr until I got a '32 Ford fordor a few years back. Now I've got a new 4dr pickup.
I started in the car scene in the '50's. In high school if you drove a 4 door you were labeled as driving mommy's car. Out of dozens of drivers, none of mine were ever 4 doors. Now at age 83, I still drive a daily driver (OT) coupe. I never shook the stigma I guess.
I like old American cars. all of them. every body style, every trim level. I had a 62 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in the 80's, white with black leather interior 1 owner, 90 K miles. original paint. when I was selling it I had a guy come by and call it a parts car. it would be worth 4 or 5 times what I sold it for today. around 1993 I bought a 49 Chevrolet 4 door on purpose, I was actually looking for one. this one had the bonus of a 350/turbo 350 and all the accessories. I would not have bought it if it was a coupe or 2 door sedan. had a buddy of mine who still lived in the 70's try to warn me not to put much money in it like I was some sort of know nothing boob for buying a 4 door. if my 61 Dodge Dart Seneca was a 4 door I'd have bought it just the same. I thought is was funky looking. another original paint car.
To be fair a boat two door is even cooler. I had a 62 coupe DeVille briefly in hs and the visual impact of swinging open three city block long doors was something else lol
the cool people don't worry about how many doors a car has. .... damn I should have never sold this car.
I was born in ‘61, raised up thinking 4 doors were (as mentioned) parts cars or family cars. I’d snag a tri-5 Chevy 4 door, even a wagon if the price was right. I’d drive it with a smile on my face and never have a concern of whether it was cool or not.
Out of curiosity when was that era supposed to have ended? Because I'm forty and have that mentality so ingrained I get irritated Everytime I get in and out of a four door and bump my shoulder on the b pillar lol
I was born in 1974 and Dad had a lot of cool 2 door Chevies, and I prefer 2 doors, however, with the price of old cars now, I would happily take a 4 door. Besides, Little Truckdoctor ain’t so little anymore. He is 14 and 6’3”, at least an inch and a half taller that I am. Trying to fit him into the back of a two door car, no thanks. A four door would work much better.
I've been a Chevy owner since 1962 and followed the brand mostly with new pickups. The other day I saw something new to me. I'd seen lots of 61 Chevy Impala 4 door hardtops with 6 tail lights but never a Bel Air 4 door hardtop with 4 tail lights. Very clean looking with fewer lights and the slimmer more conservative Bel Air side trim.
I still prefer 2 doors but also can’t turn down a smoking deal on a nice survivor 4 door either. I have bought a 64 Impala 4 door, a 63 Biscayne 4 door and a 50 Buick in recent years for almost nothing and the view from the drivers seat is the same as 2 doors.
All the reasons above are valid, as someone born in the early 90s. If I didnt grow up in a classic car crazy family where the motto was that 4 doors are parts cars, I can see how everyone in my age group leans 4 door and hatchback. I have yet to own a 4 door and unless the playboy bunny flies through the window like in Animal House, dont see myself needing one. I have softened up though that I would take a 4dr sedan over a wagon every day of the week. I dont care how popular they get, I will never be a wagon fan.
Drove/rode in a couple 4 doors to school. A 4 door Chevy 2 wagon and a green on green galaxy 4 door. rocked em with a big ole grin and parked em in front at school. wasn’t skeered then, ain’t skeered now sometimes I wonder if the haters have insecurities
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