Hot Rods Let's see some rods that you have owned for 50+ years.

Let's see some rods that you have owned continuously for over 50 years and tell us about that journey.

Here is my 1934 Plymouth coupe that I bought in 1974, drove a year, then tore down to the bare frame "fix" some problems (bump steer, body wasn't bolted to the frame, etc). Originally with a Corvair front end and Vega box, with a '57 Chevy rear, 283 & powerglide, diamond stitched running boards and top insert, etc. I rebuilt the car from the ground up in my 1-stall garage, lowered the Corvair front end & used a Pinto flex steering shaft, re-upholstered the interior, running boards & top insert, replaced all the glass and a frame-less windshield, installed new wiring (no kit-just fuse blocks, relays & colored wire), installed a '73 Monte Carlo 350 & TH350, installed Tru-Spoke wire wheels and repainted the car in green lacquer myself.
Over the years, I replaced the Vega box with a Pinto rack & pinion with the Corvair front suspension, but never could get it where I liked it and subsequently replaced it with Fatman Mustang II tubular front end. I also narrowed the '57 Chevy rear by 3" each side and swapped the short axle to the long side and had a new shorter axle made, replaced the original Plymouth radiator with a Walker unit and installed American Racing wheels.
The car has moved with me several times over the years and had some down time due to repairs, life, etc, but has always been my hot rod. I drove it from central Texas to Ohio and back several years ago when the NSRA had their National event in Columbus. The trip was planned to run only the "blue line" roads (look it up on a paper map) and was the trip memory of a lifetime going through all of the small towns on the way. Still running today and being enjoyed. Not for sale - my kids will have to decide it's fate after I'm gone.
Pictures of car when originally purchased (1974), a year later when re-doing the chassis, and today (June 25, 2025)

 

It may not be a “rod” but next Tuesday will be 58 years that I have owned my avatar.

 

Are there no other "long-term" owners out there?

 

Dad bought our '40 Ford Std. Tudor in early 1965. I drove it to high school in '71-'72 and a few years after that it became "mine". It will be passed down to our son and then to my grandson after that. 286 stroker big bore flathead and stock trans and rear end.

Dave

 

This car has been in my family since new…

 

Since 1973

 

Not a rod really, but is hot rodded. Owned this ‘53 Dodge Panel for 51 years now, since 1974. First version I did was with a 251 Chrysler six with an overdrive. After 10 years swapped that for a 302 Ford with a C-4 and 8” rear end.

 

Exactly 50 Plus A Month...

 

I'm getting close! Got my '40 convert in March 1979.

 

Used all of my Jr high,building my 28A Roadster,got it running first in 1959,and drove too Miami Sr High, 60/61/62. Still drive on good weather weekends.

 

Been in the family since July of '41, I've owned it since Feb. of 1970. Running a Cad 390 in it now...

 

Yesterday and 1972..... been in the family since 71.

 

Had my '55 Chevy 210 2 door since July 1970. Always with a 327 and 4 speed. I think it's in the bible somewhere that all '55s have 327s and 4 speeds.

 

Heard that. went for 57's too.

 

I am not auto monogamous. I play with them until I get tired and move on to the next one. My square body pickup is the longest tenured vehicle I've ever owned. I've had it nearly 20 years.

 

I would have had to have a car since I was 3 to have something 50 years…. Cool that some of you guys have had something that long. I’m getting there since I built my Chevelle in 91…

 

bought my 38 Dodge in 72 and the 32 has been in the family 70 years.

 

Dana, all the years we have talked and traded pictures and stories and I am embarrassed to say I wouldn't know you if I bumped into you in the street. Are you in this picture or holding the camera? I don't see anyone in a leather jacket, and I ruled out the ladies and the millennial. 50/50 guess...unless Dana is a lady's name in which case I've really fudged this up.

 

I've had my "57 since 1964.

 

I bought this 57 2 CV from a friend in 1981. I still have the car and the friend.
The car was always breaking down, and my friend got fed up and sold it to me for 50 francs (approx. 20 USD today). I repaired it on the street, but it still ran poorly. A bum ended up making it his home. I found it in a horrible state and ended up storing it in a barn for 30 years. I got it back a few years ago and restored it, accentuating the storage patina and adding lettering. The engine was fitted with a special intake manifold, a "big" carburetor, and a special exhaust... but the car continues to run poorly despite the intervention of different mechanics. So, the next step will be a new, bigger, and more powerful engine. I'll get there one day, I will!

 

I don't think you fudged up,very often anyways ,but we're hotrod nuts=sometimes can happen,but didn't.
I'm old guy, holding up the top corner of our Miami Sr High banner at school Homecoming Event.
I get invited to bring my Sr High ride,back for Homecoming every few years,enjoy doing it a lot. Most know ,but some kids in school now day are so far out of it,have no idea< One real good why I go,,with my old hotrod to be in Homecoming Parade .
Ya,"A Boy Named Sue" Johnny Cash song,name type wise is a bit close,had to add "Mr" a lot some times. That,at times did make a few funny storys

 

@50John

 

Fifty two years with this one:

 

It’ll be 50 years in September, got as a basket case when I was 13. Can’t believe I’m that old.

 

I bought an IKEA 38 Chevy (some assembly required) in November of 1973 while living in Des Moines IA. The body was on a trailer with fenders thrown in, some glass and the frame and axles were in the back of the truck that delivered it. I was able to get the frame painted over the undercoat that someone had sprayed on it. I got the car somewhat assembled but far from driving my the mid 70's when I moved to Atlantic Iowa. Got the body in primer and derivable and then painted it Cadillac Firemist Red, my first wife said it looked like tomato soup. She left. A friend and I started doing some paint jobs (he did the painting and I furnished the equipment...a man should know his limitations) and he painted my car as well as his 38 Dodge pickup and some other cars. I got married. A couple of years later the car went into mothballs. In 2000 I was single again. Due to a lack of funds I didn't move ahead very quickly. I got married again in 2009, moved again. This time to the biggest, nicest shop I'd ever had plus I had retired. The car had some changes, although for the most part they are not readily apparent (other than sitting lower) but at least I can drive it when ever I want This wife is supportive of my hobby (she does metal sculpture in one bay of the shop). Since we've married I've done two total builds (53 Stude coupe and a 27 Glass track T) as well as a chopped 49 Ford which the second owner after me turned into a KKOA award winner. Currently building a 62 F100 unibody.

https://youtu.be/YDclUgA9gZQ

 

My sedan I bought as a pile of parts 51 years ago. I wanted something with room in it. 1929 Dodge DA

 

59 years . . .

 

My 29 Ford roadster with Buick power been a good car for me for 53 years. Those folding windshield post on my car I make and sell in "Parts for sale" here on the hamb check them out.