The Cost Of Hot Rodding

Sure the costs are high. And sure, I loose money on nearly every part, car, or bike I sell....BUT, I don't mind that because somewhere along the way, I've gotten value out of owning the item.

Case in point. I had about $5k into my BSA. I owned it for 4 years. I sold it for $3,500, for a net loss of $1,500.00. That didn't bother me a bit because I got every penny worth of $1500.00 out of that bike in entertainment value.

Either way. It costs money to be into any hobby....

 

Hot roding is like any thing else you can go low buck or high dollar,I got probably 3 or 4 thousand in my car but it's just a rough old car almost all parts I had or junkyard stuff,most guys have more than that in hunting,fishing or golf stuff.

 

No, of course not. I was only tryiing to put things in context... what 1200 in 1954 dollars really meant in 2007 dollars

 

Yeah, Hellfish, I hear ya. We agree. Its too bad that the caculator doesn't work for everything.
In an ideal economy, as the CPI would go up, the cost of all goods and services would raise an equal amount.
The sad truth, especially for the younger HAMBers, it is harder to afford a home and neat toys than for those of us that are older.
Sure, you are making more money than "we" were making, but it buys less when it comes to a house.
Its a real shame that the middle class is getting more and more narrow.
For all of you young guys and gals that are starting a family and trying to enjoy a fairly pricey hobby, its a tough road, but worth it.
Oh, yeah, I forgot how expensive healthcare has gotten.
20 years ago I was paying $24 a month for Blue Cross health insurance.
Know I know couples that are paying $900 a month.
No, its not all realitive when it comes earnings to expenses.
Damn shame.

 

and one of the main reason we as a group have to encourge the younger generation to finish school so they can get a really decent job that INCLUDES health insurance as one of the benifits. Lots don't realize how important this benifit is until they need it OR how expensive it is to purchase on their own until they have to do so.

I can't remember exactly what the benifit is worth to my paycheck but I remember thinking to myself awhile back that if I had to pay for it out of my pocket every month I would could not afford to own Big Olds AND pay for my own insurance, that how expensive it is.

 

hot rods are like a drug..... it's an addiction.
any good dealer knows that you can take everything from a good addict.
thus, junkies need it whether it's affordable or not :-D

-scott noteboom

 

Neat post, as I have many times looked at the ads in Hot rod and have said to my father, "look at these prices, I can't believe you never bought any of these cars here". He has always told me things are relative...so yeah, I guess I have to hand it to him....anyway, I think the price of "trad style rods" have SKYROCKETED over the last 5-7 years BIG TIME. Seems like everyone wants to build a flat black hot rod since TV shows and the new 7-10 "rat rod" rags/magazines have been introduced....Its crazy...I had designs to build a coupe, but just couldnt get the body I wanted for normal money ---- well....what the heck is normal these days anyway???? Hot rodding certainly seems like a rich mans hobby sometimes.....especially when your trying to build on a budget....I am not saying it cant be done, but it takes some extra scouring....seems like anyone these days with old parts think its worth it's weight in gold....

 

That $1200 in 1954 is equal to about $8750 in today's dollars. That car, as described, would sell for more than $8750.

The cost of things really hasn't changed much. The value of money on the other hand has changed a lot.

$4200 in 1954 = ~$31,000 in 2006 dollars. So if the median is $48,200 (in 2006), then we are making more money than our parents and grandparent's before us. Or to campare it in 1954 dollars today's median would be $6620 in 1954.

If you wanna compare the cost of then versus now try this site...http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

 

My husband and i had the pleasure of talking to Big John Mazmanian one year at the Gasser Gathering in Thompson Ohio. We were at that point in the middle of restoring our 1940 willys coupe, and were saying how many things we still had to do on it when john put his hand on my husbands shoulder (He was a big man with a large hand) and told him, son if you want it done right just keep throwing the money at it because that's what it's going to take. He was 100% right. It's not a cheap hobby but the benefits are great
Gasser Girl

 

I think that one factor back in the day, was a lack of wealthy older Jonny come latelys, jumping on the band waggon and pushin' up prices. Supply and demand !

 

At one point found myself pretty broke and back to couch surfing but when someone asked if I was going to sell my roadster so I could have the money, I told them "its pretty much the only thing I own and I would never sell it." I bought the car to build, and come hell or high water it will get done, when you love something you find a way to make it work...same with cars...

 

I believe that it is easier today than 20 years ago. The chances of finding a set of 21 stud Eddie Meyers in South Carolina was slim to none ... Now thanks to eBay ... just a click of the mouse and they can be yours. Same for information ... the HAMB and other boards have really made information gathering a LOT easier.

32 Fords were a little more rare than some of the other models even in the late 40's and early 50's. Same thing now ... But if you want to find a rare ... hard to find car or part ... internet searches can turn up the part.

Now you can go ( via Don Dillard & the internet ) and others ... to events all over the USA and never leave your home. Inspiration ... is just a click away.

MONEY ...

Some folks had money back then ... Sam Barris would be a gold chainer today because he chopped a BRAND NEW Mercury ... same for the Hirohata Mercury. Parts now are reproduced ... and while a lot of folks here really knock the 1-800-rodder but the fact is ... KITS have made it easier and more old cars are on the road now because of it.

I think we are living in the BEST time to be a rodder .. ever

 

What makes it tougher in my opinion is the decline is real disposable income, not the price of goods, including cars. Real income, i.e. adjusted for inflation, has been declining for years. On the other hand, per capita debt has been increasing at the same rate. Put the two together and you get a picture people are borrowing to stay afloat.

 

Im there right now. Busted out and jobless..still. However my project is still mine, not for sale andwhen I can scrape enough togethor for the next part I get it. I guess its dedication or insanity as my friends say. I get it. And the day she is on the road, say at the Round Up perhaps or any other event where we all get togethor, whos thinking about money when you drive in? Thats priceless..........

 

For the average Joe, hot rodding is an expensive undertaking. However, if you are really into it, you will find a way. I'm not wealthy and have what I consider a decent job. My dreams of owning a chromed out chariot were constantly dashed. My brother and I used to sit and add prices up and price ourselves away from building one. Now, over 30 years later, I discovered that a crap load of chrome, a 500HP engine and 20 coats of lacquer paint aren't what a hot rod is about. It's about looking for bargains, putting out the word for a part or service you need. It's about bartering, remember that? It's about building a Model A instead of a duece for your first car. It's about not being in a hurry and sticking to a budget.

I am having to build my T Bucket one piece at a time or in other words, one payday at a time. If what I want exceeds what I can spare, I save up for it. It took me 3 months to save up for my frame, but when it showed up, it was worth it. If you're low on bucks or have a limited income, take your time, make friends with other hot rodders, have a budget and stick to it. My down time between purchases and parts gives me a chance to make sure what I have done is done right. Hell, when I got bored a couple weeks ago, I rebled my freakin' brakes!

The time and love put into something, that by all definitions is a luxury, is paid off on that first drive. Whether it takes you 6 months or 6 years. If you love it and are true to it, you will find a way. The strong survive, the rest end up driving a Honda that they have to pay a note on.

 

Hillbilly, I quit smoking a year ago. Saved up enough money for a sweet '35 Plymouth, gonna be a hot rod. Yes it did make quitting easier.

 

Well said Sinister! This puts it all in proper perspective. Most of these posts have been comparing apples to oranges. Your comparisons make better sense..............Woody

 

Whew. Tell me about it. Everyone wants to know when Azreal will be done. I usually answer with one of the following, and very much both true, statements:

A. "When I have time to work on it, which won't be for awhile."
B. "When I have the bucks to get the other stuff I need."

And I'm half owner of a damn hot rod company!!! It's not the stuff I can make. It's the stuff I need to put the motor together the way I want it to be. 2GC's aren't cheap when you need 6! And that stroker crank.... shit, nobody read that last part.

 

I asked my grandad one day (he's in his 80's) why he didn't hot rod back in the day--I mean the guy drove a 33 3-window coupe. He did a little he said, but one thing you have to remember is that people did not have the relative incomes they do today. He worked his ass of on the line at GM and made like 100 bucks a week. He told me he had kids, a house, and all that goes with them to take care of first. He also told me there were many weeks they went light on groceries because a kid had to go to the doctor.

I think we are much more well off than the greatest generation off when it comes to disposable income--and we spend a hell of a lot more (vs. saving) than they ever did. I guess the depression taught them that.

My point in this rambling is that rodding has always been an economic sacrifice to our families. I justify it to my family by explaining the fun we will have in taking short and long trips in the rod. It is also a major stress reliever to me. Most of us working snuffs pay as we go and hope there is enough in the bank to pay for that rare part you finally located. Until the gas runs out, snuffs like me will be hoppin it up.

 

correct, and isn't that denying the point of ryan's original post? i think it is, and i think in that way he's wrong, but in another he's right.

CPI says that the car bought in 1954 for $1200 bucks is worth $8750, in equivalent terms, today. i think we all agree it would actually cost more than that now, so building a "traditional 1954 hotrod" is more expensive today than it was back then... so in that way i think the boss was slightly off the mark.

but, a 27 roadster back then was 27 years old, so a FAIR comparison would be what you could make today out of a 27 year old, 1980 model shitbox. you could probably buy a decent starter car for $400-$1000 bucks, which means you've got $8000 (and a plethora of donors in the wrecking yards) with which to make your "hot rod"... and in that way, i think the boss was right.

of course, we've all seen the results of kids that put money into a cheap shitter (you know, awful wings dodgy paint and extra holes in the exhaust for the RRRRAAAAAAP)! my question - is that what "grown ups" thought of the hot-rodders (we now idolise) back then?

 

The cost is all reletive, even a cheap build over here will cost you upwards of 20g most cars, and far from stand out ones sell around 30-50g. I half built my last 28 for 7,500 and a lot of guys are still wondering how I did that so cheap!
Like everyone says though, we pay for what we love.
Here, how about these??

 

How about if I roll my own and get the back issues from the library?


My girlfriend brought up a good point when I blew a wad getting a set of headers coated.

Girlfriend: "I don't get it... it ran before!"

The moral is. We do it because it makes us feel good. It's not essential for transportation, it's essential to soul. Is the piece of metal that new bumper is made from really worth $600 plus shipping from Alaska? Probably not... but it's worth it to your heart.

And for the record.... I explained it to her and she got it!

 

I guess I have a bit different approach to hot rod’s and money. I keep my ‘hobby’ all positive. Meaning that if it will hurt to spend the money on my hot rod, then I won’t spend it….period – no exceptions, ever. I guess that is why I have built a 1969 CB750 chopper and a 1959 Ranchero, both of which are drivers I put together from scratch and I have less than $5,000 in both of them. To me the enjoyment of hot rods are building them (welding, cutting, grinding, hunting for parts, talking to others, etc.) and then having the satisfaction of hitting the road with what used to be a pile of old junk. Also, because the real enjoyment for me is the ‘process’ of building a hot rod as opposed to owning a hot rod, I tend to really take my time and almost drag out the process of building. When I have completely finished cars in the past, I have found that I loose interested and move on to the next challenge.

 

Well, just for fun I looked at the inflation calculator that came with my text book and plugged in some numbers...

A 1932 Roadster in 1932 was around $490 and adjusted for inflation that car in 2007 dollars would cost 7472.89. Cheaper than a Kia in today dollars.

I found an ad from 1968 for a hot rod 32 roadster and they wanted 900 for it. Today that would be 5403.52.

Another ad for a 32 high end billet rod was for 25000 in 1983. Today that would be 57463.15....50's are a common price for a high end car today.

I found a traditional styled roadster for 51000 listed in 2000. Today that would be 61880 adjusted for 2007.

I see a bunch of 32's in the 50's and 60's today, and really since the 80's the prices have been faily consistant...not really gaining but not losing. The increase is has inflation behind it.

 

It is expensive and that's if you do the work yourself however, my son is into the imports and the money that goes into a little 4 cylinder is higher than my SBC, I just couldn't believe the cost of the parts/upgrades for the import stuff. Guess that's why I don't have one. Did anyone see the show Gearz where the guy builts a 32 roadster for $20 grand, all after market? I found it kinda hard to believe but maybe it can be done under the right circumstances. Something to think about. I quit counting the money I have in the A about 8 months ago...I don't want to know but it's alot.

 

This site:
http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/compare/

Is interesting as a calculator because it shows the complexityof even $ conversions and so suggests different thought procedures for comparing life value...'32 roadster cost used as example!

In 2006, $490.00 from 1932 is worth:

$7,231.63 using the Consumer Price Index
$6,263.51 using the GDP deflator
$0.00 using the value of consumer bundle
$22,054.14 using the unskilled wage
$45,899.81 using the nominal GDP per capita
$110,143.15 using the relative share of GDP

If you need help determining which result is most appropriate for you, see Measures of Worth.

For construction of the Indicators, go to CPI | GDP | Consumer Bundle | Unskilled Wage series.

 

I like the article but would not pay that much then for a car , especially a T when you could built it for a fraction of the price. I belong to a club where we had a disscussion like this. Two couples where in their 70's and 80's. One couple said they bought a house for 12,000 with 0 down and mortgage was 89 dollars a month and they made 350 a month!!! He work at a gas station and cut lawns! Where can we do that today? The other gentleman had a car painted and customized by a famous Hotrodder in LA , Ca . A 1940 Mercury( original owner too ) also put on a slingshot intake and denver heads.Had 17 coats of laquer chopped windshield and carson top put on for 350 buck! then sold it in 1963 for $100 buck! a HUNDRED BUCKS !!!! So Even then rent still cost 1/4th your income( well thats what they were taught in economics class in school then) Where is a mortgage like that. That means my mortgage got to be 900 a month and house should cost $43, 500 NOT $ 500,000 !!!

 

Differences I see...
People now have a harder time getting the time needed for a labor intensive hobby. Jobs overflow, kids lives require continual scheduled stuff, everything is more complicated.

Rods are generally not built much from "car parts", meaning stuff scrounged and adapted. Standardized assemblies are available for most desired mods, and are not just convenient but are oft cheaper than car parts...
Labor issues go two ways: People don't have time, so buying component kits greatly reduces fabrication time...BUT skilled labor is now prohibitively expensive, and specialists often won't even take things like small machining jobs. Labor$ up, relative cost of tools DOWN...so everyone now has a welder and a big stack of power tools, and many of those tools now cost less than getting a simple job or two done by a machinist or welder. The 1952 rodder might hack out a radius rod bracket in his basement and then carry the pieces to Joe the Welder and gettum put together for $2. Now, forget it--you can buy a chines mig (plane or welder...) for what Joe would charge, and Joe can't do it anyhow because he's locked into a commercial lot job.
Everything is getting cheaper to buy than to fix--look at the cost of a new 350 Goodwrench next to a real machine shop rebuild, or compare scrounging parts and rebuilding to get disc brakes versus a ready to bolt on commercial kit. This trend ties right in with our chronic time shortage!
Time poverty alone can adequately explain the difference between mainstream streetrodding and traditional rod building...just gathering the bits needed for a good early roadster project eats more time and money than a routine streetrod, and of course the time required to do the necessary scrounging and searching comes right out of the time needed to put it all together. The streetrodder can gather everything needed for his take on a '32 roadster in two hours with a phone, credit card, and the back pages of "Streetrodder"!

 

A friend of mine almost bought the Neal East Roadster in 1961 or so. It was advertised for $2200 but sold for something like $1995. He worked in the local union steel mill and had another job on the side working nights and weekends laying block. He thought $2200 was alot of money back then.

My newly married friends wife put a stop to it because she wanted a house + he already had a 30 Model A coupe.

They bought a 7-8 year old house about 6 months later for $6400 that is on 3 acres. They still live in the same house (with one addition, a remodel or two and several extra garage doors added over the years) and it is now worth around $185-190k for comparisons sake. They live near me in Ohio.