I own a fibergl*** bodied trad "old school"style model A with original 1930 frame and old ford suspension. I know that fibergl*** bodies have some practical advantages vs steel.... affordability, ease of repair, and light weight, but I just can't get over this nagging feeling that fibergl*** reproduction bodies are fake...not real....imposters that pretend to be something they're not, like phoney wood on station wagons Lots of people think fibergl*** is just fine. Am I wrong? Do I need an at***ude adjustment?
If I were buying for investment, I'd buy steel, since there is a larger market for it, but if I were buying to keep, I'd buy 'gl***.
It all depends on what you are looking for, I would buy gl*** if I wanted to build a nice driver that I was going to have for awhile but for when I want to build a highly modified car that is more for show then practicality then I go steel for the fact that modifications are easier to do on steel than on fibergl***.
I mean really....who cares . It's hot rod and when you mash the pedal you won't care either . Speaking of which , many a g***er was partly or mostly FG and they're hot rods to fullest dgree
You're the only one that can make that decision I think. They do have some advantages but I know what you mean. If it had maybe steel doors and a fibergl*** body or visa versa you may feel differantly. It's not like a steel Willys or a steel tri 5 with a fibergl*** front end and or doors so it doesn't quite fit in with traditional rods imo but if you can get past the dissatisfied feeling you have for it or maybe change a few things on it that you might have done differant, then maybe you'll think differant about it. You've got the rest of it sounding cool with the suspension and frame so why not just go with it? Good luck figuring it all out
wow, im suprised by the replys to this thread. after all, this is the HAMB, and fibergl*** definatly is NOT traditional in most scenarios. yet it seems like most people dont care???
when all else fails, buy a steel body, get it the way you want it, then make the swap when the time is right. in the long run, the steel will NEVER be worth any less than you paid for it. gl***, on the other hand, can develop issues as it ages (kinda like rust, but the difficulty of repair can be just as painstaking) cracks, 'gl*** rot, and an overall weakining. Not slagging ya by any means. But if you feel cheated by fibergl***....mabey you are!
Since it is a Model A,there isn't any excuse to go out and find a steel body,if it bugs you that much. If it were a 32,then that would be a different story. If you like the way it is now....leave it!
On the other hand fibergl*** t-buckets could be considered traditional to some extent since the first fibergl*** T bodies started hitting the market in the early to mid sixties right along with all of the race parts for other cars.
Dee Wescott introduced fibergl*** 1932 Ford fenders in 1958,.. and like you said about T Bucket bodies,.. all things Roth,.. etc. You'll get a lot of opinions on this topic, To me it doesn't matter, if it looks like a hot rod, sounds like a hot rod, and runs like a hot rod,... In my book it's a hot rod !, I have both steel and gl*** bodied cars,.. the big thing is to make a car uniquely your own, and enjoy it,.....
Not only that but he seems proud of it.... Back to topic, one of the biggest of fans of real traditional cars I know runs a gl*** duece roadster body because its just too much for him to justify spending at this point. The car is on a real 32 frame and the build is dead on for the early 50's. If and when a good deal presents itself he'll just swap the body. If you like the car who cares but if you want to be picky only real Ford steel will do for a serious car.
There is something just plain cool about a real one, even though they rust, have to be modified, etc.
It's like breast implants. They're still fun to play with and usually look just as nice, but not everyone feels the same about them. Personally I'd just enjoy the car and not worry about it -
I agree with Skidmarks, lets see some photos. Its hard to make a real judgement without seeing the ride. I have seen some awesome gl*** stuff and some total **** steelies. I think it depends on the quality of the gl*** body and what you do with it...
Down here in OZ,Model A cowls were easy to find,so the first major thing to made here in any qun***ies were roadster bodies in gl*** ,the rear half.... so there are plenty of old time rods here with 1/2 steeel and 1/2 gl*** bodies. you would be hard pressed to pick a gl*** bodied car any way,so who cares? ( says some one with a steel body)
I only buy and drive steel cars and trucks for my hobbies .But I work in metal for a living so I am biased .If the car makes you happy and you like the way it looks and drives start to love the thing .Other wise find a metal body My 2 cents
steel is real and gl*** is cl***, theres a seat for every *** and an *** for every seat. enjoy what you brung. all tupperware with original 39 zephyr dash lol. regards rich
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