Had a glass 34. It was nice but I never really felt like it was a real car.A steel car means so much more.
Ive ssen some real nice glass cars. The thing is , say you have a glass 32 Ford. You still dont own a 32 Ford. I followed some real slick glass 32 roadsters out of theShades show in Pigeon Forge and there were people taking pictures all along the road leaving the show. You could watch there cameras drop as the 32s rolled by and shoot up to take a pic of my rusty pile. I really couldnt believe it. I guess to me they just have no soul. Different strokes I guess.
Isn't a glass car really a KIT CAR? It's was never a real car. It was never made as a complete finished car by a known car company, so it must be a replica of a real car.
I guess it all comes down to the almighty dollar. If you just HAVE to have a 32 and only have a 28 budget I guess you should do it. But like others have said, its just NOT a 32, steel is real. If you want to go racing I would prefer a glass body, expendable. If I crashed it I wouldn't be too sad, if it were steel Id be thinking of hanging myself! Yeah, glass has no soul. Steel has. My 2c, Doc.
Fiberglass bodys have a slot to fill in the hobby.If it werent for the glass bodies that are available on the market today,there are hundreds of guys that would not be into this hobby.The general public that views cars at a show dont really know the difference or really care.Many guys will never be able to afford a real steel car so if thats the case,why knock him if he wants a 32 roadster and glass is within his pocketbook.This hobby would not be as popular and far reached if it were not for the glass bodies available.Get over it!!!!!!!!I have owned both and NEVER had someone come up to me and said"Oh!,that real steel"
I didnt see anyone knocking him. People just voiced opinions. Do what you like but dont ask for an opinion if you arent prepared to hear what people have to say.
Fiberglass bodies and parts kept me and a bunch of my employees off the streets for 45 years. I've owned both, sold both, and really don't care which is which. In the long run I'd rather have a bunch of good friends with any style traditional hot rod or drag car, than have to hang around with narrow minded, rust or nuttin guys. By the way, the rust-o-rods, rocker panel draggen cartoon cars, straight out the port exhaust pipes, were never part of the hot rod tradition, north, south east, west or in the middle. There are still a ton of us who were there in the 40's to 60's and will not allow (our) hot rod history to be rewritten.
Rich, That is one great By-line! Thanks for including it. As to Mr. Allan's question; If you don't mind the craft of fiberglassing, and the hours of detail any car demands, then it would work. If when you are all done, you ever need to consider selling...it goes ka-ching, in the wrong direction! The $$$ of steel bodies tend to hold value, glass will demand your devotion, over and above what the steel will ask.
This steel vs fiberglass discussion comes up every so often ... I own two steel 32's ... and I have absolutely no problems with a fiberglass car They can be a lot of fun. I have a good friend who has a fiberglass 32 roadster and he says It's not real ... but it is real FUN ... Steel cars have their own feel and charm. I like the fact that mine were just old used cars when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. I also like the fact that mine are survivors. But I was almost ready to buy a 32 3W ... when I finally got my coupe. Fiberglass can be good
I think this is one of those subjects, that if you have to ask the question, you won't understand the answer.
So tell us all Mr Tradition how many glass cars were runnig around in the 40 to 60s. And how would running a glaas car not be rewriting history. Were all the rods back then rust free cremepuffs. I doubt it.
Wasn't knockin him....And yes,I've been at this since 1951 and have seen a lot of changes on this hobby.We shouldn't berate someone that want a glass bodied car.Glass or steel is fine with me.And should be with all of us. Thats why I said get over it.We should be happy that the manufacturers are making parts for all the glass cars.Helps you get some for your car that is otherwise impossible to locate.Thats enough from this old fart!!!!!!!
By the mid-50's Almquist Engineering in Milford, PA was offering fiberglass roadsters as well as sports car bodies. The first on the west coast was Wescott's in Boring Oregon, making fenders and a Model A pickup cab in 1957. Quite honestly, the majority of rods built in the 40's and 50's were mostly rust free. The ones with rusty floors, at least back east where I was from, got channeled for both street and strip use. My point was not how many glass cars were built in the 40's, but rather how the style of street driven hot rods at that time has nothing to do with the rust-o-rods that have been being built in the last 8-10 years. A glass or reproduction steel hot rod built today with traditional components, in the style and level of craftsmanship builders in the 50' and 60's achieved is a far different finished project then what some are building and then attempting to link to the past.
R Allen stated at near the top that this was going to be a drag car. 'Glass is very traditional for race cars. It's lighter and you don't kill a real steel car if you ever tag the guard rail. So, Skwurl, there were 'glass cars in the 50s & 60s. The 40s, nope.
I've heard guys that are pro glass state that their cars are better due to the fact that they'll never rust. On the other side of the fence I've heard the old standby of if it ain't steel it ain't real! They both swear that their arguement is the one that rings true. As far as the rust rods go.... If that's all you can afford to build and you don't mind driving a well ventilated car, go for it! I've got a buddy who just did some trading for a rusty old Ford and he loves it. He says it gets more attention than anything else that he's ever owned. Not everyone can afford to start with a rust free car nor do they have the ability or means to repair the rot. As long as they can keep the mechanicals going and have some seatbelts and brakes, more power to them! At least they're getting to participate in this great hobby.
My roadster has a glass body; when it was built, that was what was available. I understand that to some of the hard-core types, the fact that it doesn't have a history that goes all the way back to 1929 means it somehow has no "soul." However, after over 25 years and 130,000 miles, the old girl isn't heading to anybody else's garage anytime soon. I am hoping I can wear out the new engine I just put into it. If it lasts about as long as the last one, I'll be about 80; judging from the last 25 years, the orange car will still make me smile, steel or not.
awesome guys! and again this would be strictly for a drag car purpose. i see both sides and agree with both sides. to me . a drag car is 100% about getting down that strip as fast as possible. and 100% about the fun. not so much the looks of the body that it sits in. i have woked with glass very little and this would be a fun cheap project to have as if i dont have enough projects. .. just an idea ive been tossing around.
I see this argument all the time. I often wonder how many of those guys out there yelling " If it ain't steel it ain't real!!" don't have either one in their garage. You work with what you have. Thanks, Mike
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