'08 H.A.M.B. Hot Rod of the Year & Custom of The Year

First off I don't know when you classify Customs with a C or a K (you make it sound like the K is a current trend which it is not) but unless you were building a show car most early customs didn't have much done with the engine compartment because the were not shown with the hood open That would have completely contradicted the reason for building a custom, a flowing look. Cars don't flow with the hood/trunk or doors open for show judges to see what was happeneing inside. Not knocking what you are doing but until probably the 60's engine compartments didn't get much done to them and even then it was mostly reserved for show cars. There were of course exceptions but it was not commonplace.

 

There is only two kinds of rods and kustoms.

1. Good ones
2. Bad ones.

 

I would not show a custom with the hood open. I agree, it does mess up the lines of the car. With the indoor judging from that era, having a finished engine compartment and trunk were extra show points. When they showed the cars, they would only have the panels open when the judging was going on... that is if they wanted those areas of their car judged.
It makes the car that much better having a finished engine compartment. I'm not talking about the '60's. And you're right, it would be hard to do an engine compartment of a '60 ford in the '50's. Back in the fifties, ONE of the biggest epitome of a custom would have finished engine compartments even if it would have had a stock engine. They did hop-up customs as well as hot rods... if you had a hopped-up engine in your custom would you want to show it off? I sure as hell would. Another small thing, there weren't that many customs out there with painted door jams. The ones that had painted jams, were something really nice as it wasn't a common thing.

 

Second THAT!

 

All of them are worthy, Norwells truck is great!

 

I get what you guys are saying.. my point is if you had to pick a HAMB car or cars for 2008 it should be a car the used the hamb as a tool and the effort was made to
show everyone on the HAMB the progress of building a car.. it dosn't matter if you used a shop to do your interior or paint job..it's that you made the effort to provide content
for the HAMB..everyone that did stuff to LIVE WIRE are all hambers and they have been for a long time... Same with Alex and Kirk ..so my opinion (isn't much) I think a pick
should be a all around HAMB car..

Peace out

 

i don't know about the hot rod part, but the kustom has to got to abones merc.

 

My fav things on the HAMB this year:

The Fidgiters car is pretty much all owner built and designed, but I am not saying that as a slam against cars built by shops or that had work done on them by others. I am saying it because in around nine months that car went from a plastic model kit mock up to a real car. It is not finished yet, but it drips traditional style (and traditional fluids LOL) and it on its way to being even greater. I think it is a good representation of what all backyard builders on the HAMB should aspire to and it is a good lesson for the death rod builders, they need to look at a good designed and safe car that is scratched built instead of another A sedan air bagged death trap.

The Live Wire is amazing. Evel has good taste and has ended up with one fine ride that makes me stand up and take notice. The drama with the mill added excitement for the followers of the post but stunk for Evel and yet he overcame it like a true hot rodder!

Kirks car is what a kustom with a freaking K should be and was fun to watch the build up on. What freaking amazing paint! Following the paint job alone was worth the price of admission!

The Teixerira build might slightly edge them all for me, that alone has made my Willys Gasser fever even worse. Man that was cool.

Other great things were built this year, but watching those posts is what kept me logging on this year.

Congrats to all the above, and to everyone who got a car on the road this year.

You guys are keeping it real and rolling.

 

Helen Wheels! But I'm biased. But it does what it looks like it can, and it's ALL STEEL. No glass here fella's.
Maybe Django will post the film of the awesome hole shot out in front of the shop! I don't think it would be right for me to vote for something I built, so I'd throw in with Atomic Punk, Aaron builds some hellaciously cool stuff.









More photographs and build shots here:

http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e320/HotRod1934/1933 Ford Truck - Scott Billish/?start=0

 

SloppySeconds Coupe and Atomic Punk are two more to consider for Hotrod. It's such a hard choice this year! Rudog's Coupe is amazing also!
And I don't want to start any shit,and Alex Gambino does the most unbelievable paint,but I think it takes more than a paint job to make a car a Custom. Kirk's car would definately get my vote for best paint job. FlamedAbone's Merc stands on it's own for Best Custom,considering what he did with the car he started with. JAW DROPPING metalwork!

 

I would think you have to put Chrisps' build in the running if we are looking at starting with a mess and fixing it up. I think this car has been finished but I'm not sure we have seen a picture.

 

I agree! There's so many great builds here on the HAMB,but shouldn't they be finished to be a contender? By saying that,I mean,finished in the opinion of the builder. Sled's Merc build will be considered when it's done too,but maybe not til next year. It's always a difficult decision to pick ONE Hotrod or ONE Custom! There are many you like for different reasons. Atomic Punk can be considered for both categories!!!!

 

Custom of the Year


Hotrod of the Year

 

this was completed in January. one of my faves...

and for kustom, i'll go with Abones Merc. When I look at the finished product and then at what he started with, I'm absolutely blown away by his amazing skill!

 

Hot rod is Atomic Punk, hands down, Kirks starliner for custom. I really like this thread, its like a one stop shop for the coolest rides on the hamb. next year Im hopin to have this ready to roll.I hope its worthy.

 

Jim, that is just too cool!

 

This car:

 

+1!

 

his This coupe gets my vote - crazy!

 

Ya FlamedAbone's Merc pretty much RULES too.. Damm theres some good cars,,,

 

Thanks KIRK !.....Now I can just keep my hood closed and go on with my life....I just want to drive it.....

 

Hey, HOW could you guys FORGET the HAMB built Model A for HAMBAandy...man that's gotta be the best of the best...the TOPS...!!!

R-

 

your right,, that is definatly a HAMB top..

 

HOT ROD OF THE YEAR...........MYKES 32 3W. I can't stop thinking about this car since the pictures were posted.

 

HROTY= HOOKER HOT ROD's '32 Black Chevy Coupe
I was going to go for LIVE WIRE (love the adi mill) but saw the pic of the Chevy and remembered just how bitchin that inline powered SOB is.

COTY= Atomic Punk
I'm not big on the bubble cars but a steel bodied bubble car from a guy calling himself Plowboy come on I have go with that one

 

absolutely!

 

Is anyone counting votes or is it just a consensus? Or, is a poll put up later on for the final selection. This is the first year for for Rod/Custom of the Year for me here.
Thanks.

 

I nominate:
Kirks "May Cause Dangerous"
Plowboys "Atomic Punk"
and last but certainly not least
Inkorekt (Johnny Sparkles) "SPARKLE MOTION" (I don't think he really calls it that but it sounds cool. haha

 

Paul drives the wheels off this thing. Its been to the salt at least 2 time. I think he lives in mass. Not a great pic but I have seen better on the hamb
Bill

 

All of the nominees kick ass so far. So many cool cars on here, it's a tough decision on the BEST. They all rule for different reasons.

I'll throw Tom Branch's roadster in the mix. Although he's been driving it for years... it finally got the finish it deserves this year. So nice!