So, i have to go off here a bit, and i want to apologize to those who are open minded enough to accept my 87 Mazda as a kustom. For those who don't, thank you, you are the reason I'm a misfit. Does it really matter what the sheetmetal is for it to be a kustom? Personally i don't think so as long as the spirit is there right? If it does my Mazda hasn't said anything to me about it. I dont consider my truck to be any less kustom than a '49 merc or a 50 chev. I probably got just as much blood sweat and beers into it as most of you have in your cars and trucks. The way I see it if the intentions are there and the spirit is there it shouldnt matter what the badging is on it right? maybe I'm wrong but its just the way I see things. I just kills me that I cant enter my truck in a show where it would fit in better because it wasn't built before 1970. Like i said, I'm sorry if i offended anyone, wasn't my intention, just to get a few things off my chest i guess.
any car or truck that has been shaved/decked/chopped/sectioned/rounded/pancaked the year is open to applacation and show guide lines. I find nothing wrong with what your working with its what you have. in the same words you shouldnt expect others to welcome you with open arms, we opened our back to the 50s to imports we were met with booming rap and foul songs, now at the correct show this would be exceptable but not at ours but the actions hurt there couse no doubt. But on the same page if I go to a tuner show just to look I know I am out of the cl*** of cars and trucks I hang with. The group I run with are age 60/74 or there abouts why ? I love to here from the fathers of our sport and the skills I have gained from these guys is unreal. gas welding,hammer welding/knee shapeing/simple dolly work. I think like in any sport when you step out of a group you have to earn the groups respect weather its parking cars at a show or just hanging around after they come to know you will be welcome no matter what you drive.
Your vehicle is not accepted here due to the rules. It should not be discussed for that reason. I do hope you stick around to see what everyone here is doing.....it is very addictive...and rewarding. Not saying to sell what you have, because many hambers have all sorts of OT builds. I too have an OT custom, but I don't talk about it here or put pics up. I come here for ON topic builds like my early ford.
I think that you've answered your own question here. While your Mazda certainly sounds like it may be a custom, it probably won't be recognized as a "Kustom" (at least on this forum) because it doesn't meet the traditional criteria (age, domestic make, styling, etc.). It's sort of like being a musician ... you may be a Julliard educated violinist, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you will be welcomed by the bluegr*** or country & western crowd. This is one of the questions that we need to answer before getting too financially and emotionally invested in a car project: where do I want to go with it and who do I want to get there with? As you have noticed, the car hobby can be very segmented and often the parts don't mix well together! Doing your homework and picking your target will save you a lot of grief down the line.
I'm not trying to make myself seem pompous, or like i don't know what I'm getting myself into here, all I'm saying is if I had a '40 ford rod, or a '50 chev that was chopped and channeled things would be different. Ultimately I want the truck to be as if someone like Watson or the Ayala Bros. would have done it if they made an '87 Mazda in about 1961 or so. I guess all I'm sayin is if I cant have anything respectable with the minitruck crowd because I'm not tuckin 40 inch wheels where can i fit in.
You just answered your own question........your '87 Mazda just does not fit in here.....it is not a traditional hot rod nor is it a traditional kustom....don't beat it to death........just take it somewhere else please........it is totally off-topic....... CB
I guess you're right cuz. I just don't fit in, I'll do my thing and leave you all alone. EFF the mini guys and Eff the rest too right? Who gives a damn? As long as i got what i got it don't matter what everyone else thinks. I was too preoccupied with finding others who share the same p***ion as I do, but i guess there aren't any so later everyone, sorry for wasting your time and whatnot. No hard feelings against anyone I hope.
Guy you did a intro ! Go back their and read the sticky at the top of page , your on the wrong board .
Misfit. keep doing what you are doing. Not everyone has the luxury or finances to deal with old sheet metal. Hotrodding is not about the age of vehicles in my opinion. It is about taking the time, thought and LABOR to modify the vehicle you have into something YOU what to drive. I am not a fan of ricers but I appreciate what those kids are doing with what they can afford. They are hotrodders. The guys in the 50s and 60s did not do much different in the overall scheme than the kids today are doing. Don't take it to heart that you got slammed on this board. I have noticed there is quite a few here that have their noses much higher in the air over the traditional thing than the gold chainers ever did. Keep the faith' Barrelvalve, aka Tom Howell
Don't take it personally dude, I think I speak for many here when I say I admire your spirit and yes the amount of work involved is basically the same regardless of year, make, and model, however, this site has guidelines as to what to post, etc. You'll find them here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274. I have off topic vehicles and I go to the websites which cater to those. That being said, there is a lot to learn and enjoy on this site. Enjoy for what it is, don't try to make it fit you.
You can built great/fantastic custom cars based on any body type built from the early 30's till one built yesterday... There are many proofs that recent built cars can be built as really creative and good looking custom cars. So please continue what you like to do best. The only thing is this board has guide lines to keep it all "under control" and your subject matter does not fit these lines. So posting progress of your project will not be wise to do... But I sure would stop by a lot here... just to learn.. since all the techniques and styling matters that are spoken about here, can be used on every possible subject matter!
I think misfitmadza asked his questions politely and was answered politely. If nothing else it proves that people will get a decent answer if they ask politely and respectfully. Unfortunately your vehicle of choice desn't fit the scope of this board, but that's life (and rules). On the other hand, stick around and enjoy the site for what it is.
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