Customs Where to draw the line... (Customs Only!!)

another example of an awesome interior that was redid not as cool...

however the car does look good chopped...

my favorite 58 chevy.

 

I say, "who cares"? Customized old cars are cool when they are done in "traditional" fashion. White walls (radial or bias), lowered (bags or Not), loud pipes/or mufflers, chopped or not, fender skirts, tuck n'roll or blankets, smoothed out or door handles, it's all good as long as it's not a damn street rod.

 

I'm a firm believer in building to a design/technological era rather than to an actual historical practice. That means that a lot of hardware becomes available for use as long as the technological mind-set is true to tradition.

Here's a possible argument for this:
1. Uniqueness is fundamental to customs. They were (are) all built to be one of a kind and, though there are broad similarities in execution, their point is to be unique. If a custom car isn't unique it isn't custom but, perhaps, limited production or something like that.
2. The unique, one-of-a-kind car one is building didn't actually exist back in the day (unless its a restoration of one that did - which is something else entirely).
3. Therefore, the mere existence of one's newly-designed "traditional" build causes it to deviate from pure historicality. One is necessarily in the realm of "could have been", rather than "how it was". Because we're dealing with uniqueness here the only way to get "how it was" is to identify and research a specific, individual (i.e. unique) vehicle that actually existed in the era and reproduce/recreate/restore that.

The fact that we are doing "could have been" rather than "how it was" bears on what we mean by "traditional", and what parameters we employ in deciding if any given design decision is in line with the traditional idea or not. It has to be a matter of considered interpretation; it cannot be a matter of cold historical fact. We are necessarily dealing with a specific creativity and creative process that did not exist as a matter of historical fact in the era we are looking at. But obviously we mean something by "traditional": the term is clearly not meaningless. The thing is to decide what we mean, with clarity and conviction.

This enables deliberate, considered stances with regard to historical eras, and such things as a "semi-traditional" or a "multi-traditional" or an "eclectic-traditional" approach. One might have good reasons for preferring one era's approach to one aspect of a car and another era's approach to another aspect: this allows one to combine them in a creative way, without the result being an incoherent mess. One is then no longer even dealing with "could have been": what one is doing is unashamedly historically indifferent; but at the same time one is freed from the tyranny of modernity. One does not have to worry about the latest fashion or the latest technology (often they are the same thing ...)

 

I dig the Pebble Beach/ Rikster, stickler-for-authenticity thing as much as anyone, I truly do. And yet, I also like to exercise my mind (widen my scope), to the point whereby I can dig the efforts of the time- poor, ' no time to become a period- perfect professor' cat has proudly built & driven his mish- mash of parts to an event.
You built it! It made it here! Cool!

 

You have to stop and think "who am I building this car for, me, or all the people who are going to stare at it and find something to bitch about no matter what I do with it?"

Once you have that down, build it how it makes you happy. I'm putting a factory Chevy TBI in my car. It's here, it works, and the average idiot can't tell the difference between it and a carburetor. Inside, the stereo will be where it's convenient for me to reach. And the tires will be radials, because there's no point to having a car that's not pleasant to drive. If someone else doesn't like it, that's their problem.

 

I'm glad this topic isn't morphing into a dick contest. That said, how this idea was approached is a bit vague. To ask "When is it ok..." shows that you seek a specific vision. I have a long term traditional kustom truck in process. I've decided not to use any hard parts newer than '66. Most of it is older and right down to tires I want it right. But that's the thing, I want it right. Where I use it from there is a crap shoot but I have a few ideas. Considering that restoration is my daily gig, reconditioning old stuff is 2nd nature but to mahy others it simply isn't. You either pay for NOS or really good stuff, or like most others have to do, you compromise. It's easy to keep it real where it counts and research for inspiration is important...if that's what you seek.

I think where a lot of it falls down and stirs a shit pot is the few who just throw tradition to the wind, get close, make obvious errors (to some anyways), then take the "Kong stance" of beating their traditional chest about how accurate it is when it frankly is not. "Hey I built this traditional looking car but I made some compromises here n there for...", vs "I built this perfectly traditional kustom..." and as said above it has a LeCarra wheel and black plastic switches and 18" wheels. I think it's a disservice to traditional practices to mix "me too" streetrod parts in an older-themed build. That's never OK. In the end, YOU define it for what it is. It's easy to understand the desire to build something historically correct and the more discipline applied to the idea the better and more accurate the outcome.

 

Where you draw the line is: if you are going to build what is now being called a traditional Hot rod, Pick a 5 year period, And if the parts you are using were not available within those five years. Don't use them!....pretty simple really. I mean If you are building a 32 channeled coupe that looks like it was on the cover of hot rod mag in 1953, Don't put radial tires on it, As it just don't look right, That would be like putting a beard on the playmate of the year.....But hey, Do what you want to with your car, build it the way you want to.....Dare to be diffren't, throw some 22" triple gold back daytons on that 32 3 window, Put some hydraulics on it and make it hop, have a big pic of "jesus" airbrushed on the decklid and all your homies on the hood,..LOL
Don't get me wrong I can appreciate some of that stuff (and I like some of it) but it belongs on a 64 impala...Not a "traditional built" 32 ford

 

I really hate to be pedantic and I'm not trying to give anyone a hard time, but did you not notice "customs only!!" In the title? I'm not sure, but to me that would suggest that we are talking about customs not hot rods here.
Paul

 

re the tyre go with what you want,,after all its your car,,,,,and your family,,,,not really a hard decision in my books ,,do i want to impress someone at car show or do i care bout my kids?
re the engines etc your building your dream not someone elses,,,,,,,and yeah im not a fan of cars sitting on the rockers either,the whole shock value of it is old,,but technically i admire some of the airbag engineering,,,,(just my 2c worth dont wish to offend)
if your concerned about the period police you may as well become a restorer,although i prefer to look at period built cars myself ,i dont knock someone for doing their own thing or rocking the boat,,,Barris built the benchmark customs outta cars and tech that was near new at the time....good luck....most of all just enjoy wrenching on old junk ,,kiss you kids goodnight everynight and laugh with your car building buddies,,,thats what i love most bout this lifestyle

 

Hot rods are not custom??.....Sorry I didn't know.....I guess now you guys have come up with a new term "traditional customs".....Can I get on the mailing list for when all these new terms come out?....As it is hard for a guy like me to keep up with all this new stuff. Please spell it all out for me! list makes models and years, As I can't tell is the "ala kart" a hot rod or a custom?.....Damn! Now i am really confused guess i will just go back in the shop and keep building "hot rod customs" or "custom hot rods"....LOL

 

Whatever.

 

Cool is in the eye of the beholder.

I'm not big on bags or suede paint. But that is not to say that I don't appreciate it just that it isn't traditional. Customs were cars that the entire car was considered they were more than flashy paint and lead work. The under carriage was as much a part of it as the chop the trunk and engine bay as much a part of it as the interior.

I draw a harder line than most, so I guess you draw the line in your comfort zone.

 

Mid 60's ride... radials are fine if you get the right ones. I built my Buick with a 60's vibe and the Firestone skinny whites fit the era and look right in my opinion, hell and they're cheap too...

I don't park my car with the hood up. If I talk to someone and they ask to see the engine I oblige them, then shut it right after.

Wow, and why are you here? This goes for all the "do it your way guys", do that but don't cry when it's not accepted here. Regardless of the exceptions that are made we still draw a pretty narrow focus...

And I do have a few exceptions on mine. Modern stereo behind a factory radio delete plate. Amps in the trunk, updated suspension. But you really have to look for that stuff. I too embrace the "traditionally styled" moniker.

 

I think I understand what you are saying in that all hot rods are custom built but that does not make them a custom. I have seen a custom deuce a time or two, I personally think that they make better hot rod fodder than customs but it is just an opinion.

The Ala kart was shown in a time when class showing was common and if we could go back in time we would probably find that it was not shown with the lead sleds but rather with show rods. It is a very pretty car but I think it would most likely fall out side of the scope of a "Custom" car thread.

 

Can someone define when traditional started and stopped??

 

as far as the HAMB is concerned it's before the mid 60's, usually 64-65 as far as this site is concerned.

Now there are different era's as far as that goes as well. Early 60's, 50's, post war, pre war, lot's of little spaces in time that would define things differently based on the car.

 

The guy who asked that question is an Alliance member who has been a member of the HAMB for 7 years. I have a funny feeling he was just yankin' your chains....

 

Yeah , but I figured some of the newbs could use a little help.

 

For the most part I was just poking fun with my comment, As I do understand what "customs" mean in todays world, But for me when I was a kid tuging on my dads pant leg at the car shows, I was taught that they were called "leadsleds" So I still kinda lean torwards that.....ofcourse I was also taught that "Coke" was a soft drink....LOL

 

ha ha

after reading the last few comments, i was trying to figure out how i would categorize the showrods. after several hours of contemplating this matter, i think they would have to go in their own category... they are an even mix of hotrod & custom...

another 2 cents from me. i think im up to about 4 dollars worth now...

 

Agreed. It may not be what everybody agrees with, but I say do what you like and what you can afford. Cars evolve with their owners. Fuck following anybody's rules.

 

Couldn't agree more. Just wondering on other peoples input. I for one build my car the way I want. As I said before I will have some modern things hidden in my car, and don't care if others don't agree with it.

This is the HAMB however though, and it is about traditional cars. If someone did a build thread on a '80's street rod or muscle car they would get shit for it on here.

 

Special Ed no chain yanking going on...just trying to get someone to say exactly what Zman said...there really is no "traditional custom" or hot rod for that matter because it is really an on going evolution of style that is punctuated by time, technology, fads, etc...some live on some die...i think we can all agree on this! My ride is a topless 51 chevy belair 350/350/MII on bags and bias that sits just right when i want it to!! Great topic MitchellDeMoor!! When you coming back this way??


my inspiration

 

Hey Scott,

I had no idea that was you. I love your ride man. Not sure when I am coming back. Just trying to deal with being away from customs through the HAMB for now. Hows things with you?

 

"Keep in mind we're talking customs, and airbags have been around since at least '57 with the Ala Kart."


Yeah....and I remeber after that , all the cars that copied it....?

 

There are plenty of people that think customs were long gone and died by 1957.

 

Those people shouldn't really think. Its obviously not good for them.

 

I have never heard that before in my life. I have about a million books, pictures, magazines to prove it. Lots of badass cars were being customized by Larry Watson, Alexander Brothers, etc.

 

The point Jeff is making is that by this time the sleek, mean, flowing, dark ominous custom of the 40's and early 50's was done and customs had started to become flashy paint jobs with very minimal actual custom work or wildly over customized gaudy creations built to win contests by making every possible modification that could be made.

 

I tryed my best to make my car as they would have in the early 50s, but some things have to be new of corse. My trans. and rearend are new It has a T5 backing up the old 235 and a 10 bolt rearend. I think when it comes to customs yes you dont have to open the hood but please make it look nice. No one wants to see a greasy old nasty 350 or original motor.( not saying mine is perfect by no means eather). Its just nice to not see billet valve covers and air cleaners.