Trucksters - traditional?

No not the green thing that Chevy drove in Vacation. But rather hot rods built with p/u cabs, no bed or one severly cut down, open motor, deuce grill (mostly). We see a lot of them recently some are ratty, some built quite well. But are they traditional rods?

The reason I ask is that a fellow modeler and I got into a "discussion" on the subject in a modeling chat room. He's about 52, and swears he used to see them in the 60's and 70's. I'm younger, but have no memory of seeing these things until about 5-6 years ago. Although they can be built to look traditional, I don't believe they have been around that long.

To end our debate, we agreed I'd post this here and get the opinions of guys that have their fingers on the pulse of all things considered traditional in hot rodding. Thanks for your time.

 

This should provide a little afternoon controversy

 

Like this one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jay_el/3891841564/

 

I don't recall ever seeing one when I was comming up. But I was not everywhere.

 

Ahh, you mean Bobber Trucks...

Those are Neotraditional.

 

I'm not old enough to answer your question.
All I can tell you, is that I like them if done right.

But for people like me, it's easier to build a mid 30s truck than a 32 roadster.
I don't think that situation has changed a lot over time.

 

I thought everyone called them Rudy trucks?

 

Yep Rudys

 

Every time I see one I think it needs big gin poles and dualies, should be motoring around a logging camp.

 

Yea like Guides, and Kelsey Hayes wires with wide whites...
Neotraditional. I think we have to add that to the HAMB dictionary. Good one, Metalshapes.

 

ROFL! I like that! I guess I dont get out enough, never heard that before...
I have a hunch this thread is a HAMB classic in the making...

 

Named after the guy that built the "first" truck this way. Rudy Rodriguez of Fullerton Fabrication.

Dictionary? Here we go:
http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Rudy_Rodriguez'_1935_Ford

 

wonder if truck in example pic above had a broken header which required the cast? nope they are a fairly new thing with few that look OK. of course, there have always been some pretty wild modified farm trucks some used in mud bog racing.

 

Hey, trucks need love too!

 

Rudy's had some style too it. Alot of the others are just crap thrown together to join the scene...

 

I think that "bobber" trucks, or bob tails as they are called in the house trailer hauling industry (I have another definition for bobber) are just that utility trucks. When it happens to someone's hot rod as a rule it is a sign that they didn't have much to start with and didn't want to go through the trouble to chase down the rest of the truck.

I have seen a couple that were well exicuted but as a rule that are just a throw together piece and not really anything to write home about.

OK someone got their felings hurt, its OK I've had my feelings hurt before, you'll get over it.

 

I just was reading about Rudys 40 custom what a crafts man.

 

Whoa. I had never heard of the Kustomrama.com web site before. Thanks for sharing that, man.

 

I grew up in the Midwest in the late 50s ans early 60s and never saw anything like them there but that doesn't mean they weren't out there.

 

Guy from Norway is keeping it up:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=7208
There is some great information on there!

 

As for those.. They weren't around back then. Well, as far as my 24 year old knowledge goes. The way I see it, it could have happened as all the parts were around to build those. Does that mean they did? Not necessarily.

 

I'm bookmarking that thing so hard.

 

Doesn't that describe Grawboski's T or this.............. 1962
Larry T

 

I have posted a picture a few times in the past, of a nailhead powered, fenderless 35 Ford pickup with no hood From an indoor car show in St. Louis from winter of 64/65. I lost the pic when my hard drive crashed a few years ago but I know Youngrodder's Dad has the original.
I have also seen another old picture of a fendreless post 34 truck from the east coast drag racing from about the same time period.
As much as everybody wants to think they were not around back then, they were.

 

From what the OP describes, it sounds like he's referring to the later cabs like the mid '30's to early '50's. That truck is killer however but it has a bed and doesn't fit into the "Rudy" style trucks IMO.

 

He really didn't say Bobber or Rudy trucks.

Also, I'd be willing to bet that Rudy wasn't the first one to build something like his truck. I learned a long time ago that there aren't many new ideas for old cars/trucks/Harleys.
Larry T

 

Very true.. The OP should specify.

It would be really interesting to see pictures of Rudy-style trucks from back in the day. Well, if they existed then. That would make a lot of people eat their words.


iPhone - TJJ app

 

Oh MAN! Thats BRUTAL! How would you like to be known for being mentioned in "History of the rat rod"?? OUCH!

 

Larry, do you have more photos of this truck? I have been in lust with this thing for years, the only photo I have is a color version of the one above.

 

Doesn't say rat rod in the article. Just "started the bobber truck trend"