Technical Details that you're kinda weird about.

For me its hardware.

I just got a new fuel pump for my Cadillac and the screws looked completely out of place. So I cleaned up the old screws and used them. Less than 10 minutes of extra time. Makes me feel a little better about it. Something nobody else will ever notice but that's OK with me.

I have a buddy who's obsessed with correct washers.

Your turn guys.



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Good eye! Now use different thickness washers so all the slots are same direction.

 

I'm the same way. The flathead screws make a huge difference. Looks great

 

Funny you mention indexing the screws. Thats a detail saved for top tier show cars. I love it when I see them like that!

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Coming in second place, after hardware, are spot welds. It is the first thing I look for when looking at a car or truck. Factory resistance welded spot welds.

 

For me it’s hardware
Lines and wiring run neat and logical

I also like painted stuff ( t/stat housing, intake manifold etc.) but with the bolts left in the natural state or painted black. Just looks mmm, mmm good to me!

 

Being a retired machinist I had the luxury of making a lot of parts and misc. nuts, bolts, washers, etc. so yeh, hardware is a pretty big deal, usually because they either weren't available or not quite right for the project.
But when I find a well stocked or specialty hardware store I turn into a real "nerd".
For a period I was into the whole GM musclecar thing so my 327 is 99% Chevy components, hardware, etc.
A hot rod buddy saw the 327 for my Nova when I finished it and said "you have a problem".

 

The old screws look so much better.
Love the details. The beauty is in the details, as they say. My father taught me that...used washing a car as an example. He said, "You can wash a car and wax it and everything...but the picture isn't complete...the job isn't done...until you scrub the whitewalls."
Not hardware related, but I kinda go into zen mode when I'm wet-sanding/polishing paint or aluminum/stainless. I don't mind spending the time and effort and having no fingerprints...lol.

 

Ditto on the hardware. I also like cable laced wiring harnesses.

 

The hardest thing of all, to make it look so simple that anybody could make it.

 

DDDENNY
I don’t see one thing wrong with that engine, except it ain’t mine

 

Something I am anal about is the about of threads showing thru the nut, 3 or 4 is all I'll have.

 

Tire valve stem clocked to match the hub cap logo and tire logo, all four and the spare match. Screw slots all align in the same direction. A great wiring job is totally invisible. Upholstery pleats in the cushion and back match were they meet. Old nuts & bolts are taller and look so right on an early car, new stuff sticks out like a sore thumb, period correct hose clamps don't cost that much more than new NAPA ones.

Bob

 

I like to mix it up a bit. Phillips alternating with flat head or maybe six point and twelve point. I'll throw in a allen head or a rivet when I'm feeling artsy-craftsy.

 

Wiring. Has to be neat, prefer in period looms. Plug wires need to be neat, ran together and not all over the valve covers like spaghetti.

 

...........................Wraymen is off his meds again.

 

Every set of tires and wheels are done this way for years, a must!

And agreed, I have spent a ton of time in the planning and mock up stage to make sure the wiring is though through and practically invisible.

 

Liquor bottles all have the labels facing out, beer in the 'fridge don't matter it's all Shiner Bock.

 

The factory gauges have to work properly. Aftermarket gauges must match, and be correct for the build. Makes me insane to look at a car with incorrect stuff like stereos and white face instruments hanging in it.

 

Wing nut on air cleaner needs to be set at 90* of center line of vehicle.

 

Phillips screws, especially license plate screws all in an X pattern!

 

Clean and shiny all the time! Can't stand shiny black paint over a poorly prepped surface. If you can't make it smooth and clean flat or satin looks much better!
KK

 

Really? Like a Rail Road crossing sign, never thought of that. I don't use too many Philips screws thay are to modern for my builds. Bob

 

They were remodeling an old foundry here about 20 years ago. It was loaded with bins of vintage American made fasteners. The artist I was working for mentioned he would get somebody to came and remove all that junk before I start on the wiring. I said no trouble I'll take care of it! He paid me extra to boot!! I catch one every now and then.. There all pretty much gone and I need more. They did use Philips back then but they look different from todays. There kind of flatter and take a big driver. I like them a lot..

 

They are used on the garnish mouldings on Mercs.

 

I think 1936 saw the first ones used on production cars. Bob

 

I will not drive any car with dirty tires...gotta be clean and dressed with the non-shiny dressing so they look like new tires with no dressing on them. Wheels must be spotless too.

 

Possibly, just remember that a Mercury is essentially a Ford with lock washers!

 

Oh, back to the tires, what is with people that leave the stickers on the treads? Forgot the size or are you planning on returning them? Bob

 

I can't tolerate having stuff hanging from my rear view mirror. No fuzzy dice, no Little Trees air-fresheners, no graduation tassels, no garters, nothing! I want as much visibility that I can get and I find any of that stuff to be a distraction.