Hot Rods Damn kids and their rain sensing windshield wipers

“The beardless youth… does not foresee what is useful, squandering his money.”
Horace, 1st Century

“[Young people] are high-minded because they have not yet been humbled by life, nor have they experienced the force of circumstances.”
Rhetoric, Aristotle, 4th Century BC


Nothing new here. The common thought was that the youth of that day(time period) will never be as great as us.
Well they were wrong for the most part so don’t let it hold you back. Attitude and perseverance can go a long way.

 

Enzoius Ferrarious?
Biggus Dickus?

 

I learned a valuable lesson about treating younger guys well when I was about 14. There was a neighbor 2 doors away that was about 8 years older than myself (early 20's). He had a beautiful Emerald Green '57 Olds hardtop and a Flat White '50 Olds Coupe. Him and his buddies would often work on their cars in front of Doug's house and being the curious kid that I was, I would sit on the curb and watch, and occasionally ask questions. Doug never once told me to beat it, but always answered my often dumb questions about what they were doing. Once they were radiusing the wheel wells on the '50 Coupe to accommodate slicks as he raced it occasionally at Aquasco Speedway in Southern Maryland. Another time they were welding cut-outs onto the exhaust. Doug was always willing to explain what and why they were doing a particular task. We got to be pretty good friends, as much as one could expect considering our age differences. Fast forward a year and Doug had sold both Olds and bought a beautiful Red on Red '64 Corvette Roadster, 327-300, 4-speed. Doug always kept his cars immaculate, washing them almost daily. He loved to see the Corvette cruise down the street after he would wash it and who do you think, at age 15 (no license) got to drive it around the block so he could see it in motion..............ME! So, treat the youngsters with respect and they will usually respond in kind. Doug always knew that I was a car guy (kid at the time) and he knew that I respected him and his cars.......................Don.

 

I believe it was Incontinentia.
Incontinentia Buttocks.

 

It's very intimidating for young guys to try and break into hot rods. The cost alone would drive a lot away. Get online and look at a few 28-40 Fords. Hot rods used to be cheap. Folks modified old cars their parents cast off. Now, a cast of car is a 2001 Honda Accord.

 

Feeling old all of a sudden. Saw something on the net about adapting motorcycle EFI to a car and realize these young guys are pretty clever.

Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

How do I pass the torch? Flamethrower! Stay off my lawn!

Oh, and Happy Birthday @squirrel

 

Myfastious Chariotous

 

Restoring & maintaining old rods is getting harder with each passing year. I was very active until '98 when it got to be a real grind. More challenging for young folks to pick it up than it was for us older folks. It will require much more determination. If a young guy gets hooked and sticks with it, he has my utmost admiration.

Joe

 

Think where we'll all be in 10 years with the push towards electric cars and reductions in gasoline production. We'll all be lucky to not have our stuff downright outlawed on public roads.

 

Just watched that again last week.... You guys got me cracking up.

 

Somewhat related: Since the beginning of civilization there have been guys like me standing around saying. "Man, this is the most fucked up it's ever been."
And they've always been right.

 

Truth.

Chris

 

I do! His given name was Adolphus but he went by, “Testicleez the Hung”.

 

But they are still digging them up and restoring them

https://www.motortrend.com/news/arc...ide-pompeii-no-sign-vanity-plate-chrome-wrap/

 

And they can buy that Accord for a grand. Spend another grand on the engine and in a weekend be having fun.
Kinda reminds me of when I grew up, buy a 50s - 60s car/pickup. Hit the wrecking yards for a big engine. Have 500-600 into the whole thing, and have fun.

 

I bought one of those on the cheap for a driver. Super well engineered and easy to work on. Speed parts were all over market place for them on the cheap as well

 

Here’s the other side of this story that no one likes to talk about.

Last weekend I went to the Knoxville, NSRA show and what I saw was sobering. There were NO young people there! I’d bet the average age was north of 60. I saw a very few folks who were probably in their 40’s. Aside from a few little kids who looked to be there with grandparents there were NO teens.

I saw many old guys who were probably in their 70’s (like me). Many were literally being led around by what I took to be wives and the mobility scooter concession should have been able to declare a dividend after the show. We are a dying breed. I’m just really glad I got to experience the sport/hobby when I did. We should enjoy what’s left…it ain’t going to last forever. But it’s sure been fun!

 

Very well put Trevor, you have used much restraint on the points that can easily turn this kind of discussion into a verbal clusterfu@k.
Pretty much agree with much of what you said but keep in mind, it's a big world out there and you have plenty of time to see all sides of this deal but regardless of the negative experiences you've had (there will be more) you would do yourself a disservice by painting a picture of this culture with a broad brush

Yeh, it's what we do!

 

As someone who is 'in the middle' at 56, this is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading. I see bad attitudes at both ends, and all throughout the age spectrum, and not confined to hot rodding. I also see good interaction and try to focus on and gravitate toward this. It seems to me that threads such as this (and others) are detrimental and self-serving, and purposefully designed to create turbulence. I would also suggest that the OP save a copy of his rant to re-read when he is at the other end of life's journey, and see what he thinks then...........

Over and out, and @57 Fargo deserves the final comment.....

 

Sea dog,
You are right .
I’m older and I can’t afford to get a chassis together right now .
The engine yes,,,,,but I can’t afford a decent body at this time .
I see some in the classified section.
I’m amazed,,,,,,asking 19,000,,,,25,000,,,,,,for a project that looks like it was just drug from behind the barn.
Rusty as all get out,,,,,,and will take another 30-40 grand to fix it .
I’m not crying ,,,,,,but young people don’t have it either .

At least we can welcome them to join in and enjoy the old time cars and trucks without running them off .
I know most old guys are great,,,,,and courteous,,,,I’m sure we all need to be more conscious of that .
Myself included .

Tommy

 

It's a generation thing i believe. Back when i was younger, it was a cool job to be a firefighter, now we can't get people to apply. And that's a field where society is gonna suffer when we all retire. Another thing that this makes me think about is that the value of our junk is set by demand, right? I mean if nobody wants or needs those trick vintage parts you're hoarding, then they'll become scrap when we're gone. So the shit that we think is priceless today, will soon be worth $180 a ton at the recycling place.

 

Thanks! There's a good lesson in that Jeep story. I think it's normal to have to prove oneself a little in hobbies like this, but we've also got to extend some good faith to the provee. You took a chance on helping me out in person and helping me get my bearings. I remember saying early in my build thread that I was eager to get to pay it forward some day! That's what it's all about.

I was just over in Crowley for something the other week, can't remember what now. I've got a growing pile of spares to share. Let me know if you're looking for anything!

I used to work in that place! It was the largest antique store for miles around, three stories and the whole stock was the coolest shit hand picked by the owner, none of grandma's china in there. It was heaven for me. Unfortunately, grandma's china is in. I'm not sure what he's up to these days, it's been locked up for a while. The car was an early VW Beetle that had been wrecked in the front and was used as advertising for another local business for many years. The car museum/cafe you're talking about is still sort of around, but just as a museum now. The cafe part is a sports bar now. For some reason my favorite car in that whole place is the Trabant.

Didn't want anyone to take my post as a rant about old guys hahaha. My message is just that being inclusive matters more than you might think, as a lot of guys here have attested to or exemplified.

 

It may be a little late for that. Over on the other thread (you know which one), the guy is taking some flak for his stance. I dare say you might too....................

I will say, however, that you do not seem 'typical' of your generation, and should factor this into your perspective.

 

My “beater” short bus was asked by out state Ed department to be shown at the Alabama Auto Show. Yep, the show with all the new cars.
For four days I sat near the bus and watched scores of kids bounce in the seats, turn the steering wheel, pull and flip switches.
I guess the biggest fun was the adults shocked that “trade schools” still exist.
Today, 200 8th graders toured my shop. By the end of next week around 1000 of them will have visited our school. All looking big eyed at the bus and other projects.
Young people like all kinds of stuff. It’s hard for them to relate to something they never see. Driving an old ride regularly may put some wear and tear on the ride but the hobby suffers more when they stay out of sight.
As far as curmudgeons go, gripping at young folks is as traditional as a 3 pot flatty running twin Smittys.
I’ve learned that a lot of bitterness comes from folks feeling that they made poor decisions in life. That is expressed by negativity towards folks that still have plenty of time to make good decisions.
I’ve never understood the logic of complaining about a younger generations lack of knowledge when the responsibility of educating that generation rests solely with the generations before it. Is it some form of self loathing? Or just the bitterness of knowing that they may have been too busy to share knowledge when they had the chance?
Who knows.
Nothing is better or more rewarding than passing knowledge to others.

 

Squirrel has a lot of credibility and my undying loyalty because when I was new to the HAMB years ago (maybe 12-15?) he gave me good info, patiently corrected me when I was misinformed, and defended me against some of the earlier guys a couple times. Him and Porknbeaner.
I'm not much younger (54), but "new" means new no matter the age.
Most people are good and decent folk. Some are jerks. That's just life.

Sent from my SM-G981V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The NSRA along with local clubs should be handing out passes for students.
Visit the shop and Ag classes. Young folks can’t visit when they have no clue it’s happening

 

I'm 37, always been a gear head. First it was bicycles, then building a go cart, and 4 wheelers, then cars. I was into VWs all OT here, but rebuilt a few water cooled ones and hopped them up. Went to a few car shows and people never gave me the time of day. If it wasnt some kind of muscle car then it wasnt cool.

Life went on and I found a car of the 50s era I'd always dreamed about. On my 4th year of work on it between being a tradesman, husband, and dad.

OT hondas are in many ways the "hot rods" of today that the old guys had when they were young. Cheap and made to be fast. Some respect needs to go both ways. How many of us have turned their nose up at some kid with an OT car that they have "hot rodded". It may not be your thing, I get that, but show some enthusiasm.....most likely it's faster then what you have.

But that isnt the point, speed, its building something that you can enjoy and share with like minded people. Worry less about the rules and actually enjoy other people, even if their rides are not the ones you'd pick. I have been on the other end of that game.

Edit: every car I've owned has had 3 pedals, loud exhaust, and was faster than it was when it left the factory.... but some may not find those things to be cool.

 

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!!!!!
In the fire service it's said that it's the job of the old fireman to teach the new guys to be old fireman, not much difference here in my opinion.

 

..........So true, but sadly they don't have that much foresight.