Event Coverage I think I'm getting numb to the hobby

I've been collecting parts for future projects for years.
So I have a picture in my mind for each one of them.
( and when you are not in a hurry, parts tend to be cheaper).

So lately, its been a matter of putting these parts where they were supposed to go.
And getting rid of the parts that are dead ends ( when they are not right for the project anymore )

So in other words, if the engine that is sitting in the shed is a 327, then a 327 will be used.

And a nice byproduct is, the yard is starting to look better...

 

I'm 61 and been to maybe 10 car shows in my life. Antique, street rods, muscle cars, etc. They just aren't for me. I could go to drag strips for days at a time and enjoy them. Car shows are just white noise to me.

 

Personally, it doesn't matter what size the SBC is, just do it like it was 1957-1965, stock valve covers, stock intake, stock WCFB or AFB, stock manifolds, inside-the-frame dual exhaust, 40" long glass packs, homemade air cleaner that can sit out in a down pour and not let any water into the carb. Set the goal as a 100% reliable driven engine that runs cool, idles like a kitten, and car you WILL drive in the rain and snow, just like they did 60+ years ago.

 

Then think of a Nailhead or Cadillac

 

A couple weeks ago I took my old Ford Hot Rod to a local car show. First one I attended with a car for a couple years. It was at a local church, a free event, they said over 400 cars were there. A few of everything to view. It was OK, I met with a bunch of old friends and even met a few new ones. I walked the show for about two hours, ate a few free hot dogs and left. All and all I had a good time But two hours was more then enough fun for me!

 

A couple of weeks ago, I made the mistake of driving my 54 Plymouth to a local "cars and coffee" event. There were 3 or 4 cars older than 4 years. I think the rest were comparing their car payments.

 

Just curious!! All you hardcore traditional HotRodders that will stick your nose up at others cars that do not meet your approval, Do all your wives look the same since you all have the same taste in cars?? Pete

 

I don’t think anyone is looking down their nose, but rather bored with the lack of ingenuity. I never knock anyones cars, because I can appreciate the amount of money and work that is required.

That was not the intent of this thread.

 

Can't comment on this subject w/facts, Especially when the giant state fairgrounds sized shows are mentioned. The term 'car show'.........

 

That’s a whole other inner debate. I have a Caddy 390 on the stand now….

 

I'll walk by a row of Chevy's to look at any other engine!

 

I have not been to a Goodguys event, or an NSRA one either. But I think that there are more than enough traditional cars at Back to the Fifties to get your fix. They have around 12000 cars there, so even if the stuff you like was at 10%, that is a small town worth of cars. If the garden is full of weeds, it is hard to see the vegetables, but they are still there...

 

To add to that, out of three days of walking the fairgrounds, I only stopped to take pics of 14 cars. And they were similar to my project cars, so they were for ideas, or because they looked really good. A couple were "street roddy".

 

On a side note:
Isn’t the uniqueness of this part of the car hobby one or the reasons most of us like it?
Unique and mainstream usually don’t work together

 

I feel your pain Root. that's why I race rather then show. I do take the drag coupe to a few shows every season, guess I just like to scare the hell out of people and make the new corvette guys say WTF!

 

Just attended Goodguys. 4800 cars. Saturday, I left the car at 11:00 and walked around until 7:00. Enjoying the sights and sounds of people enjoying the car hobby. Talking to many people. I took about 20 pictures. The guy I parked next to thought I got lost. Nope, just not into sitting by my car. Been going for 30 years. I go to Indy to the Custom Car Revival. Earlier on I took 500 pic`s of 200 cars attending. But with repeaters showing up it`s now only 300 pictures. Taking a car to a show is a whole lot different than just walking around without having a car in the show. A night and day difference. The guy I parked next to said he could have sold my car 5 times. His was a similar body style and built differently than mine. He was surprised at people`s reactions between the two cars.

 

With the exception of guys spending a lot more money!!!!!

 

Quick question.. On the black 3W,
Are the rear wheel's "reversed" or widened?

 

I don't know. I can ask him. He's a buddy.

 

Truly an amazing build..

 

just got back from Columbus GoodGuys

yawn

square body trucks everywhere

 

Or, just stick to small journal engines....

 

As I have gotten older my interests have got more focused.
I have always liked trad hot rods and customs but I always looked at a nice muscle car or street rod.
Hell,I even built them for a job.
But now I don,t have any interest in looking at a line of camaros on roadster shop frames,c10 trucks or the gymkana.
I,d rather go to a smaller show and see a bigger percentage of cars I like
And I,ll still walk by ratrods or cars with fake race car numbers or speed shop names
Your ideas might vary but that is fine.

 

Me likey.

 

Me, I’m not necessarily numb ( although some people might accuse me of being crazy, I haven’t met them yet…yet) I just feel like I need a break once in a while (vacation that is) besides, as a wise man once said, familiarity breeds contempt.

 

My problem is I have a hankering to build another 327, but using a Dart SHP block. The ultimate 327....

 

Once again I think part of its a cost issue as well as a just a new generation/type of classic car owner that you see everywhere at these bigger events. The pool of people actually building cars themselves is shrinking. The younger crowd sub 35 years old(myself included). Have grown up at this point being able to order and buy anything you need for your car. The aftermarket has exploded since the billet craze of the 90s, there never was a need to junkyard hunt and figure out how to adapt stuff from one car to another. A company had already engineered a upgrade that bolted right on. I mean while not early 60s traditional, but when was the last time you saw a "fresh" build with a real Mustang II front end and either a Corvette or Jag rear end over a brand new mustang ii kit and a Heidts or Kugel IRS already designed for that specific car? Heck I cant recall the last time I saw pre 59 Chevy pickup with a Camaro or Chevelle clip under it. At this point it would be more money trying to figure out how to make that work for alot of people than just ordering an aftermarket setup. You really see it at those bigger events, but most of those owners couldnt even begin to build a car, let alone maintain it.


I think this is kind of the tip of a lot of other factors we complain about all coming together and rearing their head.

 

In my probably somewhat closed mind, I think they built some awkward looking stuff in the old days. There is a reason lots of cars look the same, it’s because they look great. I can’t see spending money and time building something ugly. We have the internet which allows us to compare thousands of cars and pick out what we like. I like car shows, I like all sorts of different cars, but like the hamb friendly ones the best. It’s great when a guy will share about his build and maybe even let you sit in his hotrod to see if you even fit. I live in an area with 4 seasons, so it is always great to see what debuts in the spring after a winter of building. A car show is the best place to take that in. I try to make autorama in Detroit every couple of years, nice to see the amber contenders, but spend most of my time in the basement. Some day I hope to have something worthy of joining them. In the meantime I will be enjoying those of you that can endure going to the show.