I am not talking about the PT Cruiser or the HHR here. I am talking about certain elements of what was once deemed traditional, hot rod, rat rod, or whatever you call it showing up more and more on late model tin. When they first came out I did "build" a "traditional" PT to sell. It was black, flamed, Moon decal on the fender, exhaust dumps, etc. I did this cause I knew I could make a quick buck and also wanted to "customize" a brand new car for a change. So I guess I have sold out, BUT just for a second! But what really got me thinking about this was how people have a negative stereo-type now / and back in the day to an old hot rod, but alot of people are building "modern hot rods". There are so many couple of year old primered vehicles driving around lately. Many have pinstriping and period wheels or caps. And I have kinda gotten used to it... Locally there is even a guy who has a Ranger done up like a 1956 F100. All the badges and stuff are on it. I don't know maybe he is here on the HAMB... BUT the one that got me was the other night I saw a kid with a 2WD Ranger P/U that was done up G***er style. It was primer grey, nose high stance, spokes up front, and mags out back. And he did it " 'cause it's a cool look". I guess my question is are we really that influential? Is this an isolated thing? What's going on where you are at?
This old car is my first "hot rod" in damn near 20 years. I've only had it for a few years now. It's taken me a while to build on it and even now...after having a "new" engine and ****** in it only 3 weeks, I have it up on blocks in my garage getting ready for more body work. The first day I took it out I was amazed at the amount of thumbs ups it got. More recently...I caught a local much older fellow with a hopped up 55 G***er looking my car over. He doesn't know me from Adam and certainly didn't know it was my car. I was pretty damn happy when he looked at his buddy and said of my car "Now THIS is ****ing cool." I see more young kids looking over our cars over than I did a few years ago for sure. We somehow don't seem to alienate the "ricer" crowd to the extent the "muscle car" guys do. Now, I'm a car guy period. I seem to find something enjoyable about almost any car including some serious japanese makes when they are done right. I'm glad to see traditional hot rods being somewhat of a unifying force on four wheels because without cars like these and a guy named Wally...we might have different hobby altogether now. Hot rods today are getting more and more popular and that's not a bad thing. I can appreciate the kid in the G***er Ranger. Although certainly not traditional he's doing what he wants with his dime and probably on a serious budget. Anyway. Down here I'm seeing much mroe interest. Lots more flames and even flat black. That's not a bad thing.
Most cars, for the past 20 years have been built on a "rake". The newer Mazdas have a distinct hood line and "fenders". Ground effects, smoothed underside belly pans to flow air for low drag, like salt racers.
Sometimes it's reversed, like 80's Lincolns being bagged, 'cept you usually saw them at the curb with only one end down
I don't see new cars getting a traditional flavor so much as a "cl***ic" flavor. HHR, PT, Mustang, Camaro, T-bird. I don't see the public at large going for an ultra low stance or exagerated styling. The drive behind rods and customs is individuality. If Ford ever m*** produces a chopped 50 sedan, I'll be the last guy looking at one.
My wife drivers a new Crossfire.. The Dodge boys have done a good job of bringing old cool style back to new cars.
Well not quite the same thing but how about things like superchargers, fuel injection, bucket seats, black out trim.
The need for effeciency has driven the universal design and style for the past few decades and we have ended up with the cookie cutter word shape of todays vehicles. (Drive thru a Mall Parking Lot and try to name the vehicles from six cars away.) Some of this generation of sheep are beginning to realize that it may be OK to be different and are taking small steps toward that different world. There have always been the few that have seen things diffenently from the time they were born and no matter their view, scientists, artists, musicians, aviators, rodders, racers or what ever they are always on the edge of sociaty. For us living this life it is normal, for the sheep its like not running as soon as the see the wolf, a brief thrill. Boredom will cause to build yet another bigger, badder project. The sheep will add some vinal Flames. Now what the **** did I just say?
To me, a late model car, done with some old-school styling, can be a good look, but it could be made bad just as easy. Of course, it all depends on the style. I do realize that "to each his own", but here is an example of a good look in my book. A friend of mine started this car, painted it, and I bought it from him and finished it. This was a great cruiser, and took alot of its styling aspects from the old lead sleds.
Ya, In my little town I see a newer VW"bug" with red steelies and wide whites with wood graining on the sides ala a sportsman coupe from '48 . Also a late model Chev Silverado with trad flames and red steelies and whites. At first I'm wondering "whats going on here?" But I am thinking these people are kinda hip to the styling concept or don't have a clue in hell and just got lucky at the time of purchase. I don't know it just seems off to me. Normal Norman
look at the chopped/raised beltline of the new Chrysler 300Cs. If that's not an attempt at a traditional look, I dunno what is, and it's right from the factory. i think they look killer
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