Customs Bobber Trucks. Are They HAMB Rods?

That is the thing most guys don’t get. They think if they have a 1974 international pickup cab and you run it fenderless with a beer keg gas tank….instantly you are cool. So many bad ones out there. The reason Rudy Rodriquez’s truck made such a big impact was the proportions.

 

The proportions on some of these are not my taste. That’s the deal with bobbers they either look good to you or waaay way way off depending on your personal taste.

 

I say this is a pre war hamb bobber truck....

 

My son's current project..

Not what I would do but it's not my truck.

Larry

 

Horrible . Sorry but not my thing at all. maybe I just don’t like rough unfinished bobber trucks, period… Now finished painted a pre 35 highboy is an appealing idea.

 

Totally agree. It's all about the execution. I like the possibilities they offer, but you gotta have an eye for proportion, and details. I just wonder how many contortionists or double leg amputees build hot rods, because no average person is going very far in one. Leg room? What's that?

 

Is this a bobber truck…maybe…but for sure, it sure is SLICK!

 

Nah, it has fenders.

 

Yep, basically that’s the premise of building a bobber truck…some have the cab sitting around, some see a modestly priced cab at a swap meet, and another bobber born.

 

If I would ever build one, I’d probably run cycle fenders in front and bobbed stock fenders in the rear. That would give it more of a traditional 50’s vibe…cycle fenders were way more prevalent then than they are now, (the John Law anti-hot rod at***ude that was way more prevalent back then).

 

Always liked this truck (whether it's a bobber or not). I had to change the wheels to be able to post it here.

 

That is Bad ***! Would like to build one very similar.

 

Me too.

 

This is or was someone's project several years back. It has the making of a real Hot Rod in my opinion.

 

Some more of the same truck:

 

I just call it a hot rod, maybe a bobber?

 

I'm helping a young friend build this one

 

This belongs (or did) to guy named Rick Kirsh in California somewhere. It was in Street Rodder, I think, back in the 90's. Crazy low, under 1500 lbs, flathead V8, 3 speed. He daily drove it to do do sign painting. There where pics with a ladder on top. I have a bunch of pics on my PC at home. I think I posted about it here once. This truck is awesome but I'd never fit in it.

Anyway, back to regularly scheduled whine fest. Some bobber trucks fit the spirit of the HAMB. Some do not. As someone else said, like **** you know it when you see it and I'll add to that what is or is not is subjective.

 

A before & after bob job done right.

 

Should have left it blue.

 

I agree with you my friend, The hamb is a traditional site and no offence intended but if you don't care for the traditional cars & trucks, or the customs for that matter, you need to find a site that caters to your likes. HRP

 

470 odd posts into this and the only opinion that matters is Ryan's. Happy New Year.

 

No doubt about it Hambers are but a small segment of the hot rod fraternity and even more so opinionated, Bobber trucks are hot rods but not necessarily traditional, this is just my opinion yours may vary. HRP

 

From what I've seen over the years a well executed hot rod in the spirit is usually given a p*** even if it has a few out of range touches. I've seen some really cool cars here that aren't exactly traditional but are definitely interesting and strong in the ways of tradition.

 

Now, that aint bad !

 

And we are now at 16 pages!

 

Haha I searched for this thread not knowing it had just popped up, actually after I started looking

I bought this today hoping for some inspiration

 

The problem is that there is no single authority that determines exactly what a definition means in the world of hot rods and customs. Compounding the problem is the fact that builders often/normally incorporate things in their builds that overlap common modifications from different types of "definitions". So you have loosely defined "styles" all becoming a part of a finished "conglomeration".
The "conglomeration " may look great or terrible depending on the eye of the beholder and whatever biases the beholder holds dear. Thats one of the things that makes this hobby great, ingenuity and incorporation of random ideas that hopefully create a vehicle thats not only unique, but actually has a certain "appeal" when driven. It doesn't have to be car show perfect, not even close..........it just needs to project a certain general "look" that the builder finds appealing and hopefully some others will also find the overall vehicle somewhat desirable. Unfortunately not all of us agree on what looks good .......and its NOT a case of disliking a vehicle because its cheaply done. A case in point is the coupe shown in the Beach Boys Album "Little Deuce Coupe". I love the song, but the picture looks nothing like a compe***ion coupe. Some people absolutely love it........yet I find it totally unappealing and it possesses features I consider to be more "Custom" than "Hot Rod"..........but it does have a big motor and a chopped top.....so I can't deny its somewhat of a Hot Rod" as well.

The point is that if we can look at a professionally built and world wide recognized car such as this and have disagreeing opinions........how are we ever going to agree on what the proper definition is for lesser "conglomerations" and even more vague definitions? We just ain't ever going to agree.


Overlapping styles...............IMHO and I'd rather have a cheap bobber than this. But other Rodders think its just great. Personally I wouldn't drive it.......

Edit: Here is a car that just screams "Hot Rod" no matter what other definitions someone might also apply to it. Its first and foremost a Hot Rod, and I'd Love to drive it because it has an imi***ating look and the proportions are perfect (IMHO). It does so with minimal shiny parts and a paint job that says "built for driving".


...

 

LIke the truck , or not, the sin here is that poor '29 Tudor beside it.