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Customs Bobber Trucks. Are They HAMB Rods?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by TheSteamDoc, Oct 9, 2021.

  1. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 25,953

    Roothawg
    Member

    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.
     
  2. pirate
    Joined: Jun 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,252

    pirate
    Member
    from Alabama

  3. adam401
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 3,007

    adam401
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  4. ALLDONE
    Joined: May 16, 2023
    Posts: 3,809

    ALLDONE
    Member

    I say this is a pre war hamb bobber truck.... IMG_2795[8817].jpg IMG_2796[8816].jpg IMG_2889[8851].jpg IMG_2890[8840].jpg IMG_2894[8836].jpg
     
    Barn Hunter, Toms Dogs, clem and 7 others like this.
  5. IMG_20200527_205035.jpg
    My son's current project..

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

    Larry
     
  6. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,882

    Kiwi 4d
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    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.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2024
    26 T Ford RPU likes this.
  7. mohr hp
    Joined: Nov 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,569

    mohr hp
    Member
    from Georgia

    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?
     
    Roothawg likes this.
  8. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,158

    A Boner
    Member

    Is this a bobber truck…maybe…but for sure, it sure is SLICK!
    IMG_0493.png
     
  9. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 25,953

    Roothawg
    Member

    Nah, it has fenders.
     
    alanp561, abe lugo, AHotRod and 2 others like this.
  10. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,158

    A Boner
    Member

    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.
     
  11. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,158

    A Boner
    Member

    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).
     
  12. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,683

    twenty8
    Member

    Publication1.jpg

    Always liked this truck (whether it's a bobber or not). I had to change the wheels to be able to post it here.
     
    Rand Man, Toms Dogs, MMM1693 and 15 others like this.
  13. mad mikey
    Joined: Dec 22, 2013
    Posts: 9,423

    mad mikey
    Member

    That is Bad ***! Would like to build one very similar.
     
  14. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,683

    twenty8
    Member

    Me too.:D
     
    Roothawg likes this.
  15. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,338

    AHotRod
    Member

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

    34truckbaw.jpg
     
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  16. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,338

    AHotRod
    Member

    Some more of the same truck:

    14379680_1715903062066410_3384106361689045211_o.jpg


    14409469_1715903178733065_1567050849040776802_o.jpg
     
    ffr1222k, Toms Dogs and Okie Pete like this.
  17. Josh1940
    Joined: Jun 7, 2022
    Posts: 46

    Josh1940
    Member

    20240224_121438.jpeg I just call it a hot rod, maybe a bobber?
     
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  18. RMR&C
    Joined: Dec 26, 2009
    Posts: 4,926

    RMR&C
    Member
    from NW Montana

    I'm helping a young friend build this one

    IMG_20241225_085129.jpg
     
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  19. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,674

    tjm73
    Member

    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.
     
  20. Jack E/NJ
    Joined: Mar 5, 2011
    Posts: 972

    Jack E/NJ
    Member
    from NJ

    A before & after bob job done right.

    BeforeBob.jpg AfterBob.jpg
     
  21. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,977

    5window
    Member

  22. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,735

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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
     
  23. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,977

    5window
    Member

    470 odd posts into this and the only opinion that matters is Ryan's. Happy New Year.
     
    Outback likes this.
  24. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,735

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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
     
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  25. tjm73
    Joined: Feb 17, 2006
    Posts: 3,674

    tjm73
    Member

    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.
     
    alanp561 likes this.
  26. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 9,685

    Marty Strode
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    alanp561, mad mikey and 41 GMC K-18 like this.
  27. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
    Posts: 5,188

    41 GMC K-18
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    And we are now at 16 pages!
     
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  28. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,371

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic

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

    I bought this today hoping for some inspiration IMG_20251024_155338.jpg IMG_20251024_155317.jpg
     
  29. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 5,352

    ekimneirbo
    Member
    from Brooks Ky

    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. :)

    hot-rod-magazine-july-1961-little-deuce-coupe-cover-photo-v0-zcdxj1pz1csd1.png
    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".


    ... 1AAA-32 Ford example 3a.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2025
    Outback likes this.
  30. Dean Lowe
    Joined: May 20, 2008
    Posts: 22,042

    Dean Lowe
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

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

    [​IMG]
     
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