Hot Rods People. They're the worst...

At one time the corvair front suspension was the hot setup,it was cheap and rode well but they were ugly as homemade sin, I've seen a lot of them in the past. HRP

 

Here's one for you guys that hear all the experts telling you what's wrong with your car:

Did that a few years ago for a couple buddies who were talking about the same thing.
(Feel free to download and save it. It should print out actual size on a standard sheet of paper. )

 

In the spirit of brotherly love, it really is ok not to know things about our stuff. What's old and tiring is those who feel a need to critique or correct, and are seemingly almost empowered to deliver their salvation. A lot of this is 2nd nature to us, we can spot a 33 vs 34 Ford from a reasonable distance, we know engines, we know history in many cases too. I'll admit one of my personal "issues" is that I often assume a similar level of knowledge or participation because they're there. Nope, not always. I was at the Meadowbrook Concours 1 year and this guy with a long beard and his hippie girlfriend are standing in front of our Packard (go figure) and with notable disdain he says he can't believe people would spend the kind of money it takes on these cars when the world has so many other issues. As I turned away I said "And yet you're here." "EXCUSE ME!?!" he says, I ignored him and went about my business. Who was the problem, him or me?

 

Squeek Bell chatting with my friend Pete McLeod at Squeek's place in Bakersfield, during the annual CHRR. Back in 2016.

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i've had shoebox fords since the '70s, and have gotten some of that BS, but what always warmed my heart was the guys that'd come up and tell me how they courted their wives in one!

 

I understand that. This spectator thought my Offenhauser equipped flathead was an Offenhauser engine!

 

Heard it numerous times about both my old Deliveries.
"Looks like an old hurst"...not a hearse mind you, but a "hurst".

 

My old man's full-fendered 28 Tudor that was rodded many years ago has a Corvair front end under it. Works great, and it's hidden.

 

In the late 60's and early 70's, parts were not as readily available as today, I was getting all my parts from the local junk yard and used parts a lot of guys would laugh at today. HRP

 

In the early 2000's, I had someone look at my T-bucket and tell me they love those new Prowlers. Had someone looking at the engine once and asked me if it was a 350, I told them that it is a Chevy engine but is a 250. Maybe the chrome valve cover confused them or something. Usually when people ask me what it is, I ask what part they are looking at. It is a non-traditional T that most here probably would frown upon, built out of parts of several different junkers. It has been called a dunebuggy more than once too.

My daily driver is a ratty '49 Chevy coupe. I've been daily driving it for about 14 years now, and I get a lot of people asking me when I'm going to "finish" it. A lot of people ask me if it is a BelAir. And I've had quite a few gripe at me for not using my turnsignals.

 

A friend of mine once told me, if I lower my expectations of others I won’t be nearly as disappointed.

 

My very first hotrod was a 1930 Ford Sedan I bought when I was in my mid 20s. It was a project, but the body was already chopped and in good shape. A buddy of mine and I were at the gas station with the hotrod on a flat bed. A very pretty girl walked over and asked if it was a 30 Ford. I think I turned all red and didn’t say anything. I’m in my mid 50s now and that was the most beautiful thing a girl has ever said to me.

 

That reminded me of a local guy.

Back in the late 90's/early 00's, there was a local guy with a tri-five Chevy pickup that had a gm clip under it (nova). The thing was low and had the right stance with the nose in the weeds and had a very nice bright red paint job. A sweet ride at the time, and he used it a ton. Someone convinced him to cut out the GM clip and go with some of those laughable parts... Volare, because of the torsion bars. He did that and barely drove the truck anymore after that. He hated how the thing drove.

Why he listened, I don't know.

When my dad and I built a few of our rides, we did several trips to the junkyard with a list in hand. Now I go to the Internet and have the stuff a short time later. My dad used to buy used Holley carbs at swap meets. It doesn't seem worth it now.

 

I built my 49 Buick with mostly junk yard parts. But that's the way I have always done it.

 

@41 GMC K-18, great pic cheers

 

I always thought those guys who called a vehicle a "Hurst" were a little shifty.

 

That’s OK because it’s not a Duvall either. The original was cast at Compton High School in the 50’s and now very popular. The Duvall was cast for only 32 roadster body’s.

 

The man surely knew his Mercurys…….and don’t call me Shirley!

 

That is awesome! Well done.

 

I had my Bel Air parked at the end of the driveway and was near it. A retired couple were walking the dog and the guy says “what is it?”. Me, it’s a 55. Him, 55 what? At least it wasn’t someone that was going to argue what it was but it goes to show how clueless some people are.

 

Cut and paste from Wikipedia, but I think you may have missed the point.....

 

Was talking to a guy at the GNRS this year who said he now owns the Offenhauser speed parts brand (unverified) and he talked about how most people are confused by the brand name and that it is not connected to the Offy engine brand name. Related, yes. Connected? No.
From a post here on the HAMB - The Fred C. Offenhauser that did the speed parts is the nephew of the Fred Offenhauser that did the Indy engine. Fred C.'s brother was Carl Offenhauser and one hell of a machinist and pattern maker.

 

My usual reply to " What Year Is It '' or " What Kinda Car Is It" is usually " Which Piece ?"...

 

I have a grubby looking mid sixties car with a very low stance and a loud lopey idle and I've gotten a ton of great comments. Working in the garage on it and one guy came walking up my driveway (my garage faces the street) and just as I was bout to tell him to get the fugg off my property he asked about the car; told me he had one but had to sell it during his cancer battle, wanted to look at the interior. Took a deep wiff and said that the old car smell took him back.
Welp. Glad I didn't drive him off. Was a millisecond from doing so.

 

If all 327's are Corvettes, why can't all Bel Airs be hardtops? I'm just sayin'.....

 

Mid 80s setting behind a buddy's 49 Black Ford six business coupe. Old guy come up all excited "My first car was just exactly like this one. Except it was a red four door, with a V8, and it was a 51 Mercury"..

Coming back from a car show in 1991, two cars, both off topic pro-street cars. In a one traffic light town we pull up on either side of the pumps to fuel up. The cashier comes out and tells us "You can't drive those cars on the street."

My car was a 65 Marlin. It was identified as a Torino, Chevelle, Barracuda Charger, and Mustang at one time or another.

 

I don’t understand - looks like a ‘28 - ‘29 Ford tudor to me with one of those little side doors for your golf clubs……..

You were not alone, but what is a HHR ?

 

I do believe its the Chevrolet 'new age' open top pickup,
with Corvette guts, and pricing.

 

...Heritage High Roof. It's those little Sedan Delivery looking things although most have windows. Really, I'm pretty sure that's what GM called them.

 

...I think they just called those SS Pickups. They're pretty fast! And yes, pricey.