So when do you think we'll see more trad stuff on Spike & the Speed channel?

I sit here every Saturday & Sunday morning and click back and forth between the two, watching whichever I happen to like, and it would be cool to see more traditional rod & custom, and vintage racing footage type stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for what is there, but I'm almost surprised that I don't see more of our type of stuff. It is the "roots" of the car culture / hobby / whatever you want to call it. I know hot rod guys, muscle car guys, tuner guys, etc., and they ALL are intrigued by the history of "fast cars" in the US & they ALL dig old 50's & 60's racing footage. It seems that there could be a lot more variety, given that theres a lot of the same thing playing over and over (like, 4 straight episodes of "Muscle car").

I was thinking that since there are a lot of people here, and some of the ones here are on other hot rod forums, we should all figure out who to e-mail or whatever, and try to get them to do it. Maybe if they received thousands of e-mails, something might happen.

 

They are starting to... but they always refer to them as "rats" and it really gets on my nerves... no I'm not trying to start another RatRod discussion, I'm just saying.

"Trucks" built a decent Ford truck awhile back, called it "OldSkool" or something... speed channel has some old footage programs once in awhile... I even like Dale Jr's "back in the day" nascar oldie show. Nice to see real "stock" cars.

 

The show "Rides" on TLC occasionally has some good stuff on. Just have to weed through all the tuner stuff. On the History Channel this Wednesday from 7PM - 8PM don't miss Modern Marvels or set the TiVo. The show subject is Custom Cars and they're supposed to talk about lowriders and customs and visit some speed shops.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

traditional stuff will start showing up when the traditional parts aftermarket starts sponsering the shows.

 

There are already plenty of poser's and band wagoneers in this facton of the hobby. I am happy there is not more of what I dig on the boob tube. Nascar used to be good until any boob thought he was an instant fan. The same thing is happening to the NHRA.

 

American Muscle Car on Speed had a nice episode on Bonneville. Some vintage footage, interviews with Wally Parks and Alex Xydias and some footage from 2006. I don't know what I would do without TIVO.

Looks like it will run again on Friday April 13th.

http://www.speedtv.com/programs/172/

 

You would think that with all the old footage of racing that ABC has in its archives from Wide world of sports, Indy races, NASCAR, etc. they could put together a show on weekly basis of just this stuff. Production costs would be next to nothing. Just show the the footage without the pop-up video junk on that "Back in the day" show. Speed used to run those old shows in their original form with road tests of then current cars and other racing than NASCAR. Corny, but fun to watch. Even the old Diamond P coverage of drag racing could make a show. I just like to see this old footage no matter what kind of racing it is.

Doc

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has pondered this subject. And crusytnut, sure others are trying to jump on the bandwagon, but whatever. Let them! Who cares? As far as I'm concerned, anyone who respects the elder statesmen has a place in our hobby.

All good points, and Gulfwarsubvet, thanks for ( a.) your service, and ( b.) the heads up. It was guys like you 70 years or so ago that got this ball rolling.

Years ago there used to be a show on Speed (pre-nascar takeover) and it was basically old race footage. (I think it was called "legends" or something). Late 50's thru late 60's stuff, and I used to LIVE for that show. I love history (well, hot rod history anyway).

I think that somehow our numbers could have an impact. If everyone agrees that I'm an idiot because that would drive parts prices up even higher than they are already, I understand, and I will stand down.

I guess I'm just curious as to what everyone thinks.

 

Until NASCAR's season is over all SPEED will show is NASCAR and Pinks (one of the lamest shows ever).

 

I would think you would have better luck with suggestions to the Discovery or Learning Channei.Maybe some e-mails to them,would give the producers ideas for some new shows(you never know)As a side note I actually watched an episode of American Hot Rod last week,(no anti Boyd comments please)on the episode a new employee("speedy")goes to Dan's house to help disassemble a p/u.Pleasant surprise Dan's garage is full of "traditional hot rods".If everyone let them know of our interest,they might seek some advertising $$ for some production.

 

I think it may be because guys like us are out in the garage building stuff, muscle car and street rod guys are either watching T.V. and grabbing their credit card when the commercials come on to buy the latest gee-whizz item, or at an auction buying cars that cost as much as houses.

 

I know that "Car Crazy" is featuring Gene Winfield next week

 

They should take that American Crap Rod show and highlight a real hot rod shop. I could watch hours of that!

 

I agree, Pinks was (is) shit. I don't even miss Speed Channel with my new cable provider.

Here's EVERY show they've ever had on...

"My car is SOOO fast...My car is the FASTEST thing on wheels...It's SOOO fast I'll race your P.O.S. and when I beat you, I'm going to keep your car, because there is NO WAY that car is as fast as mine......Now, you owe me an 8 car length head-start so I can show you how much faster my car is..."

 

These network shows start with ideas from outside sources...get together with your buds and send a decent proposal to the networks...you may become the next TV star...

 

Jimmy Shine Show (don't know official name of show) should be on Discovery or TLC soon.

 

http://www.beyondusa.com/shine/main/Site/Shine.html

This would be a cool thing to do except for the part where you will be mocked and humiliated on national TV.......

 

They should call it the "Littleman" show. 'Cause he is why I'll be watching!

 

WTF!?!?!?!
The majority of muscle car guys are out in the garage too, saving their $$$ to build their dream car.......just like us......jeez......and now ya want a show for trad rods....so you can sit on yer ass and watch, instead of being in the garage.......
Sorry, but it hit a nerve with me...........

I don't have dish/cable (thank god) to sit and watch this SHIT..........

 

If you want torture, try to sit thru an episode of "Unique Whips"!
Todd

 

Still waiting for 1 unique thing to be shown on that show. Its absolute shit.

 

Dude, c'mon. Few people spend EVERY WAKING HOUR in the garage. The fact that most of us buy magazines and spend time here just shows that we crave a little visual stimulation outside of the garage.

Yeah, sometimes I like to sit on my ass and watch TV. Big deal. I just want to see some cool shit on the tube from time to time.

Put the knife down.

 

For the life of me I cant figure who watches "Pinks" or "Unique Whips".Absolute crap!I have enjoyed "Biker Buildoff" for the most part,and the ESPN show "chopper Nation" has had some good episodes when its on,but cars shows are too few and far between.

 

Hopefully never. I would rather be out in the shop working on affordable steel rather than sitting inside watching TV because stuff gets too expensive due to exposure. Just look at what Barret Jackson has done to muscle car prices. Hopefully the same does NOT happen to traditional.

 

What ever happened to T.V.shows like Speed Racer or THe Wackey Racers now those where great shows.

 

Once again, I'm not talking "tradional hot rod Build-off" here. I'm not looking for some gay "American hot rod / chopper / monster garage" whatever, and I'm not looking for an EXPOSE telling everyone that hot rods are what all the cool people are driving now and where all the old tin is still located. Mainly just replaying old historical drag race, bonneville, car show, etc. footage that we all know is out there, and maybe a mini documentary once & awhile about some of the legendary figures in our sport (like Mickey Thompson for instance).

The special that Speed channel had a while back on the history of mooshiners and their impact on the sport was awesome. I saw another one maybe 6 or 7 months ago about the history of hot rodding and dry lakes racing that was also really cool. That's the kind of stuff I'm talking about.

I'm thinking maybe some of you guys should start building hot rods in AREA 51 so that no one can see you, hear you, have any idea what you're doing, and maybe we can convince the public and the media that hot rods don't exist. "Nope, nothing to see here folks, just an old weather ballon with deuce grill shell. No sir, that is definitely NOT A HEMI, please move along, and you'll need to give me the film out of your camera".

 

T.V. is a big reason America's population continues to get FAT......
Guys in the 30's-50's seemed to build nice cars WITHOUT T.V.......probably had more CONSTRUCTIVE things to do...... even when NOT in the garage...

 

IMHO Speed was a lot more diverse when it was 'Speedvision' FOX bought it out a couple years back it was with every intention of showing 40+ hours a week of Nascar programming, and I think it's gone downhill every since.

I'd also love to see more historical / documentary type shows with footage from the early days of drag racing, on the salt, speed trials, Pikes Peak, etc. But really don't care if they ever come up with another new 'can we get the car finished on time / million dollar auction / screaming shop owner / surprise celebrity automotive makeover show.

 

Looking at your post count it looks like you have substituted the internet in place of the television at your house.