How Many Builders,hav'nt Driven A Rod

How many people building their 1rst hot rod,have not driven,or for that matter had a ride in,a hot rod?I noticed this in another thread,and i know i was well into my project,before a fellow rodder took me for a blast.Come on everyone,take a new project owner for a ride.You'll help the enthusiasm,and possibly they will learn things that will help them.Luckily my first ride was in a 32 ford roadster,with a dual four 383 cu sm blk chev,man was i hooked.

 

Guilty.... the only go fast cars ive ever been and drive are late model mustangs.. I have other intrests but Hot Rods will always be number one.. il just give it time. Someday il get a gl*** model t and build a modified.

 

My first ride in a custom car had me hooked. We were on our way to a local watering hole and the center link broke on the steering of a 51 Ford. We were going over an overp***, and uh oh... no steering. I was half drunk already and what a thrill. He managed to keep it on the road. We fixed it with a coat hanger and made it to and from the bar. What a night!

 

I think you've got to define hot rod. I've never driven a car built prior to 1967, and I've only ridden in one or two older. So if you're defining "hot rod" as like a fenderless '32, then I'm guilty as charged (though I did ride a short distance in Hatch's roadster once). However, I'm no stranger to warmed up carbureted V8s and stick shifts, either.

-Dave

 

I'll take anyone who wants to go for a ride in my car, some of which are building their first cars. They seem to like it. Me, I kept knocking back offers until I had my own car. As a personal rule I dont ride other peoples harleys nor drive others rods but many others do. I say good for them as if it encourages another entrant into the hobby (its not a sport!!!!) thats great!

 

I was always stand offish when it came to bugging others about there cars (including asking for rides) and there is no way I would ever ask to drive someones rod, but when I was working in Takoma a HAMBER took me out in his tall T and I have to say that it inspired a lot! When my 27 RPU is done I will take any that ask.

 

Ive luckily been able to drive and ride in the older stuff. I love to take people out in my 56 Chevy for a ride. With the damn big block in it -almost everyone ****s themselves when they get the response to 'so what can this really DO????" LOL

 

I rode in my friend's S-10 ch***ied 40ish Ford pickup, but a true hot rod, 30's model I've never had the pleasure. I've been mighty tempted to ask but just figured I would be imposing.

I'll give rides to anyone when I get mine together. Probably even toss the keys to a few close friends to let them experience a drive themselves.

 

Want to go for a ride. Just ask!!!! Depending on the situation, not many people would say "no". Hotrods are FUN.

 

There's a deaf salvage yard owner here who likes old cars and drag races. I went out in the deuce to scrounge around 1 day and he asked to go for a ride.
I took 'im about a mile up the road at a pretty fair clip and then turned it around and had him drive back.
I've also been known to turn virgins loose in my race cars before.LOL
The faces are priceless.
CORRUPTION is fun! LOL

 

yep, i'm in that boat too, I'm building a 26/27 tudor tradi. style and have not as yet ridden or driven in a rod, I guess it's going to make driving mine wonderful !

 

guilty, being a gearhead, I've had lifted Jeeps, Sport Compacts, Harleys, Crotch Rockets, and atvs. an old buddy of mine has a 69 chevelle i have only had the experience of riding in.
Never driven or riden in a true hot rod, but I've always admired the look of the cars and the creativity of builders

 

I'd also be guilty. The only fast cars I've ever driven/rode in are muscle cars and late model camaros and trans ams.

 

Kinda reminds me of something that happened once. A guy I kinda knew asked if he could go for a ride in my 454 powered 34 International 'cause he'd never ridden in an old hotrod. I told him "no problem, get in". We rolled out past the edge of town, I turned around, hammered it through the gears and came back to the shop. I didn't think too much about it, but when he got out of the car he turned around and said "I'll NEVER get in a car with you again!" ...........Well, we're good friends now and I help him work on the 502/8-71 blown 38 Chevy that he's putting together.
Larry T

 

Sorta on the same lines. I have always loved woodies but have never rode in one.. I am building one based on my lust for it.

 

The first 30's hot rod I ever rode in was an older freinds '34 3-window.
327 chev, solid cam, 4-speed. Built the car in '62 and has only maintained it since.
That was that.

 

i have never ridden in a hot rod or custom, i think the oldest car i have ridden in was a 64. but the oldest car i have DRIVEN is a 69

 

30 years ago, I was there too. I got started because I loved the look.

Happily I bought a beater and I've had some kind of drivable old car ever since.

I could never bring myself to ask someone for a ride just for my benefit but I'd be happy to take someone for a ride so that they can experience the same joy that I get.

Would I lend out my pride and joy to someone else to drive??? You gotta be ****ting me.

 

I have never driven a car like the one I am building, the closest thing I guess that I drove was a 69 396 SS Chevelle. Having driven sportscars my whole life I drove this thing like it was a sportscar - hard and gunning it into the corners. It handled, well, like **** but you could drive one that way if you can drive.

I also used to drive my dad's 78 F-100 Ranger all around the mountains of Asheville. This truck had a 302 and a three on the tree. It was a blast to drive! My dad could really drive it - he grew up running a 39 Buick up the same roads.

I would like a ride in something with a beam front axle and transverse leaf spring to see how they handle.

 

The oldest car I've had the pleasure of driving was my brother's 30' model A coupe before we took it apart to hot rod, boy was that a blast. Had to advance the spark and double clutch. I'll take any new rodder for a ride. It helps alot because it shows you the good things to come when you finish your project.

 

I had a few experiences as a kid, but I was too busy with the contemporary stuff as a yound adult. As I have aged, so has my taste in cars. I'm bored with the modern tech and hate the "bolt on" clones. I've been working on ideas for a rod of my own for several years. I have to credit my wife for kickin my *** into gear. She told me to build it. Now she's given me a deadline. Maybe it'll make the round up in '08.

 

Yep totally agree with you Bowtie, that's why I always throw the keys of my 40 pickup to anyone who hasn't driven a rod before, if they take them you have a potential rodder to try a convert. And it's working, 2 vw mates are now talking seriously building a rod and and trying hard to learn more about what's what, taking them to the Hayride also helped me there as well.

But don't take em for a ride, give em the keys!

Steve

 

I am in the process of building a 31 coupe on a 32 frame, 5" chop, flathead and have a 28 roadster that I am also putting on a 32 frame and have a few banger A and B motors with an original Riley head that will get built and put in roadsters and have never so much as sat in an old hot rod... Built lots of 55, 56, and 57 chevy's as a kid but these are the first hot rods. Looking forward to getting one on the road!!!!!

 

If Anyone Of You Guys That Love Hotrods Like I Do Ive Owned Them Since 1965 Havent Riden In One In The Western Ny Area Stop By Ill Give Ya A Ride In My 31 Sedan Theres Nothing Like Rireing In A Hotrod The Sound The Whole Thing Is What We Hotroders Live For Tim

 

Thanks for the replies everybody,it's amazing how many people are hooked on old iron,without ever having been in them.Thanks to those who have shared the experience,that's "spreading the gospel"in its purest form. As you can see,people are too shy to ask.Offer to share a ride,even to someone who doesn't seem to be a rod enthusiast.You will make many happy memories,and probably set a few people in a positive direction,for life.

 

oldest car i have had a ride in was a 53 bel-air thanks louver_dude but i have been hooked forever. I have a 53 also but i won't be driving that anyday soon

 

The very first hotrod I ever drove was the "Lil Deuce Coupe" long before it was a famous show car. I helped Chili Catallo put the first olds in that coupe. I drove it to high school using a coat hanger as the throttle.
After that, there was a very long lines of rides that has been a joy over the years.

 

I haven't either. Lately I have gotten a couple of offers but at this point I am going to stay a virgin until mine is done.

 

I guess I should consider myself fortunate. Even though my Dad had a string of cool cars, and got me interested in cars, by the time I was old enough to remember any of them, they were long gone. Lucky for me, I have an Uncle with quite the collection of hotrods. Even better, he was never shy about taking me for a ride, letting me drive, or just tossing me the keys. When I started working on my own ride, he was as excited as I was. We have been working on it together. When we finish it, I think I'll let him drive it first. Want a ride, just ask!

 

ME!!! My dad has a 64 fia cobra replica thats about as close as it gets for me. Cant wait!!!