I know alot of time and passion are spent on duplicating traditional hot rod machines...but most of it seems to always revolve around the Ford. I certainly don't mind this fact, as I consider myself a "Ford" guy. But I find myself getting a bit tired with the same old same, and have turned my attentions to other makes. Here is a picture of my new (non-ford) project. I would like to hear some ideas about non-ford traditional hot rodding. This dodge currently has a flattie, but it just keeps eating at me. I have no problem with an early ford and a hemi mill together, so why does an early dodge and a flattie keep me awake at night? I am planning on chrysler power, but what was available before the hemi other than a flat 6? http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=145826&img=100_0629.JPG http://www.directimagehost.com/is.php?i=145684&img=100_0612.JPG Give me some feedback please, Kurt
Kurt, I know just what you mean, buddy. I don't own any Fords right now and I do appreciate any car/truck that somebody has put work into, but they are kinda startin to look alot alike. I've collected my projects just for this reason-to be different. One of my future projects is to build a traditional rod from the remains of a '30 Pontiac sedan. I bought it to use as a parts car for a '30 Pontiac phaeton (touring) But, only plan to use the fenders, splash aprons, hood and grille on the phaeton. That leaves a body, doors, cowl, frame/suspension to work with for the traditional project. So now, if a cat built this car in the day, what would he have done with it? Chopped sedan channeled over the rails or shorten it into a pickup conversion? '30 Pontiac pickup-now that's different! And, what kind of mill would have been used? Maybe a 347 from a '57 Pontiac? Don't want to hijack your thread but I too would love some input and if this would be cool?
Sweet looking truck. I understand how you feel about the whole "Ford" thing. I am a mopar guy at heart, but my second love is Ford's. But when everything is the same cab it gets kinda old. Good luck with it and keep up the good work. I have a '46 Dodge PU.
Just curious, how much is the frame z'ed in the front? Looks pretty cool to me. A hemi would look great but good luck getting one. I keep running across the Plymouth "poly" blocks all over the place but no one seems to use them, that would be different.
The path your on with that truck is not very time traditional, so whats the big deal about the motor? Mopar motors: flat head 6. 225 6, flat head straight 8, Polly V8, Hemi (old or 426 or the new pos), big block Mopar (4 hole valve covers), Small block Mopar, Carb'ed 2.2/2.5, turbo 2.2/2.5, or several versions of a v6. With the right combo of parts any could look cool in the truck. If the Hemi is out of reach, the flat 6, 225 6, polly v8 or a big block Mopar would be a good choice and would look "right" in your truck and all were around before 64. How different do you want to be? Gene
"I find myself getting a bit tired with the same old same, and have turned my attentions to other makes. I would like to hear some ideas about non-ford traditional hot rodding. I have no problem with an early ford and a hemi mill together, so why does an early dodge and a flattie keep me awake at night? I am planning on chrysler power, but what was available before the hemi other than a flat 6?" How 'bout a Chrysler Straight 8? They were produced from 1930-50. They are not that easy to come by, but it definitely fits the "something different" catagory. You don't see many rods with Straight 8 Chrysler power. jp
Chrysler Straight Eight! You just don't see enough flathead inline eights in hot rods. I don't care if they're heavy and not particularly powerful, the visual effect is totally worth it and in a light car like that with the right gears performance shouldn't be a problem anyway. -Dave
a hemi looks menacing, but they are really overrated. i am a mopar enthusiast, i own 2 mopar musclecars. id go with a poly small block or a b-motor. in the 50s they had the 361 and 383 although some of the early 383s were rb blocks. im not sure how crazy you wan to go to get the true 50s look as stated above with the 4 hole valve covers, the early stuff is hard to find, i would just get any run of the mill 70s bigblock and throw an early dual quad or 3 duece intake on it with an early waterpump housing and not too many people will know the difference, plus the later heads are a much better design, flow better, and have hardened seats. for my essex if i ever hotrod it im either going with a nailhead or one o fmy 70s mopar 400s with some kind of multi carb intake, a t-5 and an 8 3/4" rear. bash me all you want, it will be my version of an early hotrod.
What was challenging the flatheads back in the forties before the OHV V8s? The GMC and Chevy inline sixes. I love the look of an early ford, but I'm a Chevy diehard. Here's some pics of my ALL Chevy 32 5W currently under construction. http://www.cardomain.com/id/Bungy1
The answer there (late 40s early 50s) is the twin carb Hudson Hornet six cyl...the Cadillac flat V/8 would be great engine to use....
Dodges were popular back then...at least with dad and the crowd he ran around with. Fords were too common. Tri-5 Chevs were for kids. Cadillac power was 1st choice and OHV olds were a close 2nd. As far as other stuff, well that's what kustoms are. Don't forget the gassers like the Willys and 37 Chevys. Later on came anglias. I don't think about it much myself, but Fords are the build of choice. Sadly though it creates that "this is right, that's wrong" mindset with some. Sure some things look better but it gets judgemental and overplayed. Your Dodge is kool. Buick, Olds, or Caddy for power. That straight 8 will cost a grand per hole to redo correctly and it won't do much for ya. Very heavy, low RPM only, not good. Hell most of the early GM big blocks can run as-is if they were cared for. Buy a whole car on the cheap. Different motor, different cab, and no Ford blah, blah. I like it.
I've got a buddy that's building a mid 30's Plymouth coupe. No fenders on the front and narrowed fenders in the rear. It was one of those field cars that had 2 or 3 inches gone from the bottom. He's done a great job fabricating floors and other parts...the car will be really different, but traditional at the same time....It's one cool ride.
A lot of good ideas! I Agree, the monster straight 8 would have great shock appeal. But I think I have come to my answer. I have found a '56 354cid Hemi Industrial. It is a strong runner and is currently in an old airport tug. This one won't take much to convert for auto use and I think the "Industrial" scripted valve covers will look proper on in this Dodge.
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