I shalt beseech the glorious HAMB to assist in mine plight for a noble steed. I hath seen the thirty-two ford, and it is good. I hath seen thine model t, and it is good. I hath beheld doth forty ford, and it too, is good. But... mine mind looketh primarily for a thirty-four or thirty-six to chariot me. Any opinions on what is the most hotroddable car (cheapest, dependable) etc. would be appreciated, and I welcome all entrants, as long as they stay this side o'Japan. Thanks fer thine assistance, glory and much rejoicing to you...eth. -Crew
The best car to hot rod? Whatever the hell you can afford to find and buy. Whether it's a 49 Oldsmobile or a 31 ford, as long as you do it and you like it who cares? All cars are hotroddable, ultimately it lies in your hands. So stick that in thy pipe and smoketh!
I like As OK, I'm not really in love with the Deuces, let me rephrase that. I like your Deuce real well, as long as its your Deuce. I really like '34s. If you build a highboy, and stay pretty much bare bones you can build one about as cheap as anything else you want to build. I think open wheel is the way to go, but that's just my own personal preference.
[ QUOTE ] The best car to hot rod? Whatever the hell you can afford to find and buy. Whether it's a 49 Oldsmobile or a 31 ford, as long as you do it and you like it who cares? All cars are hotroddable, ultimately it lies in your hands. So stick that in thy pipe and smoketh! [/ QUOTE ] Yep, buy the most complete car you can afford. Then post a pic of it on the HAMB and ask for ideas. Choose the ones you like and can afford and go at it. Nothing much is sacred (ok, maybe a Tucker) and beauty is in the eye of the key-holder.
Nope...not even a Tucker...Rod Ida (I think) cloned a Tucker out of 'glas a few years ago and made a hot rod out of it...NOTHING is sacred. Guess it depends on how much heat you can take from the guys that love their "sacred" pieces. R-
Here's my short list. Take it or leave it. 1: 29/on deuce rails, A-V8...Bluey 2: 30/31 chopped coupe with a flatty, nailhead or Hemi 3: A well done modified. Rats need not apply. 4: Early 50's Chebby fleetline mild custom. Freeway flyer 5: 55-57 Chevy Cameo pickup truck. 472/500 Caddy powered.
What's your definition of rod? Mine is little car w/ big engine. Tall T's w/ pretty much any 8 are good stuff. Chop, even up the windows, and channel and you've got yourself something cool. For an even easier route to cool (although kustom) go w/ an early 50's pick em' up truck. Easy to drop. Easy to find parts for. Look great w/ wide whites and caps. A good shave makes em' purty. A good chop makes em' nasty.
[ QUOTE ] The Model A is the definition of a hotrod that is commonly available. Who can afford a 32, 33 or 34? [/ QUOTE ] You asked as cheap as possible. Colored primer, with wheel's painted really different, old smb chev(yeah yer Ferd but...) witha blend of paint/plate and vintage part's. A really different interior: Dash, gauge, shifter, color and seat's. Pour over post's of other's and take note's what really make's YOU comfortable. Money is the bottom line. The post's of Car Show's have TON'S of idea's to which you can find inspiration.
I guess my idea of my ULTIMATE hot rod would be a full-fendered 34 ford coupe w/ forest green and beige, or beige and gunmetal, with a strip of chrome trim on each side, and one of those grumman "birdy" emblems at the head of each. It would have a mild front-end drop, and would roll on either kelsey-hayes or your typical steelie, done in beige. It would be either Y-Block or Flathead powered, w/ an Eddie Meyer type of slingshot manifold on the flattie. I might improve the suspension, and an auto tranny would back up the power. Mebbe I'll photoshop one and post it. Thanks fer the replies, -Crew
I think cars from the 50's would be the best for what your lookin for. You can still find some for pretty cheap and the parts arent as hard to find. I also like the style of the 50's cars but idk if you would consider them a hot rod cause they are newer.
Like Mass said, the best car to build is what you can afford. Not everyone gets lucky enough to start with a 32 ford or 50 merc.Find something that you like and go to work on it. Build it for you - not the way everyone tells you to. You gotta start somewhere.Even the stigma against four doors is going away, as long as you think it's cool - it is. A lot of the less main stream stuff can still be picked up cheap. Sure you may have to do a little more fab work - but hay isn't what this is all about. Learning all the time and the pride of doin' it yourself.
[ QUOTE ] Even the stigma against four doors is going away [/ QUOTE ] Actually, it isn't. I got the memo last week. Four doors? Still not cool. There is an exemption for limos and taxis, though.
Appreciate the input, fellas. I think a model T sized project is the best choice fer my pint-sized workspace, I think i gotta rent a garage to get started. Gotta find some old tin now- -Crew
used to be, back in the day, you built what ya could find. not that I was there, just somethin i've been told a few times. rjb
You want cheap? You like the 34-36's? Everybody's got a Ford. Be different. You can pick up a Nash, Chevy, Pontiac, Studebaker or even Hupmobile for less than 1/3 the cost of a Ford. Coupes are cool as long as you never want more than 1 passenger. If you want your kids to feel involved get a sedan. Buy a more door if you might want to impress business clients or haul the family around. Pick up a pickup if you envision the need for hauling stuff other than passengers. In other words if it makes you feel good then buy it
With the price of original (and usually restorable) '32 Ford roadsters and 3w coupes still well under $200,000 why would you want to use anything else. Frank
The Jalopy Journal
