I grew up on a farm in SW Missouri not far from MO-KAN Dragway. Ive been crazy about Hot Rods and racecars for as long as I can remember. I moved into town in time for junior high in about 1975. My friends dad was a drag racer. He had probably every copy of Hot Rod and Rod & Custom, from about 60 to 70. We poured over those books and got tons of ideas. The old Mags have tons of how-to articles. I remember when American Graffiti came out. That movie really helped bring about the old car culture we have today. I picked up a Model A, and a 57 Chevy. I helped build a 55 Chevy Gasser with a tilt front-end. Im wild about wheelies! Long story short; Im into 60s n 70s style rods and street machines. I now live in NW Arkansas and work as a Mechanical Engineer. I drive my yellow 57 Chevy every day. I had joined a local car club, but I got tired of explaining why my rod didnt have a front bumper and ran drag buckets. Its amazing how many gray-hairs there are out there, who just dont get it. Im glad to see the young guys n gals getting into the real Hot Rod and Custom scene. Notice I used the term real Hot Rod. Please drop the term Rat Rod. It was coined by some marketing type. Im finally getting around to building my 28 Ford Roadster Pickup. If you dog me for sitting on a project for twenty-five years, then you dont know the cost of wives and ex-wives. It will be a traditional rod just as I planned years ago. It will have plenty of patina at first. Dont be surprised if it shows up with some mod metal flake at some point. Rodding has always been a process of continual improvement. Im really glad I stumbled across the H.A.M.B drags last weekend. My son is fifteen and he got a big kick out of it. I hope the H.A.M.B comes back to my old stompin grounds next year.
Thanks Guys! I will take some shots of the '57 tonight. The A bomb parts are still out at the farm and I will get photos when I can.
Welcome Rand Man, I went through (11)55's,(2)56's &(1)57(a delivery wagon) "back in the day", so I know it gets in your blood. Good luck with your projects.
Welcome....I usta drive a jellow 57 bel-air hardtop with a 327, 4 speed. The headers, 12 to ones and 310 degree cam made it really fun!
Excellant intro! Free Beer for you! Man, the '57 is period-perfect, what fun it must be. Enjoy the gang, and it sounds as if we are near the same age, 3 kids and a X-wife.
Where 'zactly in NW Arkansas are ya?....just curious. Have you heard of the Hangin Dice show down here in Fort Smith this weekend, it should be a cool deal. Welcome!
I dont know where to get more info...but the show is at Fort Smith Park on Clayton Expressway...the hotel is the Kings Row Inn on Rogers Ave.
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