Key to survival - Hot Rod Economy

some shops have slowed, and those that can hang on will pull out, last winter was real rough but the summer shows hope

 

Guys, best thing to do is live your lives, quit watching the "news" and continue with your automotive passions.

 

Knock on wood I'm busy ... I've been looking for a new shop and new equipment and possibly add some employees.

 

A buddy of mine just got back from Louisville... he commented that he thought there were a lot of empty vendor stalls and estimated that part of the show was down 10-15 percent. Anyone agree? Or not? I have not hear otherwise or read about any decline in any show posts here, either with the vendors or in the total car count. Gary

 

I noticed at the big car show in Moultrie last year there were lots of empty stalls

 

Best said

Guys, best thing to do is live your lives, quit watching the "news" and continue with your automotive passions.

 

thanks to cash for clunkers all the big blocks will be gone for the future rodders going to be tough to find that 454 for the chevelle

 

And thats exactly the way i ment it..because thats the civilized way to get this done. we need to show these bastards that we are better than they are..and not act like the animals they have been acting like...now lets go get um!

and we have to live within our means..than so do they..

now lets get to building

 

Last year was my slowest in the last 15 years I've been in business, I got by OK,..but had to put restoration project objectives on the back burner. This year has leveled off just fine though, smooth, steady business. A lot of the other clients I have that are business owners have been down-sizing though. seems 50% are hurting and the other 50% is uneffected. My wagon project is on hold, I'm not buying much as far as parts are concerned, waiting for the pick-up and more expendable income before projects continue progressing along though.
It is truely a great time to be buying cars right now though! Most I'm working with now are being purchased at 50% of there insured/appraised values because of the down economy, there's been a big flood of "Toys" for-sale, supply and demand has brought the prices down. I purchased a car and another motorcycle last year in my slowest year, because prices are better than they've been in the last 10 years.
Buy if you can! you'll appreciate the 'appreciation'-factors later.
It has cleared the way for people with money to get great deals on COOL stuff.

 

Things slowed down for me. Fear was the big factor. Lots of guys I know stopped, or delayed projects. I think it's getting better already, but has a ways to go. Not sure what the cash for clunkers has to do with this, but relax guys. The postive effects far outwiegh and loss of raw materials.

What to do to help. Keep building if you can. Support local shops and venders. It's the only way left to "buy American" If your in hard times, hang in there. You may have to stop or hold back on your hobby. Lord knows I have a few times in my life.
It will get better. Give the "new guy" a chance. The old ways and old gaurd nearly ran this country into the ground. It will take time to recover.

 

kinda like hippies

 

I'm with you, my friend. The time for apathy has long passed.

 

My hot rod economy ain't going to ever suffer, one whit, just the opposite. If forced to lose a car, it'll be the late model that the wife likes, she'll be riding with me more in that jalopy.

 

Hey car guys, thanks for the input. Makes me feel like that what we do is worth all the effort in this unique hobby/business.

I know this may sound cheesy, but we are involved in is an emotional lifestyle. I
I throroughly respect all the hot rodders who make this site ( and other auto/rodding sites) what it is, I admire the tireless family working on that project in their home garage, the clubs who help each other realize their dream machines, those who are at their businesses right now working hard to get that car done for the customer and the spouses who put up with it all.

But here's a biggie for me personally about the resourceful people in this hobby/industry...unless it is absolutely neccessary due to disability or some unforseen, uncontrollable situation, I won't find any of you standing in front of the feds looking for a freebie handout.

We can beat the naysayers by continuing to build cars, buy and sell them, support the businesses, asking each other "howzit going", going to the shows, supporting the vendors at the shows, offering to be of assist where we can, and, brag on what we got.
We are the economy, the glue that sticks it together. That attitude will keep our hot rod hobby healthy, wealthy, and happy. The F'n gov is not our savior.

Now it's time to go VROOM!

Mikey
www.mikeyspinstriping.com
www.autopsycho.com

 

I'm doing my best! I've pumped more money into the hot rod economy in the last year than my whole life combined. But one thing has been frustrating for me, I've been trying to buy a custom thinking it's now or never and prices probably won't be lower for a long time. I've certainly found a few bargains, but time and again they get swooped up before I can get them (I've called on the same day they're listed). Or, a seller doesn't want to deal with me because I'm in Japan for one reason or another, despite the fact that I'm a cash buyer and the car is staying stateside. I keep trying though!

 

My brother is a manager at a new car dealer, and he was telling me that the cars he is getting from the CFC program are going to a salvage yard where the engines are disabled (filled with sodium silicate), but all other parts are able to be salvaged and re-used with the exception of the main chassis or body which has to be crushed, so there are still going to be alot of useable parts from this program.

 

Have you thought of getting some one involved stateside for you?
to help you clinch the deal or even maybe do your bidding or buying for you?
relitives? good friends? a HAMBer?

 

The way I see it, the CFC program is greatly reducing the number of plastic filled ,break when you take em' apart, PITA to repair interiors I will have to work on in the future!

I watched a local news story about CFC, and they spoke to a local businessman getting hurt by it two ways. He owns a late model salvage yard known as a local source for engines(I have bought three there) AND a used car business.



Our business has slowed some, and the type of work has changed some, but we remain fairly busy.

 

I predict the CFC deal to end in a ton of repo's..probably all within the next 2 years..and those that dont swing on the hook..will burn misteriously..rasing insurance rates
i think i would rather keep my old clunker and my 15 to 16 grand and keep the ol POS running..think of all the gas and tires and parts you can buy for that kinda coin..

this CFC is also just another deal like the housing boom (on a smaller level)..wait until all these takers on this GOV. ride find out how much they were suckered into
Car payments, Higher insurance ..still up keep, and fuel..all while wondering if their job will be there for them tomorrow..
one of the worst investments any person can make is to buy a new car..the dam thing depreciates over 38% the second you drive it out the door..
whatever..im glad its helping out the auto makers, and those jobs..even if one of them is owned by the government ( we the people are not going to reap the benifit of this so dont fool yourself)but all it is doing is putting off the inevitable..and again we are in a debt run financial system..

sorry i got off track..back to your regularly sceduled HAMB

the KEY..is to build our own cars, and enjoy them with our friends and families, and not let the Man keep us down...go forward keep your head up..full speed ahead, support you local shops, and vendors..keep those wrenches turning..thats my take on it anyways..your results may vary

 

My 2 cents:
First off, let me say that I'm far from being a tree hugger. However, I think it would be in our own best interest (hobbyists and professionals) to make our cars a clean as possible. If certain people walk past a car that smells of raw fuel, leaves a puddle of oil where it's parked, spews great clouds of blue smoke (oil or rubber), and looks like a pile of junk, it will eventually bring anti-modification legislation upon us. Let's draw attention to our cars for positive reasons. It's better to be admired than hated. And by all means-educate the rat rodder! If we all clean up our acts, it will go a long way to prevent "profiling" by those who can't tell the difference between a rat rod and real hot rod.
End of soapbox speach.

 

Good point red sled. Things will have to change in our hobby and it may be for the better. For many on here this enviro issues stinks and may be OT but the reality is, if you own a business that caters to hot rodders, or you build in the backyard shop we will become evermore attentive to enviro issues. There's no geting past it. It is the future economy especially in the automotive world. Instead of being bitching followers, hot rodders, who are first and foremost innovators, need to come to grips with the reality and brainstorm for viable ideas that are accepted by a car loving society. Yes, we will can still drive our gas guzzling hot rods but when the flag comes down on enviro stuff, we need to be ready to put our hobby and industry on display to show the world we can lead the way.

Mikey

 

Exactly! We are talking about business in this thread, right? Old traditional rodders have a bad habit of dying off, need to look to a new client base. Most people who build "ratrods: because of financial and/or knowledge deficiency, both can be improved.

 

At 17, I'm doing just fine! I just make what I need, and hardly ever order pre-made stuff. So, if anything this economic downturn bullshit is helping us out. Since we have to actually MAKE it and not write checks like a bunch of congressmen at the titty club.

 

Hot Rod Economy ????

Just what does that mean really?

If something is a hobby thats what it is,,and those in that hobby will keep it alive and well.

Putting a $$ figure on it makes no sense
There are shops work build cars for those who can't or don't want to,and folks who supply parts,,so in that vein one could say "business is good " or "business is off", but other than that. Those who have always done it and enjoyed it will continue to do so,,and with prices of stuff that was once cheap going higher and higher ,I think you will find those older folks getting more creative and tapping new resources to be able to keep doing what they enjoy..

 

it's been a pretty rough year for my stuff(custom louvering), but things seem to be picking up again. Our area had one of the highest rises in land prices during the boom, and one of the deepest drops during the bust. As I said though, things seem to be picking back up. What i found strange this year was L.A Roadster show. I don't know if any body else felt this same thing but, all of us (hot rodders) seemed to be there as normal. The general public though seemed to be M.I.A. Usually on Saturday morning it is elbow to elbow as you walk the swap area. This year, there were people there, but just those that seemed to be "on mission". It was actually kind of nice, no bitchy wives complaining, no screaming kids. But I do have to wonder what it did to swap sales.

 

I noticed things slowed a bit when the gas prices made the big jump awhile back. Most of my customers got tired of all the gas price crap and are back with what they like to do (have fun with Hot Rods) things seem to back as normal for me. hotrodinteriorsbyglenn.com