Hot Rods Big Daddy Don Garlits! March 20th!

WHERE IN FL. IS BIG DADDY's PLACE LOCATED. GARY

 

Ocala, lots of signs to guide you and very, very worthwhile. I would go again in a minute if I had something worthwhile.

 

Maybe someone could do some night time or indoor (what happened to that indoor car show idea that was on here last year?) events / cruises to beat the heat. I'm a Florida Native, so I can deal with 90 - 100 even though it's annoying, but I'd brave it for a couple of good shows.

 

I lived there for 7 years, and it was my experience that Florida had two seasons: "Summer" and "Hell."

-Brad

 

Hahaha, that is very true.

 

Drove to his Museum from south Texas this summer. Long drive but man was it a awesome collection of history. If you have never been.........worth every moment. ALOT to see regardless of the car show.

 

Thanks im not the only one with a Garlits is a Phuckin Ass hole story

 

I've been there...it's worth the price of admission to see some of the old automotive history he's got. Giz'

 

the museum is definitely worth seeing. I could spend days in there taking in all the details. Lots of history, and Don was involved in most of it. He's done alot to preserve hot rodding and drag racing history.

 

I'll hit both shows. I would guess Don did well on souveniers and museum tickets.

As for the weather, the other items are that it's snowbird season from Jan. 1 to April 15 or so. It doesn't leave many weekends for the car guys and shows will pile on one another. The bad part of the third weekend in March is that it's the same weekend (and date) as the 12 Hours of Sebring. For guys who like racing, it's a must see. I think the 2nd weekend makes more sense myself, but that's just me.

 

I'll be there for sure and my coupe will finished! We had a good time at the Rumblers show today.

 

2nd weekend is usually the Gator Nationals in Gainesville.

 

What is the definition of a "street rod"?
What kind of car do you think makes a good car show?

Jack

 

Charged me $25 + return freight to autograph my 392 Valve Cover. I mailed to his museum to be autographed.
Couple years ago, at a nostalgia drags show, he autographed my valve cover for free, and spent a lot of time at my car, just talking. I think he's a great guy, and has payed his dues.
Jack

 

What the heckins is a "traditional car"?

 

Big, is Big, for a reason.
He can have a quilt show and its still worth going to.
What is it, Ya cant please everybody???
Some folks wouldnt be happy if ya dragged em behind a rat rod with a new rope.
I'll be there.

 

A street rod is generally a pre-1948 car or truck that is modified in such a way as to "modernize" it's looks and functionallity. It could be steel or fiberglass, but usually has a super nice fit and finish, and is done in a manner that uses high-back leather covered seats, digital gauges, flashy aluminum wheels, wide, low profile, radial tires, and a lot of times, a modern, fuel injected engine.

A hot rod is generally a pre-1948 car or truck that is done in a traditional style from the '40's to the '60's. It could be fiberglass, but is usually steel. It could be anything from a super nice fit and finish, all the way to a rough, unfinished exterior, and interior. It uses engines from the '40's up to the last days of the small block Chevy, that are not accessorized in a modern, flashy, laser-cut, manner.

A rat rod is a unsafe, junk, body, engine, and chassis, with a buch of stuff from The Home Depot screwed, or welded on it. There is usually a rubber rat sitting somewhere on it. It could also be a late '50's to mid-'60's four-door with about 8 dudes piled in it.

I think lot's of different types of cars make good car shows...I went to the Deveraux/Kaiser show last weekend and had a great time, and there were all kinds of cars there.

I'm a member of the National Street Rod Association so if you were trying to "call me out" or start something...You're barking up the wrong tree. If you are thinking I'm one of those guys that gripes about car shows but haven't ever built a car, you are free to look at the albums in my profile. If you really don't know what a street rod, or traditional car is... Then welcome to the hobby!

 

dv8, definetely not calling you out. I hear so many definitions of cars. Call me an idiot, but I just call them Hot Rods.
When I was coming along, late 50's thru the 60's, any modifications to your/my car made it a Hot Rod. Little things, like modifying your air cleaner, different hub caps, fender skirts, glasspacks. To my knowledge the words Street Rod, Traditional, Rat Rods did not exist, they were all Hot Rods.
I am not really into "Rat Rods", but I respect the persons right to build one, if that's what they want, but it's still a Hot Rod, IMO.
I enjoy just about all Hot Rods.

Jack

 

Back then, there were no other terms, because there were only hot rods...and I guess the "gook wagon" would be the period equivilent of the rat rod, and little Honda with a bunch of non-functional crap bolted on to it would be the modern version of that.

But now, there are so many different types of builds, that there are big differences in them. I too can appreciate any well-built car, that also has a eye towards asthetics brought into play at some point in the build.


Like I said...I'll probably go to this show as a spectator, and I hope it is a good show, that I will want to participate in next year, but I'm not going to drive that far in one of my hot rods and get turned away at the gate because the lot is full.

 

AMEN, that would p!$$ me off. I wish I were closer, I would love to go. Right now I am planning to take the Hot Rod to the Run to the Sun show in Myrtle Beach that week-end.
Jack

 

Ive said it before, I'll say it again. Who the hell cares what its called. Rat rod, hotrod, street rod. Just get out and enjoy driving that american iron!

 

I will drink to that .
Jack

 

Listen..... "Sensing a bit of BITTERNESS" here. Big Daddy has ALWAYS been a GENTLEMAN and for that matter a PROFESSIONAL the times I have met him! If I could, I would be down @ this show!! As for the comment of using RAT and Rods in the same subject NEVER agreed wit it but...... it's still around!! And , in reference to the comment of Big Daddy "away from the cameras ..ETC.... being an ASS"....... Buddy, I have found in my life that if you project ASS you get ASS!!! As for charging for autographs. Open our eyes the man has earned it. He's an inovator in his field and continues to be!! ROCK ON BIG DADDY!!!!! Hope your show is a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

 

A part from his rat rod.

His Idea of one is a little different than most I guess.
I kinda like it

Jdee

 

I would rather particapate in this show rather than the Street Rod Nationals any day. I dont consider my '50 Chevy Coupe a " Rat Rod " either... I think Don "The Swamp Rat" Garlets' place is pretty frickin awesome myself. At the end of the day, it's all about the ride for me anyway.

 

I wish they would spread these things out a bit, theres nothin goin on from Turkey Run till Speed Week middle of Febuary, next week is Zefferhills, then Bike Week in Daytona starts the same weekend as AMCA antique bike week in Eustis and that is the same saturday as the BillettProof show in Gainesville and then GatorNationals in Gainesville, buy then this old man is wore out and broke. Spike

 

Like Dallas said our club will be there because we like the drive and ain't afraid of a hundred mile run. Hell we went to Atlanta last year. And the reason everything is in February and March is because come April in will be to frickin' hot.

 

We will be going for sure. We have a ranch close by in Ocala area and hope to drive one of my trucks.
I am sure it will be hot......I and ''THE SWAMP RAT'' is cool!!!

 

shoveled-----do you have a 56f100? I am always looking for parts.
I will be around in a 56 at the show.

 

great place to go.car show,rat rod show what ever you want to call it,will be just a bonus.i plan on going,beats watching car show on tv