Was that title long enough??? We are almost ready for the new release of Hot Rod, and I'm looking for a '32 coupe in Iowa that I can photograph for the cover. The publisher would like me to do the photos for the book, rather than someone else. Just to make it special for me, I guess. I also think I'm a photographer, and they must think I know more than I do! I'd like to find one in central Iowa (I'm not asking for much). Color and condition make no difference. Hope there is one out there! Thanks, Holly
Btt...gotta be someone that wants on the cover of a Felsen book...??? IF not, Holly, would you settle for a '55 Cadillac kustom...??? R-
I found a 32 for Holly to use and the plan is to shoot it this weekend in Des Moines unless it is raining and then Holly is coming to Cedar Rapids. But we could use a little help. Does anyone in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids have a set of wheels with Chevy bolt pattern with bias-ply tires that we can use for the photo shoot? Matt plans on replacing his radials with bias-plys but has not done it yet and it would be nice to have bias-plys on it for the cover of the book. Chrome reverse wheels would be great but we could also throw a set of tri-bar hubcaps on some steel wheels. Anyone out there have anything we can use? 36cab
What about a Tudor that's more parts appropriate for when the book was written and first published? You know there are hot rod guys that are going to cringe seeing a SBC-powered rod on the cover. There's one in Marshalltown that's spot-on for the period.
Cant wait for the book to come out... Have to say it again... Your fathers books are the only books I have ever read all the way through... I even have a box set he signed for my dad... So Neat! I cant wait!
A few years ago at the car show in Des Moines there was a 32 that was done to honor Felsen. There was a special award in Felsen honor giving by his daugther witch this 32 received. would be nice if you could find this car.
I know there not in Iowa,... But for this special book it should be a special car,.. after all, packaging is everything,... I would love to see the Busby or the Royalshifter Deuce coupe on this book. IMHO
I think the car should match the description of the car in the book as close as possible. That's something that bugged me as a kid when I read the book...Bud drove a coupe, but there was a roadster on the cover of the copy I read..... If "Street Rod" gets reprinted....how about a nice 39 ford coupe instead of a 32 roadster on the cover! I realize publishers make those decisions, but you think they could get it closer!
I'd like to think that the re-release isn't about mass appeal and more about the sole behind the book and Felson himself. IIRC Henry wrote the majority of the books while he lived in Iowa and used real local areas as the backdrops. It would only be fitting that his daughter take the cover shot on Iowa soil using an Iowa car. Holly, be sure to post some of the shots you take.
I know Matt's 32 has couple of things wrong with it compared to a true 50's coupe(radial tires and sbc). Matt's coupe was an original mid 50's California build and has been in Iowa since the late 50's. We were able to put this together on very short notice for Holly and she is happy with the look of the car. As a bonus, Matt and I both grew up with and loved reading the Felsen books. The coupe in the book is described as a 32 with a Merc flathead, red primer and fenders from a different year Ford coupe. If someone can come up with a more appropriate car we will be happy to bow out. The important thing is to just make sure the reprinting of the classic Hot Rod book is a big success.
The tudor I posted (born at the Des Moines plant and raised in Iowa) has a Merc flathead and red paint (and primer). Maybe the shot is taken from an angle that shows the engine, but not the back end? We can take the hood off if she prefers. My little bro could drive, and he looks like he's about 17 (not you Chris, I'm talking about Mike). And we aren't afraid to drive it down a dusty Iowa gravel road at full speed, if required. Would Sullivan do that?
FWIW I always pictured a car like hiboy32's, a chopped and channeled 5 window with a full hood, but with cycle fenders made from '35 tire covers. Maybe that's me...
We made it down to Des Moines on Saturday and met Holly and Mike and they are great people. Holly had a lot of places picked out for the photos and we hit them all. Holly and her friend Whitey took a lot of photos so she has lots of shots to choose from. The first photos were in the driveway of Henry's old house where he wrote Hot Rod and that was very cool. The plan is for Holly to pick out the shot that she wants for the cover. An artist can take that shot and draw the cover like the old paper backs originally had. Holly can photoshop some of the stuff that is period incorrect on the car and the artist can also make some changes. This means the coupe can have bias-ply tires and a flathead. I want to thank Holly and Mike for a great day. The weather was perfect and we had a blast with them. Hopefully Holly will be able to post some of her photos. They looked great and I highly recommend her if any Hambers are looking for quality shots of the cars.
I have known Matt for years and was there when he dragged that coupe home. This car is as real as it can be. And he drives the shit out of it. Great pick for the cover
It has been a couple years since I last read Hot Rod, but does it specify '32? That's what I've always pictured, but I didn't remember it being specified. As for the different-year fenders, for some reason I always imagined '36 Ford spare tire covers used as cycle fenders, rather than a true body/fender mismatch. -Dave
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