Mebbe this has been posted before, but what the hell- The newest issue of HRM Talks alot about the trend towards "retro"- with articles on A/FX cars, "Rat Rods" (<- Sorry.) and the whole "Kulture" thing. Do y'all think they (The mag) hit the topics head-on, or did they screw it all up? -Crew
this is rhetorical as most of you know this... but i think this is an un-avoidable truth... it is mainstream *again*, i say again because Gr*** Roots hot rodding is what started this whole hot rod business in the first place. it was bound to happen, the same ebb and flow happens in other industries as well.... hypothetically, i guess you can say that in life, 90% of the population are followers and the precious 10% (if not less) lead and create. of course those numbers are opinions... but not all of us can be inovaters. hmm, wonder if that made any sense....
I don't think we can claim any of this the be "our" stuff. Like anything popular, it will be hot for a while and fade away once the "next big thing" comes along. It truly becomes "our/your" thing if you/us are still around after the shine wears off. Don't worry there isn't enough old junk to go around anyway. Last quetsion, is it not "cool" if it's "mainstream"? What about just having fun? MY .02 -stick
I couldn't care less if "our" type of car becomes mainstream. I think It means "we" got it right, and "we" should take pride in that. Mainstream is a term used when you wanna start turning your hair purple or something like that. If you are a real rodder, you won't give a **** if most people like it or not. It's about the fun. I personally think that Hot Rod did an outstanding job with the topic, considering the lack of direction that magazine seems to have. I gotta go back to watching the Barret-Jackson auction now, I wish I had that kinda money. -Crew
Funny huh? In '99 I think it was both Hot Rod and Rod and Custom talked about Rat Rods and Rustorods being the latest and greatest trend. So here we are in '05 and they are still talking the same thing. I've sworn by primered cars and wide whites since '80(I was in Jr. High then!) and it is still a topic today. As for AFX lookalikes, SIGN ME UP! I recently found a '64 Galaxie 2-dr post( a 2-dr? ME??!!) that is lacking a engine and begging for a full on SBF or an FE (Edsel valve covers of course) to haul it down the road. As for being rhetorical, I wouldn't say that. People who do not know "Traditional Hot Rods" look to shows like American Hot Rod and Pimp My Ride to see what can be done to an old car. They really don't know what Hot Rodding is. Hot Rod mag is doing its job preaching to the market and onlookers to spark something that is out of reach of the average Joe, but looks like it can be obtained by anyone. As for infiltrating us with a handful of (as my 16 year old says) "Posers", I don't see it happening. Let Hot Rod preach what they think is the Latest thing. Let us LIVE IT.
What I do, or ANYONE else does will NEVER be "mainstream" because hot rods and hot rodders by definition are completly unique. I know I have the only one on my block, and I don't know 5 guys in my neck of the woods (a highly populated L.A. Suburb with 100's of thousands of people) with legit nostalgia rods. We got tons of people with street machines and street rods- but traditional rods? NOPE! Even most of the people who claim "our type" of cars DO NOT even own a car. Sitting on a internet sight a few hours a day doesn't make you a rodder- it makes you an enthusiast (and I DON'T mean the people who make the websites because that takes a TON of work and dedication). Splitting your fingers installing a dropped axle and juice brakes on your old car & smelling like old grease for five days while you are doing it makes you a rodder. There is a difference.
Jim- I worked in an automotive museum this past year, I have done my fair share of cleanup on Lincoln-Zephyrs, I have busted my **** to move old packards, I have done mechanical work on a plethora of machines. I have gotten dirty, tired, and sick from working in, on, under, and around this kind of stuff. I'm not sure what the jist of your post was, but I am a rodder, and I think that "we" yes, "we" got it right. -Crew
Crew, I think one of the most interesting points in Matt F.'s editorials is the upside of a retro 'n rat style trend: it creates a bigger and potentially cheaper business world of aftermarket parts. If it's a trend that eventually goes away for awhile, the biz world of such parts might not be as helpful to the hobby as now. But at least the die-hards could have a good time, as parts consumers, TV viewers and car mag readers, while it lasts. The trend may seem blown out of porportion, but when the mainstream tide recedes, those that are diehards will still be around, doing what they love. And I really dig HRM's new format, I hope they stick with it for a long time. Long time.
Funny, I was gonna post a similar question. I was looking at the newest copy of HR and was surprised. By looking at the cover, you'd think the whole issue or at least a large chunk of it was gonna be dedicated to Traditional Rods, the scene, etcetera. Decent write up I thouhgt, the write up on the Throttlers was pretty good, but I felt that after the way the cover was, there should have been more articles. But of course, for the majority of people reading HR, traditional rodders are still looked upon as 'them'. Hell case in point: I took my Dodge to a crusie tonight and got asked to move it b/c the person in the discoed Bel Air was expecting a friend to come. Funny though, the friend never came.
Get a subscription card out of a HOT ROD magazine and send it in. It's only $12.00 for 12 issues. Maybe the top dogs there will realize that David Freiburger (the editor) is sending their magazine in the right direction, for a change. Vote with your money.....$12.00 is a pretty good deal anyway. JALOPY HOT RODS RULE!
I agree, the mag is looking better and better, and dare i say, their tech articles are eons better than what was, what with poor marlan davis overwhelmed and not having enough space. Now his tech genius can really shine. Thanks for the responses, -Crew
$10.00? I just got an offer in the mail for HotRod that was 36 issues for just $12.00. That covers all three years, and includes a free hat (I read the letter three times in disbelief)Helluva Deal.... I dont care if it is all 1979 camaros for that cost... I have never had an issue of HotRod (post 1968) but I am sure I will see something cool over the next 3 years...
I did like the issue, not just because the car was in there, but because of all the good articles. I only wish that they had a side view of the Swindler so you could see the whole car.
I have Hot Rod mags from 1962 with my name on th3e address label. They were my bible. Last few years subscribed because they were cheap and a 15 minute read from cover to cover. Getting better every issue. So far, i'm on my 3rd night of reading and have enjoyed every article so far of the latest issue. Finally have their direction back.
i donno about HRM now,,, but up till about a year ago it was getting to be a fukin chore to read it... to much flash, cash, and chrome plated dash... AMBR winners, and Riddler wanna be's. Bolt on speed for late model modulars, and too few greasy tech articles. I love the work done by the likes of Foose and Codington, but i dont wanna read about it on every page. and if, some kid picks up a copy of HRM and decides,,, yea i want to build me one of those... GREAT! that **** is nice, and it all has its place in what "John Q. Public" would refer to as Rodding. . . but it isnt what I am about. why go out of your way to read little or nothing about the style and form of car I drive when there are recently a plethora of Mags out here that ARE NOW what HRM and the likes USED TO BE and are trying to become again? A mag that is "all things to all rodders" just isnt for me. lemme see that rusty decklid. i wanna read about primer and clearcoat. articles about how to drop a rear axel, make it look good and low, an still ride like a champ for under a hunnert bux... There are too many other publications out there killing themselves for a piece of the rodding readership pie, and they are not going out of thier way to "re-invent" themselves... they are what they are. lemme climb down off my soapbox here now and let the next person either crucify, or testify... Traves
Sam, have you followed one of those newer mini-vans (I don't know the make...they all look similar) that has the drilled I-beam for a rear axle? I bet one of those could be dropped...but I guess it still wouldn't be very traditional even if you put it on a hot rod, now would it? I like the new HRM and I like David Friedburger's writing. And it should be no surprise that the tech articles are better...ever pick up a copy of Car Craft when he was at the helm? Some of the best low buck tech articles ever written in my opinion....musclecars or not. Mercury Cougar, eh?
Brian after trying to keep up with you coming out of Ft Worth last October I can't imagine your car "following" anything!
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