Ford Hot Rod by Mike B. and Vern T.

Can I just say what's probably already been said tons of times?

I just got this book on my doorstep yesterday and I can't stop. I'm just a pup gearhead, but this book has me hooked. It's excellent all the way around. Well, color photos would have been nice, but I'm a artsy-fartsy Art Director (as my editor puts it).

 

Don't ever loan that book to anyone, make copies of pages for them....it is a coveted book, you'll never get it back!
It is one of the best books on the subject, if not the best from what I've heard and I own a copy myself. Very informative. I learned lots from this book too.

 

Excellent advice. It's going in the safe after each read.

 

I'll second that.

I've bought 6 copies of that book. Three for me (two were borrowed out - never to return) and three as gifts for other rodders that had seen the light.

I'd vote to make it required reading before joining the HAMB. Should be mentioned in the membership page and it should be at the TOP of any vintage hot rod reading list.

 

better yet, don't make copies of pages (it's against the copyright laws, anyway). if you've got a friend who you would trust enough to loan him/her your copy, they're a good enough friend that you should buy one as a gift for him/her.

 

god, do I really have to be that careful about what I say here?

 

FarmerJohn. I think you should not use the lord's name in vain. You may offend someone.

 

As far as I know (and I've been around for 59 yrs) there has never been a better source of information on the subject. Mike and Vern hit a home run when they wrote it.
I wouldn't loan mine out to ANYONE but am more than happy to let people know where they can get their own copy. In our area Barnes & Noble always have a copy or two on the shelf. If the words FORD and HOT ROD are in your vocabulary its REQUIRED reading.

Frank

 

yeah Elrod, I take that back....if it's one person I need on my side right now it's God. (sorry Lord)

 

Sheeeit, He's always on your side...

 

I read that book over and over while building my 29 A Roadster. Many nights were spent thumbing back through how they delt with certain tasks like re-reading carb, electrical, and ch***is set up pointers. I didn't build my car exactly like Bluey, but used my own judgement/ taste, mixed with Mike and Vern's advice. I'm lucky enough to live within driving distance of Santa Rosa, and spent many Saturdays, wrapping with Vern, and occasionally Mike B. Both are great sources of knowlege and inspiration!

If you are serious about building a real traditional, yet functional Hot Rod, that book has something for you.

Don'y loan it out to anyone with out a deposit!

Jay

PS-Farmer John- Rom. 8:28

 

Right on about the book.
It is going to be the standard for some years to come.

I have an early - signed - edition and it's one of the treasures in my modest library.

I purchased one for a friend, he had me purchase another for a friend and a couple more were purchased for another friend of the first friend. Gettin lost yet?
Mainly cuz the first friend wasn't computer/Internet literate
.
Then I got one more for a friend.

Think I got it all straight ... hope so anyway....

 

Gee, this is a fun thread, a whole bunch better than the one I started that pissed and moaned about me not being appreciated . . .

Thanks for the feedback, with a special thanks for letting me know that the book works for you.

I don't write to be right. I don't write to make lots of money. I don't write to fill column inches of copy.

I write to communicate. I write to enlighten amd educate. I write to help people enhance their performance in dealing with the tasks with which they are faced. I don't write for me; I write for you, my audience.

This is a concept to which I was introduced by my most influential high school english teacher, then was further encouraged to pursue by college instructors and professors, and finally pushed to the inevitable conclusion of my training by my mentors during my internship.

I've never understood why any of this should be such a mystery, why the current crop of magazine folk fail to grasp what their job is.

Vern and I have another book in work, a very special book about the most-handsome Ford ever. So far, publishers are giving it a p*** because they don't think that a one-year book is economically viable. I look forward to seeing those publishers having cosiderable regrets down the road.

 

Lord, I apologize...

 

Ahhhh ... the car that floats in on a soft breeze....

 

if you can put a price on knowledge, 25.00 seems to be a killer deal , by the end of the book youll be more than 25 bux smarter...

 

Ah, yes. Jay knows the iden***y of the the most-handsome Ford.

 

Damm, Mike if my fathers publishing company was still operating you could bet he would take it on.

He taught me what "makes" a good book. And after reading yours about 600* times, YOU and VERN "nailed it on the head!"

*Not because I had to, but because I love the book!

 

Mike, (like you) I like this post a whole lot better than the last one you mentioned. Re the new book, I even googled Jay's phrase, but came up with zero. I wanna know what Jay knows (and obviously you too). Whazza Year? Deuce?
I guess '36, just cuz it's one of my favourites. (Altho with the '35, don't know if it qualifies as your "one year".) Got the first, looking forward to your next book!

 

Mike,

As I recall you told me a few years ago you were working on a 40 Ford book.

I'll be looking forward to it's publication.I'm also looking forward to hearing about your F-1.

I hope you have a great holiday season and a super 2004.

Bill

 

****, I just lended out my copy to a friend who I sold a project to. I think i would fight him if he loses it. Killer book, I got to cars worth a notes scribbled on it.

 

I was amazed when I saw the book in a Book Store in Downtown Chicago. I've read it a couple times and have my list of parts ready for the Swap-O-Rama in Turlock, CA in January

 

[ QUOTE ]
I even googled Jay's phrase, but came up with zero. I wanna know what Jay knows (and obviously you too). Whazza Year? Deuce?


[/ QUOTE ]


I have no 'inside' knowledge.

I'm a good guesser and an old sailor....

 

[ QUOTE ]

I purchased one for a friend, he had me purchase another for a friend and a couple more were purchased for another friend of the first friend. Gettin lost yet?
Mainly cuz the first friend wasn't computer/Internet literate
.
Then I got one more for a friend.

Think I got it all straight ... hope so anyway....

[/ QUOTE ]

Jay.... can I be your friend???

BTW, checks in the mail. Thank you

 

AV8 Just send those publishers here - we'll straighten them out. Looking forward to your next book. Any hints as to the content?

 

Well, Mike, now that I know you're THAT Mike, allow me to virtually shake your hand. I am just about the most novice guy that probably ever picked your book up, but now I can't put it down. I only cracked it yesterday and I'm a 1/3rd of the way through, only because of need to eat and sleep and pay attention to my girl.

Now the bad news... I forgot the book at home and I'm stuck at the office with nothing to do except The HAMB (there are much worse things in the world). Luckily, it's a half day today.

 

Me loves that book, it's come in handy a bunch of times. I'm damn sick of loaning it out though.

 

Mine is filled with greasy fingerprints and is coming apart in places. I've treated it as more of a shop manual.

I felt like I was seeing a celebrity the first time I saw Old Bluey in public. What a ****!

 

[ QUOTE ]
Quote:
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I purchased one for a friend, he had me purchase another for a friend and a couple more were purchased for another friend of the first friend. Gettin lost yet?
Mainly cuz the first friend wasn't computer/Internet literate
.
Then I got one more for a friend.

Think I got it all straight ... hope so anyway....


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Jay.... can I be your friend???

BTW, checks in the mail. Thank you

--------------------


[/ QUOTE ]

You already are Denise and I feel honored.

Somewhere in there with all the buying etc. of Mikes book, some money changed hands and I came out even.
Cept for the books I gave away.
And I'm more than even on those ... seems I get more back than I ever give out.

Merry Christmas....

 

Jay -- Just learned that there's a belated gift book on its way to Denise, so we're covered! After all the neat discs, tomes, and treasures that have come my way through the HAMB the least I could do was put in a good word with Santa,

Mike