It really looks better with the top up doesn't it? As far as the reaction to cut down doors, truth is, most guys don't really like old hot rods much.
funny that cutting doors nowadays, would seam so wrong/goofy/strange/different/etc, yet the stupid trend towards 'atray 'odrays, wrong/goofy/strange/etc is acceptable. i am not saying the '50's stuff shown are RR's i am just comparing the, "out of the norm".
Some guys still love the sporty looking cars. I for one never have, be them old or new. Just don't do it for me I'm afraid.
more images http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/curtis-hardy-the-tappets-manchester-nh-part-1.831132/
I've been looking at the B&W photos of this car when it was hot rod for years, I was real excited to find this colour shot in the same "Street Rod" issue that the Bracy car was in. 1972 was the first wave of the "traditional" hot rod thing, and I am finding that Street Rod magazine was all over that. Man, short bar lancers and fifties hot rods go together like ham and eggs...
come on George, you know it would be better with no hubcaps, no fenders, big headlights mounted down low, tan interior and flat black. who you kidding?
RE the cut-down doors. In days gone by it wasn't so much for "sporty car looks," but the doors were chopped away to help control the car, ie for "elbow room." You can't keep your "elbows-up" if there is no room to do it. All kinds of period race cars had cut down doors so the drivers could have the room to move their arms and crank on those huge steering wheels while driving their beasts. Everything from turn of the (last) century speedsters and GP cars, oval racers of all types up thru Indy, etc. had their doors chopped down for this, especially if the driver sat low between the frame rails. Other reasons included safety rules regarding emergency egress if the car happened to end up on it's roof after an accident of if you were being shot at (Jeeps in combat). It's easier to bail if the door isn't jammed shut or in the way! I suppose those early race cars added to styling trends / cool factors - as anyone knows who had ridden in a Jeep or early sports car knows, open or chopped down doors are fun, like riding a motorcycle almost. Or a horse! Being out in the wind a little adds to the sensation of speed and fun. Until the speed gets higher, and your hats fly off, you loose your sunglasses, your jacket (or girl friend) is flogging you to death, or the aero drag is slowing you down way too much! Gary
Cut down doors: When I was 17 or 18 my mother's friend took me for a ride in her TR-3 which she was really proud of. She was I think trying to get me away from dangerous old hot rods and into sports cars. The only things I remember about that ride was that from the seat I could easily touch the ground and that "old" woman had great legs.
Here's one I like. This is from How to Hop-up Your Engine - December 1959. Of note are the antennas on the running boards in front of the rear fenders, the stacks, Quad headlights, clean interior, and really nicely detailed flathead. Article says paint is Lime with Bronze flames! I'd like to see this one in color......
Maybe it's evolution and all these tall mothers walkin' 'round the planet these days. I dunno, haven't sat in a channeled for ages, I'm 6'2". But nothin' looks better than a good channeled roadster.
I see why. Nice rod, with fenders, hood, canna and no chop. I can only beg that this comes back in style again, or someone dares to be different
this is a rad car, nobody builds stuff like this anymore. And don't look at me to change that, I'm one of those highly evolved mothers' at 6'3"
Some have probably seen this, but I just ran across it color shot of Whiteheads Model A upper right. I REALLY like light metallic greens on late fifties early sixties hot rods.
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