Are traditional hot rods and Customs too perfect now?

George Poteet's Truck (green w/ gold wires?). I saw that at Indy last year. I walked right on by. To get a closer look at his five window the rolling bones put together for him.

 

To me, it has always been about the build. I love to drive them, but the build is what pushes my ****ons.

 

It's ironic that we should be having this 'conversation' over the last three years when we can all agree that, with so much manufacturing having gone overseas, the overall level of craftsmanship has dropped. Yet it's true that for our sport/hobby, our overall craftsmanship has increased in quality. The truth of the matter is that the 'two' have nothing to do with each other. Politics and greed may be responsible for manufacturing going overseas, but there have always been 'craftsmen,' and extreme examples in every 'craft.' Our overall craftsmanship in car building has always been fueled by p***ion, but has increased by advances in technology. I might even argue that our 'best efforts' are more recognized these days because there is less manufacturing in the CONUS by comparison. We've also seen a rise in interest and participation in our hobby simply because there are fewer old cars around.
Anyway, enough of my speculation. I think raven and Don have both brought up perspectives that are 'on the money.' Also, the prize builders that we idolize from 'back in the day' didn't know they would become so respected by following generations. They were just doing what they loved to do, and didn't have the internet to share with, or 'glow' in. Speaking for myself, I can relate to being held hostage to a case of perfectionism, and can thank that phobia for not getting a lot of my own projects done over the years. Hell, as a shop owner, I had to fight it every day; I've nearly come to blows with a customer whose car I insisted on repainting when he thought it was great as it was! Unfortunately I, unlike the Amish, don't have to purposely leave an imperfection in my work to stay 'grounded;' I know only too well how far off I am.