Have gone to rod and car shows for years and am finally looking to step into this world and get a weekend cruiser - hell I'll want to drive it everywhere. It is intimidating having only a basic knowledge of auto mechanics but hope to purchase a daily driver I can learn with. Have been looking at pickups for over a year now of eBay and craigs. Just discovered HAMB and ratrodsrule a few months ago - a treasure trove of info. Have run around visiting a few sellers and test driving their trucks but nothing has sat well enough with me to purchase. I love the blacked out low rat look but want a little more comfort than a metal seat. Safety, Power, braking, and control are a must because my wife will also be enjoying the truck. I could drive a rusty pile of metal but if she's going to set foot in it I want to do my utmost best make sure it's as good as can be. I'm speaking to builder James Gardiner out of Broken Light Customs in Colorado about possibly building a slammed mild chopped 40-47 pickup for me - surprisingly his estimate wasn't as outlandish as I had feared it would be. It is quite a back and forth feeling whether to go the custom build from the ground up or craigs/forum shop. Don't have much experience to make a easy decision. Glad to be here. Have been lurking for months just reading - if anybody has any recs on James and Broken Light or any other builder please drop me a PM. I'll be around - most likely more lurking than posting until I have something.
Welcome and good luck on the purchase... no need to rush into it. The first buy can be an important one.
Welcome aboard from Maryland! At least you are thinking it over and not just jumping into it without thought. It may not be real evident when you first glance around here, but rat rods belong on the ratrodsrule site. Like you said, some (not all) are not much more than a rusty pile of metal. And if you are still learning your way around cars, please start out with a safe sturdy rod. OK, now that I'm done playing worried Daddy, look around and enjoy. You'll have fun for sure.
Welcome from New Zealand. Agree with Sir Woosh's recommendation, and would add to start with something that's the best you can afford and that you'll enjoy owning and driving. My best friend did that when she started rally driving 22 years ago (OK it's not a hot rod, but the same rules apply) and she ended up with a competitive reliable car. Look forward to hearing what you end up with.
Welcome from Australia, I agree with Pokerstogey, get the right vehicle, it may mean the difference between finishing it and doing more, or not finishing it and never doing any more. Cheers, Waz.
Welcome from North Texas. Like Sir Woosh said, the "r" word isn't taken well here by most. Take your time on picking a car/truck. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Don't rush it, take your time, do some research and find something you really like. The mechanical know-how comes with owning something old. I didn't know squat, but I am learning the hard way (power steering gear went bad, Master cylinder went bad, carb....etc).But, now I know how to do them. I have never been a fan of common cars, I have always been into the odd ones, but that sure makes it harder to redo something you can't get parts for- keep that in mind.
Welcome from central MA. I noticed you are from the Boston area. You chould go to the Early V8 swap meet at the Fitchburg airport on April 18th. There's always cool project cars for sale. www.hotrodnoize.com
Hey, welcome to the HAMB!!!! Nice to see new guys on here!!! Theres alot of good guys and good info if you stick around! And no one ever told me when I got on here what a FNG was, it took me a bit to figure it out...glad mine doesnt say it anymore though!
Welcome. We all started somewhere and none of us knew anything when we were new to this insanity. Study, listen to others (guys with experience). Study, read, observe. You'll be fine. Except that this addiction is worse than any drug.
Welcome from iowa. Stay off of the "r" site and you will be alot smarter. If you have any ?'s don't be afraid to pm and ask.
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