Hot Rods Can fiberglass be traditional? At least in appearance.

I have found a fiberglass "29 model A roadster" on Craigslist with a late model flathead, auto transmission (changed from a 4 speed) and a 9" rear. I don't know that I could ever afford the real deal steal. Is it possible to build a traditional style roadster with a fiberglass body?

 

If you like it and it's a good deal go for it! A glass hot rod is better than no hot rod!

 

Sorry about the picture, I am having slow internet service.

 

To answer your question, nope.. But that doesn't mean fiberglass cars are uncool, and that one looks pretty good.. If that's what you can afford and you like it than go for it...

 

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES YOU CAN!
Look at mine in our video below.

Turned out very successful. I'll do it again..............

Looking for a glass 34 three window to go on our 34 original frame. Who can afford an "original" body? Big money, bidding up costs and the scarcity, has placed this part of the hobby out of reach for most folks. This keeps the proletarians and young folks in the game......

 

Glass bodies for hot rods have been around since the 50's - and so has the argument. Fuck em, if you like the car and it's what you can afford GO FOR IT. Those that don't like it can sit at home and cry because you are having fun in a glass car awhile they are whining on the internet.

 

My 32 is glass and it is as traditional as I say it is. That roadster has some good stuff in it. Great car to learn about hot rods. Over time, you can make some changes to make it your own. I say go for it!

 

That's a pretty trim looking 'A' roadster there, registered and ready to drive?
I only see a few things I'd change, but the look is pleasing to the eye.
Lots of guys going the 'Model A frame' look now, so that fabbed 2 X 4 looks acceptable.
Change things later, but you'll be in a roadster NOW!

I've got some steel '27 Ts and a couple of glass bodies, going to build a glass '23 track job like the old Kraft car, (later the 'Highland Plating Spl.')
Quick build, easy to upholster, great driver (around here) and ultimate $$ maker.
It'll take some aluminum, but body & turtledeck were $200. I'm thinkin' a 'dollar a pound'.
My steel tub is a slow work, so wife and I are ready to do a quickie project.

 

Here's my old glass 34 I would say it quite traditional


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

why don't you see any build threads with fiberglass bodies in the traditional hotrod section on the hamb?

 

Very nice!

 

Because people don't want to take shit from the ones who will blast them for it.

 

To add another question, my barn is full between the shoebox and an 1950 F1 project so something would have to go. Would having a fiberglass roadster be worth selling a decent shoebox?

 

or maybe ryan doesn't feel they are traditional enough

 

Ya Gotta Wanna...

 

Looks like someone already did. If you like the car buy it and enjoy it. If it really bugs you don't buy it. But don't let the opinion of some dipshit sway you. If anyone cracks wise about the glass body ask where their roadster is - 99 times out of 100 they are driving some jap shitbox.

 

I've got 2 projects 1 glass 1 steel. The 34 glass much easier and quicker to get running. Not sure about posting a build but I've got the 34 in my album pics. I say get it and enjoy it. Get a steel 1 down the road if you still want 1. Nice car.

 

Don't care what we think! we're behind a keyboard! Makes you happy?= go for it! Enjoy yourself Some! if it's what you want/like,who the hell is the world to tell you your wrong!

 

Yes you can make a glass body look like a traditional car.

 

Hotroddon hit the nail right on the head, well said!!!!! Glass bodies/cars have been around long before the haters were working on cars.

 

if you want it, buy it. if you want to know if it's traditional styled, post it on the traditional hot rod forum and see how long it lasts.
if it bothers you this much now, post a pic of it on the traditional forum now, before you buy it just to see the reaction it gets posing as traditional.

 

I bought a 23 T bucket from Cal Automotive back in 1959..Built one of the first "Ts" in Dallas and was featured in "Hot Rod magazine.. That is traditional enough for me..what ever anyone else thinks.

 

My 1963 issue of Hot Rod Magazine's "How To Build A Hot Rod" has a whole chapter on 'glass bodies and parts, so why not? Of course, my traditional may be different than your traditional as I am a child of the '60s not the '30s. '40s or '50's.
Hell, the car in my avatar was built late '50s with a narrowed rear end and mini tubs yet most "experts" have said they aren't traditional mods either. (But fake patina is?!?)
Nice car-get it, drive it, love it and spread the sickness!

 

If you like it and the price is right and you can afford it buy it and drive the freaking wheels off it with a big shit eating grin. Right now having been far too long without a running and drivable hot rod or custom that roadster looks great. The hard core trad guys would probably give you more crap about the 4 bar suspension than the glass body anyhow if they ever noticed either while looking at that good looking flathead.
As a couple of the guys mentioned the guys who will give you the most crap about a "glass" body on the car are the same ones who we never see a real hot rod, real project or even a real traditional custom from. They have some roached out beater for their avatar with tons of rust (oops- patina) on it and while always being the first to hand out crap or the wrong info to someone asking a question we never see any photos of their "traditional ride" .

 

traditionally styled? yes traditional? no

 

Nice looking car and I bet you would have a butt load of fun with it.
I have a glass '29 A banger Roadster and a full fendered '31 AV8 Roadster, all Henry. (I'm a lucky boy)
I drive the wheels off the '29 because I don't worry about it like I do the '31 and a glass body WON'T RUST.
Funny thing too, no one ever questions the '29 about being glass but I always get ask about the '31 and folks even argue. Nothing about a glass car is like dating your sister.... and the general public sitting at a light don't know the difference, they just know they like it.
Buy it and drive it

Larry

 

Thanks for the compliment Trailerpark.
Buy it! That has the makings of a great rod!!
Loose the 4 bar suspension, watch the little details, study the look. You will likely be happy. Ya got plenty support here...

 

Build it in whatever style you want. When a guy comes up to you with a magnet to see if you have a real(?) car or not, run like the wind and find an intelligent real(!) hotrodder to talk to about it..

 

Better idea..Take the magnet from him and stick in in his ass

 

Why not, there is a lot of metal cars that aren't real, Brookvilles are repros not real. why are they any better