Was not GB if that is who you are thinking. I would NEVER quote him. Uhhh. I first heard the term in 1978...in Alabama...not too local nor time specific.
No but Chili WAS quoted. And your Alabama reference is not substantiated by further WIDESPREAD use. We go through this argument in Living History when documenting clothing, language,practices,gear etc. It takes more than a brief mention here or there to truly prove widespread and common use. I am not denying the term was never used, it just was not real common.
Jesus Christ...just forget I asked. Dammit! I just wanted to see some pictures, not debate terminology.
I never heard the phrase "French Rake" either, but if you look really close at my avatar you'll see that my '53 Chevy sits an inch or two lower in the front than in the rear. I lowered it about 4 inches front and rear, and it sat lower in the front originally so it still sits that way. In fact I levelled it a bit, so probably lowered the rear 4.5 inches. But definitely not sitting level and DEFINITELY not taildragging.
Exactly. If it wasn't in the little books (and it wasn't) the term wasn't commonly used. We didn't have the internet back then.
I raked my yard last weekend. I used a Home Depot rake. No, man, that would be "I LAKED my yard....." Here's hoping my asian friends have a good sense of humor!
On the off chance that anyone besides me wants to see any of these "whatchamacallit" style customs, there are several on this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108801&showall=1
OK, to the original request for images, here are some photos I found on the HAMB a while back. Actual photos from "back in the day".
i knew a old timer from cali (van nuys) he told me it was called a dago too & ive been using it ever since
The only war the French ever won was the French Revolution. Of course, they were fighting themselves so it was only a matter of time until one side surrendered. Don't know if it was a California/L.A. term. I've been here almost 62 years, never heard of a French Rake. French Kiss, French Fries, Frenched Lights, French Bread, French Toes, yes. Rake, no. Reminds me of a punch line from years ago, "In France I am zee arteest, in America I am zee coque suckaire."
A rake - definition; a man habituated to immoral conduct. Doesn't that make the use of the word 'French' redundant? Or perhaps a French Rake is what they used to stop the Nazi's
Frenched lights and antenna's but never heard of a french rake. I'd say that any car with a french rake would have to have the underside (belly) painted yellow to go with the "drop and surrender" as mentioned.
Q: How can you tell if a frenchman has been loitering by your house? A: You can't really, unless you saw him, or one of your neighbors saw him.Personally, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Is that like the Asian woman who lost a wad in the stock market. When asked how it happened, her broker told her "fluctuations". She looked at him and said "Fluctuations??? Well, Fluc you white guys too!!!"
French Rake???hmmm Anything like a Brazilian necktie? Or a Dirty Sanchez? Texas T-shirt? Florida Fluffer? Arkansas Ass Whistle? Pasadena Powdered Donut???
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