In an earlier post I made, "Joel" mentioned that I really need to include more info about myself. So, here goes: My name is Dave Bellm, I'm a little shy of 40 years old, and I'm an automotive writer. I used to work for a publisher based in Lincolnwood--Publications International, publishers of hardcover automotive history books and new-car buying guides under the Consumer Guide name. I left Publications International about two years ago, to become a freelancer. Right now I'm in the process of building that into a viable business. Mostly I write about new performance cars (ranging from sport compacts to high-end sports cars) and road-racing history--Formula one, Can-Am etc. etc. Here's an example of some recent work I've done: http://www.modernracer.com/features/ghostofspyderspast.html Yeah, that's pretty far from cool, junky old hot rods, but there's an awful lot of joy to be had from flying around a race course at about a buck-twenty in a Viper or a Corvette. I dearly love what I do, but like anyone, I need relief from work. For that I turn to the extreme opposite from that world--old, ragged, kick*** rods. In my case, that means my 1951 Ford F-1 pickup. I bought it about three years ago, from a father and son in Elmhurst who lost interest in the project. When I bought it, it already had the rusty chrome wheels, and the ****py red paint I spoke of, but that paint was even ****pier--berry stained, oxidized, with plenty of runs. I spent the better part of a miserable, hot summer wet sanding and polishing it enough to make it sort of shine. It damn near killed me, but I'm glad I did it. The truck has, a great patina--looks like a semi-well-preserved finish from back in the day. There was also a lot of other stuff that wasn't quite right on it. Nothing really major--just things like the carb tuning being all screwed up so it hardly made enough power to move the truck. I added some little old-timie hot-rod touches--chrome air filter, bullets on the windshield wiper shafts, repro speed shop stickers. But I can't really afford much more, so mostly I just drive it. (A kid last night asked me if the truck is "all original." I told him, "Yep--I do as little work on it as I can get away with!") It's been fun, but I'd really like to hook up with some other like-minded guys. Nobody I know is really into rough, old-school stuff. (one neighbor keeps asking me if I'm going to get around to painting it. To which I of course say, "Hell no even if I could afford it!" See attached pic. (For better or worse, it's not really as nice as it looks in the photo). I've named the truck "Mangy Angel." It's not as mangy as it was when I got it, but it's always been an angel. Never stranded me, or even really hinted at breaking down, despite how little I do with it. Other times I just call it the "Hot-Rod Farm Truck." My wife likes the farm-truck aspect of it more than the hot-rod part. Interesting, because she's a rather pe***e little thing, and was born in the Phillipines. Don't know where she got the jones for old farm stuff, but she was what tipped the decision for me to buy it. And yes, she drives it sometimes, with a little help and coaching from me. Looks cute as can be behind the wheel, with a big, proud grin. And so, besides the truck, work, and a little sleep, mostly we just goof around with our two dogs--kookie mixed-breed things with about as much personality as dogs are allowed to have. I guess that's about it for my story. Hope that does it. Dave
I'm sure one of us would take that ratty truck off your hands...its nothing like a Viper...please turn us on to the real junky hot rods that no one wants... Welcome..tell your neighbors to piss off..nice truck..
Welcome, you should write a book about "HAMB'ers PRIDE and thier RIDES, A trip back in Time" Welcome to the HAMB, satin paint that truck black, paint the wheels red, slap some WWW on there and Roll and have fun!!!
Thanks for the welcome! Believe me--that little jpeg doesn't show 90-percent of my truck's rattiness. Get up close and in-person and you'll see about 208 chips, 37 dings, 19 blotchy patches, and uncountable ripples in the sheet metal. And that's not even counting the mysterious pits in the hood, the 3x5-inch rust holes in the running boards, and the various places I went through the paint when I was wet-sanding it. The setting sun and a fresh wash job made it look really shiny for this photo. To that point, when I first started polishing it up, I wondered if it would still retain its mangy charm. Yep. It's still plenty ragged enough to have personality. While I was sanding it, I kept thinking to myself, "You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear--but you can make a pretty damned nice looking sows-ear purse if you do it right!" Seeya!
Alright then! Very nice "Intro". Again, Welcome, Dave! Nice truck, not to mention we have a few other automotive writers here, too. The more the merrier. One of the biggest events of the year here in Illinoiz, is the "Hunnert Car Pile Up". It's the 3rd Annual. It'll be at Grundy Speedway in Morris,Il. It's the biggest traditional Hot Rod car show we have here in da land of Lincoln. It's also chock full HAMB'rs, from all over the country. Check it out October 3rd.
[ QUOTE ] Thanks for the welcome! Believe me--that little jpeg doesn't show 90-percent of my truck's rattiness. Get up close and in-person and you'll see about 208 chips, 37 dings, 19 blotchy patches, and uncountable ripples in the sheet metal. And that's not even counting the mysterious pits in the hood, the 3x5-inch rust holes in the running boards, and the various places I went through the paint when I was wet-sanding it. The setting sun and a fresh wash job made it look really shiny for this photo. [/ QUOTE ] ........"rattiness???" That makes you a hero around here!! Welcome.........
Welcome, Dave! I think we've met! Maybe a couple yrs ago in Elmhurst. I drive a '51 Ford panel & my son Josh has a '31 blown flathead coupe with a checkerboard firewall.
Welcome Dave. I'm a newbie also and sure liked your intro. The truck is great - sometimes they are more fun when their a little rough. Where abouts Chi town are you. I'm down by Manhattan - 40 miles south. Was at the Frankfort cruise nite last night and saw a great 48 flatbead. Guy left it as he found it and just fixed it up enuf to be safe. Big crowd around it all nite. Bill
Dave....you can become a hero by raising he bar of awareness of REAL Hot Rods.....born here on the HAMB. By the way, Welcome ! Glenn
Hi Gregg! Good to hear from you again. I haven't seen you and Josh around much lately. Especially at Elmhurst. Too bad--that cruise is about ten times better than it used to be, now that they've moved everything north of the tracks. That said, there's still not enough rough and ratty stuff there for my taste. Seemed like your panel and Josh's A were about the only ones. If I remember right, you guys are more Lombard regulars, no? Maybe I'll stop by there this weekend (if they've started for the season). Once again, thanks for the welcome everyone! I could easily see getting really addicted to this board. In fact, I should be doing some work right now. Dave
Hi BillyB! Thanks for the kind words about the truck. I agree--they're a lot more fun when they're rough. More character, less worry. What really turned me onto ragged stuff like this was when I had a brand-new ('98) Mustang that I really liked, and it turned me into a total freak! Anytime so much as danged leaf would fall near it, I'd flip out. Lame! No fun at all. Sold it and got the truck. Never regretted it for a second. I've now decided that any old cars I ever own are going to be this sort--clean looking from fifty feet, but well-worn and a little nasty when you get up close. As for where I'm at, I'm in the Western 'Burbs--North Riverside specifically. That's just north of Brookfield, a few miles east of Oak Brook. I'm not quite sure where Manhattan is, but I know Frankfort--my wife has an aunt and uncle down there. We visit them once or twice a year. Dave
North Riverside? Wow that is CLOSE! (Czars in Berwyn, Brookfield and Forest Park) Looks like a cool truck. I agree, Elmhurst is much better north of the tracks. It has more of a small town feel like where I grew up. I've been taking my 67 chevelle convertible there for about 4 years. Took my flat black 46 Ford Tudor last year. Like I said in your other thread, it wasn't too well received by some, applauded by others.
hey bedllm, welcome aboard..... do you have smoothies and wide whites on that truck? if you do, i saw you the other day by 22nd and desplaines.... kool truck.... i live in berwyn, so i'll see you around..... i drive this....
Hi dave, you like ratty....Now her's a ratty car... oh it's mine...god I mis my old 50 ford... it was mostly stock....v8 flatty... 3 on the floor... dual pipes with smits... and a nice little rap to the exhaust note... I'm a fng too oh wait... I just got promoted to a grade inspector... saying welcome this soon is kind of like answering the door at someone elses house... but I think I'm gonna hang arround awhile... so welcome
Hi Django Hey--I didn't know there were any clubs so close to where I''m at. Chrome Czars look pretty cool. Whatcha' guys do? What kinda' cars you got? I don't think I've seen a primered Tudor around anytime. But hell, whatever it's like, that combination can't be anything but kick***. So far I haven't gotten any really, really negative reactions about my truck. It's not controversial enough. Not like cutting up a '57 Chevy convertible or something. That said, some people are a little startled to find out that it's not--as they ***umed--a starting point for a project, but in fact pretty much done! Hee hee. Like I said--they don't get it. Hope to see you and some of the Czars around. Dave
Hi Thom Hey--I know that car! I've seen your '59 a couple times, but only in p***ing. Too bad. I always want a better look. Awesome! Thanks for the compliment on my truck. But as for it having wide whites and smoothies, nope. Maybe you were mistaken? I don't think there's many red F-1s in the area, and I'm around Des Plaines and 22nd a lot. I was probably heading to Polar Bear. I go there often in the truck. Hey, that reminds me--I'm always surprised there aren't more guys with old cars hanging out at Polar Bear or Snowflake (Ogden, Brookfield). They seem like perfect places--cool old timey drive-in vibe, not too hyped up, usually not crowded. Anyway, hope to see you around, Thom!
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