Folks Of Interest How Can I get Young Guys into Hot Rods

I am 16 years old and I want more kids my age getting into hot rods. I have thought of starting a car club at my school. I want to build a 30s modified/lakester using a 2.3l. I've wondered where I could race this car on the East Coast. I am in North Carolina.

This is what I'm kind of thinking of building.

 

All east coast Hambers please pick up the white courtesy phone.

 

Maxton Monster 1/2 mile, not sure who runs it.

 

Check out the ECTA website (East Coast Timing ***ociation).

https://www.ectamotorsports.com/

Blythville Mile - NE Arkansas, "only" a 10 hr drive from Concord....
Maxton 1/2 Mile - Maxton, NC. This is probably a bit closer, looks to be only a couple hour drive.

As far as finding more like minded youth, this grumpy old Gen X'er isn't going to be much help.

 

I would say that part of your effort could go toward taking your friends to local events if you aren't already doing that. That is technically how the majority of us likely got into this hobby. For me, it was my dad dragging me to car events when I was a young kid, then some neighbors when I was a little younger than you, then all my friends when I was your age that got me hooked. Just being around the stuff is what can motivate kids to get involved. I kinda like your car club idea as well. We had a sort of unofficial club when I was in high school I suppose, or at least all the car guys hung out together (although that was also back when cruising on the weekends and all summer was a thing). Building the car you are considering will also obviously help. Car guys usually find other car guys because they are driving a hot rod or custom.

 

Put in a model A banger or 21 stud flathead and bring it up to the Pinetree Jamboree.

 

I need to start doing that. I have a few friends that drive 70s and 80s chevy trucks.

 

Don't think that you will find many guys your age who can identify with these cars. I can't even find many your parents age who have a desire either.

 

Why I was going to run a 2.3 l is so it is easier to find and easier to work on for younger guys. But I do agree with your idea of running a four banger or a 21 stud.

 

I just want to keep this Hobby alive.

 

One thing I hear all the time is how young guys can’t afford to be in this hobby these days. I’m trying to prove that is false by driving my $5000 51 Ford daily to the tune of 60-70 miles a day. My 16 year old son (who is now 21 so not long ago) did the same driving his $4000 59 Edsel as his daily too. Just because a young guy can’t start with a 32 roadster or something doesn’t mean it has to be expensive and that kids can’t afford to do this stuff.

 

I've noticed some of these fifties cars are not that expensive for example a shoebox Ford.

 

Some of you seem to forget or more accurately overlook the fact the hot rod revival of 25 years ago was a bunch of guy my age (in our teens to early 30s then) who were building with cars in period correct engines and speed equipment but because the cars were often in primer were view as “punk kids” who were ruining hot rods and the hobby!

Me the Doug Boogie Woogie-






There was still is and always will be some interest with young people in hot rods!

 

Been daily-ing my box since it got warm.... Yup yup

 

I daily a 65 ford f250

 

Sounds like a great start to me!

 

One of the ideas that I had was using more newer 4 cylinders and V8s and using those instead of ford flatheads because of the expense of building a flat head. Don't get me wrong I still like flatheads and early V8.

 

I’ve got a friend who raced sprint cars and others in the fifty’s and has been known in the area for building the flathead but he liked the 2.3 for a number of reasons such as parts availability power potential etc and something you might not consider, he says that they sound like an Offenhauser . Apparently it’s music to the old man’s ears.

 

I like the offenhausers.

 

I’m 63 and when I was your age no one else my age I knew was into old cars. It was used muscle cars and 4x4’s. Usually it is people who grew up around family and family friends who had old cars. You need to find some people in your area who is into hot rods and expose your friends to them. It will also give you connections on finding cars, parts and know how besides the HAMB. Also use what you can find and afford, it doesn’t have to be vintage engines. After you get one car going then progress into other more vintage stuff.

 

I know some of the guys that are with the Iron Lords car club.

 

Man the thing you got to do is do it!

Hand to God you build a hot rod and have your buddies around let them help they’ll see first hand how attainable and simple this really can be.

then they’ll see you rip that ****er up the street and the hook will be set. Then you can help them. Ya gotta get exposed to catch it

and as mentioned there is plenty of vintage racing on the east coast

 

I had a exhibition night at school a few months ago and I was building the Model T for a school project and bring the Model T over to the school.

 

As a flathead owner, I wouldn't start with a flathead either. I'm a Ford guy, but hard to steer someone away from a sbc that's starting out. They're everywhere, parts are cheap, can make um fast, and they're easy to work on....

 

And the local junkyard there is plenty of Fe Ford engines I know those can be a little bit but they're good engines.

 

For sure, but parts will cost more if you wanna build hp. Like I said, I'm all Ford. I bleed blue baby. But Chevys are a great builder motor for starting out, especially if it's a club of younger gentlemen.

My previous ride was a slammed 68 c10 with a mouse in it, and I rebuilt it, hopped it up, and had a great running truck for next to nothing....

 

Keep talking and hanging out with my Club brothers. I havent met you yet as I live in VA. its a bit off in the future but make sure you go and drag your buddies to The Old North State Invitational. It's the best Hot Rod and custom gathering in your area. Being in Concord, you have a great group of hot rod guys all around you.

 

I don't know if I'll be able to make it to O.N.S.I because we're we are trying to get trog