How old is the oldest rodder you know still building rods?

My father-in-law is 73 and he is in the process of building a '35 Ford pickup. He was down at the shop yesterday sanding the fenders for the black ChromaBase top coat while I was at the doctor.

He is in better health than I am.

 

buddy i worked with is 82 and did the ww2 and stayed couple of years to play around in california and utah and built many cars and then in 48 drove his 32 and and another guy drove his 34 sedan back to minnesota ,

still has both plus a thousand other items for ford and and is building a 34phaeton in his living room,after his wife died ,the dining table went and the french doors to the outside let him bring in the ch***is,does all gas welding and forming panels , hell of a talent ,i will prolly go before him

 

My Dad 73 got 9 stints in him a difibulator and going in for another stint thursday. The man just wont quit. Here is his latest car 1949 Buick Deluxe.

Mike

 

In our 24 member club, 5 of us are over 70 the rest in their late 60's except two younins in their late 40's, and they are sons of members. I don't think rodding knows age. It's better then sitting watching the **** tube and drinking beer, well watching the **** tube anyway.

Over the Hill Gang Pa.

 

That's Easy, It's my friend Ron-A-****y! He is in his mid 40's! Just kidding.

I think that the oldest is mid 70's. This man still casts his own parts and is said to have cast an overhead conversion for the Ford Banger's based on the (Riley?) conversion. Although, I have never seen it in person.

 

Ray Erickson is 80 and very active. He has done a lot of work on my projects, and will soon be prepping my roadster for paint. Ray was the first president of the Kansas City Timing ***ociation in the mid-50's and is a walking, talking encyclopedia of all things hot rod and custom. A good friend, and probably the most beloved hot rodder in Kansas City.

 

Pappa John????

 

There is a man that lives near me. I can't remember his first name, but I know him as Mr. York. I like to stop and visit with him every now and then and see his shop. I know he told me he is in his 90's, but I forget his exact age. I love hearing stories. He hates to be p***ed and could not stand to let this Isuzu Trooper p*** his flathead Ford and how he had it up to 80 before the Trooper backed off. He's got quite a collection and still remains active as much as he can be. I know there are a lot of guys around DFW that probably know him.

 

...and the girls!

~Jason

 

Ray's 80? No way!

I sure hope to be that good lookin' when I'm 80... hell, I hope I even MAKE 80!

~Jason

 

Dad'd 74, and he just finished his 58 impala. Now he's doing a 65 mustang, amd a falcon! Here's a pic of him and the car

 

Bill Hines has got to be pretty old, and inst Norm G. still around?

 

Hello, Ed and everybody, Ray is turning 77.

 

It takes a long time to get old, keeping busy keeps you young. Had a friend that lived alone and worked, read and drank alot of Red Wine everyday. told me "God takes something away every year, till you finally say I'm done now"

 

Dennis Frings in Concord, NC is in his 70s and builds a beautiful rod (or race car re-creation) every year (and has projects still to build in his shop). vic

 

I'd hate to trade punches with Winfield. The man is a ball of fire. Been to a couple of siminars he has done here. I am sure there are others. I never met them or watched them work. They too, have my respect. Day in day out...... Gene walks the walk!

 

First of all, anybody that thinks 70 is 'old' is just a kid, on average, won't really know much until they're at least 55.

There are countless skilled people that aren't world famous.

He ain't old, but Lew Finlayson of Pueblo Colorado is the Model A guru of the region. Hands down.
Works every day, is a gentleman beyond compare, and is currently building a couple of projects, at 85/86/87?? To put that in perspective, when he was a senior in High School, I was in kindergarden

When I want a carburetor/water pump/distributor, renewed, I call Lew.

I would'nt use this kind of language in his presence, he's a modest man, but to put it mildly,
(he knows his ****.)

 

There's a here in town that is a NSRA puriest...he's 81.....he has a 46 ford converitble that he bought in 47...it has been streetrodded since then...original motor j2 olds in the 50's and mustang HO in the 80's-90's....now he's helping his grandson build a es*** rat rod and a 32 ford truck for him self..he still works and is strong as a ox...anf has many stories of the old hotrod days...like when he went to the dealership and bought wider mercury wheels for the ford and paid a whopping 5$ ea new for them