If you think I'm stuck up - then don't ask my opinion

I remember gift certificates, I just don't think they use them anymore. and I agree, it is more rewarding, but nearly impossible for me, both giving and receiving.

 

There is nothing wrong with this post, just different people and different opinions. I will say that older guys may have already paid their dues and have already known the joy of building their own cars. Now, age and pain have entered the picture and they may enjoy the cars that someone else built because they are running out of time. They may have ac***ulated responsibilites that require their time and can't get out into the garage like they used to. Many of them have so many toys that they can't work on them all. I am now into building stuff in the mountains, waterfalls, and stuff like that, but I still love cars and have had my share of just about everything you could name in the way of cool cars.
The hobby is big enough to hold all of us, and sometimes you younger guys have the anger of testosterone that you have to vent and I also have been there done that.

 

Do not think that you are getting flamed on others are just explaining how they would/have handle things(I think). I cannot speak for everyone on here(can I) but I am glad that you shared your thoughts with the HAMB and if you think others are downing you or telling you that they would or would not blah blah... look back at the moment that your future in-laws and you were in the garage and all of this took place! Do you think that they felt the way you do after reading some of these post ??? To err is human and it makes you stronger and a better person, so I am told time after time after time.

 

The original purpose of a car?...
Da to drive not sit in a garage just waitin to be driven .
$500.00, $5000.00, or $5,000,000.00 drive the damn thing and enjoy it like it will be gone tomorrow..
But that's just how I feel.

 

I think its funny, most of if not all of the most historic kustoms were NOT owner built, The Hirohata, Matranaga, Zaro, Bettencourt, Jack Stewarts Polynisian, the Ala Kart, all built completely by a shop, yet we are in awe of these cars me more than anyone, the owners just signed checks!!!! I used to look down at guys that paid to have work done as I TRY to do most of the work on my cars, but a very famous Kustomizer who we all think of as Gods told me many years ago get off your high horse with out the check signers and people that pay to have cars built there would be no need for us old guys!!!! because everyone would be building there own car, HOW DO YOU THINK I MAKE A LIVING SELLING SHIRTS AT THIS SHOW, what do you think are on those shirts pictures of cars I built for my CUSTOMERS....Get over it......and move on.

John

 

Well the stories alittle clearer now but I still wouldn't let a "store" built car get your hackles up. Perhaps after spending some time with you, your future sister in law and her husband will become more fimiliar with your style and will be able to talk cars that suit you better next time.

 

Live and let Live: If a guy has deep pockets and wants to have a car built and park it in his Garage and look at it and sip a gl*** of wine thats his bissines !
If you can build you car yourself and drive the **** out of it thats your bussines !
I REALLY TRY AND KEEP A OPEN MIND WHEN I GO TO CAR SHOW'S, I CAN'T HATE A GUY THAT'S DONE WELL FOR HIMSELF AND CAN SPEND A ****LOAD OF MONEY ON A CAR, I'LL LOOK AT IT AND BE HAPPY FOR HIM ! AND THEN I'LL MOVE ON TO SOMETHING THAT I CAN RELATE TO !
Thats just my 2 cents !

 

Here's a good example of live and let live. This past Saturday I organized a Mystery Cruise for anyone who wanted to see some shops/garages that aren't normally opened to the public and basicly cruise our cars all day for a couple hundred miles.

Well, let me tell you about a number of my local "car" buddies. They p***ed on doing the Mystery Cruise because they want to attend a very local, 2 miles away, sit and park, car show. When they were invited by me they came up with all kinds of excuses, too far, cost too much in gas, gone too long, yada, yada, yada. Boils down to they were just being lazy. Heaven forbid they would get their cars dirty then actually have to wash them before the next local cruise nite. They are the same bunch that never drive to out of town car shows or events. They are still my friends. Nice guys, we just don't see eye to eye on how we "play" with our cars and thats fine with me. They are happy, their families are happy, and of course I'm happy.

If everyone had the exact same car or style of car or acted the exact same way, it's be a pretty boring world.

 

I've thought this EXACT sentiment on numerous occasions when reading of how this such and such PAID to have his car built, rather than building it himself.

Like it or not, the torch will inevitably be p***ed on to whoever the "Jesse come lately" currently is.

 

People like that tend to do other things along the same lines...

Accessories for a lifestyle they want, but they commit a lot more money than time and thought to it.

Some other examples are Harleys, sporting goods (boats , fancy bicycles, etc.), and even, unfortunately, children. In the latter, the "dirty work" is daycare.

 

I had a kind of similar situation happen. I just moved into some new town homes that have a management office. After being there a week, some of the girls that work in the office say to me, "What kind of old car is that in your garage?" I said it was a model A. They said, "Have you met Jerry yet? He's got an old car that is really neat." I'm thinking that it's probably a mustang or something because that's what people always do when I talk about my car.

I asked what it looked like, and one of the girls said it kinda looked like a van. The other girl said, "no.. it kinda looks like a PT cruiser, but older" and the first girl says, "Yeah. more like that... like something ZZ Top would like."

So, now I'm a little more interested.

I go home, and about an hour later, my door bell rings, and this dude is at my door saying that the girls in the office said to come look at my car. So I show him my ride, and then he says, "come check out my 35 3 window Ford. REALLY?!?!

So this guy has a 35 three window that had some kind of racing background in south texas. it says in really faded paint, "Big John" on the side behind the doors. He actually used a 35 4 door cowl, and floor, and grafted the coupe body onto the cowl. It has a big block chevy, turbo 350, 8" rear and mustang 2 front suspension, but the ride has "the look" and it's really sweet with a nice low stance.

He says he's going to keep the body looking original. It was one case where I was very pesimistic going to chase this old car lead, but the outcome was really surprising!

 

The only thing that gets me on store built is how much the owner missed out not doing it themselves. To be fair not everybody can build their own, and that's fine. And if the owner likes some gaudy billet mobile, it's sad but more power to them. It's their money and their dream. Build (or have built) what YOU like! That's the basic rule I took on my coupe. If anybody else likes it, swell. If not...I don't care. I do and that's what matters.

Still there is something about doing stuff yourself that's hard to describe. Some of you know what I mean.

 

With apologies to those HAMB members of the fairer gender...old cars are like naked chicks. We may not like all of them, but that doesn't stop us from looking at them. We just appreciate some more than others.

 

I fell your pain,people around where I live think I'm an *** when I dont go crazy over a high price ride,I personally feel like if you dont at least bust your *** some on biulding it your self or at least put your own touches yourself in a car or bike or whatever turns you on it will never be yours,just the guy that built it and there is no pride in something you have but never did anything top yourself,around here there is a guy that has a 49 merc chopped and "rat rodded" and the irony is that it was a awesome show car but every since flat black,flame,www's and moon disc came back in style for the main stream he had someone change it from a show car to what it is now never touching it himself,so now he has a $50.000 "rat rod",again,some people don't get it.

 

to each there own...

 

I Got a good buddy that Has muscular distrophy. He loves cars but He can hardly loosen a lug nut by himself much less build a car. He has a 50 ford F-3 that he payed me to put a camaro clip under it adding the camaro power steering, tilt wheel, power disc brakes, painless harness, ac/heat combo and a 330 HP cookie cutter crate chevy 350 and 700r4. I charged him a flat 10.00 per hour because he insisted on paying me and the labor bill was $1000.00. About all he could do was hand me wrenches which I appreciated cause it kept me from getting up and down all the time. I fudged on the time I charged him for when he wasnt there helping and only put down about half. Before we did all that he couldnt hardly turn the damned thing because of his lack of strength and motion. The look on his face the first time he drove it after I got through with it was utterly priceless. Now we can go to rod runs and car shows together. Hell we even were long haulers on the 2003 power tour about 2 months after finishing it. Lots wouldn't give it a second look because its not 'their ball of wax'. He enjoys it and tells everyone how he watched me take a torch to the frame and wondered if he would ever drive it again. Hell it still brings tears to my eyes when I hear him brag about it and what i did for him. That experience changed a lot of the way i think about how others build their cars or pay to have them done. I thank God I have been able to do my own work on cars and motorcycles all these years and the day is coming when I will have to pay somebody else to do it or just give up and quit breathing. If somebody shows me something they are proud of then I am proud for them. They can't all be gifted with the physical or mechanical abilities some of us have but that doesnt take away their love of the hobby and the desire to have something they will be proud of.

 

Well me personally I've been jealous of a few things in life - how much some dufus spent on his ride has never been one of them. I don't care how cool it even is - it just doesn't turn me on. Matter of fact the more one spends often takes away from how cool it really is. Nothing - I mean NOTHING takes the place of a well executed homebuilt car - not even the Pro's can compete here.

 

i personally would rather drive a car built by some of the hamb members other than myself. i do in fact. and i am proud of who built my car. he is a real craftsman. i am not. i do work for the largest communiations company in the world. i am in the engineering group that is responsible for the public facing internet connectivity. i want all of the holier than thou do it yourselfers that i still respect you even though you dont know **** about networking or routing.

 

there are car guys/gals, then there are idiots lol

 

Take it easy!!!! get some post under your belt then start calling people idiots......

 

If someone's idea of fun with their car,is to buy it,and cherish it in the garage,that's not my business.If they had the skills to make the money,to afford to buy it,all the power to them.Not everyone has the skills or the time to build their own,but at least they are having fun with old cars.I've also found most of these people,appreciate and respect,those who do build their own,especially the ones that lack the skills.I enjoy that it's an old car,being appreciated in any way,not rusting away in some backyard.But then i enjoy old cars,planes,boats,furniture,memorabilia and related artwork.But that doesn't mean i have the skills,or time to do all of these things myself,either. IT'S BETTER TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND,THAN AN OPEN MOUTH.

 

I agree with you...but I also have a different perspective.

first and foremost, GOD BLESS THE SHOP BUILT CAR. why?

I own a shop, I build cars. no shop built cars= no crushproof.
(sure, we do alot of repair work, too, but facing facts, prolly 40 percent of our annual income is from complete builds.)
I may be a singular case, but it's not always easy for our customers to simply "buy" a buildout. we're too specific here.this is a hands on type deal...meaning I am not so bold as to make any decisions for the customer. there are things I won't do (such as the vette mirrors...)but alot of stuff I won't ***ume, either.

it takes too long to go back through and re-do something I thought was a good idea.

but yeah...there are still alot of "old guard" 80's street rods out there. (m***ive meats, 4 link...and an injected 305. bleh.)


and I like Billet stuff. it means I have more original bracketry and parts to put on other stuff.

 

I;m freaking with you on that note of offending someone...But i will say if i don' like someones car i still have respect for what they have done with

 

I get a little riled up when some of the "younger generation" seem to have all the right answers. I appreciate almost any type of car if it is well executed. If the owner likes it, who cares. Unless it's badly done.
An example...of how some car guys with "not a lot of years experience" can be soooo wrong!
I was driving my 55 Olds out west somewhere (west of Ohio) Pulled into a gas station late at night to filler'up. Some younger kid comes up and starts looking it over (probably not even knowing what the car was). Seems he was a car guy, into newer cars than mine, maybe older Camaros or something. Coversation about the car, where you going, what it it, what's it got under the hood, etc. When the guy notices the NJ plates on it, he asks if I'm from NJ.
Yeah.
How'd you get the car here?
Drove.
No, no way! This is a magazine car!
Nope, drove it.
All the way from NJ?
Yup.
No way.
I couldn't convince him, that an old car could make it all the way to Indiana, or wharever, from NJ. Not looking as good as my car looked. In his eyes.
Finally, in frustration, I asked, "Do you see a trailer around here?"
He finally got it.
He probably didn't think I built the car, either. I WAS clean at the time, with regular clothes on, which I usually do a few times a year. And I wasn't much older than him at the time.
But he was convinced this was a show only, magazine car, that couldn't possibly drive 1000 miles or so, all by myself.
Don't make cr*** ***umptions unless you know the whole story.

 

If my home shop burned down tomorrow, it would take at least $50,000 to replace the tools and equipment. I'm 66 years old and been a hot rodder for well over 50 years and I'm tired of reading some twenty something's version of how cars should be built, driven and by whom.

Oh yeah, I've had two rotaor cuff surgeries and can't lift my arms high enough to loosen a drain plug, so I pay somebody to do it. Tradition is watching Barris build an Icon custom in person, not reading about it in a little book.

 

Not everybody can do everything, having said that, I understand how you felt, after all I am a traditionalist. Your second post explained it better as far as the family and friends. I to had a similar experience and I credit it to the shows on TV because non car people see the billet, 350/350 parade and don't know any better. My kind of car is low slow and smoothe old style kustoms and hot rods. I do understand and my condolences. Rags

 

This sweet Merc was at a local cruise-in this past weekend. Very nice, but right after I took this pic the owner raised the hood to reveal a typical billet clad belly ****on.

The worse thing though was that after the hood was up the owner sat a 2 foot tall dancing rockabilly skeleton on the aircleaner and had some kind of tracer / Christmas tree lights in the grille. Same with the plastic drive-in display and crybaby dolls.

I'm sure the owners dig it, but a car like this just doesn't need any 'gimicks' like that. I wonder sometimes if it's not even about the cars to some folks.

Sorry to veer off track, but your post made me think of this car.

By the way, I don't think your a snob, and nobody ever asks me my opinion.

 

That car may sit in his garage until he dies and then someone else will have a chance to enjoy it in a way that they see fit. Isn't the bigger issue that he saved yet another piece of metal from the crusher?

 

I think the original poster just wasn't able to get what he was feeling across very well in words. I feel that way because neither can I. But I can picture being there.

I've had people want to show me something that did nothing for me and you are then at a loss for words. They persist. Or worse yet it's something a loved one bought for you thinking it was right up your alley and they can see your not reacting how they think you should.

I think the answer to the question is that you don't have to get it. Our house is appx 70 years old. One day I bought a box of stuff with an old Dazey wall mount can opener in it. Like new. I had noticed three holes in the end of our cabinets and I walked over with the Dazey mount and it lined up with the holes perfectly. I grinned and got three screws. The wife asked me what I was doing. I said I was filling in these holes.

I like taking the handle and rotating it and watching it work. Completely simple. My wife will still use the new can opener. I don't care.

My car is mostly all as it was in 1954. I really have a hard time removing something that is working and replacing it with something else. I couldn't imagine front clipping it to get disc brakes. (Unless as noted elsewhere I had a disability that hindered my operating it).

You won't find alot of tools in my garage because for years I didn't make alot of money. Now that I do I have some I spend most on the kids as I wasn't able to as much when they were smaller. I have friends with a garage full of tools they never use and are happy to let me use.

So, I know how the original poster felt. He was saying he was put into an awkward situation that he wished he hadn't. That he wished people would simply grin at him and go on to their own thing.

A simply "Hey there is an old car in the garage you might want to check out" would have sufficed and had been better. But he was feeling bad for letting a loved one down when it wasn't his fault. Not really theirs either but.........

On the other side of the coin. Something could happen to me tomorrow. One day my wife would decide to sell my car. SOme car guy that "gets it" comes and looks at it. He may walk into my garage and see a mostly original 54 Chevy and not alot of tools and think what a waste that the car was never enjoyed when the facts are further from the truth.

I don't always enjoy going down the interstate in the rain with the vacuum wipers working only when they want to but I can't bring myself to change them out for electric ones. But I silently enjoy when they decide to swipe across the windshield.