Looking to Get Started...

When I read this type of post I just feel bad for the Young Guns out there. When I got started you didn't need to start with Scrap Iron to build a Rod. The good stuff wasn't turned to remanence of cars yet. Over the years I've been asked this same thing by several. I've always related Hot Rods to the opposite Sex. In that you know what you like when you see it. That don't mean it's going to work out well first time around. Like people a Fixer-Upper is going to cost a lot of $$$ and take more time than you think and may or may not turn out being what you want. I've always said step up and buy the best of the kind you want and then make small changes as you go. It's kind of like Life in that we are always making small changes but the foundation stays the same. The big question for me is this "do you want a project for something to do" or "do you want to drive something Kool"? It all comes down to Money and Time. How do you want to spend what you have of them?

 

I nice 8ba flathead just showed up for sale on the H.A.M.B. out of Texas. Looks like it would be a good start.


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Find out what you like as far as body goes then start looking.
The more complete the better.
Even if it’s all stock, the simple fact of sitting in it, driving it a bit will make you more enthusiastic about the project.
I don’t know your time constraints ( work, wife, kids etc)
But nothing is more of a downer then a garage full of rusty parts and no time to work on it as then you’ll start making up excuses to not work on it as it seems like an unsermountable pile of parts and junk and a never ending project.
And has been said. Once you get the car you like and get rolling try and stick with easy and serviceable parts, everyone like a nail head or a Cadillac mill, but parts can be touchy to find and spendy.
A first rod and first time go around should be fun and relatively easy , you can always upgrade in the future as your skills permit.

notting wrong with buying someone’s stalled project if it suits you, but I would bring along a friend who knows more then you as some times a project stalls due to shitty workmanship and they dug a hole money or talent wise they can’t get out of.
There is a thread on here by @old32 where he bought a funny looking 80’s themed fibreglass tub and with minimal mods and some time made a pretty cool rod to kick around n have fun with.

good luck, we’re here to help, poke fun, drink beer and help !

 

I just find the ugliest, oldest piece of crap from the scrap yard and make it run and stop.
But seriously, the F1s mentioned would be a great first ride. (Since you mentioned flatheads)
Or a 46/48 ford sedan or coupe.
Those can be found simi reasonably priced.
Both are super straight forward and simple.
Juice brakes already.
Some simple suspension work, dual exhaust and ya got an instant hot rod.

 

If you would even consider buying and building a package like this one do yourself a favor. Find a local machine shop and talk prices for just the part you can't do yourself. Make sure there's a chair close by. Then go talk about paint material if having something painted is on your list. Get an education of real cost not pie in the sky bench racing prices. Same with upholstery. This info will help steer you into something you can actually do and not just spend $$$.

 

X2 what Don said.

 

this would be "instant" fun. get it on the road then start hot rodding it. sell off the parts you don't need as you go. drive and enjoy as you gather parts. maybe start by removing the fenders.
starting off with a running complete car will help keep you interested as you learn this hobby.
....and it will probably work out cheaper

 

Start with something you like, that has a title, and you can drive. Gain the skills to make it your own.

Or:

Building a car (or truck) from a pile of rusty bones is a 5 to 10 year project (depending on how much time, equipment, and skills you are starting with) to get it to where you can drive it to the ice cream store and back home, and it will cost you $10,000 to $15,000 to get to that point. Then you are ready for another 2 years and $10,000 + for body & paint work. That would be if you can do everything yourself from the beginning, if you need to rebuild the motor, that is extra time and money.

I've actually kept receipts and added them up! You might save a few bucks here and there, and you might be able to beat the time frame, but these are very realistic numbers. Gene

 

You guys are awesome. I’m happy I decided to post on here today. I have a lot to think about and have already learned a few things. I had it in my head that I had to weld back to life a traditional hot rod. I agree that finding a solid good running (with title) car or truck should be my way forward. Thanks for all of your advice and recommendations.


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If you like Model A's then buy a restored stock one and build it . That way you save money on body work, paint and upholstery. You can just focus on the mechanicals. you can get it done a lot quicker and not feel overwhelmed by having to do everything to the car.
You can sell the original running gear to a restorer and recoup some of your money.

 

Ok. Then just follow the second suggestion...

 

Some cars and trucks in your neck of the woods. Might be some worth checking out.

https://frederick.craigslist.org/search/cta?max_auto_year=1956

 

Just saw this thread.
IMHO,
Better to start your first with a whole car that actually looks like a car!
Then you are finishing up what is already there, not building parts.
Here is one close to you on FB In Queenstown MD.
I know nothing about it but somebody did a lot of work already.
It's already got the triple carb flatty, and the East Coast No chop but channel vibe already!
BTW, the radiator needs chopping,, it's too high!
There is stuff out there all the time for Model As.
Good luck,
Tony

 

The very first thing I do is make damned sure you can get the correct paperwork in your state. You should be able to get on Maryland's DMV site to find the various ways to get all the legal title/registration. In my state it's gotten really hard to get legal papers [a title in this state] for your hot rod, especially if the car and paperwork is from another state.
It can be done but it's taken years and about 10 different vehicles before I've been able to finally get the car in my name. Make sure the numbers on the car match the numbers on your paperwork before you attempt to title it at DMV because they damn sure will catch any "abnormalities" there may be. Good luck.

 

^^^^Excellent advice right there from Rocky^^^

 

Quick question. Is this a sport coupe? I see a lot of coupe and roadster hot rods. Are there many sport coupe or cabriolet hot rods? Benefits? Drawbacks? (I know we can make anything into a hot rod)


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I call that a Sport Coupe. I will tell ya there is not a Roadster hiding under the fabric without a ton of work and once done those of us that know spot it for a fake.

 

That would make a great car if left as a sport coupe. Cut off the top and you ruin it.

 

This is not an easy question to answer. I have a tendency to forget that not everyone (mostly no one actually) can understand what I am talking about.

I am going to try and over simplify this because, uh well just because.

A car consists of 3 basic components. '

A chassis including suspension.
A drive train, engine transmission and rear end.
A body.

I have always liked to start with a body and chassis. Even if neither is perfect.

I am not so concerned with the drive train because I am a hot rodder and know that anything can be put into any body I acquire.

If you look around you can usually find a "rolling" project. I personally think that is a good place for a beginner to start.

They are usually cheaper but I would suggest that a novice avoid an "orphane" car. Like say an old Hupmobile or a Hudson Essex. They are next to impossible to find the pieces to build. If you stick with Fords for a 30s era car they are the easiest. They are simple, there is a lot of combined knowledge here on them and easy to find the pieces to put together.

learn the cost of things. For example you may find a '27 T coupe minus the doors for a grand, then you will spend that much plus for doors. Do not dive into the river without knowing where the rocks are so to speak.

Make friends with someone that knows what they are talking about. Do not be afraid to ask your knew friend questions. Even if they live 2,000 miles away.

 

Sport coupes and the similar leather back coupes are not as popular now but had their time in the limelight in the 70s with the resto rod craze. They can make a real cool ride though. One of the first rods I got to ride in was the rumble seat of one a dads friend had in the 70s. I would not hesitate to build one if the project presented its self

 

I would like to get a sport coupe and not try and make a roadster out of it. I would have to chop it though and leave it resembling a sport coupe.

 

Totally agree. There is that brown one from Norcal? that was built on here years ago. Sexy hot rod

 

Ya don't see em that way often. I think that it would be a damned rad build.

 

That does sound cool. I need to find some pics. Another noob question. Does the top fold back on the sport?


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What ever you decide to do make sure it has a legal title....Then invest your hard earned cash...LOL...

 

Here is one Sport coupe thread

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/model-a-sport-coupe-the-poor-mans-roadster.1121649/

 

Keith Weesner art.

 

Here is the brown one I mentioned. Some pics missing thanks to the Photobucket purge.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pics-of-my-friends-model-a-special-coupe.313751/

 

Very cool!


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So the top does or doesn’t fold down on these?


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