Folks Of Interest Love it or hate it....Isky tribute roadster

Cool

 

Actually, 2 Pontiac grill shells! The Deuce shell doesn’t bother me. But, I’d like to see a little bigger steering wheel.

 

I like it as it’s built, but wouldn’t have gone with such a modern engine being equipped with drum brakes. I also agree it would look better with Isky’s custom Pontiac grill…

 

I like it...it's a Traditional Tribute. The modern engine dressed to look vintage really puts it in Hokeyville, mind you not in a bad way...

My Hotrod has that very feature...post 65 block dressed to a pre 65 engine...

 

The overall look isn't horrible...The OG Isky roadster is one of my absolute favorites. But this one is just missing the soul of the original. I know it's a tribute car. That's great. But it just misses the mark for me. I'm sure it's very well done, though.

 

I wouldn't expect he would. This car was imagined and built by someone else in the last 6 months and Ed just saw it recently.

 

That's cool and all, but my comment that you quoted really had nothing to do with that.

 

Something I think is really cool is that the dash insert and valve covers (and probably some other bits) were cast in aluminum in a homemade forge in their shop. This was the first time they had done any aluminum casting.

 

It is someone’s vision of an iconic hot rod, a little off topic for here. That being said I enjoy looking at how classic cars get somewhat morphed into uber modern ideas. Cool to look at.

 

Seeing Dennis Taylor didn't start this build until August 2023 and is for the most part a one man show, the overall results are great. Now add in that it was a clapped out body needing a ton of work, he did the metal work, body work and paint, built the frame from scratch and all the necessary brackets and machining (there was lots) and again paint, and also did the interior complete including the sewing. On top of that they made the pattern for the dash and valve covers in cad, made there own Kiln and poured their own castings, then machined and polished them in that time frame puts this in a whole new light and perspective. I think it turned out great and don't know anybody else that could have pulled this off in that amount of time.

 

^^^ Beat me to it

 

Fun ?
Anyhow, let's not forget the M in SEMA is for "Marketing". Somebody footed the bill for it. And it wasn't a hobbyist. The entire project is a promotional piece at some level. And, no, I didn't follow the build. I saw bits and pieces. I like Alex Taylor. Mike

 

It has to be driven a bit to get that driven ambience...Isky really did that well...I love the driven myself...

 

SEMA cars have “——“ (enter your own words here) for the last 10 or so years. It nice if you like them and the same if you don’t. To me a very artistic build of an iconic car… done a lot these days. The best thing is we have the original to see…

 

Going back to the AI thread from a couple weeks back.........................this car looks like what AI would come up with given the right prompts to mimic the Isky Roadster. Close, but just a little off.

 

What’s a little ironic is in my opinion, is Ed’s building a classic hot rod with the cutting edge technology of the time is kinda how this build turned out.

 

Yep, If I had not watched it go together, I would not have believed it myself. There was no time for the smaller details to be ironed out.

 

Built for marketing. Built as a tribute. Built to pay homage. Who care's? That's a cool ass car and I think anyone here would love to drive it.

 

Nice to see tributes to past excellence rather than star wars digity do dahs...there is still hope...

 

Pretty interesting observation's and response's on this thread.
Sure anybody can nit pic about obvious differences in the "tribute" build, as opposed to the original.

Ed built what he did, back in the day with what he had at hand, and copied nobody !

So yes, the original "Isky" build, will always be exactly what it is,
" A great piece of highly innovative, functional, artwork that has unquestionable, historical, Hot Rod significance "

"Often imitated, but never truly duplicated"

I posted the shot of "Blackie's" very cool, low stance, T-Roadster, purely as a way to illustrate what an original concept is, as built by "Blackie" It should be obvious that "Blackie" didn't copy anybody either.

All of that being said, as far as the "tribute" build, it needs a different steering wheel, and the "LCD screen" hidden out of sight. Other than than those two obvious elements, the builders tried something new, and got it done in time for SEMA, so it could be seen by a lot of people.
IMHO !

"Everything old, is new again"
Your Result's may vary.

 

Overall 10 foot impressions.... I like it. Yeah the Godzilla (Ford copied the LS in many respects and made it bigger)** sucks but they did a decent job disguising it. Needs a Pontiac grille like everyone has said. I wouldn't kick it out of the garage.

**controversial but I've read that several times

 

So after reading it all, I grasp the cutting edge play book, as the Tribute Hook.
Anyway, one more hot rod lives on the planet.
If I were king everyone of all Y'all would have to drive fenderless or cycle fendered rods.
Power by any means you can.

As always Thank You denis4x4 - & Ryan for stirring the soup.

 

I just went back to check, looks like Dennis did bits and pieces starting in June. Still an impressive build in a short timeline either way.

That was exactly their plan for this build. Hilarious that so many here are poo-pooing on it without knowing the idea behind it.

Yep, exactly. They said they have lots of small changes to make.

 

SEMA is often an over the top 'look what I can do' display in modern context, not always a true measure of what the general car community would actually build. It's main focus is on current models that sell in numbers that make sense to design, manufacture and market accessories profitably.
Looking at almost any car there through the HAMB Traditional Rods & Customs lens is going to cause discomfort at the very least.
I like that there is still enough respect for what is this site's focus in the corporate world that something like this was built and displayed there.

 

Surely you can’t be serious?

 

Its certainly different.
A lot of work to make a butt ugly motor a bit more aesthetically pleasing.... if you squint from a distance. Close up its still an ugly v8.

More of the story here..
https://www.performanceracing.com/m...ds-tribute-car-celebrate-its-75th-anniversary

 

I’d drive it

 

I'll bet Ed would say get it out and take some of that newy off of it...

 

Just go fast no one would notice...