Over the years I have built countless numbers of cars but other than my current ride the one that is most vivid in my mind is the first hot rod that I ever built. I was still in high school when I started the project and I had visions of driving the car to my graduation. The car was a 39 Chevy 5 window that was powered by a Dodge RED RAM hemi. I found the car abandoned on a farm not far from my house. The new owner of the old farm house was more than happy to part with the old car for 25 bucks. I found a 53 Dodge Coronet with a 245 hemi and 3 speed OD transmission on the back lot of a small used car dealer. It had been taken on trade and was slated to go to the junk yard for whatever money they could get. I convinced the manager that he wanted to part with it for 75.00 all that remained of my life savings after buying the coupe .and the rest is history. I never quite made my graduation but I did finally finish the car and I think I had more fun with that car than any other since. Ill bet that there a lot of really good stories out there about My first hot rod ..Lets hear um.
My first hot rod on the road, was one I bought over 40 years ago. I first saw it up on a lift at night at the local Shell station, while "cruising" . A few months later I heard about an old hot rod for sale in that town, and it was the same car. An old 50s build from Springfield Ma, I heard. Crazy "Rodney" was a flipper; he took my 500 down, and gave 2 weeks for the other 300, then he delivered it. His demo ride had me wanting me to jump out First it was nasty death wobble, then I was at the G/F's family farm when the parents were away for the weekend. Her bro in law wanted a ride, and kept wanting me to lay rubber, but i knew the rear springs looked all moused up. So, I eventually slammed 2nd gear and sure enough, the LR spring mess let go, that side of the rear went back and bent the fender straight out, and then snapped the rear pipe bumper off and tossed it in the field. Car went sideways but did not flip. "the guy beside me was white as a ghost" My friends older brother was a skilled rodder; he came over the next day. Pouring rain, he picked up the back of the car with the G/F's fathers tractor, put a canvass over the car and tractor, then put the springs all back together for me, before the parents got home. Then another time, the steering disconnected at 40 mph...Didn't roll that time either.
My first hot rod is the one I own now. It's a '20 T bucket. Started her in 2006 and finished in the summer of 2008. Got hit by a cop car in early fall of 2008. Rebuilt her... made her stronger and faster. 30 years of dreaming and reading hot rod magazines. Her frames got some chips and the body is still in white gelcoat. She'll get painted one day, but I'm having too much fun to take her apart. But her scars are badges of honor and she gets driven daily, except when it rains. No wife and no kids. She's my baby. I always wanted one and my dad wanted to build one, but didn't get the chance. So, I guess I'm living his dream and mine. Year old pic, but you get the idea.
My avatar is my first real hotrod,Besides chevelles ,elcamino;s and my firebird Its currently torn apart and is in paint mode,,,,,,
The Jalopy Journal
