New to Hotrods

hot rods? have you lost your mind? you already have a 79 trans am, get a fake mustache, a cowboy hat and cb and get out there!

 

....There has already been some great advice given here. Go to some cruise nights and car shows in your area. Talk to fellow gearheads, ask questions about their cars. You might be surprised at just how much most people want to talk about their cars. Join a car club if that's your bag (it's not mine). Visit any shops in your area, talk to the owners, get a feel for what's involved if you plan on running your own business. Good luck....Don.

 

i no longer have my trans am. I sold it to my dad so i could do an engine swap to my 4th gen camaro. Way to new for this place i know. As for getting out there i have to get my car finished and get some money before i can really do much. Any book or magazine recommendations would be awesome. Anything from tech stuff to just hot rod history is cool to me

 

The Rodder's Journal!

 

....The Rodder's Journal is outstanding. It's like a "History of Hot Rodding" textbook except with better photography than any textbook you've ever seen. Rich in chronicling the history and traditions of the hot-rod and custom culture. I also like Rod & Custom. I especially like their recurring coverage of the pioneers of hot rodding with lots of great old photos....Don.

 

I surely agree with LothianDon. It is great to see a thread involving a fella who's just starting out, obviously looking hard at trad rods/customs AND who already knows his way around a wrench, obviously. I'LL BET, IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE, THERE ARE A LOT OF HAMBERS WHO'D LOVE TO TRADE PLACES!

My gut says, since you already love Pontiac and Chevy, follow your nose. IMO, a '23 gl***-T with big-block Poncho or SBC (!) would not be at all beyond your knowledge and talents.

As to your own business, did you consult with your faculty adviser at school RE your prosepctive career goal? If not, go back and look the guy up, whatever they happen to call the position. You might also want to start by working for an established speed shop for a year or two (not just an auto-parts store). You'll start picking up contacts and learning more of the ins and outs. Such networking will inevitably put you in touch with guys already with projects of their own -- AND through them, you may just fall in love with a particular car you run across through such interaction. They can also help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls, be a source of pointers to cars and parts, and help you do a build with safety in mind, too.

As other guys on the HAMB will tell you, you're at one of the most FUN stages of the hotrod scene. And you're young (blessing, not a curse!) and have a ton of options and adventures ahead of you! You'll also be hearing the STORIES for the first time! What a hoot. Enjoy the ride!

 

This is the first place where i have told people I'm the young guy looking for a start without being scoffed at or discredited for being young. Thanks for all the positive advise. There are still some decent guys out there willing to help a young guy find his way. I appreciate it.

 

Find a local car club and get involved. They will love to have your help, and the networking possibilities are endless. Try this link - http://carclubs.com/ohio.htm

 

It is good to see that you have come into the light, Gr***hopper. Now go forth, find a car and git durty!

 

id personally go for a model A myself im also 19 and ive literally just started my own build !!

im not just saying model A because i have one .. i just think the model A scene is the biggest choice of "hot rod" soo i think you could have the best chance of finding somebody who has something simmilar to what youve got ? i would say like me ... but i aint gotta clue what im doing eitherr :/ !!??