Newb here In need of advice....

Sorry for being a newb. Just stumbled across the site and it looks like I'll be here a while. Lots of good info so far.

Long story short; I've been around muscle cars my whole life and I'm flat out tired of the headaches. I recently sold my kit cobra because I'm finding it harder to enjoy cars that are "perfect". Too much to worry about, too much paint to keep clean, can't drive in the rain, polishing wheels, vacuuming carpet, washing the undercarriage....etc,etc,etc.

I figure it's about time to buy a real hotrod. Something I can have fun in and not have to worry about. I'm tired of waxing paint and cleaning bugs off the windshield. I've always liked ratrods and the idea of spending more time driving and wrenching rather than waxing and polishing.

I came across this car on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars...rms=39:1|65:10|240:1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I'm still getting info from the seller but he is local so I can go see the car in person. Just trying to get some of your opinions because I'm still new to this era of cars. Any thoughts?? He says the reserve is $5500 but my guess is it will sell for more.

 

Rat Rod? Are you in the wrong place or what!!
You should have at LEAST learked here for awhile so you learned the difference between a traditional Hot Rod and a fucking rat rod. Head over to Ruffrodders.com, thats what you are lookingfor.
Fuck!

 

thanks mate! I've been lerking for a while. Lots of good stuff on this site and I've come across a lot of good threads. I didn't know the site was only geared toward "traditional hotrods". I guess there must be some type of animosity between the two crowds??? I haven't had much reason to post because I haven't had any luck finding a car locally. Sorry I asked. Traditional hotrod or rat rod....aren't we talking pretty much the same cars just a little different style? I mean, the mechanicals are all the same. I'm not looking for opinions on what style is best, just some thoughts or some things I should look out for, mechanically or functionally. I've been around a lot of hotrods, mostly sixties stuff and early 70's. Is that traditional? Do you want to argue semantics or just bust my balls for being new? I've been around the forum thing for years, thousands of posts on multiple forums. If you don't like it, don't reply...pretty simple forum eticate.

 

Gee couldn't see that response coming. Nobody wants their shit classified as a rat rod, but every time someone posts an event pic it's loaded with them. Same old double standard B.S.

 

They always flame people on this site, you can't win.

 

Then please accept my apologies. By using the term "rat rod" I didn't mean to offend anyone. My own understanding of the definition might be different than how the members here on the forum interpret it. Judging by the cars for sale in the classifieds I figured this was a good place to ask. I also like the the picture thread (60 plus pages of good stuff + lots of "rat rods"). Then again, maybe the car I'm interested in isn't even technically a ratrod (no rust).

 

You saie the R R word. Its sad really. I was in Pigeon Forge and overheard a kid callin a slicked out 34 Ford a rat rod. Its the new fad . There is a differnece between a rat rod and hot rod. Hot rods are more of a less is more type car. If it doesnt make it stop or go You probably wont find it on a HOT ROD. Rat rods are more of a "look at me" type of car. They may have a stotgun for a shifter a mailbox with a rat sticking its head out for a hood scoop. just basically a bunch of unneccesssary junk. A Hot Rod may be in primer maybe even have rust on it but to call it a rat rod would be offensive to a real hot rodder. Welcome to the HAMB. and a little FYI dont use that word again.

 

I came across this car on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars...%3A1|65:10|240:1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I'm still getting info from the seller but he is local so I can go see the car in person. Just trying to get some of your opinions because I'm still new to this era of cars. Any thoughts?? He says the reserve is $5500 but my guess is it will sell for more.[/quote]

I wouldnt label this as a rat rod. Get some bais ply tires. Get rid of that shfter console. Thats all I could see from the pics. Nice car though.5500 isnt at all bad for what I see. If that was a Model a you would be paying twice that.

 

Thanks Skwurl! I got it. Then I guess I don't want a rat rod. I want a hot rod. I'm not interested in flashy paint, shiny chome, grenade shifters, crazy pinstriping (although a lot of it is great artwork). I just really want a bare-bones "hot-rod". Just something that will get me from point A to B that I can enjoy and still take to car shows. Doesn't have to be fast. I get your point though and I understand what you mean now by "rat rod". And in a way, I too think a 4 foot long shifter is not only unnecessary but pretty stupid. Rust doesn't bother me either. I'm just tired of the whole show car scene, that's all.

 

I wouldnt label this as a rat rod. Get some bais ply tires. Get rid of that shfter console. Thats all I could see from the pics. Nice car though.5500 isnt at all bad for what I see. If that was a Model a you would be paying twice that.[/quote]


Yeah, you are right. I've had my eye on a few model A sedans but for $12-15K....it's too much for me. Like I said, I want something I don't have to worry about and won't break the bank. My last car cost me $30k and I was terrified to leave it alone anywhere I went.

 

I think you should just fuck off. Easy. Done, your a dick, even when told there is a difference you are still making stupid comments.

 

Oh I get it...the whole 3,500 posts thing means you can tell everyone what to do. I've been around the block Doc and I know that actions speak louder than words. If you think you're gonna gain my respect by bashing me it ain't gonna happen. If you don't like it make the forum private, or don't respond. You're not gonna get very far in life with that attitude. If I had known this forum was run by a bunch of children I wouldn't have posted in the first place. There are plenty of people I can go to, just thought I'd try something new.

 

Yeeeeeee. Haaaaaw. I love it when you talk dirty!!

 

your my new hero!!!! to many angry guys on this site gettin worked up over nuthin. welcome!!!

 

Popcorn anyone?

 

Whats in a "name"? A damn car is a car.If you have been lurking on this site for a while,you probably have already noticed a bunch of "kids" on here that cant even spell yet...to say the least about grammer.The car you found there on ebay is a "hotrod"...period....If you like it,buy it.I wouldn't care what they call my car as long as it suits me!

 

Youre just taking your lashings. It'll be ok soon. They really like to haze the new guys. You'll get it.

 

I don't want your respect, get over yourself. You lurked? Were you on this board? Just go the fuck away, thats all I would like, but now I have said that your first thought was 'I'll stay and see how much I can piss this guy off'.
You insulted all of us, anyone that thinks what you said was ok just doesn't get it either.
Nuff' said.
Doc.

 

It's just semantics. I thought the two words could be used interchangeably but I guess not. At any rate, I'm mostly curious how some of these older hot rods manage in real world conditions. I've always had the benefit of overdrive transmissions and disk brakes. My main concern is mostly reliability since I like to drive long distances. This has steered me away from a few cars, particularly those which I thought might have been harder to find parts for. I really want something I can drive that's also easy to work on and has parts readily available. One of the reasons I'm interested in this car is due to the 9 inch rear since I am already familiar with them and the fact that is has a th350 trans. I've done a th350 to 700R4 on a chevelle, but I'm not sure how closely the bellhousing of a 292 resembles a 350. That's one thing I'll have to find out because o/d trannys make things much easier on the highway. But I guess I could always swap in something in the 2.50-2.80 gear range for the time being.

 

You might not want my respect, and that's fine. I'm just another newb that said the word "rat rod". You may not want my respect but it sounds like you certainly thrive off the respect of others on this board. No one else seems to have a problems but you. Get-a-life.

 

Somebody go get 3w-larry out of the bathroom....

Brian

 

You got any butter to go with that popcorn?

 

I take it respect is important to you, I couldn't give a rats arse about it. I speak my mind, I guess you don't like it. Yup, I'm an arse hole. Too bad huh? You run in to us.

 

I think the differences go farther than just looks and style. The rat rods are notoriously poorly engineered and a lot of times unsafe. A traditional rod is better engineered, and yes a lot of times they have shiny paint. And for the most part the guys here don't like rust. Leaving the rust on a car just lets it continue to deteriorate.

Nope... sorry...

 

You don't care about respect but when I say something dis-respectful (i.e. "rat rod") you go apeshit? What am I being punked? There's always a few arse-holes in the crowd and I'm willing to tolerate it because it's a public forum. Just like some people are willing to tolerate new members. Just cause I'm new doesn't mean I'm an idiot or inferior. All I did was ask a question. I'm not going away and your not pissing me off.

 

Mike, I gotta say, these posts are quite entertaining! Anyway I just checked out your ebay link, I dig the car but I'm not sure that I would go for a car with an underslung frontend as my first Hot Rod. Be prepared to have that thing wedged on every speed bump or driveway that you go over! It's a good price but I'd change the frontend to a transverse spring or maybe a quarter eliptical setup.

 

I am willing to tolerate new members, Infact go find one I have 'flamed' or 'hazed' before (You cant), but not when they come on here with such ignorance and an attitude about their failings.
Are you being punked? Jesus, I'm not going to touch that reference.
You don't have to respect me, hell I dint want to know you, but if you are going to stay around here try and respect the history this place represents. I'm angry because you insulted every traditional rodder, Ryan and they who began our fantastic lifestyle.
You still dint get it, I dint know what else to say!
Doc.

 

sophomoric hazing - what a waste of 'ink'. I don't claim to have the experience of THIRTY-FIVE HUNDRED posts (where DO you find the time?) to wear across my left breast pocket, but the most prudent thing to do when someone asks a question is to analyze their reasoning for the inquiry. The first post from this 'newbie' asked a reasonable question, and it's understandable that he may not be up to date on the proper nomenclature regarding cars that are older than he is used to. Jumping on his post immediately with insults is the sign of a person that's unhappy. I have not met Doc, although I have observed his many insightful postings. As soon as I had read his initial response to the newbie - I envisioned the old curmudgeon in the neighborhood - ranting and raving at the kids on skateboards - just because as time moves along....events seem to leave him behind. Doc, hammering this dude because of a mistake in terminology was juvenile and makes your appear as a bitter old man. Accept those of us that are too busy with life to engage ourselves with living to see our responses in print. I know that I'm not an insider on the HAMB. I see lots of you members have met, worked on projects together and have a working knowledge of each others' lives. That being said - this is a place for people that are not right down the street from your garage to comment, inquire, laugh, grump, etc about all things hot rod. This place has an awesome knowledge base. I have yet to see a question promulgated which was not answered adequately and correctly within a short span of time.

When you flame someone over an innocent mistake, you make yourself appear even more ignorant than the person you're accusing or lambasting.

dj

 

Thanks Jamin, that's the type of info I'm looking for. This is the first car I've come across with an underslung front end. Other than putting the frame that much lower to the ground, is there any detrimental affects to ride quality or handling. The only cheaper alternative would be a taller tire but I'll have to take this into consideration. Thanks for bringing this up cause that's something that wouldn't have even thought to check.

 

Oh my goodness! how can two fellers get so worked up over a type of car? Who gives a shit what you call something? we all love cars. there's just different strokes for different folks. welcome newbie!