That actually holds no water because the ones that were not put in museums right after manufacture, we're found rusted out and restored. Durability is related to upkeep and preservation, not just build material. Bottomline, it's a matter of personal taste. That's why these types of discussions don't leave anything solved. They are, however, good at taking attention from tech articles and pics of great builds. Now, where's the thread about "Do fibergl*** cars have "soul" or not?" Might as well make it a full day.
Here's a good question... What would you rather see at a car show, a gl*** body but very traditional styled "Model A", or a all steal but pro-street/rat rod style "Model A"? Bottom line for me is "keep it traditional" one way or the other...
I've been in the car hobby for several decades. I have always been biased against fibergl***, but recently I've had a change of mind. I may never own a fibergl*** body since I have a lot of vintage tin to work with (maybe too much!), but I don't disrespect fibergl*** anymore. That goes double if the fibergl*** is on an original frame.
Thanks, guys, for your thoughtful and honest perspectives. I needed a reality check. Think I'll stop obsessing and just enjoy driving, fixing, and fooling around with what I've got, even if it isn't 100%.Ain't that what it's all about? There's a pic of it on hotrodhotline.com/feature/2007show/07wotal/html/page_4.php (top picture on right)
Isn't this about what makes you happy? It's your baby, who cares if somebody else doesn't like it or it's not "traditional." Isn't it ironic that what's traditional now was bucking the system then?
IMO if your running the old frame and its done correctly, don't worry about it, just as long as you don't swap out that stuff for an ls6 and independent suspention with 24's then i would kick you in the balls
Well you ARE using an original Model A frame so that sounds real enough to me. I would love to have a real steel Model T Roadster body for the bucket project I am working on but it is VERY hard to find one here in the humid south. I have looked locally for years and the only T's I have found are either showroom restored examples or rusted out completely and not worth the h***le or if they fit into neither category they belong to some eccentric guy who would not even think of selling them to you. I looked for years and finally said screw it and ordered a gl*** T body from Spirit. I am using original T crossmembers and radiator shell and amp guage plus the front axle from a '35 Ford so as long as it has some original components it is real enough for my satisfaction. It is hard to explain how sick a guy can get of trying to deal with the oddballs around here who own original steel and would rather see it rot into the ground than sell it to someone who would appreciate it!! A good example is one junkyard I went to where the owner pissed on a usable Duece body while I was there and then said it wasn't for sale.......that was fifteen years ago and the Duece is still rotting away with bushes grown thru it now. Another of the local Car Hoarders asked me nine hundred dollars for an old gl*** T body which was busted in two places and missing a firewall! I am glad I went with a new gl*** body it saved me alot more heartache and frustration from dealing with nutcases. Wp
My first rod was a "gl***" '32 3 window, which on it's first cruise took best in show. But to be honest, I really wanted an original steel car. I sold the '32 and now have a steel '31. I'm a lot happier. Cal Cowboy was telling me that his neighbor has an award winning '32 roadster. It fibergl*** and very nice. Cal has an original '31 coupe. His neighbor told him that if he were to park next to him at a show, he would be jealous because his car was real steel. Now if I were to built another '32, it would be gl*** because I can't afford steel. Kiwi Connection has great bodies. I had a JRS body and it was horrible. It took a lot of work to make it right.
For the life of me, I never could see why people get so hopped up over the 'gl*** vs steel wars. I've seen steel cars I wouldn't be caught dead in, and the owner is forever bragging about it "gen-u-wine Henry-built steel". The body is only one part of the car, regardless of material. Does it look right, does it drive well, is it safe, can I afford it? I've never owned a 'gl*** car, but I know this much: a buddy has a nice, full fendered '34 coupe that while it ain't exactly cutting edge, it's extremely cool and he drives it everywhere. It has a TCI ch***is, small block Chevy, and a Downs body and fenders. He traded a complete BB Chevy for the paint job and built the whole thing in his two-car garage. He has about $30,000 in it from start to finish. Know what one of the new steel bodies from Steve's costs? About $30,000. Now I ask you, if you were on a budget (aren't we all?) would you rather have a bare body in your garage floor, or a complete, running car? BTW, don't even think of suggesting a real '34 3-window, the guys lucky enough to own one know what it's worth, and anyone who has one for $10,000 (that's what he paid for a complete Downs body, fenders, hood, grille and all) please let me know, I have cash waiting.
I think it's a choice, and $$$$$ thing, not a traditional thing. I like steele cars, but i have seen a lot of real cool gl*** cars. I have also seen a lot a funked up steel cars. A hot rod is a hot rod, you know what i mean.
Why did someone dig this year old thread back up? But on the subject does any one know if there was ever a fibergl*** bodied car copied in steel????
I played Necromancer and brought it back because I read thru it and found it interesting......and also it gave me a chance to rant about the lunatics in my area with vintage steel rotting away and off limits to those who would do something with it Thanks to the miracle of fibergl*** I will have my T roadster without having to kill some hoarder to get one. Wp
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