Military family, all over the globe, always had a deep attraction to all things hot and smoking; if they had wheels, all the better. Always could tell one vehicle from another, even at 4 or 5 years old. Remember seeing American tin in the strangest places. 40's and '50s Dodges and Desotos as taxi cabs in 1963 Saigon. In Istanbul, in the late '50s I can remember seeing raggedy old '40s Chevy Fleetmasters being used as mini-busses. They'd take the doors off, stretch chains across the openings so they could stuff 6 or 8 people in the seats!! In South Africa, way back when, the rich folk drove Mercedes and BMW, while the Africans drove huge old Hudsons and '54 Chevys! Started noticing "other" cars, English, especially German, both pre-and post war types; Adler, Borgward, DKW, Opel, Riley and the like. Mid to late '60s in Southern Virginia, (Norfolk). Got a serious dose of high octane poisoning! Spent all my money on AMT model kits! Neighbor re-upped in the Navy (1966). Took the bonus money and bought a cherry red Plymouth GTX (Hemi 440?). Took it and all the kids on the block to the drags. Made a lasting impression, back when dragsters had the engine out front, the way God intended. Late '60s (to mid 80's) in Germany. Old VW busses, and Isetta bubble cars. Hell, that's what you could get for $500 or $600, instead of clapped out Falcons and Valiants! Got into old Volvos, which is where I'm kind of stuck now. $6.00+ a gallon for gas really weens you off of those thirsty V-8s!! Volvos of the 1940s, '50s and '60s are the most American cars NOT made in this country. All of their designers and tech people apprenticed in the U.S. with Studebaker, Hudson, or GM, and it shows. Plus, half the parts were sourced in America. I can still buy all my brake parts at NAPA. The master cylinders are the SAME as early CJ2, 3 or 4 Jeeps, and so on. The gauge cluster in a 1947-49 Pontiac is almost IDENTICAL to the one in a 1952 through 1958 Volvo PV444/445. They must have gotten a serious deal from GM around about 1950! Now? Well, I am convinced that the 1930s were the absolutely best decade (worldwide!) for automobiles. Call me a heretic, throw me off the H.A.M.B., but I try to keep an open mind about cars, and making them your own. I really like seeing people turning Nashes, La Salles and Diamond Reo trucks into street rods. IMHO thinking outside the box is the essence of hot-rodding. For my money, the 1935 Citroen Traction Avant (the gangster looking French car?!) is one of the most awesome vehicles EVER!! The designer was in Philadelphia, talking to the Budd body works, at the same time as the designer of the "coffin nosed" Cord, Gordon Buehrig(?), was also consulting there. Both front wheel drive cars, all metal bodies? Hmmm, separated at birth? The styling, the advances in engines, and in manufacturing skills, not to mention all the new materials really grabs me. Think of the beginnings of chrome plating, better paints and body stampings in large complex shapes. The first all-steel roof was a big deal, a milestone way back when! I think that was pioneered by the Budd works, too. So, stylewise, I'm into that sort of Flash Gordon, Chrysler Airflow streamlining thing. Know what a 1938 Czech Tatra looks like? I dig instrument knobs made of Bakelite, engine turned intrument panels, and yes, inline 6 and 8 cylinder engines, GASP! More of a "fat fender" guy than an "open/no fender" type. But that's all just a matter of taste, no? Really like the newest trend towards older hot rods with a "patina" left on them, sort of like battle scars. Still an amatuer at heart, even though I occasionally get paid to restore someones car. Recently learned how to use lead. Know the principle, still need lots of practice. If you don't neutralize ALL the acid flux, it leaches back through the paint! Learned THAT the hard way!! I own an industrial Singer sewing machine, can make pretty simple designs. Getting better at it. Make my own headliners. Reading this, I can see that I don't come off as a "traditional" type of rodder, but I'm used to marching to my own beat. Plus, I like to write. Here's hoping that there's a place for me at your table!
The Jalopy Journal
