Hi guys and gals, My name is Chris, and Ive been religiously lurking around the HAMB for over a year now. I thought I would step up and introduce myself. I live in Dover, NH, but grew up most of my life on the coast in Hampton, NH. Im 29 years old, married my college love, and have 2 kids 2 ½ and 6 months. Im a software engineer by profession, and a lover of rods and customs. My company develops software that corporations use to monitor company computer networks as well as the Internet. So, its very likely that our product is monitoring that cable modem you have sitting next to your PC. I have always been into cars my dad grew up in the 60s and owned a 1968 GTO, 1969 Carousel Red Judge, and a 1967 Corvette Stingray 427... drag raced out in California and at Epping Dragway before kids came along. Needless to say, I was mostly into muscle cars growing up. My dad always listened to the Beach Boys so at a young age, I new that a little deuce coupe was a cool car, but didnt really know much about that era of cars. That was until I met my wife, Tracy. Her family lives down in York, PA, and one summer day when we were down there visiting, I started to see all these wicked cool rods driving into town. My first experience with hot rods was at the NSRA East Nats about 6 years ago. Since then, no other type of car has been on my mind, and weve gone to the show every year. My tastes in hot rods were definitely influenced by the Little Deuce Coupe, as well as Milners coupe, but I have grown to appreciate just about every model year and build style there is. My favorite years, like many of you, are 1930-34. I am of the opinion that a traditional rod is one in which you try to build it to resemble a specific time in history. The operative word in that sentence is resemble. I dont care about period perfection, if it cost you $5,000 or $50,000, nor if you built it or just bought it as long as you have fun with it, thats cool in my book. If youre reading this, youre probably most interested in knowing what kind of car I have, and where the pictures are. Well, guess what I aint got one. A full time job, a family, and a house dont currently allow me the time and money to have one. Ill admit I am a beginner in this great hobby. In addition to reading many books on hot rod building, I have been religiously reading the HAMB for a long time, and have been learning a lot from you guys! My ideal plans are for one day to get road-worthy, semi-project rod that I can learn on, improve, and enjoy. I actually met a couple of you this summer at the NSRA East Nats in York. I briefly talked with Spike and Duck over at the HAMB area. Thanks for being the open, honest, down-to-earth people that you are you made me feel welcome even though I dont own a rod. You guys had some wicked cars, and one day, I hope to be proudly parking mine next to yours. I snapped a few pictures from the past 2 York meets and have put them on Webshots. Please feel free to take a look. They tend to reflect my tastes in rods. The address is http://community.webshots.com/user/somethinwicked. Even though I wont yet be able to provide much technical know-how on many subjects, I hope my enthusiasm for traditional rods will make up for it. I plan to contribute to the HAMB by asking some intelligent questions, and hopefully they will spur on some interesting discussions. Oh, in case youre wondering what my name means I tried to come up with something that was somewhat cool, that incorporated a little New England slang. I used the word wicked probably a million times growing up, so I went with it. Take care, and build em safe. Chris
Welcome Chris- I dont think having a car dictates what you represent,here.....I think you'll be jus fine- ask away- but be warned this can result in you owning first one peice of tin, then two then one day it fires up an rolls out that door under its own life force!after enduring everyone elses doubts- Have fun man...Kenny
You're from Dovah? That's wicked pissah!! Don't worry about not having a car, I lived in the Keene area of NH for about 12 years and I know that there isn't much left that is reasonably priced back there. Keep hitting the Amherst swap meet on the last Sunday of the month, you'll find something eventually. Welcome, there are a couple of guys from Pelham, a few from the greater Boston area, and a couple in Maine.
Great intro. I can tell you took the time and effort it takes to write out an interestingly intelligent one. Welcome aboard!
So does that software you write keep tabs on how much time you been spending on the HAMB lately?? Welcome to the HAMB. I don't have a Hot Rod either, but people still put up with me... I think. I'm sure you'll learn something from the HAMB, even if it is only how to type like germ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
[ QUOTE ] I don't have a Hot Rod either, but people still put up with me [/ QUOTE ] Brootal has a hot rod. It runs, looks good, goes fast, burns rubber, lots o rubber. Meets all the specs far as I can see. Welcome to the beginning of your lifelong quest....
[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I don't have a Hot Rod either, but people still put up with me [/ QUOTE ] Brootal has a hot rod. It runs, looks good, goes fast, burns rubber, lots o rubber. Meets all the specs far as I can see. Welcome to the beginning of your lifelong quest.... [/ QUOTE ] Aw shucks... thanks C9. You're pretty right, but it sure as shit ain't running at the moment!
"By the pricking of my thumbs........" (Shakespeare) Welcome Wicked! I'm a little longer in the tooth but...no hot rod either (yet). Fambly etc sure is an expensive pastime...and work seems to consume the rest some weeks.
welcome wicked: nice to see some new guys,, i am pretty new myself and sort of fit in here for lack of anywhere else to fit i guess... i am kind of like that old stray dog you feed once out of pity,, and he just keeps coming back.. yup thats me!! just remember hotrods/customs/sleds/etc... are like kids... if you wait till you can afford one,, most will likely never have one or get one.. i am with you on the deuce coupe, or the like,, god knows i as well as just about the whole breathing world would like to own one. my advice, get something you like as soon as you can, visualize something different, and make it the way you want it... never seen a ricer with a hemi? now that would be cool well you know what i mean,, i dont think it has to be early iron necessarily to fit in well here, but if you start on a ricer it better have a flatty, hemi, or at least a SBC in it!!! and for god sakes dont mention fake injector stacks or fake dual overhead cam valve covers, etc. i love this place, even if i dont fit in that well.. bob ps. before i forget,,, dont mention wings either....lol
[ QUOTE ] You're from Dovah? That's wicked pissah!! Don't worry about not having a car, I lived in the Keene area of NH for about 12 years [/ QUOTE ] You're right, there isn't much reasonably priced around here, but I keep searching. That's cool you're from Keene. It seems there's a lot of New England transpants in the southwest. My buddy just moved out to San Diego. I gotta go visit him one of these days, maybe during some salt races and take a road trip.
[ QUOTE ] just remember hotrods/customs/sleds/etc... are like kids... if you wait till you can afford one,, most will likely never have one or get one.. my advice, get something you like as soon as you can, visualize something different, and make it the way you want it... never seen a ricer with a hemi? now that would be cool [/ QUOTE ] Ricers and I don't get along very well, so don't worry about that. Yes, hot rods are like kids! Nice analogy... well I got the kids... 2 down, one to go.
Hey Chris, I think I remember chatting with you at York. It's about time you joined in! Keep your eyes peeled for a project, you'll be knee deep in car parts in no time. Duck
Now there is an INTRO........... welcome Chris--as you probably already know,,,,,,DIS IS DA PLACE !!! Jersey Skip
Something wicked this way comes...........hmmmm.....you a Ray Bradbury fan? Now as for the excuse for not having a Hot Rod. BULLSHIT! Having a family house and kids is no excuse. I have the same and my wife and I live far....far...below the poverty line and i have one. It may not run or even be complete.....but a little at a time a part here and a part there. Mike
[ QUOTE ] Now as for the excuse for not having a Hot Rod. BULLSHIT! Having a family house and kids is no excuse. I have the same and my wife and I live far....far...below the poverty line and i have one. It may not run or even be complete.....but a little at a time a part here and a part there. [/ QUOTE ] Now that's the motivation I need!!! No excuses! Keep it up. Wait a minute... how did that steel firewall mysteriously appear in my yard???
Complete with wheel and handles no doubt! (Just the thing to get it into the garage!!! ) Welcome aboard. Bill
Chris, Congrats on the best written intro I've seen here in quite a while. Pleased to have you with us and welcome your input. Don't sweat not having a fun ride - it'll come soon enough, if you're serious. -Bob
Wicked, welcome. No worrieas about not having a car. You will get something though, this place will do it to you...
If you werent so far away, I would offer you a 41 Ford business coupe. You WILL find a car in your area. Ask everyone you talk to--little old ladies, kids, farmers specially, people who have horses. If you think you cant afford it, think differently. If you want something right now you have to pay--if you wait, it will come to you at a cheap price. I have been needing a gas gauge sending unit for 18 months and been willing to pay for it. Got one free yesterday. A guy I know wanted a 40 Ford pickup. Got one free.
About 3 years ago , I told a guy in Montana, if ya find a 49 Merc coupe give me a call. Damnest thing a year later he called. Nice intro, ask EVERYBODY, a car is comin yer way. Welcome!!!....OLDBEET
SW, I know what you mean 'bout not having a hot rod. I thought my L79/4-speed custom paint '68 Camaro convertible qualified. But my girlfriend informed me that it wasn't a hot rod because "it doesn't look like a hot rod." I informed her that I'd get a Deuce coupe as soon as I could. She heartily agreed. I think I gotta marry this one.
Chris, did you get my e-mail about Worcester on the 20th? its about a 11/2 or 2 hr ride for you but worth it.!!! JimV
[ QUOTE ] I think I gotta marry this one. [/ QUOTE ] Bigcheese... she's a keeper! Here's a recent quote from my wife while looking at a 32 coupe... "that's a nice one, but where would we put the 2 car seats?" How do I break it to her?
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