For a lot of us guys who were rodding in the 60's we had "daily drivers", but they were just our one and only cars. Our rods were all we had, so they were pressed into service everyday out of necessity. Hot, cold, long distance or just a run to the grocery store, our cars were our only mode of transportion. I remember driving Leroy Smith (MIke's dad) down to Long Beach one day in a huge downpour of rain in 1967. No window glass except for the windshield and the hand operated windshield wiper, and we didn't know any different. I guess we could have borrowed a car from a friend, but why? The thought would have never crossed our minds. That's all we knew. And we loved it. That same year a friend and I drove to St. Louis from L.A. in his Olds powered t-bucket. We weren't on a hot rod adventure, we were just going to visit his uncle and the T was all he had. It was just transportation. So, yeah, I applaud anyone who "drives 'em daily". It's the way it was, but not the way it is anymore. That's too bad, but I do understand why people don't do it everyday. There's many reasons (aka excuses) not to drive a rod or custom every day. That needs re-thinking. Incorportating your hot rod or custom into your daily life is the only way you will really have a glimpse of the way it was. It's also a great way to just enjoy the moment while enjoying the day. Why save that enjoyment for just the weekend? Sure, like Ryan said, you leave a little earlier and arrive a little later. Maybe if everyone in America would take that attitude, whether they are rodders or not, maybe, just maybe, everyone would just chill down a bit and have a better day...works for me My one and only car for five years...
That car is looking real good, and a great story too. Id like to see the looks on the faces of the other parents when you drop off your kid, do they freak out?
I always liked the smell of a well aged interior. Open the doors for the first time on a hot summer day, and it puts you in the right frame of mind for a cruise immediately. Sounds a little "out there", but I never claimed to be normal.
Very nice indeed! I vote for the black. And, you saved a fine classic from those butchers at Bruce's! :- ) Not to highjack the thread, but I pass through Drippin' and on up through FM12 and Hamleton Pool road very often on the way to the lake area. A great drive for hot rods and scooters. But I wonder why there isn't more cool shops/clubs and stuff going on in the old town strip buildings? So close to Austin and certainly no money shortage in the area - that old town would make a great little hang out spot. Maybe El Jeffe should open a "Continental West" or something?
All of those buildings have been owned by a real estate agent for over 20 years. He isn't interested in selling them at all. He does rent them out, but I don't think one has been open for quite some time. He bought his last building about 3 years ago. The old bank... Such a great building... and he got it sooo cheap. I didn't have the money or I would have bid on it. If you keep going east on 290 into Austin, look to your left about half way to Austin... A guy bought a bunch of rail station buildings built in 1890, moved them to his lot, and is restoring all of them. AMAZING buildings. You can see one of them in the background of this shot of Silva's old car:
yeah, wish I had that luxery, I have to drive 35 miles from the South end of C-bus to the north end in shitty traffic. would love to have that thing!!
This shot has me all tingly. The single mounted amber light is awesome and the rest of the car is spot on Ryan! I can't wait to get my '35 on the road. This (meaning the drive to work etc) is exactly what I had in mind when I bought it!!!
Great post!!! This should inspire a lot of others to go out and try the same thing. I think that one of the coolest things on it is the original paint and it looks great. Your wagon was cool also. I'm suprised it isn't gone yet. Keep up the great stories!!
Great story Ryan... I drive my '59 every day. My next project is the seat belts, so I can take Joey with me. You really are living the good life. - Joe
Cool beans, love the '39 sedan, especially with the black wheels. I love driving an old car daily, too, different cars give you such different feelings when you drive 'em.
Ryan, I found your post to the Journal most interesting for a couple of reasons. First, I also live close to Dripping Springs and secondly, I have a relatively unmolested '46 Ford Super Deluxe coupe. I am new to the rodding community as I just gave up racing vintage sports cars. My experience with improving the race cars has lately motivated me to make "improvements" to the Ford, primarily in the handling and braking areas where the sports cars I was used to have a decided advantage. However, I'm having second thoughts about the modifications and have considered selling the car to someone who wants to retain the original configuration. In its present state, my wife who is also an enthusiast, has a difficult time driving the Ford. She is small and the steering and braking effort are a bit much for her. So I am hung on the horns of delima of selling the car and buying another that has already been modified or of modifying this one as it is except for the above-mentioned drawbacks, almost exactly what I want. Any thoughts?
This also has my mind wandering off about my A Tudor I am putting together. When I am in my late model pickup I just get this daydream about what the A would be like at that very moment. My drive is 25 miles and I try to take the twisty way most days. Our deer are bigger and I almost tagged a bull Elk one misty morning.
I'm with ya. There is just something about tooling down an old road in an old car that just soothes the senses. I never could understand the streetrodders that wanted to make a cool old car into a modern car and loose all the ambiance. That is a great looking sedan!! I saw a 39 coupe in the same original condition at Hershey many years ago and have wanted one ever since. I'm jealous as hell. I love the black walls too!
That's a tough one man... It looks like a really nice car... But, it is YOUR car so I feel like you should be able to do whatever you want with it. That said, when you modernize an old car you really lose that feeling of driving an old car. Does that make sense? I guess my only advice is to take your time and really think about what you want in the end... And do your best not to change your mind half way through.
Been waiting to see it Ryan, neat 39. After 47 years of modified cars I find myself yearning for a original driving 40, it would have to have a dropped axle and a few other updates, but basically an old Ford. The glass in yours takes me back to my high school days when I bought my first 40 sedan and my Dad booted me out of the house. NO HOT RODS in his drive by gosh. He recanted after about two weeks [I am sure Mom was on his butt the whole time] and allowed me to return with some required repairs to the 40. Number one was replacing the fogged glass in it, which was ALL the glass in it. I can still hear that flathead and feel the trans as I shifted it. Got another in the wings to replicate it after my coupe is on the road. Joe
I have always liked Danny's 39,,now yours My wifes daily driver back in the late 70's was a nice original paint black 40 sedan and my kids grew up riding to school in the back,,,your kids will remember it forever,,just like mine. Congrats,,,BTW,,I like the WWW better,,but that's me. HRP
I think your story took us all along with you, betcha didn't know that you had that much room. Those are some nice rides! and usually never wears off ,postponed maybe but stays with you. I enjoyed reading this thread.
Cool '39 Ryan, I had one in high school 30 years ago and miss it dearly. My daily driver has been my '48 Plymouth now for about 15 years. As a matter of fact, I've never owned a late model car. Period. I went to work for a major corporation years ago, and after I was hired, I was handed a set of keys for "my" company car... congratulations! I tried to hand them back! Everybody wants a company car... nope. Handed the car back a year later with less than 500 mi. on it and asked for a stipend on my car instead. My Plym has been everywhere, but I do have to admit that it is very significantly updated. Mustang 11, 360-tremac five speed, a/c,(an absolute must in Phoenix,AZ), four wheel disc brakes. But seriously rough around the edges. Yes, it's not as pure as say your '39, but the reality is, living deep downtown in a very large fast pace city is not the place to be driving a mostly original car. Tried it for awhile with a super clean '48 Chev that came my way for a bit. Didn't stop fast enough, didn't move fast enough, and it was so nice that I didn't have the heart to do what needed to be done for my purposes. I do envy your surroundings and the ability to drive what you are as you are. Yes ,there is nothing like looking at the world through sixtiesomthing year old windows. I wouldn't consider doing things any other way. Welcome to the club...
That's cool Ryan! I made the same commitment about 2 years ago and it has been one of the more enjoyable things I've done. I essentially benched my 02 car and began my love of driving my 63 Valiant (shared with my 18 Roadster). We obviously have harsher winters here so when the roads get their worst they get to enjoy the garage and the 02 car get's called to duty but the first sign of nice roads that are snow, sleet and slush free the Valiant get's the nod and when the sun's out and the day calls the Roadster get's the nod. I also couldn't agree more that you have to slow down and appreciate them. The drive becomes more enjoyable and less hurried and you almost feel sorry for the busy bodies that zoom by at 90mph and chuckle on how they are missing the point.
Daily drivers rule. I flipped out about 5 years ago and sold my '63 Falcon Sprint, then bought a '95 Civic to drive every day. It's NEVER broken down, but it just kills me a little bit every day I go out and get into it--and my shoebox is nowhere near being a daily yet. I keep hoping my Civic'll get stolen or hit--the latter, preferably when I'm not in it. As new and as bad as it was--including not starting for much of January and February 2005--my Falcon was a ton of fun. You guys with old daily drivers definitely have the right idea.
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