Hot Rods The FUTURE is in front of our faces!

This is right before we tore it apart. My dad is in the back ground, with out his help my Dream Ride would have never been possible.

 

My daughter helps her hand!


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I'm 57 and have no children . . . but when I think about it, even when I was a kid (out in SoCal), there were not that many kids that actually worked on their cars. I was fascinated with mechanical things since I was born - just a genetic predisposition . . . encouraged and supported by my parents and culture. BUT - I've made a living in the computer business (started when I was 20). What enabled me, was that my parents gave me an environment, opportunity and support to try new things, see what I enjoyed and encouraged me along the way. I may have had some solid genetics when it came to aptitude and IQ, but the rest was a direct product of my family, my teachers, some great mentors in the neighborhood, my relatives, etc.. It is ALL about the environment and fence posts that our parents put up.

Fence Posts: My Mom allowed myself and my two brothers only 30 minutes a day of TV . . . and we had to all figure it out as to what programs, for how long (no fighting). She has said that I wasn't that thrilled about TV, but that my older brother would have watched it all day if she let him. So, she didn't let him. That scenario is NO different than computer games today -- we would have them if I was growing up today, but Mom/Dad would have ensured that we only played them a reasonable amount. They would have encouraged the Hell out of learning on a computer --> of research, of using them as 'tools' for music, design, programming, exploration, modern 'Erector Set' type projects . . . but the games would be limited. And, they'd be INVOLVED in our work . . . even if we knew a lot more about it than them . . . because active participation goes a long way in learning things . . .

It is the SAME deal today folks (as it has always been) - it is all about the environment, opportunities and support . . .

 

My wife's cousin is a single mom with a 10 year old son who spends most of his time with ma and grandma. About two years ago we were hanging out with him and had to run some errands and thought it would be cool to drive through the 28th metro cruise in grand rapids. Just this past weekend his grandma was saying that keeps talking about seeing all the cool cars....Gets ya right in the feels

 

I'm trying to get my little guy hooked at two he loves coming out the garage to help out



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Same here.

 

My son is 8 now and he's has been with me in the garage for all my projects since he was born. I remember when I was a kid helping my dad, about the extent of what he allowed me to do was hold the light and be the tool gopher. I'm different with my kid. He actually gets to do things. Helped assemble a 289, ran wires, lower the body on the chassis, etc. give them specific jobs on the project and it will help keep their interest and they'll learn something.

 

My son working on his car. He would just as soon be on the computer, but I told him that it won't build itself and I'm not going to build it for him so he comes out and helps. I have a hard time letting him do stuff because it's easier for me to do it most times.

 

I am clearing out the basement right now and re-packing everything, my 8 yr old daughter is off on spring break. So she sees me walking around with a tunnel ram plenum, and says "Daddy, whats that?" So I say "wait a minute and I'll show you." Grab the base and a couple carbs...

She takes one look at it, and says "That's SO mechanical!" She SO FRIGGEN gets it. Its gotta be genetic.

 

Is that a '70 Mopar B-Body?! That's a hell of a car for a kid!

 

No Mopar, just a '66 Corvair.

 

I really enjoy seeing the kids helping with the cars. Great pics of great kids. Congrats to all the parents!

 

Here is Ethan working on a Model A frame a buddy of mine gave him for a project he wants to do.

 

Back to Pogo...he called all this for sure!


The microscopic drawing is from Library of Congress, and the caption announces that it can only be viewed in a visible format at the Library...blasted ancient copyright. Obviously, though, they too respect Pogo as an oracle on child rearing! The text at least is visible:

• Title: [Pogo]. Them li'l' hot rods!
• Creator(s): Kelly, Walt, artist Kelly, Walt, copyright claimant
• Date Created/Published: c1954.
• Medium: 1 drawing.
• Summary: Four-panel comic strip shows Rackety Coon Chile pulling a wagon, racing around Churchy La Femme, the turtle, and Porkypine, who are trying to fish. Churchy is impressed by Porky's clever observation, "Hot the rod an' an spoil the chile...." This is one of a series of strips in which Churchy and Porky undertake to discuss serious matters.
• Reproduction Number: ---
• Rights Advisory: May be restricted: Information on reproduction rights available in LC P&P Restrictions Statement.
  
• Call Number: CD 1 - Kelly, no. 75 (A size)
• Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
• Notes:
  • (DLC/PP-1980:101.46)
  • Published by: Post-Hall Syndicate, Apr. 19, 1954.
  • Published in: Potluck Pogo / Walt Kelly. New York : Simon and Schuster, 1955, p. 1.
  • jr / 860507; ljr / 000720.
• Subjects:
  • Fishing--1950-1960.
• Format:
  • Comics--American.
  • Drawings.
• Collections:
  • Cartoon Drawings
• Part of: Cartoon Drawings (Library of Congress)
• Bookmark This Record:
  http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016682575/

 

My oldest granddaughter started helping me wrench when she was about 4. Now she is a young woman and wrenches and races with her future husband.

She also rides motorcycles. I don't know where that came from.