The rod/custom/classic you own that does it for you.

My current rod has been with me for over 10 years now. Of all the dozens of rods and cl***ics I've had over the years, this one has meant the most to me. I've put more heart and soul into this one than any before. It's an off brand (Oldsmobile), but so many have approached me to say they remember their uncle, father or grandfather had one like it and mine brings back fond memories for them. It's a wonderful feeling to know others can be made happy just seeing the ride you saved.

I've enjoyed sharing stories with others here about the ride that's been in their family for generations because it's become one of the family. Father and son projects that go on even beyond the person that started the project. Traditional rods that have been saved because they are being p***ed down through generations within the family. Some others that have been saved by that special friend when there was no more family to keep it going.

I know there are others that treasure the car they own for special reasons whether it's their first car and first love, or that ride that keeps memories of a loved one closer everyday. Traditional rods and customs are what we are here for. What makes yours special to you?

 

I am pretty fond of my 56 Chevy wagon. All though I would trade it for some sort of Tudor Rod, I would rather have my wagon than something else. Of course there are other cars I would like to have as well, it would have to be something pretty cool to get me to part with the wagon. I would have to really flip over something to get rid of it. And a Tudor would probably do it.

Something along the lines of this would work for me......

 

I am fond of my 1977 dodge sweptline, I put a 1991 frame under it, rebuilt my 360 and and 727 transmission, now going to try wiring my wifes 1978 stepside, so I know what to do to mine when I rewire it. hers has a 225 slant six . I have always been a dodge man ever since I bought these trucks, years ago. never had anything else since.

 

Well, I ve only had one, but its really satisfying to kno that Its never left my garage form start to its current state (except for an alignment). If I didnt need a work truck full of supplies I would drive it every day.

 

Nobody that knows me will believe it but I think my 31 is it!! I don't think there's anything I would change on it. Well, maybe some chrome wheels so I could switch the back & forth depending on the mood.LOL.

 

Good thread, Jerry. Even though we of course use this site for knowlege and info too, not every thread has to be of a technical nature. We're here to share our p***ion for these cars as well. I enjoy this kind of stuff...stories of the deep feelings that many folks have for their rides. I like to hear how somebody's grandpa or dad or uncle handed down their car, and it's become "part of the family". It becomes more than just a car...it represents the memory of a loved-one. Or the person who has fostered a dream to own or build a hot rod, and after great sacrifice and perseverance, has finally realized their dream. These are the cars that are likely (under normal cir***stances) never to be sold for profit...regardless of the $ offered. They are worth much more than money...they're truly "keepers".

I have one that fits this category...or will. It's a 1929 Ford roadster project. Presently, it's still just a pile of parts...'29 Ford roadster body, '32 Ford frame, I-beam front axle, banjo rear, '46 Ford wheels caps and trim rings, '33 Ford grill, guide headlights, and a '60 430 Lincoln engine with an old aluminum Edelbrock 6x2 intake. I also have the steering-wheel from the same Lincoln the engine was pulled from. I plan on mating the engine to a Ford top-loader 4-speed trans. The intake manifold was actually the first component that I purchased for this project...it was the inspiration for me to use the Lincoln engine. I bought that intake from a friend that owned a small hot rod shop in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. His name was Poncho, and he unfortunately p***ed away some time ago. I used to stop there whenever I was in the area. One day, I spotted this exceptionally large aluminum 6x2 intake-manifold laying on the floor that I hadn't seen before. I asked him, "Hey, Poncho...what's this fit...a hemi?" He said, "No, you won't believe it...a 430 Lincoln engine." I had never really figured out which of the many possible engines I would end up using in this imaginary hot rod of mine, but after seeing this one on the floor of Poncho's shop...I knew what was to be...and I bought it. The aquisition of the body alone of this hot rod to-be is a story in itself. It took a couple of years of working on and off on a guy's '33 Ford coupe before I could finally get it. I'm not rich, and finding and getting these various parts has been an exercise in "a little here and a little there".

I've loved hot rods since I was only 3 years old, (1960) watching the neighbor's teenaged boys run around in their loud jalopies. They were all greasers...black leather jackets, white T-shirts, jeans, pointed, black "fence-climber" shoes, slicked hair...they were gods to me. And I've loved early '30s hot rods since I was a young boy building plastic models of them. But in spite of having a number of cool old cars over the years-go-by, for various reasons, I have yet to fulfill my dream of owning...or better yet...building an honest to goodness traditional early '30s hot rod. But very soon now, I'll be doing an initial mock-up of that pile of parts that I've been slowly adding to. I'm 52 now, and it's taken so long to reach this point of realizing my dream, that I want this one to really count. It will be, as they say, my masterpiece...my pride and joy...my ultimate expression. Sure, I would've liked to have done this as a younger man, but the neat part is, that I've had many years to ponder the many possible variations of its final form. I've viewed thousands of hot rods, and have picked and chosen the particular ideas and features from them which attract me most. I also have a few unique ideas of my own, that I'll include in the build. I know..."Don't tell me what you're gonna do..." But with perseverance, and the saints-willing, this'll happen.

P***ion? You aint just-a-whistlin'-****...see. LOL. Heart and soul? Yes. Special? Without question. Will it "do it for me?, as you ask, Jerry? (OP) You bet. After it's finished, would I likely ever sell it? HA...you've got to be kidding...it'll certainly be my keeper, unless or until my welfare and/or the welfare of my sweet wife depends on it. - Rick

P.S. - Keep 'em coming guys and gals. I enjoy almost nothing better, than hearing others share the pervasive, all-encomp***ing, sometimes almost irrational attraction that you have for these...time machines...guilded charitiots...hot rods, and the meaning behind your car, and the people involved. Tell your story. Share your p***ion. "It's nice to share." Rick

 

I believe it, Mike! Cool coupe.

 

The two Ill die with are the roadster and the 32 pickup ,They are a long way from finished .And ill never sell them ,Ive been offered money to sell the truck by a couple different guys and I said no ,Its not for sale .Even if they gave me enough to buy one done ,Id still say NO .When you slave over them for hours and you lose sleep thinking how am I gonna do this,You realize that you can't just buy a car and be happy with it.

 

My 56 Buick wagon, dad tried to buy it from the original owner for 20 years.. Mr. Blackington lived at the end of the block.. Anyway when he p***ed away my dad p***ed on buying it so that I could. Spent all my paper route money I'd saved buying it and getting it safe and reliable, all work me and my dad did.. That was good times, I'll never sell that car.

Even though some times I hate my 54 chevy, if I leave it alone for a while Im always shocked how bad *** it is when I walk into the garage and see it for the first time again..

 

Thanks!! I think the wife may finally believe it. But then she says I can do what I want with mine but her 29 isn't going anywhere! LOL!!

 

I have a 1970 Dodge Challenger that I probably couldn't sell. If I did, I'd want much more than it's worth, so I guess it is possible I'd sell it, but not likely!

To me, the 1970 Dodge Challenger was the first real car I wanted since I was a junior in high school back in 1997, and it was dumb luck that I found mine in 2004. The stars aligned and I was able to drive it home with a hopped up 440, a 727 missing third and reverse, disc brakes, and 3.91 suregrip for $400. The body and interior was hosed, but I was able to drive it home!

I've been working at it when the interest sparks me, but I've really gotten hooked on hot rods, so that time is infrequent at best. Done some minor bodywork, replacing the interior with black pieces, and added the Shaker hood. The 440 that was in it spun a rod bearing days after I got it, and I finally got another stock 440 into it. I converted it over to a 4 speed, and swapped the 3.91s for 3.23s. Best time with it at the strip was 13.9 @ 100 mph, not bad for a stock 375 horse 440!

 

Cool guys. Soooooo cool.

 

Dad and I built/and are still building the dream car I've wanted since I was a kid:<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>Y.E.onDOMReady(show_notes_initially);</SCRIPT>


But there's just something about this one that dad and built it just always sticks in my head.

 

Project X is coming soon .

 

i will have my 34 as long as the good Lord leaves me here, i had a 61 starliner for over 30 yrs, it was my old hot rod, needed to be rebuilt, just couldn't make myself work on it, sold it and later bought my 34, i didn't know how much work would be involved in putting it together, i have enjoyed every minute of it.

 

When I was kid there was a black 55 chevy that just did it for me. I've had a bunch of nice rides but nothing like my own 55 that I got 5 years ago. Brought back from the almost totally dead over a 2 year time and now my own 55 does it for me.

 

Now for the rest of the story. I didn't really explain WHY my rod is special to me.

I've had many cars before this one, but decided it was time to look for that special ride. I asked around and started following leads not really sure what I was even looking for. Just like looking for that special girl to marry, I would know when I found it. I was given a round about lead for a car that was thought to be a mid 50's GM sedan in the middle of nowhere. About the time I was ready to give up spotting it, there it sat beside an old clapboard service garage that hadn't been operated in forever. Bargained it down to a little more than I thought it was worth, but I knew it was the right one. Aside from someone hacking things together trying to put a later engine in it, the sedan was in pretty good shape.

I've never had any training or someone to work alongside of, so it's all precision guesswork. Met a good friend online talking about cars, and it turns out the father was a major fan of 1955 Oldsmobiles just like the one I bought. He worked on them for years after going completely blind and only lived for a year after I bought mine and never got to touch it because he lived a distance away. But even that short influence inspired me to continue on and find a way to make that last 1955 Olds he knew to be the best I could make it. It's the bond that we have for our cars while sharing them with others that will make them special beyond their normal value. The car is nearly finished now and things have gone very well even without the experiance I thought I needed. But then, maybe I had more help than I realized. Yes, my ride is special to me.

 

Always loved the finned Mopars and in my opinion the '57 Chrysler and DeSoto are the best of the bunch. Always wanted a hardtop to make a custom out of. And I got it. Just 'does it for me.'

 

Question I don't remember the movie ***le But Burt Reynolds was in it and your car was in it it was called something and the bubble gum kid .Great car ,

 

I'm almost finished my 64 F100. But, I am not sure I like the way it is turning out. My buddys are saying that it looks great. I'm not sure.
When I have it completed, if I'm still not sure, I'll flog it. I still have my 56 Ford to re do. Maybe it will turn my crank. If it dosnt, I have a 65 Mustang that might. But then there is a 65 M100 that could, or my wife's 71 Comet GT. But ya know, I'd love a Convertable, or a Roadster, maybe a 30's Coupe.

Naw!! I dont think I'm done yet.

 

Cool thread,Sir Woosh!

My truck has had me on fire,bleeding and stranded alongside the road.
I've become an ongoing member of two hot rod clubs and the HAMB with it.
I always wanted a coupe and found out that these trucks are called M5 Coupe-Express trucks? It has two doors and is sorta like a coupe?
My kids have gotten their first hot rod rides in it and the youngest thinks it's so cool that she knows how to actuate the bear claw door latches....
I've grown older with this thing,so....

 

W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/furn/dance_kings_olds.jpg

 

The 'burb-guy beat me to it, but of the 7 cars I have around, my '57 Chrysler somehow does it for me better then the others. The lines of the car are the sleekest of 'm all and that's what does it I guess.

The car isn't 'HAMB'-ready yet as I'm still in the process of 'de-80-fying' it and getting most of chrome back on it, but even now I always stop and stare at it whenever I come across a pic of it on my computer or website...

 

Got that straight axle in yet ! Rick

 

"precision guesswork" I like that.

 

Yep that was it ,Great movie I wached that repeatedly when I was a kid ,I even bought a 54 olds once and I decided not to pickup ,I let the guy who is a friend keep the deposit .......I don't regret it .I didn't know enough then ,I wouldn't of finished I bought a 56 ford truck instead and I didn't finish that either ,

 

I love my 62 Galaxie 500 2 door sedan. I have had it since 96 and it still makes me smile. It is currently in a million pieces getting some much needed love. The 352 is getting swapped out for a 390, the cruise-o-matic is gone in favor of a Tremec 3550, it is lowered, lots of trim shaved and a whole lot more. Anytime I think back about the times I would drive it and my day gets better.

 

Skreemin'...your coupe that your dad and you are building looks great. How cool to build a hot rod with your dad.

Gotgas...your '57 is cool. Does it fly? LOL. That was a question I recently read that a little kid asked someone here when he saw his finmobile. Cute.

Dirtroad...Hahahaha! I know what you mean. I'm not quite done yet either! We'll get there!

 

Gotgas and Big block Mopar..............
This one's for you!

Yep, Love those fins enough to name my soda shop after them.......

 

BigBlockMopar...you've got a flying car too! LOL. Beautiful.

Domino...you've had your Galaxie for 14 years? Must be a part of you by now. Or should I say you are a part of it! Cool, man. More memories to come with that one!