"(Things are getting) Worse"!!!

Just for the record, I'm building my own car, by myself

I proudly wear my SoCal t-shirts that I bought in their Pomona shop.

I've grown to become nauseous at the sight of any color close to that Foose champagne. Or any two-tones in that vein.

And I’m sure that I’m not alone.

However, I do agree with most of what FH wrote. I used to stripe at over 30 outdoor shows each summer. The 'judging' was far closer to what FH described than what one would expect. I was at one show where they actually docked points if you said that you drove your car more than 1000 miles a year. Imagine that, loosing out on a award because you drove your car too much...WTF

Vance

 

Fat Hack,
Well thought out description of today's hot rod fad. Like all fads, the people following the fad will soon fade away. Those who are participants in the movement will continue on even when the "fad" has moved onto the next "fad". Real hot rodders will continue doing what they love: the creativity of building their own cars. Fads come and go. Real hot rodders will ignore the hype and keep on hot rodding.

I've seen many fads since I started being a hot rodder in the early 1960's. The fads are too numerous to mention and not worth the effort to type them out. Real hot rodders are still here. Fred Offenhauser said it best: "There are street rods and there are hot rods. Street rods have a Chevy up front and a can of wax in the back. Hot rods have a Flathead up front and tools in the back." So ask the question: Which do you have in your trunk and what attitude and dedication do you have in his head and heart?

The only thing that the commercialization of our movement has done is to make available more parts and products in more "hot rod shops". Those help replace the ones the environmentalists, lawyers and bean counters have taken away by eliminating "salvage yards".

Now, sign off the computer and get out into the garage!

 

Keep it up and you'll have your own radio talk show.

 

Greg, I just found this on CF's site, looks like he reads the HAMB...

 

Fat Hack, I wanna drink beer with you.

 

FH - you need to buy an old Ford hot rod project and immerse yourself in it. Half the stuff you observe will become invisible if you quitcher bitchin about it. You personally can't tilt all those windmills. How's yer blood pressure these days? Get out in the shop!

Charlie

 

"All of my buddies used to get me to work on their cars. Why didn't they learn how to do it? I was glad to do it for them because I learned on their cars. It was only fun for them while somone else does the work!

I have had 100's of guys come in here over the years wanting to talk flatheads and hot rods. Then, they get mad at ME for not selling them something for their car. I've give people free labor and free parts only to have them sell the car- with my part on it. Not one of them is still in it! They all fagged out but I'M still in it! So, when these new guys stop by and they're all hot on stuff, I let them learn on their own and tell them nothings for sale. They'll just be in it for a while........"

Ken Holmes- hot rodder from the 30's.....paraphrased...

 

As long as there is big money involved, we are not going to be legislated out of existence. With hot rods being, as you put it a yuppie thing, the establishment, the man, are all going to leave us alone, after all the banker has a hot rod. SEMA, etc wouldn't be there if there were only low budget freaks like me, and if it were not for them we couldn't legally do what we do 'cause no legislator, representative or congressman is going to listen to me, I ain't got enough money!

Back in the 60s when I was a teenager cops would follow me waiting for, or inventing, an excuse to stop me & give me a ticket. Of course they didn't have to look too hard!! Now they just all wave at me & smile. Is it because hot rods are now cool mainstream establishment toys or is it because I am now a greybeard law abiding citizen that does a burnout as soon as they are out of sight?

So I think this explosion is a good thing, lets me keep on doing what I want to do, legally. Live & let live, to each his own.

 

I don't really give a fuck. I do what I like to do, not matter what others are doing. I continually learn about striping, painting, and the mechanics of my cars. It's what gives me pleasure and thats all that matters.

OH, I also collect womens panties.

 

While I appreciate the time you took to write your weekly (long) rant, I feel you are just wasting Ryan's bandwidth in doing so. I, as well as a lot of others I think, log on to the HAMB to read and contribute(when I can) tech. Tech pertaining to hot rods, not tirades condemning those who have taken their hobbies to the next level!

Karl

 

This is Michigan...cabin fever is a six month affair!!

Nobody hates the cold and snow more than I, but shit...it ain't no thang!

Broom that fluff off and drive the Heap up to the parts store to get a couple seals, a few cans of brake parts cleaner and freeze your fingers numb in the garage cleaning decades of globby glunk off of some old bearings and other assorted parts sprawled out on the workbench (no room for die-cast cars in there, sorry!) and the time marches on slowly.

Better if you have a Too Much Joy tape rollin'...

"I'm much better now,
I was down there for a while, I guess I saw the light
It was crazy anyhow,
No worse than before, I guess you folks were right.
Yeah, I'm much better now.
Pass me the chips, turn up the radio..."

Fuck, I thought it was a funny ramble...till I saw Mikey's picture there...that's HILLARIOUS!

 

I think we all see your point to some degree...even the chainers and posers on here can't deny how commercialised this hobby has become.

Press on regardless Hack, in all aspects of live we have to seperate the good from the bad.

Oh, and I do appreciate your perspective.

 

hahahaha hack loves chip

 

What the hell are you so pissed off about? This is a great time to be a hot rodder. You say you don't like the bikes they're turning out at OCC? Don't watch. You don't like the ads in magazines? Don't read 'em. Don't like the guy who just bought a turn-key '32 from a big name builder? Don't talk to him. Do your own thing your own way.


But let me see if I have something right; If I go down to the junkyard and dig out some rusty old piece of crap axle that has who knows how many hairline cracks in it and I use it on my car, I'm a "real" hot rodder. But if I buy a brand new axle on the internet. One that's well designed and perfectly suited for what I want to use it for, and I install that one on my roadster, then I'm a "check writer" or "gold chainer", and that's bad?
Back in high school ('64) I had a junkyard refugee '54 Chevy that I kept running with scrounged parts. Today I have a fiberglass roadster that I built myself, albeit from a kit, with 100% new parts. I was able to do that because of the state of the industry today. I took full advantage of a market place that's packed full of quality parts. Am I any less of a hot rodder today than I was in '64?

I'll tell you something else; When I'm driving that roadster down the freeway, surrounded by SUV's with their drivers on the cell phone, multiple big rigs, and tuner dorks going 90+ in their POS Accord, I'm glad the brakes on my car didn't come from a junk yard!

 

FH-
Man, I couldn't agree with your initial rant more. But I think there are forces at work deeper than one-upmanship and the new scene. You get guys into this hobby that are in their late 40s or 50s. I mean the guys that have had the established, MidWest family, sacrificed their incomes for the family, college funds, etc. Now, they may see that they have a "secure" future, and can play with a little cash. They have always wanted, no, lusted after the rodder's rides, maybe had a muscle car in High School, where he me the Missus. Okay, money in hand, what does he do? If he doesn't have a skill to draw upon, he basically hires out some of that rodding work. Not unlike some guys hiring a roofer. Is it a rod? IMHO, no. If ya didn't bend an elbow, or bust a few knuckles, it ain't yours.

Scenario #2, the recent history of rodding. In the 40s, 50s, 60s, rodding was counterculture. You had to love the smell of gasoline, grease, and know how to tune a carburetor. You got run out of town, and the drags were what youlived for on the weekends. Now, those dragways are plowed under and made into condo complexes, and in the 80s and 90s, the hotrod has become (in some circles) a fashion accessory. What Boyd did for the industry has a ripple effect that we abhor, but few understand that it's deeper than Billet. he basically made it acceptable to write a check for a finished, overbuilt rod. Is this a rod? Hell no. historically, this is called coachbuilding. Socially, it's equal to the polo-shirt-wearing-leather-gloved crowd. Sissys driving driveable showcars that cost $100,000 and up. No where near a hotrod.

Scenario #3, the throwback culture. Look how many guys in their 20s and 30s are making rat rods. Why? For one, the technology is easy to understand. What I don't completely grasp is that many of these guys are blindly going with the grain since it's "the thing to do". It's in SoCal Speedshop catalogs (where, BTW, you can also buy a $2900 frame and a $6000 body), it's in Rodder's Journal, and you see the true rat rods that look downright dangerous in the way they are assembled. This crowd is already over the curve, a fad that's already a parody of itself. Where is the melding of newer technology with tradition? I don't get excited about tuner cars (who does?), but I also see that the traditional cars that could be used for a good starter are going for $10,000 and up. WTF? I'm in my 30s, and I have a house payment, looking to get married soon, and I can't afford what guys are asking for a traditional rod.

So, maybe I'll be that 40 something guy looking at catalogs while I'm on the 'pot. Some days, I hate this hobby. I love cars. I just can't afford 'em.

I guess that's why I draw 'em.

God help me.

 

At least Chip only stole your delicious snack cakes... Do you know how much time it takes for an 11 year old to find a good Ho?

Ewwww... snow

I haven't even needed a coat this year... I guess my Aunt hates me, she said we should come up for Christmas.

It's the information age bud, people genuinely interested in cars had to seek information about their chosen obsession, now people that were never exposed to our brand of fun are getting it piped into their living room via cable TV and the internet. There are bound to be people with a fleeting interest and a bunch of money.

 

Greg,
You really need to get a job writing somewhere.
That way you can get paid for what you do best (comes easy) and then you will have $ to build what you want.
r

 

You guys always give too much credit to Boyd and Chip for changing the way things are in a global car-related sense. You know who has changed the global automotive landscape? Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell, Zora Arkus Duntov, Lee Iacocca, Malcolm Bricklin, Ralph Nader, John DeLorean, Colin Chapman, J. Mays, Chris Bangle, Bob Lutz. These silly little car customizers are of no consequence.

On the other hand, I give full credit to Latrell Sprewell for the huge expansion of the aftermarket wheel industry.

 

Beats me...I was laughing as I typed that piece!! It was supposed to be, you know...kind of FUNNY and all! If it offended you or pissed YOU off in some manner, then you may be part of the 'problem'??!!



I really don't care much what the Yuppies, Poser Fonzies, or Lawnchair Lords do with their time and money. It DOES irk me that, in their mindless pursuit of Something they know Nothing about they drive up the prices of the raw material we base our rides upon...but what the Hell? Let 'em have their fun!

The whole thing is quite funny...so many people here piss on Boyd while worshiping Chip. That's Chip Foose, people...you know, the guy who designed the BOYDSTER you all hate so much??? The dude who struts around with his name emblazened upon his chest? Even Madonna didn't take her self-promotional campaign THAT far! This is the talent and vision you bow down to, with Selective Amnesia, of course???

Fact of the Matter is that the bulk of the Me-Too rodders have no interest in the same things that I do, so we're not really at odds at all. Sure, they'll sit next to their STREET RODS in folding lawnchairs under colorfull umbrellas wearing silly shirts and pastel shorts...and thumb their collective noses at any car that doesn't sport a Goodguys plate or NSRA sticker...but that's their World....it's honestly all they KNOW of the Rodding Spectrum. Laugh at them, pitty them, but leave 'em to it, I say!

Do you honestly think that I have any true loathing in my heart for immitation rodders who ride around in perfectly safe "Vroom Vroom Simulators" with No Clue as to what a HOT ROD is or ought to be?

Really, I think it's good in a way...despite their mass ignorance and condescending tone when a REAL rod rumbles by. They errected the Wall, I just like to spray a little grafitti on it now and then...for laughs!

Back to it, folks...I gotsta dig the car outta the snow AGAIN and take care of some trivial bidniss related to getting a HOT ROD built. Gotta find me a grinning skull shift knob and an alternator that looks like a generator...just like the 50s, Bro!!

 

Please erase J.Mays from that list. What can you tell me that he has contributed to the automotive scene except dig up nostalgic themes and repackage them for something "new"? I don't really like Bangle's aesthetic, but I have to say that hands down he's doing something new and fresh.

But these are mainstream, mass-produced cars these people have contributed towards. I agree that guys like Foose, Boyd, Roth, Westergard, and Barris are small potatoes, but I think they're more relevant to our hobby than the OEMs. By that I mean, how long did it take OEMs to accept 20" wheels on cars and trucks? And how long were they already on Pro Tour Chevelles and Camaros?

While I'm thinking about it, the customizers in the 60s influenced the cars that the OEMs were designing. Look at the longer rooflines on late-50s customs, and the ensuing car shapes like the Impala bubbleback.

BUt yeah, I agree with FH on that last post. People and 'rods are gonna do whatever they want to. Just like neighbors. Just as long as they let me do what I want to do with my stuff, let 'em be.

 

What the F___k did he say? I'm confused........too many words for me. Besides, it's the best of times for me. I got some last night


Beep

 

I don't have any idea. I'm still not caffeinated.

 

Very well stated, times have changed and maybe not for the better. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Hack,
You are a very good writer and very intelligent too.
You also must know that when you're in a creative mode that you will normally never even realize the negativity in anything.
There has to be more positive things in our hobby otherwise you're interest would not be here. I like you and wanna see you spew your creative juices where they belong. Take off your prophylactic and remove the raincoat.

 

Mr. Hack: I have never met you but will say I agree with the initial post wholeheartedly.

Now get back to work.

 

FH-
I was just wondering something. What do you consider to be a non-mainstream hobby that has the raw appeal of early rodding? Off the cuff I can't think of any. Even motorcycles have that yuppie factor built in.

Skydiving? ocean kayaking? Salt Lake catapulting?

 

Pyro-Philatelist... ( thats somebody who collects Stamps that are on fire..)

 

I call BULLSHIT. There are guys like Kirk, Scary Larry, Ryan, the Chrome Czars, and the Kontentials that are organizing events for traditional cars now days. Today is a much better day then 10 or 20 years ago for traditional minded folks. Lots more choices. Oh yeah, that's right, you've never been to any event outside of the metro Detroit area so how would you actually know what's going on in the real hot rod world besides what you read on the internet and in the mags. Always others peoples views, never first hand experiences.

Ever been to an NSRA show? Ever been to a GG show? Both of these organizations are seeing the need for change and doing something about it. Of course it doesn't happen overnite but there is change happening BUT you'd actually have to ATTEND their shows to realize it.

I know you haven't attended the Hunnert Car Pileup. Those guys work their asses off each year to organize one of the coolest traditional shows ever. I give them more credit then I can ever type for seeing a need and doing something about it. I feel the same way about the Jalopy Showdown. Larry and crew work their asses off and take great risks so that others can enjoy a day of cruzn their cars around a dirt track, and now we get to drag race on an airstip! How cool is that. How can you forget about the HAMB Drags where over 200 traditional guys got together for a weekend of hot rod related activities and in a couple of months a person can experience all the Lonestar Roundup has to offer. Shit, there are so many events now geared toward the traditional hot rodder it makes my head spin. Most can't attend all in one year there are so many.

Get a life, get a job, quit selling your tools to buy gas, and build something to be proud of, attend events and actually talk to like minded people in person THEN come back and tell us what you don't like in the hot rod world BUT have a plan to change what you don't like and follow thru. Do something positive for a change.

As you can tell I'm not a big fan of someone sitting on their ass and always complaining about the world. Change it if you don't like it. Put some effort into life and you will be rewarded, it's really not to late.

There has never been a better time to be a hot rodder!


Also...........

I can't even believe you typed this. YOU, who's complete whardrobe consists of t-shirts from shows you've never attended, products you've never used, distributors you've never talked to and shops you've never visited. HOLY SMOKES, talk about calling the kettle black.

 

Hold on. I'm not saying J. Mays has done anything particularly great for automobiles. I'm saying he's had a big effect. Notice I put Ralph Nader on the list too. From the standpoint of most car enthusiasts, he singlehandedly ruined cars. I'm a little moderate in my criticism/adoration of any of them, but I'm just saying these are influential figures.

I can see where the customizers influenced the OEMs but I also think the opposite is very true.

 

Quote: "I call bullsh_t........"


Wow. You took FatHack down pretty darn hard, dontcha think?


aircooled- I understand what you mean now. I must have blocked Nader when I read the post.