To me, what makes this post so much fun is the personality is oozes. I'm not laughing at that per se, but it makes me smile. I love that about hot rodding. Follow me: This is the '34 truck that my brother built for Tony. It's my favorite '34 truck ever built... And it is very period. While it features a sbc for power, it's a 265-inch dressed like it was stolen from a '55 Chevy, hot rodded, and plugged into the early Ford drivetrain. I love this truck. My only beef is a small one. The wheels... One side had orange wheels and one side had black. They say you can't see both sides at once. Well... I can... in my minds eye and it drove me nuts. Now, this is the little T that Tony used to own. A lot of folks have built these race inspired t's and although I like a lot of them, many come across as cliche' with fake sponsorships, numbers, etc... It gets to be too much. Tony's car, however, was perfect. It was subtle, looked the part, and smart. I normally would balk at the SBC choice here, but it was covered with full hood sides, and you know that car had to be an absolute blast to drive fast. Again, without doubt... This is my favorite "modified" inspired T ever built. Big words. I even like the wheels and tires on this one. Tony's '56 ford is, again, one of my favorite examples of that year around. I heard someone say something negative about the hood scoop and, frankly, it's one of my favorite aspects of the car. The scoop along with all of the very subtle mods give the car a "concept" feeling. I could see this car illustrated by some Ford designer in 1955... This is the car they would have built if not limited by the manufacturing process. Damn those Crown Vic wheels. I think Tony should have been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for even considering them. Tony's '36. I don't think words are necessary. Even folks that don't share my tastes will mostly admit to the car's perfection. Tony's Ford truck... I know... I know... I had one of these trucks and loved it. So, obviously I like the choice for a daily... But again, what in the sam wheel hell? ................... So there you have it. Obviously, Tony and I share some of the same tastes in cars. He's owned at least 3 that I consider to be the best of their breeds. I've studied a lot of cars. I do this shit every single day... So, that's saying something. It's incredible really.... Even so, Tony and I have some very real and very complete differences in taste when it comes to rolling stock. I'm the anti-Tony when it comes to wheels... Or maybe he's the anti-Ryan. Either way, it's there and neither of us are right, because there is no right. But truthfully, that's what makes this all so cool, so fun... Those little differences make the world go around. Screw all of that shit about Street Rodders Vs. Hot Rodders, Trad Hot Rodders Vs. Restorers, Creative Vs. Traditional, and all of that other nonsense... In my opinion, as soon as you get into all of that shit you are doing this for the wrong reasons. This is all supposed to be fun... Passionate... A release... As soon as you start comparing yourself against other perceived groups and what not, you kind of destroy the point. I like cars man... More specifically, I really like Tony's cars. I just don't like his wheels!
Well. i've always been a traditional kind of guy but i must admit I like the Crown Vic wheels on that green Ford. I wouldn't have even concidered them for a trailer before seeing this.
So aren't you being a little contradictory here? First you say you don't like all the new spoked wheels, and wonder what's wrong with traditional wheels - then you say no one cared about the past and Rodders wanted to make their cars look more modern and would run the newest whatever if they could have. HHHMMMMMMMmmmmm
Ryan, I'm flattered that you are so familiar with my stuff. Thank you for the kind words. The '34 PU and the T eventually got orange wheels all around. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably go back to black: Dave Lindsay photo Ken Leonard photo ...and the Lightning just looked boring with silver alloy wheels, so I powder coated them yellow. The color scheme was stolen from mid-'60s team Ferraris. Thanks again for the comments.
That's how they both started. I was going for a "team" appearance between the two cars, an expensive exercise that I would happily rewind if I could.
Great thread 50Fraud, Lot's of great information here.....I have always been a fan of the steelies........(Course I am 67 years old too) Here are pics of the steelies on mine.... Anxious to read on about your next wheel topics.... Cheers...... (Oh and too bad the bullshit bullies finished smelling the toilet seats early to post their comments without reading your full post)
I once was asked by an admirer of my '37 "what's with the red wheels?". I asked what he meant and he wondered if it was some club affiliation. I responded that red wheels were traditional on a lot of old cars. In 1963 I bought a '33 Chev that was black with red wire wheels. I know it may offend the style police but, my red Rallys have been on my car for 20 years and I think they represent traditional esthetics. If I were bucks up a new set of Chevie truck (pre '48) artillery wheels would be a nice replacement.
"Damn those Crown Vic wheels. I think Tony should have been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for even considering them." What's sad is that I've seen worse around here, I didn't think they were that bad considering what else is running around. At least he kept it in the Ford family Besides, crisis adverted, everyone is entitled to one or two what the hecks...the new rims and caps and wide whites look stunning. A bear to put on if I remember correctly but beautiful and worth the trouble.
I don't think they were technically factory. I believe they were factory sanctioned and dealer installed... I could be wrong though.
Ryan, you can't leave this one out of the photo collection of Tony's cars . This is his '50 Ford. Photos don't do it justice.
I'm a little surprised by all this comment on the '56 in this thread. Rather than hijack my own thread about wheels with a discussion of the Victoria, I added a post to the earlier thread about that car. If anyone is actually interested, go here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6995187#post6995187
I thought the first thing you did with a car was to pop the hub caps off and then the front bumper came off and went behind the garage.No self respecting kid left the fenders on his bike either
Tony, thanks for the good read! I liked seeing everyone put their opinion in, especially when most of them were fighting words. I agreed with some of them and laughed at others. Variety is the spice of life. iPhone - TJJ App
first off the crown wheels look much better than these goofy big wheels with no sidewalls #2 i dont like wide white walls with mag wheels#3 if you ever raced or rode a dirt bike u would know the aluminum wheels have less unsprung weight and of course then theres fuel milage. just my 2 cents
Just cleaning up, responding to various comments: I'd say that I AM an authority on a lot of factual and historical stuff. I think most of your disageements with me (in this thread, anyway) are mostly about personal preferences in design. I would offer a couple of examples: - Traditional customs rarely, if ever, had flames or kickstand pipes (sorry, Bob). - Cars with skirts should never be down in front. - "If some is good, more is better" does not apply to chopped tops. Jimmy, I apologize if I missed or failed to support your view on this subject. It's certainly one that I feel pretty strongly about. Yep, I forgot to mention these. In my opinion they were ONLY used as a free gear change on lakes/Bonneville racers; I never saw them used on a street driven car until a few years ago. Kinda like running a drag chute on your daily. Thanks, it gets my adrenaline up. Agreed, absolutely. Yes, I said that I don't like most of the current crop of factory wheels, and I said that hot rodders have always used later components. Two different subjects; I don't see a contradiction. I wouldn't say that it's very traditional, but it looks fine to me.
Uhhhh, that's Creative AND Traditional. ....and Tony, I was just funnin'. I'll be running Orange wheels on my Brown pickup.
Back to an earlier subject- Anyone ever see those full moon flipper hubcaps on a car before the 80's? I've always thought they were a cheaper modern version of actual flipper disc/beauty ring combo seen on early customs, mostly used erroneously, am I mistaken? Seems like they were on every other 80's "fifties custom". I've seen them for sale in Honest Charley ads in 50's magazines, but don't remember ever seeing a set on a car in a 50's magazine. Maybe they were manufactured then, but not popular? I have seen the full moon cap in old books though. (I know I'm gonna get yelled at, but I just want to see a 50's photo of a set on a rod or custom!) Even so, I bet there was never a set on a "Westergard" type 40's custom. Could be wrong, of course!
Keith, I think they were popular before my time. I, too, remember them advertised in magazines, but never knew anyone who ran them. Don't remember seeing them at car shows, either. But here's a picture of Jimmy Summers' '40 Merc, probably taken around 1950 or even earlier, wearing flippers. I know they're not easy to make out in the picture, but they're there: Edit: Oh! I misunderstood you. You are talking about the FULL wheelcovers with flippers, right? In that case you may be right -- saw 'em in magazines, but never on cars. As I recall, my high school peers considered them to be "gook" equipment (no racial slur intended).
I learned but very little about steelies on this thread (I was hoping for more variations and accessories) but I learned much more about what is acceptable for hot rods and period cars. I have noticed that the first hot rods were built for speed and acceleration and form FOLLOWED function. A lighter wheel will gain less unsprung weight in a vital area and will net more WHP and quicker acceleration. If the first hot rodders had aluminum wheels available I would guess they'd be the wheel of choice.
Yes, the smooth snap on one piece full cover with the flipper (and no pressed lines) is what I was referring to- a "Hollywood flipper" I guess- like you can get at Speedway, etc. The flipper disc/beauty ring is a bit harder to locate/restore/attach, (my friend has a big pile of them and they are all different where they snap on to the wheel center)
I had full moon caps on my car in '56. Never ever saw a full moon with the bar back then. Just the earlier version you mention. I thought I must have missed something and I think you are correct. At least here in So Cal.
I had 5:60's on the front of my stuff in the mid 50's. Don't you remember motor cycle tires on Roadsters etc...it's a matter of where you were from I think.
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