Whats it all about for you?

Hot rodding? Whats it all about for you?

What styles do you like? Do you have an acceptance of anything goes but with your own prefered style or era? What is it about hot rodding that grabs your heart strings and says look at me!

For me I like it all really - hot rod, street rod, show rod, custom rod, dragsters and land speed cars, trailer queens to reachers and beaters - I LIKE IT ALL, but with a strong sense for traditional rods ie from as early as the twenties to the late sixties.

While modern day drags are exciting to watch there is no other cooler sound or style than a nostalgia front engine dragster or Fuel Altered. And Bonneville or El Mirage land speed racing couldnt be more hot roddy if you tried.

What about you guys - what do u think?

 

The chicks dig it.....?

 

isn't there a whole survey thread on all this same topic??

ISNT THIS TECH WEEK???

 

Its my life.Always has been,always will be.
I like gow jobs.Not POS rat rods.Home built with a floor,if you will.Love original old hot rods,not over restored hot rods.
Originality and ingenuity is at the top of the list for me.
Can't really stand alot of 1-800-hot-rods or 1-800 parts.Get in your shop or your buddys shop and at least build some parts yourself.
The friendships in rodding is second to none.gotta love the hot rod family.
And not to suck up to Ryan or anything but I really dig this place,its a huge part of my hot roddin life.
Viva le HAMB.....Shiny

 

Easy...it's still an on-topic post!

 

I'm still relatively new here, and I don't know if anybody read my intro, so I'll put my 2 cents in, just so people get to know me a little better. I was not raised in a hotrodding family(well, my uncles were greasers in the 50's, and Were into it, but I didn't find that out till after I got into it), and growing up in New England didn't make owning classics and rods easy. I always thought the cars of the fifties were cool growing up, cause my dad was always into the 50's land yachts(never owned any, just liked them). When I was 23, I moved to North Carolina, and started seeing a lot of older cars around, and decided they were cool, and wanted one. I found a 64 Caddie one day, and started saving my pennies, and soon enough the caddie was my daily driver. It's been all down hill from there. I now have a chopped 54 chevy, my girlfriends hemipowered 55 dodge, and a 31 rpu project in the driveway. We have a big group of friends that found each other out of necessity, and created our own DIY hot rod, classic and kustom scene here in raleigh, and we are getting stronger. I am in this purely for fun, and the friendships I have made through hot rodding I wouldn't trade for anything. I have a group of friends with one thing in common, traditional,do it yourself hot rods and kustoms, who would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it, and would ask for nothing in return. I would have to give hot rodding credit for allowing me to make such good friends. That is what is all about to me.

 

Oh yeah, I didn't really answer the question. I am into lots of finned aluminum, holley 94's, hemi's flatties and nailheads. The lower the better, and no trailer queens and dollar dumpers. The only thing an SBC should be in is a chevy.

 

I like doing it instead of talking about it.

That's whay TECH WEEK is so bitchen'...

Sam!

 

Sam

I couldnt agree more with that reply, interesting to see everyone's thoughts though

Greg

 

This is a great topic, and one of conversation for me over the last weekend. My personal preference has really shifted towards the nostalgic "type" of rods. I think this is because, for the most part, the owner IS the builder. These cars, for the most part, are driven. In some cases ARE the daily drivers. And still show the individuality of the person who created it. Even if every single car was flat black, with red wheels, there is going to be something that makes them stand out. I used to be more into drag racing, growing up in a drag racing family, but with computers now a days taking the fun or the driving out of that sport, I have really taken to other types of car builds. I am not big on trailer queens, as the owners usually can't even change their own oil. Not to big on "kit car" like cookie cutter rods. You know, where every piece is out of a catalog. I like the creativeness that comes from seeing a problem, then making something to fix it. Not going to the store and buying it. I guess that is what it is all about for me.

 

Making enemies with CAR CLUBS, and GREASERS,
getting free DRUGS,
HUMPING SLUTS..
playing PIN BALL on L.S.D...



oh and BUILDING the NEATEST SHITBOXES, to sell on EBAY to JAPAN...
So I can buy me some BIG MOUTH BASS to Stock my POND in the HILLS.......

The REASON I like HOT RODS???
it's EASY..
..Going to DISCOS and SNIFFING glue, got BORING....
And all the ASIAN chicks at the RAVES are under age......

I forgot SWALLOWING the SHIFTERS DUNGS cause they got MAG coverage...

AXLE I love your HOT DOGS,

XOXOXOXO

germ

 

For me its always been about building 'em better than they were. Faster, smoother, cleaner.

I think hoops are OK, if they're on your car. Don't look down your nose at me for my low buck go fast ideal, and I'll tolerate your high zoot, bling, bling mobile.

I can appreciate a well built ride even if it isn't what I would build myself.

I don't think that owning a car makes you a Hot Rodder. For instance just because you got a really good job, or really good credit and you can get someone to build a nice car or several don't expect me to think you are a Hot Rodder, you own a car or you are a car collecter, as far as I'm concerned.

I am a firm believer in this simple principle, "If it don't make you dirty it aint yours." I don't think that you have to build every little piece of the car. But you at the very least have to play a major role in its construction. If you have built it you will show all over it. If I built it for you then I will show all over it.

I prefer older cars, and '60s style is nostalgia for me. That's when I was comming up. I still think that cars built in the '70s are late model. Shows my age doesn't it.

I like beaters, but I'm always working on the smoothest ride I've ever owned. Someday I'll get it done. But until then I'll cruise what I have. The name of the game is run what ya brung.

The way you dress, or the music you listen to doesn't matter to me. What are you like inside. A real Rodder has heart. They are there when you need them, side of the road or when you're burying a fallen Brother. They are more interested in seeing you make it than makeing a dime off you. They can race you today, and help you make yours run better tomorrow.

Damn you opened a can of worms bro. I could go on forever. But you catch my drift, right?

 

what's it all about?

it's about this long,
and about this wide,
and it's about this Country,
about which we're singin' about.

Thank You!

 

HHmmmmmmm. I dunno. I just know that since I was a kid I've wated to modify cars and bikes. I don't want to be better than everybody else in the street, I just don't want to be the same .

 

If you have to ask sell your hot rod dude and take up a new hobby

 

open pipes on a warm night...

looking at your car in the parking lot of some gas sation far away from youre home....

some cars just give you a chill when you see em, especially at night...

taking about 20 minutes to get down the 1/4 mile...on a summer night downtown...

everyone looking at you at a red light...

Driving home from some special girl you just met's house at 2:30 A.M. with that feeling of "right on... everythings gonna be o.k."

staying up late working on my latest "good idea" and waking up the next morning, looking at my work and feeling the accomplishment. If in fact it was a good idea...

Being hipnotized by my straight piped 6 cyl. at 70 mph on I-5 at 3 in the morning with no other cars in sight for hours coming home from canada while everyone else in the car is passed out... I still aint the same...

I could go on forever... -J.

 

Old cars are my life. I only own and drive old cars. I have never bought a new car and plan to NEVER buy a modern car. I inherited my moms 1966 Chrysler convertible but rarely drive it--its way too new. I have a 57 Chevy that is a very good car---its too modern. I mostly drive my 39 Ford truck, 31 Ford coupe, amd my 35 Ford truck. When I get around to it I will get my grandpas 54 Ford driving but its too modern. I really want to drive his 37 Ford pickup and the 37 Ford panel truck. I have a driving 31 Ford coupe that was chopped and channeled in 1954. It would be great to drive, needs bodywork before its leaving my property. Right now I am upgrading the space in my shop and helping a 17 yr old kid with his 40 Ford pickup that we are putting on a Ranger chassis.

 

It's about DRIVING a car (or bike, tricycle, Radio Flyer, go-kart, 4x4, etc) that you dreamed up, planned out, and assembled yourself. It's that connection you feel with the machine as you go down the road...

...once you've taken a vehicle from dead stock, or just plain DEAD and coaxed it back to life better than it was before, you earn the title of a DRIVER...you motor down the road AWARE of what's going on under the hood, between the wheels and throughout the entire machine...because you handled and installed every piece...

...You're DRIVING the car, not just mindlessly riding behind the steering wheel like the Yuppies in their vulgar SUVs...you're CONNECTED to your mount because a part of YOU went into making it happen!

Once you've been there...you'll know what I mean...it's a feeling and state of mind that no check or credit card can buy...it has to be purchased with your sweat and earned bit by bit as you lovingly transform lifeless metal into a running, rolling extension of yourself.

 

pictures worth a thousand words

 

Great picture man, you really are a wealthy man.

 

DRIVING--when I'm driving my 51 I have to actually "drive it". The lack of cushy technology like power brakes and power steering means more work on my part and in that way it takes my mind off of everthing else. When I'm in my new beetle, that's more like riding and steering in comparison...

THE SMELL--There's nothing like the smell of the inside of an old car.

STYLE--You just can't beat the curves and chrome, the outlandish details and simple yet elegant styling.

PEOPLE--There are few things better than sharing your passion with other people who "get it". And hot rod and scooter folks are always on the look out for each other.

DIY--Nothing feels better than knowing you did it yourself! (and saved a couple hundred bucks to buy more parts with!)

 

I love the Rat Rods, basicly the home built budget rods, who dont care about hp or looking good at some shitty billet car show..

Who want to look and sound mean driving down the road, to hang your arm out of the car, and see people wave, give the tumbs up, or basicly scratch their heads and say " WHAT THE F*CK?"

To scare little kids, when they walk down the road. Reving the engine, then slamming the gas and scretching the tires all the way down the road..

Pulling up at a red light next to a Rice burner, muscle car, or that Dumb ass stuck up Yuppie with a lexus.... Geting the whole shot, smoking him at the line, and leaving him in the smoke.

Dreams that will some day come true...

 

Rat Rodder, I'm glad you have your dream and I want it to come true some day, but right now you can't comment on what it's all about. Until you actually live it you'll have to rely on imagination.
It would be like a virgin commenting on his wet dream and talking about how great sex and poontang are.
Don't take what I said wrongly, I being nothing but encouraging in what I say.

My point is this, until you actually do build the car and actually drive it down the road it's impossible to say what it's all about.
I'm still not sure what it is, I hope I never truly understand it, because to me that mystery is the most alluring part about it.
I wish I could say it was about showing off, but that can't explain going for a drive at 3.00 a.m on a deserted road just because you feel like it.
It can't be about speed, because there are times when it's just as much fun to lope rumblingly away from some boy racer in a stickermobile with a whiny exhaust.
It can't be about picking up chicks, because I'm happily married, but it's still nice to get a smile from a wahine every once in a while.
It can't be about the building, because there are times when your knuckles hurt so much that you can't go on.
It can't about camraderie, because there are times when your building the shit that you wanna be left the fuck alone. Alone with your thoughts and daydreams.

Truthfully I don't know what it's about, it's a combination of things but overall there IS something.

It could well be spiritual, it's almost Zen.

To think that this stupid ass hobby could possibly bring you closer to God would seem absurd to a by-the-book religeous person, but then the journey to the end is trod differently in different shoes.

 

Damned if I know what it is all about, Greg. I'm 60 years old and have been trying like hell to figure it all out. And, as yet I haven't a clue. It's like, I think, trying to understand why you like the color blue better than red, or why you like Lee's better than Levi's or why you like oldies better than rap. Who the hell knows why-we just like some things and dislike others. I like old cars, new cars, hot rods, street rods, customs, salt flat racers, drag racers, roundy-round racers, motorcycles, old airplanes.... Well, I just like lots of things and I really don't know why-I just do. At the moment, I really appreciate the site that Ryan has provided for all of us to share the things we all seem to care about; old modified cars. Thanks, Ryan.

 

Johnnygringo,
That picture says it all man: Family, car, workshop = happy!

 

[ QUOTE ]
Rat Rodder, I'm glad you have your dream and I want it to come true some day, but right now you can't comment on what it's all about. Until you actually live it you'll have to rely on imagination.
It would be like a virgin commenting on his wet dream and talking about how great sex and poontang are.
Don't take what I said wrongly, I being nothing but encouraging in what I say.

My point is this, until you actually do build the car and actually drive it down the road it's impossible to say what it's all about.
I'm still not sure what it is, I hope I never truly understand it, because to me that mystery is the most alluring part about it.
I wish I could say it was about showing off, but that can't explain going for a drive at 3.00 a.m on a deserted road just because you feel like it.
It can't be about speed, because there are times when it's just as much fun to lope rumblingly away from some boy racer in a stickermobile with a whiny exhaust.
It can't be about picking up chicks, because I'm happily married, but it's still nice to get a smile from a wahine every once in a while.
It can't be about the building, because there are times when your knuckles hurt so much that you can't go on.
It can't about camraderie, because there are times when your building the shit that you wanna be left the fuck alone. Alone with your thoughts and daydreams.

Truthfully I don't know what it's about, it's a combination of things but overall there IS something.

It could well be spiritual, it's almost Zen.

To think that this stupid ass hobby could possibly bring you closer to God would seem absurd to a by-the-book religeous person, but then the journey to the end is trod differently in different shoes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nads, most of what i have said came true, except i wasnt in the driver seat. My pop and I built his 47... I was very young then, basicly didnt do any work, but still have felt the acomplishment of a hot rod...

 

Nads,
It's like Woodstock, it's all about bein' there maaaaan.

Face it rodding for some of us is a way of life. We all live it differently but our paths cross and hopefully that's a good thing.

Some of us wander in and out. Some are the real rebels always hangin' on the fringes. Some of us manage to live main stream.

Most times the only thing we have in common is our rides. I'm not sure that we have that in common, at least we don't agree on much.

 

justin kustom,

That was beautiful man.

For me it's been a progressive (regressive) series of events and occurrences over a lifetime.

Born first of necessity, then of desire.

 

It's all about learning for me. I love the challenges and puzzlesolving required to make things work. That's one reason I like the "trad" style of hot rodding best. It's not just a catalog-browsing, orderform-filling, check-writing contest. A monkey can bolt togeher things, I like designing them. Then once it is all done another reward is to drive around a car / truck made by your own hands, instead of on off the lot.