I see some rods-(most for sale) at all the popular rod and auction web sites that are just plain ****. I know it takes TONS of cash and HOARDS of hours to build even a decent rod-and I'm not even talking about shiney and chrome cars. It takes extensive homework and shopping to find some nice pieces, hours of planning, welding, grinding, sanding, painting, etc... SO- Here's the point....WHY put all that time and money into something that will look HIDEOUS, and is WORTHLESS because you just wanted to slap **** together and try and drive it? They all just end up forsale... what a loss of resoures... Patience-gr***hopper-patience... Don't worry about the time it takes to build something...the time will p*** ANYWAY! I get bugged all the time about how long it takes...but I want a project I can be proud of when its done! There, thats my rant for the year, thanks for listening.
Most of them are **** because people don't do there research. They don't know how to build a quality frame. They haven't researched there suspension geometry. Also when you look at the cars you can tell the builders were just plain lazy. People are to content with it being good enough, when in reality there car is far from being road worthy. I have welded things solid(like a complete ch***is)to find out it is way off, not sguare ,straight,etc. It ****s knowing you have tocut everyting back apart and do it all over again.This is were some people just look the other way. It is truly sad when people do this.
I can't help but agree with you. You know, those rods with cherry reflective paint should be included naw I'm jk There may also be the argument of "well, it's what they wanted...."
Because life is all about choices... end of story. You make the choice to do it right, or you make the choice to do it so-so.....
some people try there best, but unfortunately , they dont know what there doing. but, ya gotta start somewhere, and if someones stupid enough to buy a failed attempt at a hotrod, thats great. now you have money to try another one. it takes some people a few trys to get it right. and then again, some people just like driving peices of ****e.
I think alot of the "****" is people slappin' something together to cash in on the "rat rod" thing. Build some whiz-bang 3 day slap together BS to sell to some kid who reads 'Ol Skool Rodz. Later- John
Attention to detail. I had a little before I went into the service because my dad, who was in the service, p***ed it along to me. When I got into the Navy, I learned how important it is. There are cases of people dying when some little step is looked over or even ignored. Think space shuttle Columbia. When I look at a car, that's what I'm looking for. In most cases they are easy to spot. In other cases you have to REALLY look and it's always a pleasure to me to see how someone accomplished something that the average guy would have skipped over. Also, you have the lure and draw of the hot rod itself. Due to more events and a few shows on television, a lot more people are trying to get in on the fun. Unfortunately, most discover that it takes money to play or good resouces and usually both. Instead of getting the right knowledge or spending the money to have it done right, they try and cobble ANYTHING they can together, just so they can say they have a hot rod. Forget that someone may get killed because they didn't know how to weld or they guessed at how to mount a rearend. There are a lot of people building rat rods because it looks like the quick way to a means. Then they give the reasoning as, "This is how it was done in the day." In my opinion the most over used cop out ever.
I agree with the attention to detail thing as well...I have seen some fairly "rough" cars that obviously included alot of very detail oriented choices that brought the car "up to snuff". It isn't all perfectly ground welds, after all...but it's nice to see those, too. I have a great example. B***'s Coupe. It isn't flawless. it also isn't finished. it is still, however kick ***. it's clearly been built in his head a dozen different times, and it shows. I have also seen my fair share of VERY nice cars that are almost "too" clean...sanitized, really. 50 Mercury's come to mind...I have seen a bunch of them that when finished, they are stunning...but nothing "noteworthy"...Dig? Nothing that leaves a real lasting impression od personality and soul...it's "just another kick *** 50 merc" at the end of the day (Blasphemy? perhaps...) It's like seeing a line of Ferrari's going down the road. at first it "Holy ****! Ferrari's" but if the line is too long...it's just traffic. I think that is what it is about for me...personality. Build quality, and finally, descresion. But this is coming from the guy who will have "all my favorite parts of the car typically can't be seen from the top" etched on his Tombstone. or Coffe can.
Some cars (too many?) have lots of money invested in them and decent craftmanship, but they just look like **** because the builder or owner had absolutely no taste. You either have an eye for what a car should look like or you don't. And if you don't, find someone who does and copy what they did.
What happens is alot of people mistake a "rat rod" for a peice of **** car. when a "rat rod" is supposed to be a well built/thought out car that is bare bones but safe and fast. Just because its low and primer/rust doesnt mean its cool. if its low and rusty but well built, thats what a nice car. Craftsmenship...its a lost art in some cases.
I think that it is too much armchair roddin'. One look into a streetrodder or such publications and the general public thinks that they are a fabricator. Many times people tell me that what I do in my garage is just like what OCC does on TV, but only better. The thing is that I (we) are not trying to be like Paul or pops. We are regular people doing the stuff we love and enjoy without having to get the attention and glamour as some of the ****py builders are. Yes, I completely agree with everyone on the "rat rod" thing, but "more refined" traditional cars will always command more attention and that is why a ****py builder throws his/her schiestered showpiece out for everyone to see. Meanwhile they haven't done any research or learned any new skills cause they are too busy trying to strive for the tallest trophy without a clue.
I've seen many cars that are put together really good underneath,but with a rusted,beat-up body on top,which I think is super cool. But,i'm sure what you are talking about is the pile of ****,bubblegum welded,rusted up,bucket of spare parts,cars that seen to be prevelant in the hobby right now. Put a few skulls and spiderwebs on it,and you've got an attention getter. I don't like those kinds of cars either. Seeing a car that's in the middle of it's build,unpainted,fresh welds,patch panels,etc,is really cool. You can appreciate the workmanship. I kinda like it when a guy keeps his latest project under wraps until it's done too. Unveiling it at a perticular show,and blowing peoples minds.
Once the "safety factor" has been accounted for.... it's all in the stance. I've seen so many rods with the wrong size tires and wheels. wrong offsets, wrong rake... I just done get it. arkiehotrods is right, some just have no taste...
The answer is - people who are in a hurry - people who don't care about craftsmanship - ( just geter done ) and people who dive into this hobby compleatly un - informed on how much money & time it takes to do a good job - alot of that I blame on car mags & TV....it seems like most people today want instant Gratification- and CRAFTING a HOT ROD or BIKE or any thing else, trully custom - has NO instant Gratification - It has the real kind - The kind that sticks with you for a life time....Cars built buy people who care are out there for sale - but you have to look harder.
The ch***is should be well planed! The old tin is cool,some guys can't copy very well and to top that, they don't have any fab skills. But there are so many guys wanting in they loose brain cells. all I can say is FOR EVERY SEAT THERE IS AN *** !
HELLMET I think you nailed it. When someone asks you how long it took you to build your car and you respond with __ number of years. Has ANYONE ever responded, "Oh is that all". With lack of build time comes lack of quality.
Planning plays a big part too. You can't just go gathering parts without a plan or vision of what you want the outcome to be. That causes cars to look cobbled together too.
Yeh, thats why my jalopy truck is in its fifth year! Not enought time or $$$ One year I was on unenjoyment for six months and got a bunch done!!! Gettin paid to work on my jalopy was nice!!!! .....Roach.
Yea-I know now- that stuff is no longer in my car- I took it out and rebuilding it better way- I was led astray by other rodders- difference is that I put it up for critisism so I would know if it was safe or not. Everybody has a learning curve I realize - but you have to go back to correct whats wrong and not just leave it to become that pile of ****.
The Jalopy Journal
