Thread: Take the poll: Red hairpins? Or chrome hairpins?

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Like I said Dave, I know in theory you are absolutely correct, and I have seen all the diagrams showing axle arc, twist, etc. But what I am saying is that hairpins and split bones aren't the doom and gloom engineering everybody makes them out to be. If they were, you wouldn't see them on the market, and being used almost exclusively on the majority of T buckets and similar cars turned out by companies like Total Performance, etc.

Let's face it, NO straight axle setup we use is perfect. It is 100 year old technology, and even though we have made improvements over the years, it will never compare to a properly setup IFS . But, we use them because we do like the looks, so we make them operate as well as possible.

Although I have had a bunch of cars over the years with hairpins and split bones, the one I drove the most was my '27. This was pretty much my daily driver for about 7 years, day in day out. I could run down the interstate at 70 or 80 and it tracked like an arrow, and in the turns it never wandered. So I am not talking from a position of not living behind the wheel for many miles.

I simply want to make the point that not all cars HAVE to scrap these in favor of four bars and still be a very good driving machine.

Don




Here's a very traditional looking coupe with full IFS and IRS....



Yes, but it also has fenders.

Don't doubt your instincts. You're asking the question because it hits your eye wrong. Red as a highlight color is fine, but too much in the "wrong" place(s) is no longer a highlight, it's a blight.

I'm with Charlie.................black. Chrome would be fine if you're going "upscale" and have a shiny axle and attached hardware.

Well, looks like we're making the same point, Don!!!! Had a few with the hairpins, a few with 4 bars, then the first time I built one with IFS I totally lost interest in the traditional look!!!!

My pride and joy (too bad it was built for someone else) was a full fendered Deuce roadster with IFS and IRS, Ford Windsor (aluminum block and heads)!!!! Handles like a slot car and accelerates like a Pro Stock!!!! Gonna rob the bank one of these days and build me one just like it!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'll buy you a beer and well call it a draw.


Don

I vote for polished stainless steel or chrome.

Kitz

Stay with the red. It matches your tennis shoes!

Chrome goes well with any dark colour, and with a lot of lighter ones. I would vote for chrome, if expense is not an issue. One thing about Chrome (and this may be sacrilege)---if you put chrome hairpins on and find you really don't like them, it takes about half a day to pop them off and paint the darn things red.

Chrome.

Use it as an accent.
It goes well on bones & bars etc.

Except for the $$ bit, it's easy to put too much chrome on a car.

A little bit goes a long way....

You could always paint the bars ,grill and rims a matching color to the interior.

Originally Posted by dangeroustoy

I think chrome hairpins would accent the chrome hub caps...

Just My 2¢...

Dave Brisco

I'm with Dave also.

Since you have a chrome and red axle either would work, but my vote would be for chrome.

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car. Just mask it off & throw some chome looking paint on it. Leave it like that for a day as you walk around and get the 'feel' for the chrome look. Red one side, chrome 'look' on the other.... Then if you like the look, have them both chromed.... If you don't like the look then paint the one red again..... This is probably the cheapest way to make up your mind if your in doubt.... Your car already looks GREAT, I saw it at the Primer Nationals & I didn't even notice any 'contrast' between the maroon interior & the red wheels, grill, etc {& neither did the judges, BUT it does have a LOT of red on it.... Bill

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car. Just mask it off & throw some chome looking paint on it. Leave it like that for a day as you walk around and get the 'feel' for the chrome look. Red one side, chrome 'look' on the other.... Then if you like the look, have them both chromed.... If you don't like the look then paint the one red again..... This is probably the cheapest way to make up your mind if your in doubt.... Your car already looks GREAT, I saw it at the Primer Nationals & I didn't even notice any 'contrast' between the maroon interior & the red wheels, grill, etc {& neither did the judges, BUT it does have a LOT of red on it.... Bill

Bill, was it you I met at the Primers? I met a nice guy from this forum but cannot remember what his handle name is... Nor how our conversation ended... We were standing next to Hiboy while he was on "display" with the other 6 winners. I think (? everything is a blur) the producer of the show came to talk to me about the trophy ceremony and interrupted our conversation and I can't even remember saying goodbye... sigh... This was quite an overwhelming afternoon for me (but how much fun!)... Anywhoo, whomever you are, if i didn't have a chance to properly say "goodbye" I am sorry

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Faith, paint one of your hair pins w/ spray can chrome paint, don't even take it off of the car.

Well, I think there is chrome under the red paint . Might not need tt rechrome, maybe only take paint off? I'll call previous owner and ask him if chrome was in good shape. Maybe it wasn't and that's why he painted it. Or he got spraycan happy .

I can do all the changes in photoshop, it is less of a commitment / work. I'll post the altered photos here, later when I have them done.

Chrome on hairpins are the ticket. It makes them stand out, especially on a black or dark car.
As far as the hairpin handling deal, the straight axel is not high tech and neither is a traditional deuce...and that is a good thing. Sprint cars used hairpins for years with cross spring front ends. The four bar is a must for torsion bars but on a beam axel the hairpins are just dandy. If you are using a tube axel then you probably want to update to four bar. I personally enjoy the primitive ride and handling of the traditional deuce roadster as well as some rude exaust noise. Same goes with a Harley, primitive with plenty of "bark" and no rubber mounted motor. I've got a nice riding modern pick up with a/c, stereo and windows for transportation. The hot rod and bike are for fun!