Thread: Another try at American Graffitti at NSRA Tampa, FL

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Another try at American Graffitti at NSRA Tampa, FL. Here are some pics.

Neat car, I guess---and the movie was good, too. But I'll probably never understand the fascination with copying something that was really nothing more then a made-for-the-movies special?????? I've got too many of my own ideas....just never had a desire to duplicate somebody else's---or am I just missing something here?????

I guess that's why the call them opinions! you know what they say about them, don't you! Nice ride Florida!

Dave--I somehow agree, got to do something thats me---the 32 in my gallery was for a customer who wanted a Graffitti themed car(what he meant was a 32 5 window with just rear fenders) so what you see is it---32 5 window, Hillborn FI ed 540 dart block/head, 4l80 trans, polished stainless IFS and IRS, custom stainless belly tanks, Mustang hydro boost disc brake master, 6 coil overs, extended dash for air.heat and defrost, etc

On my own stuff it is a big battle to do more, different, stuff and still fit theme of period hot rod, race car, etc

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

just never had a desire to duplicate somebody else's---or am I just missing something here?????

It's been said many times before, "imitation is the best form of flattery". How many times has the 'Eleanor' Mustang been copied?? The Graffiti Deuce isn't my cup of tea either, but to some, it's their dream car.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Dave--I somehow agree, got to do something thats me---the 32 in my gallery was for a customer who wanted a Graffitti themed car(what he meant was a 32 5 window with just rear fenders) so what you see is it---32 5 window, Hillborn FI ed 540 dart block/head, 4l80 trans, polished stainless IFS and IRS, custom stainless belly tanks, Mustang hydro boost disc brake master, 6 coil overs, extended dash for air.heat and defrost, etc

On my own stuff it is a big battle to do more, different, stuff and still fit theme of period hot rod, race car, etc

Yeah Jerry, if ya gotta build a Deuce, that's the way to do it I guess!!!! Sure is fun just staying home and doing my own stuff and not having to put up with customers and all the crap that comes in the door with them!!!!!

heck, I could almost go for a Deuce with those options!!!!!

Originally Posted by Mike52

It's been said many times before, "imitation is the best form of flattery". How many times has the 'Eleanor' Mustang been copied?? The Graffiti Deuce isn't my cup of tea either, but to some, it's their dream car.

Yeah, I get that part Mike.....Maybe it's just the movie thing that gets me.... I can get totally worked up over a replica of one of the AF/X, Super Stock, or Gasser cars.... I guess movie stuff has always been just that, a movie.... Grafitti was a least close to accurate, most of the movies about cars and Hot Rods leave me with nothing more then a bad taste in my mouth. In most of the movies, the people are phony and the cars and what they do are even worse.....

George Lucas got it right because he not only grew up with it in Modesto, but also has an incredible sense for detail. It amazes me that the film was shot in a little over three weeks. To me, it is probably the best film for the accurate portrayal of cars and the car culture. I grew up with a guy like Terry the Toad, my favorite character.

The Car is gorgeous!
Nice build and I am happy for you to be finally showing it!
I know it was a passion to build it (read obsession).
Enjoy!

I think the reason I went for a Graffiti clone, is not only seeing it on film, but rather the simplicity of the car. The car isn't really built out of "Fancy" parts, it is rather plain. It is kind of a junkyard Frankenstein when you get to the bare bones of it. The pulleys are plain, regular mechanical fan, column out of something on the heap, axle out of another. It is kind of like a "Workin Man's" hotrod. You know, made for getting the job done, and looks and detail were kind of important, but not as important as winning the race. Milner was a high school dropout workin stiff....Hmmm, like me.

Can't wait till mine is done...

Daggone, I think I just described my wife.... Durable, made for getting the job done, and plain.....

Daggone, I think I just described my wife.... Durable, made for getting the job done, and plain.....[/QUOTE]

Hey, that's a lot better than undependable, worn out, pain in the a$$. LOL!

Originally Posted by Weasel Diesel

Daggone, I think I just described my wife.... Durable, made for getting the job done, and plain.....

Partial description of a couple of my ex's---just add money grabbin' ------- at the end of the description!!!!!!!!!!!

I like that Duece. What got me in the movie was the way it moved as he was cruisin'. Car looks great! And the front license plate is a nice touch.

Pat

I like the 32 too. I also agree the Lucas nailed a certain feeling with that movie that took a lot of us back to our youth. It's rare to accomplish that in a movie, and it was even tough for them to pull off a sequel in More American Graffiti. IMO that movie was a dud compared to the original, but the drag scenes were ok.

I think most attempts at car movies were pretty idiotic. Kids dancing on hoods of cars and plots that were weak to say the least. Another movie that I like is Two Lane Blacktop, and you either get it or you think it is the dumbest movie ever made. The acting stunk, the plot was stupid, but the cars, especially the 55 were what made it. (love that rockcrusher whine)

Don

".....Another movie that I like is Two Lane Blacktop, and you either get it or you think it is the dumbest movie ever made......"

You nailed that Don. We had a copy of that floating around the shop about a year ago and almost everybody took it home to watch it (and in my case make a copy).

What I found out is that if you recognize the Brotherhood of Street Racers patches and Big Willies Superbird in the opening scene you'll like, if not your going to feel like you just wasted a portion of your life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zljdU...eature=related



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