Thread: Sensible hot rods?????????

Tweet

To paraphrase an old quote, there are no new ideas. There are only new people who think them.

I would guess that since a number of the BP participants are young folks with families beginning they're thinking just like a lot of the beginning family folk from our generation back in the late '70s into the '80s. The "fat fender" craze, the implementation of air conditioning, power brakes, cruise control....i.e. all the things that morphed "hot rods" into the evil, dreaded "street rod"!!!..........................

Likewise, as some have mentioned here, some of the older guys who might have done the "family rod" thing a couple decades ago, rekindled their nostalgic dreams of the hot rod (when the nest cleared) they wished they could have built back when they were teens. But the creaky ol' body just doesn't cooperate like it used to.

Kinda reminds me of a few conversations we had on here say 7 or 8 years ago about not being surprised if some of the "young punks" that were ragging on the older guys for not remaining faithful to "real hot rods" and had lost it, would end up evolving their views and skills just like those "ol' farts" did. Viva la rat rod!!!!!!!!

So now we see the more talented of these younger guys upping their game, building in more style, safety, and craftsmanship. Next is the resurgence of the family rod? It's Golden Oldie time my friends.....................

My '35 will be a very good well rounded car I believe. Not traditional, but recently I have been going out of my way not to turn it into a billet-mobile. Fuel injection and an overdrive will get about 18/24 mpg similar to Stu. We have a sunroof for open air enjoyment. After some shake down miles I will be excited to regularly drive it 160 miles round trip to the lake on weekends in the summer (starting this summer?? ) and where ever else we want to go. Ocean City Cruisin', Street Rodder Road Tour?? My dad is less than excited to put premium gas in it, but I'm so used to that everyday I don't even look at what 87 costs and with decent gas mileage its hard to complain.

In short the '35 will not be done the way everyone wants, but imo it is staying true to the way it has been for the majority of its years with 'corvette' on the valve cover/fuel rail cover and 3 pedals . The only difference this time may be the lack of push starts and fewer broken parts

when i 1st started my 27 chevy build i had a few demands.
it has to be comfortable
best gas milage possible
able to handle potholes and speed bumps
and it has to be able to drive in the rain.
so i have a stock 302 in it and am looking at 2.73 or 3.00 gears.

Vanners do provide some very sensible answers.At summer car shows,easy travel and with a BBQ,a place to sleep,could save you some cash too.They can tow a open trailer with whatever on the trailer too.The "Ole Yellar" project V8 Astro at a show I promise not to disappoint.The all around WOW factor for those that look will be there even if it isn't a roadster or coup.

This is my first Hot Rod build, but every decision was for being comfortable in my drives. I put the smallest fuel tank in the car so it would force me to stop for fuel to get out and stretch my legs I put tall rear end gears in for fuel mileage, I have built and drove fast race cars, so going fast is not on my list. I was going to build my on seat out of ply broad but went with the Glide seat frame for comfort. To be honest I have never even drove a 32 ford roadster it may kick my butt ,but i tryed to make it ride and drive great. We will see because like my Buddy Don says drive the piss out of them.

Originally Posted by sg4356

This is my first Hot Rod build, but every decision was for being comfortable in my drives. I put the smallest fuel tank in the car so it would force me to stop for fuel to get out and stretch my legs I put tall rear end gears in for fuel mileage, I have built and drove fast race cars, so going fast is not on my list. I was going to build my on seat out of ply broad but went with the Glide seat frame for comfort. To be honest I have never even drove a 32 ford roadster it may kick my butt ,but i tryed to make it ride and drive great. We will see because like my Buddy Don says drive the piss out of them.

i am putting 2 tanks in mine
a 9 and an 8 gallon plumbed together.

Originally Posted by jyardgirl

my car is not considered a hot rod. but i believe that with a muscle car you have the best of both worlds. drives and rides like a luxury car but can run like a scalded cat. that is why i love the muscle cars. when i am at a car show though the first cars i go to check out are the hot rods. because after hanging around here with you guys i know how much more harder they are to build.

Shes nearly converted!

I think sensible hot rods are the only way to go........................wink wink.

Originally Posted by pro70z28

I think sensible hot rods are the only way to go........................wink wink.

if i had any sense.
i wouldnt own an antique willys jeep who's top speed is 45mph ,gets horrible milage and stinks like crazy
and i wouldnt be building a hotrod......

Hey,
I have a nice 47 Ford sedan that i swapped my 29 Model A pick up for,when we did the swap my young son was with me,as we were driving home he jumps over the front seat and lies down on the back and shouts out "Dad I can lie down in this one and go to sleep" .
So now we have 4 folks in the car towing a 20ft 5 berth caravan, kids o the i (keep quite machine)Pod, me and the wife up front listerning to the radio and we usually arrive in comfort.
Once the 37 is finished I will hopefully have the same feeling but a bit wind blown ..

Have FUN whatever you do.