Thread: Kid's and Rodding

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2 Part picture....
(Part 1):
I remember when I was 8 years old and my dad took me to a car show.. I remember all the 'don't touch unless you were nude signs. Dad had to stop me from stripping right then and there <g>... Well, there was one guy who looked at my dad and said "bring your boy over here", and proceeded to let me sit in the drivers seat. Made a big impression on me (event hough I could not see over the dash).. I made a promise to myself that if I ever had a hot rod...all the kids would get to sit in it...for all the dad's out there...and all the kid's.
(Part 2):
Wierd thing... Ever since I built it, the Lecarra Banjo wheel gives you a lil' 12v shock when you beep the horn. Never have fixed it, but I get a kick out of telling the kids settin' in there to go ahead and honk the horn..
Kind of a whoopee joy buzzer.. I swear.. I am NOT going to fix it.. Too much fun zappin the kiddies <g>..
Jeff:
(Sam Dixon photo : www.studebakeronline.com )

That's pretty cool Jeff. I think a lot of guys would like to "pass on the feel" of a hot rod, and probably many do. What seems to put a damper on it are the few that think they're "entitled" to climb all over someone else's rig. "It's just a car!" The courteous ones have easy access to "seat time" in my car.

Your picture here reminds me of one I took of my brother about 34 years ago. I had a '39 Chev coupe I ran in H/G. He was about 8 years old, had about the same seating stance as the youngster in your truck, and was wearing my helmet................way to big for his young head!! Thanks.

Jeff - you got the right idea!! When I was a younger guy I didn't get the connection to young kids when I had nice cars...almost hate to admit it, I got all weirded out when someone got close to my ride.

Now that I have kids, I let all the kids that want to jump in the pliot's chair of the Vette or the SS a chance to do so. I figure I owe this back to other younger kids so as to keep this hobby going. I can honestly tell you the exact day...when I was 6 no less...when my Sister's college friend let me sit in the drivers seat of his 69 Mach 1 428 CJ. Don't think that didn't leave a huge impression on me to this day. In fact, I would do just about anything that is legal to own a 69 Mustang Mach I.

My mom actually decided for the family that we would go to no car shows. However, we lived up the street from the motels people stayed at during their stay at the NSRA nationals in Knoxville. Every year from the time they moved to Knoxville from Gatlinburg to now, we would go cruising. There were a few times I was actually able to go out and talk to the owners when I was a little tike. None of them would ever let me near them, let alone touch them. I think the first old car I actually got to lay a hand on was my first 1939 Nash. Things have looked up from there. When I went to Michigan to pick up my other 39, we stopped in to see a guy by the name of Havekost. He is the technical advisor to the Nash Car Club of America, and has QUITE a collection. He was willing to let me do anything short of drive them, though out of respect for their age, I didn't sit in them. He had a 1966 Marlin I was all over. I think when I get my rod finished and actually make it to the shows, I'll let people get near it. I figure if people have an interest enough to come to the show, you might as well give them a treat the other snobs forego. Sure, I'll let the kids sit in it, maybe even the adults as long as they don't come up with a chip on their shoulder. Yall have the right idea, inspire the young ones so we'll have a few less future ricers.

Well, my story starts when I was 14 and I went round to this guys place to look at some of the 1/2 sized rods he built, he and another bloke were there workin on a model A tourer, we got chattin and they invited me to hang round for a few hours, let dad go home and I was given a ride home in a Model A tudor rod, wow, I had to have one from that day on!! Over the years, I was given a chance to work on different rods, it was so kool, esp for a young bloke whose family aren't car nuts. Any way I was at the first (and only)show, our Nats in my A model, and this old fella came ova and started chattin, he told me he and his wife went on their hunny moon in a model A, 50 years earlier. It looked a bit different to mine though anyway I invited them to have a seat, and then have a bit of a drive, well the smiles on their faces were priceless! They got me to take some photo's and a video of it, it was great. My car was driving more than not for the 3 days, and I wasn't the only one at the wheel, it was kinda weird seeing my car do lap after lap! I also had a heap of kids (and a couple of adults) jump on the back of the ute, for a few laps, I hadn't met them before, but thats what it's all about isn't it??
People have been great to me, I can only try and do that for others...

NOW THATS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!
The members that have posted here and have let others touch, sit in, and or drive thier rides are to be commeneded for the unselfish acts. Outbackrodder...you probably gave that couple a memory that will stay with them forever! Not only being able to drive a car they used to have, but that a rodder let them do it!

I never had a problem with someone sitting , helleven driving, any of my rides. I usually knew them and if not I went along as well. All I know is that I now have new friends that are now building street rods and muscle cars because I let the "EXPERIANCE" the rush it gives me.

KUDOS TO YOU ALL!!
DCON

I was driving round my block in the city looking fer parking (aint the nicest neighborhood) and some kids started yellin and hoohawin over the car. Granted its only a 54 but there arent to many city dwellers driving chopped sleds. So I pulled over and said hi answering all there Q. they was heading to the top of the hill and we were at the bottom so I offered them all (5 of em, 12-15yr) a ride and it was giggles, laughter, hootin out the windows and so on to there destination. It did so much fer me getting me in a possitive mood, cause it's so easy to get a little jaded at the teens where I live. Found that parking space 45 min later but it felt like only10 min.

Dear Streets, I am sorry you had bad experiances
I guess the people that have sat and touched my rides were polite and they ALWAYS asked. I did have one guy try to smoke in my Road Runner. I told him no or hit the pavement. He said he was sorry and we went.
I am teaching my son the same manners. He says please and thank you as well. We go to others houses and such and he knows if it doesn't belong to him, he doesn't touch it. It's respect and I figure " TEACH EM AT A YOUNG AGE"

As always, it takes a few to leave a bad taste in the mouth....sort of speak. i try not to judge everyone by the actions of a few. I know it's hard, but like I said I now have numerous friends building and or driving their rides since the first "touch".
DCON

Streets, I agree with ya, When people are polite you don't mind chattin or givin people a ride,

But when people take liberties, well, they really need a reality check!!

I bet that little kid, will remember what you did for him the rest of his life, and those other jerks who jumped in the bucket without askin, well they probably want to forget the experience....

Here's a pic from this weekend at Daytona Int'l Speedway where the Turkey Rod Run was held.. Great show...
Lot'sa kids (and their sexy moms' got to set in the truck. Shocked a few kids with the horn button (nope, won't fix it for obvious reasons....
Here's the future Thelma and louise
Jeff

Originally posted by dcon426
NOW THATS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!
The members that have posted here and have let others touch, sit in, and or drive thier rides are to be commeneded for the unselfish acts. Outbackrodder...you probably gave that couple a memory that will stay with them forever! Not only being able to drive a car they used to have, but that a rodder let them do it!

I never had a problem with someone sitting , helleven driving, any of my rides. I usually knew them and if not I went along as well. All I know is that I now have new friends that are now building street rods and muscle cars because I let the "EXPERIANCE" the rush it gives me.

KUDOS TO YOU ALL!!
DCON

You know you try to accomadate some of these people but sometimes when your not looking there will be some pr..ck that has to leave his mark for god knows what reason. I mean how many times have you purposly parked your ride on the far side of the parking lot, and it never fails that some d..k and his basturdized jalopy has to park right beside you and ding your car. You get mad and try to do something to his car only to realize he's already done about as much damage as can be done. You almost have to watch your ride at all times. You leave to go get a drink and come back and some kid is sliding down your hood. Some people just automatically assume it's ok to get in and start it up when your not looking. Then they look at you when your blowing your top like theres something wrong with you. It's not a joyride for your amusment just becouse you paid an admission price.

In case anybody wants to write that im bitter at kids, this lat summer i took my girlfriends daughter to her first NHRA santioned race and for 4 hours her eyes were as big as dinner plates and she could'nt get enough, now i have all her friends wanting to come becouse she won't stop taking about it. It's a real kick to show them something they have never seen before, as there fathers are to busy sitting in bars griping about they're pathetic lives. I don't mind at all since i have no kids of my own and her son just dosen't care for cars

Ya, i ran into the same problem, she spotted those jr dragsters when we were there now she's doing all this research on all the junior racers out there. I thought i would get her one of those racing barstools, but she would probably like the jr t's better