Thread: The Greatest Rod & Custom Cars!

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Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Well HRP, since you bring up "teaching" the youngin's, a point of clarification. The Model B was the 4 cylinder version of the '32, the V8 was a Model 18, or on the streets just "The V8". And to continue on that theme, the Model C was the 4 cylinder version of the '33 & 4.

Now for the rest of your request. As far as traditional rods go the '32 Ford tops the list. After that I'd say the '40 Ford, particularly the coupe. [/url]

I never heard about the model B being 4s only. I guess I'm not too old to learn!

The '40 Ford would have been one of my picks, too, but I always include the '39 in the same breath, since visually they were very similar, especially with the '40 standard model.

I think we could all agree on a dozen or two dozen cars, that have become highly prized. I can see there are going to be many others that are individually prized due to personal involvment.

Originally Posted by T42

While this probably wouldnt qualify for the time less custom pick, I'd sure love to have my old 60 Catalina back!!! Just a mild custom being nosed and decked and a roll and pleat interior and a few other small mods....

Well, for what it's worth which is very little, IMO the "tin Indians" will always be one of the greatest sources for building a great Kustom or Kruizer!!! I wish I could find an old flop top Poncho nice as that someday!!!!!

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

I never heard about the model B being 4s only. I guess I'm not too old to learn!

The '40 Ford would have been one of my picks, too, but I always include the '39 in the same breath, since visually they were very similar, especially with the '40 standard model.

On the bright side, not only are you not too old to learn................it means you're also no so old that you knew this trivial stuff!!!

As for the '39, particularly the Deluxe, I agree. In some ways it's a more elegant car. The side trim was relatively thin and smooth with just a hint of a peak to it. The balance of the trim vs. painted steel on the grille is just right. The head light trim rings were equally as beautiful. The trim tear drop tail lights have become ubiquitous in (and even outside) hot rod circles. Much to like there.

In part the desire to have the "latest and greatest" distorted the market to some extent. In the immediate post WWII years two of the iconic cars we've talked about here "suffered" changes that we probably look at in puzzlement today. It was very common then for rodders to put '40 front ends on '39 deluxes (the standards had a slightly different cowl which made this swap more difficult) presumably because they wanted to be seen as having a "newer" car. Likewise with the '33-4's. Years back it was common to swap '34 grilles and hoods to '33s for much the same reasons. An unintended consequence was that as appreciation for the thinner, "scooped" (and in my opinion more stylish) '33 grille grew in the '80s the "shortage" of nice '33 grilles caused a significant spike in prices, only stemmed in the past few years by high quality reproductions.

[QUOTE=Bob Parmenter]On the bright side, not only are you not too old to learn................it means you're also no so old that you knew this trivial stuff!!!

I thought I would be well-educated, after 49 years of obsession, and reading about 6,000 car magazines (dating back to the late '40s) from cover to cover! I think the way you really learn many of the details, is to own, or build a car. Then you start finding out all of the small details, first hand. .....or you can read this thread. :-)

Even though the '55-'57 Chevies were similar, the '57 was much more dramatically styled, putting it in a class of it's own. It was a stunning design, which seems to be proven by the fact that most modified cars retain most of the original lines, and most of the factory trim.

This was another of those cars that became very popular at it's original release, and never lost that popularity.

A couple of the strengths were release of the new 283 engine, the availability of a 4-speed or fuel injection, and simple parts interchangability with newer engines and other parts for many decades.

...and a few more.

(QUOTE)Well, when you say rod and custom I have to think of '49-51 Mercs, 49-50 Buick and Olds, any 40's thru 60's Caddy, pre-war (wwII) Lincoln's, 60's Chryslers, and a few others. Never could see where 30's car made a good "custom", far better as a "hot rod".(QUOTE) Dave Severson.


Dave, I have found that in recent years, especially in discussions here, that all of the terminology that we all understood over the decades, is now being redefined. No matter what terms we choose, somebody else has a different understanding of it. :-)

It sounds like we are the same generation...ie:

hot rod = '48 and older performance modified cars
custom = '49 and up that is restyled
street machine = '49 up modified for speed
muscle car = '64 up detroit built performance sedan

...and anything else didn't matter. :-)

Today there does not seem to be a short phrase to include all of the various building styles. Rod & custom kind of covers things done to personalize the appearance, and things done for performance, so I went with that.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Dave, I have found that in recent years, especially in discussions here, that all of the terminology that we all understood over the decades, is now being redefined. No matter what terms we choose, somebody else has a different understanding of it. :-)

In fact, that came to light at a local show this week-end when a '37 Ford Coast to Coast car was presented the "Best Custom" award. A slick car it was, but a custom it definitely was not. The owner was actually kind of embarassed, I think. BUt hey, their show, their rules. And it was a very nice show.

Pat

Should only be two classes, show or go... Well, maybe 3, another for the one you tow with!!!!

Pat said....

BUt hey, their show, their rules. And it was a very nice show.

I went to a show like that one time. My customed 57 Olds (nosed, decked, shaved, frenched, lakes, custom interior the whole works) against a shiny red 442 with a new seat coverss with 442 stitched on them. The 442 was owned by one their club members and yes, he took top prize in the Custom category. He wasn't embarrassed, his wife as much as said that they were going to win an hour before the trophies were announced.

That was the last time I participated in an all Olds event with that club.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

(QUOTE)

Dave, I have found that in recent years, especially in discussions here, that all of the terminology that we all understood over the decades, is now being redefined. No matter what terms we choose, somebody else has a different understanding of it. :-)

Well, the way I see it, our generation and the one before us started this whole hot rod thing and these kids should just leave things the way we defined them!!!!!! Kind of like the one's who tell me that some POS car with no floor, no top, rust holes, beer bottle overflow can, and headers made from well pipe is "correct" cuz that's how they used to all be?????

I got in an argument with a cop one night. Went through the curves west of town with the steering full lock right and the back end all hung out in excess of 100 mph......He called it reckless driving and I called it a controlled slide...Even explained to him that had I been reckless I would have been on my head in the ditch. Well, my definition of reckless was not the same as the established definition of reckless and I lost the argument!!!! Kustoms incorporate one or more of the following mods; chopped, sectioned, frenched, shaved, channeled, pinched, stretched, slammed, or rolled. Loud stereos, tinted windows, 20" wheels with rubber band tires, and a bolt on body kit just don't make it a kustom!!!!

Dave, I am inclined to agree, but with many older rodders headed for the nursing home, I think we are about to be outvoted! :-)

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Dave, I am inclined to agree, but with many older rodders headed for the nursing home, I think we are about to be outvoted! :-)

Well, when we're all in the home racing electric skooter chairs then they can convince each other of whatever they want...... Meanwhile, let's not get the kustoms and wanna-be's mixed up!!!!! For those who want it to be like it was "back in the day", then get your butt out in the shop and learn some of the old methods of kustomizing and throw that bolt on plastic body part catalog and trick-of-the-month wheel club catalog in the flippin' trash!!!!!


Sorry, just another one of them personal rant things with me!!!!!!!

I think I am going to be surprised by this thread, since many differing view points are going to come out.

..then there are the unusual stories, like the '33-'34 Ford popularity. As far as I can tell, they were not real popular in the early days, since the trend was to strip the fenders and hood off to lighten the car. The '33-'34 looked awful this way! The firewall portruded, and looked cluttered, the grill hung out there with no shell around the radiator, and there was a funny inner fender piece showing.

In the '80s (30 years later) the "resto rod" came along, and people were building cars with all of the bodywork. At that time, the beauty of the factory design came out, and the popularity exploded! About that same time, the '37 Ford also found a new niche, and for the same reason.

Today I would give the '33-'34 an "icon" rating....but I would not have in the '50s-'60s &'70s. It was a late bloomer.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

.....since the trend was to strip the fenders and hood off to lighten the car. The '33-'34 looked awful this way!

I think them's fightin' words pilgrim!