Thread: The Greatest Rod & Custom Cars!

Tweet

hmmmm. Looks like someone's been stealing fenders and boards again!!!!! Hate it when that happens!!!!!

You just made my point! LOL!!!

Here are a few more:

Here's a neat link for some kustom car info--www.roadsters.com/custom/#pioneers

PS--- Them 30's stuff is Hot Rods-----
THIS is a KUSTOM!!!!!

Amen to that!

I used to go to the car show in downtown Indy, during the Nationals. Got to see many famous cars. It was between '62 and '75.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

..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.

I tend to agree with you on the fenderless 33 & 34 Fords. I had one that I ran fenderless and primed for awhile. But it looked so much better after I put the fenders, hood and running boards back on.....Here's acouple pics of before and after......

I would have to agree. I can see why early rodders did not prefer them, but I make my living as an artist/craftsman, and I can see why they were so popular when the trend changed! Beautiful cars! In the late '80s, I can remember that people were paying $10K for a pile of rusty tin, just to have a '33 or '34! That would probably be equivalent to $20K now.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

......... I can remember that people were paying $10K for a pile of rusty tin, just to have a '33 or '34! That would probably be equivalent to $20K now.

The last two '33-4 3 window rolling projects, decent not rusted tin pile, I've seen sell were in the $35-40k range.

I was talking about just the sheetmetal body pieces......but the hot rod market has been weak lately, so I am surprised that they are still this strong.

The general market has softened, but certain pieces seem to prevail. As we've (the entire forum) talked before, not always with agreement as the rodders age the market will get more selective. Even in this market original Ford steel still brings "good" bucks. Glass is pretty soft, as well as most of the cars that won't make your list here, and parts that are of relative lower "desirability" (e.g. billet, common wheels, and any other easily volume produced component)..

I think you are absolutely right. It's funny how you assume certain "truths", and sometimes find that you were wrong, or that things have changed with time.

I do differ from the average enthusiast in one way...I have done extensive work on Corvettes, and other 'glass bodies. I would rather have a 'glass car by far, as I have seen the result of trying to salvage old tin, always wondering when some part of it would fail, some rust reappear, or be badly damaged, producing very difficult repairs.

I guess for me, being a practical person, it's hard to understand the obscession with vintage tin, but I suppose for some people it is like owning a vintage antique.....a "perceived value".

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

.....a "perceived value".

Amen brother!!!

I think the market has gone soft because people are (finally) tired of seeing just another variation of the same thing.... Vintage tin used to bring a premium, IMO just a "snob factor" but now with everyone making the brand new steel cars it's had to effect the price of the real parts.... I'm really hoping this means that we're back on the path of unique cars that are designed as "one-offs" and bring back the old adage of "take what you have and build what you want. I suppose this sounds like my usual rant about "another black Deuce" but maybe I'm no longer the only one who feels this way?

It's going to take some real creativity and a very high level of quality to bring the top prices, as it well should! I'm looking forward to seeing the best cars turned out by the best builders utilizing creative design and superb craftsmanship rather then the guy with the biggest checkbook....

You are not alone. I am so tired of seeing the same thing in my biz. I have files full of new ideas for paint, but it has always been hard to get street rodders interested in anything too different.

I am starting to see increased business in shiney paint again, at least in my local market, so I think the interest in flat paint is starting to level off.

You guys mentioned this one, and I could not agree more. I always liked the longer rear fenders of the '51, but maybe that is because back-in-the-day I ran around in one that a friend had.....complete with the "flatmotor"!

I can't tell you what made them popular in the first place. Maybe it was the styling....or the popular Ford engine....or both, but they did have a look of mystery, and if the top was chopped they looked very sinister!