Thread: Question RE Manufacturer

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Experienced people like Roger will often give the same, sensible, advice................even though he (I) and others violate the "good sense" advice.

Perhaps the best way to approach it is your self evaluation. What's more important to you: keeping yourself occupied with a hobby that demonstrates your mechanical/artistic skills, or enjoying the social aspects of the hobby. Or, what combination of the two.

You dropped a "hint" about concerns (to some level or other) about cost. Hands down, the best approach is to buy an existing, well built car. Rods almost never sell for as much as they cost to build. Incomplete projects routinely sell for .50 on the dollar. If you're into demographics, the hard reality is we're either at, or very near the high point of participation in rods. Look around at any event for rods, see the demographics of this site and others like it. The vast majority are up in years (granted, a relative term). The current economic conditions may have accelerated the inevitable, but, by my estimation, the supply exceeds the demand (albeit on relatively slightly for now). This will not bode well for manufacturers like A&C, and the others, but that's market cycles. If you can be patient, there's a car out there that fits most of your bill, and what doesn't match your tastes can be altered and you very likely could end up with a car tailored to your style/desire for the same or less than if you'd done it from scratch...........and as Roger said, in less time and effort. Redoing a car can be just as gratifying if you're of the appropriate temperament.

There's an old addage that "newbies" don't ever seem to want to believe. It goes something like: "It'll take twice as long, and cost three times as much as you estimate it will to complete." The actual numbers may vary some, but the point remains.

Welcome David to our Club and I would totally agree with both Roger and Uncle Bob have said. It doesn't really matter where in the world one lives,when it comes to hot rods,if one is patient,one can find that something special that may only need a new set of wheels and tyres with a change of paint to make it your own ride.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

There's an old addage that "newbies" don't ever seem to want to believe. It goes something like: "It'll take twice as long, and cost three times as much as you estimate it will to complete." The actual numbers may vary some, but the point remains.

Oh my goodness Bob .......... I wish that were true ......... how about five times as long and five times the cost

And welcome to the looney bin David389 ......... glad you've joined us

Thanks to all who have responded so far. Each of us have our own individual reasons for doing things, especially for doing them a certain way. I will not debate what method of "obtaining a street rod" may be the least expensive or the easiest or least time consuming. Those of you that say buy used or unfinished projects are correct for the most part regarding cost, etc. You guys forget that I'm 55 and have lived much of life's experiences. If anyone knows that everything always takes longer and costs more than planned...I do. My point is: I totally agree with Dave Severson, I NEED to build my own for various personal reasons. The only reason I brought up "cost" was in relation to acautos prices compared to other similar manufacturers.
I can appreciate the comments that many of you have made regarding this hobbie...but I am not new to hobbies, most hobbies that are hands on like to suck money and time, but that's to be expected. I'm a newbie to street rods, not hobbies in general. I believe in doing my research, hence my question regarding acautos. I actually have done quite a bit of research over the years and recently regarding street rods in general. I also have my own personal reasons for not going with a Ford body and chassis. All I care to say right now is I'm a GM guy, it's what I know and like. Nothing against Ford, but it's just not me. I realize no one out there knew too much about me from my original question, but I guess I expected a little more credit than I've been given. I attempted to make a couple small comments in my first thread regarding my background, age, etc. I apologize for expecting most of you to understand "where I'm coming from" based on my first short thread. For whatever reason, Dave Severson grasped where I was coming from right away. Please, no hard feelings...I do appreciate you trying to help.
What I really need help on is my basic first question regarding acautos. Does anyone have any experience with them or more knowledge about them? Thanks to all again, David.
P.S. I have been to quite a few shows in the past.