Thread: Question RE Manufacturer

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I need to ask a question as a newbie to street rods and this forum. I'm not new to older and newer cars and have an extensive electro/mech background with experience on many different types of equipment over the years. I'm 55 years old and currently into many things right now. I've been doing some minor research on various manufacturers of street rod bodies and chassis's. There are a few that have been out there for quite some time, but I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with one manf. in particular and hopefully has some personal knowledge or opinion. The company is Antique and Collectible Autos, Inc.- acautos.com. I'm interested in their 1934/35 Chevy Standard Coupe. All the companies talk a good game, and I'm not new to the marketing game...I was also part owner of a small manf. business. Anyway, acautos seems to have slightly lower pricing than others who have 34/35 chevy stuff. I do realize, you normally get what you pay for...or less, especially these days...but this company is not that much lower priced. The only way I could afford any of this in the near future would be if I run into some money that could materialize soon....or maybe not! I've dreamed of having and partially building a street rod for many many years...if I don't start soon I may never see it come to be before I'm too old or sick to accomplish it.
Any info would be appreciated, but especially info regarding how acautos compares to other companies out there...as far as reputation and quality.

Originally Posted by David 389

I need to ask a question as a newbie to street rods and this forum. I'm not new to older and newer cars and have an extensive electro/mech background with experience on many different types of equipment over the years. I'm 55 years old and currently into many things right now. I've been doing some minor research on various manufacturers of street rod bodies and chassis's. There are a few that have been out there for quite some time, but I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with one manf. in particular and hopefully has some personal knowledge or opinion. The company is Antique and Collectible Autos, Inc.- acautos.com. I'm interested in their 1934/35 Chevy Standard Coupe. All the companies talk a good game, and I'm not new to the marketing game...I was also part owner of a small manf. business. Anyway, acautos seems to have slightly lower pricing than others who have 34/35 chevy stuff. I do realize, you normally get what you pay for...or less, especially these days...but this company is not that much lower priced. The only way I could afford any of this in the near future would be if I run into some money that could materialize soon....or maybe not! I've dreamed of having and partially building a street rod for many many years...if I don't start soon I may never see it come to be before I'm too old or sick to accomplish it.
Any info would be appreciated, but especially info regarding how acautos compares to other companies out there...as far as reputation and quality.

I don't know anything about Antique & Collectible Autos, but my recommendation to you is to shop the market and find a finished car to buy that fits your needs. You'll be time and money ahead, and will be able to enjoy the car while you make changes to "make it yours". Prices for finished cars are down, and you can buy for much less than you can build at this point. Others may disagree, just my opinion.

Thanks rspears for your opinion. Who knows, maybe I will have to go that route....but I prefer not to at this time or in the near future. I almost always do things myself, I NEED to build as much of my street rod as I can...even if it may end up costing me a little more (maybe more, maybe not). I will be building my own engine also. I would still like to hear from someone regarding acautos.com, hopefully I will.

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.

Welcome David! It does make financial sense (sometimes) to buy someone's project car..... but, like you I like to build my own! All the planning, decision making, fabrication, and yes the setbacks are what makes it worthwhile for me. Matter of fact, when the project gets about 70% done I'm already thinking about what I want to do for the next one... The only "done cars" I've taken ownership of were the one's I took on trade for something of mine.

I've probably done at least my share of driving time in Hot Rods, guess the thrill of just being out driving around in one is gone. For me, the thrill is getting out in the garage and making things fit and fabricating what can't be made to fit! Everything Uncle Bob and Roger said is probably true, but I guess I'll just keep building mine anyway! Every rule has to have an exception, right?

Welcome to CHR.

Roger and Bob along with Dave S have spelled out some of the harsh realities of our hobby. It is a hobby. It "consumes" a prodigious amount of time and money, much of which you will never get back when it comes time to sell. The brand and age car you appear to have chosen can be made into a very nice hot rod according to many that I have seen. Unfortunately after market parts and support is minimal while any year of Fords are well supported by many manufacturers and with quality. I don't want to discourage you from building that favorite car, just am saying to 'do you homework' first. If you feel that you need to use a Chevy engine - not a problem as that has been the optional power choice of many Ford builders - tho most that have so far responded to you have not chosen that as their usual power plant. What I do suggest is that you spend a lot of time this spring and summer at car shows and swap meets and talk to others that have built their cars that look like what you want. You might find an abandoned project that meets your needs, especially in this era of job and other economic woes. The manufacturer you noted - I have never heard of before. Might be a good product, but ......... Now - as far as your age - I only wish I was there again

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.

Welcome David, it is plain that you want to jump in and start fabrication on your own project. I have no experience with the mfgr that you mention, i just assume i'll be basically unhappy with the product that they send and i have rarely been disappointed. The 'pay for what you get' analogy isn't true in our hobby - it is up to you to make the product 'special'. The guys giving you advice can take the same 'fixins' as you are contemplating and turn it into a beautiful thing while dealing with imperfections from the mfgr - and they would expect it, no big deal. What you do with it is the unknown.
I don't work with aftermarket modern tin, i work with the old original sheetmetal and i can tell you - without reservation - that the stuff they made (up into the '30s anyway), was rough, ill fitting and crude compared to todays standards. A truck i am working on now has a 3/8s difference from from door to door. I expect any modern mfgr of bodies will be more exact than that.
Good luck and keep us posted on how/what you do ok? oj

Originally Posted by ojh

Welcome David, it is plain that you want to jump in and start fabrication on your own project. I have no experience with the mfgr that you mention, i just assume i'll be basically unhappy with the product that they send and i have rarely been disappointed. The 'pay for what you get' analogy isn't true in our hobby - it is up to you to make the product 'special'. The guys giving you advice can take the same 'fixins' as you are contemplating and turn it into a beautiful thing while dealing with imperfections from the mfgr - and they would expect it, no big deal. What you do with it is the unknown.
I don't work with aftermarket modern tin, i work with the old original sheetmetal and i can tell you - without reservation - that the stuff they made (up into the '30s anyway), was rough, ill fitting and crude compared to todays standards. A truck i am working on now has a 3/8s difference from from door to door. I expect any modern mfgr of bodies will be more exact than that.
Good luck and keep us posted on how/what you do ok? oj

Thanks OJH, I agree with you for the most part regarding what to expect when you order and receive a part. I for one, do not expect perfection in the things I order...but I do expect excellence when I pay what I consider to be a lot of money for something. Also, another point I'd like to make is that any "part" in any industry (todays parts compared to one another) has a certain relative quality that is expected for a certain approx. price...I call it the "norm". Hence my question regarding acautos; how do their parts compare for what they are charging in anyones "opinion"? Sometimes the "best" companies such as Outlaw and Superior may have the best parts but they also can get way too pricey because they have supposedly "earned" a name for themselves. Sometimes there are other companies that have decent quality parts to offer for a somewhat lower price...sometimes some companies offer very inferior parts. Opinions on acautos parts for the money are what I'm looking for. I realize acautos $6K body can be strenthened and or made to look beautiful by me...but is it worth $6K v/s $8-10K or more for a different brand? I'm talking value for the money spent.

It's not hard to do an online search for feedback on A&C. Like anything else based on opinion you'll find the whole spectrum covered from "They're the best" to "What a piece of crap". But just like we didn't have much insight into your thinking and motivations, likewise it's not easy to discern the insights and motivations of those commenters. All that being said, for that body style the most consistently top rated one is Outlaw. Reputations have to be earned and re-earned everyday. Regardless of which manufacturer you choose you should make every effort to personally inspect current production pieces in the raw to see if they meet your desire. Stories from ten years ago may no longer apply, whichever way they go.

Depending on the build choices you make everything will take the same amount of money and effort; paint, upholstery, engine, trans, tires, wheels, and so on. So it boils down to the body and maybe frame being the only "variable". If you're planning to go full tilt, ground up, quality, you're going to be somewhere around $30k in parts and material (plus a lot or minus a little depending on your specific choices). Folks will sometimes "save", let's say $3k, on the body initial purchase and then spend a bunch of time and aggravation making the lower quality body almost as good as the higher quality one. But maybe that kind of work floats your boat.

Based on that perspective I'd say an Outlaw (if they're still built up to the quality standard they have long applied) would be a better choice than one built down to a price point.

Thanks Bob Parmenter for your input, but I wasn't in need of the total cost involved...I already know that. I'm just asking for "opinions" on acautos products from people that may have some personal experience with the company. I realize Outlaw and Superior are the best, but I'm still curious regarding acautos quality for the money from someone who has first hand knowledge and has seen or worked with acautos fiberglass or even chassis's for that matter. I understand it's all opinion and that's why I originally asked for opinions. Of course the best thing would be for me to actually look at their products in person...but since I can't do that right now, I decided to ask a simple question regarding peoples "opinions" of acautos products for now. If I can get enough opinions, I can then atleast draw a preliminary conclusion based on averages. If I can't get enough first hand opinions right now...atleast I asked and tried.

Where is there shop? Haven't heard of them either, maybe somebody on here lives close and could check them out....??

I've started with some really rough 'glass bodies, they take a ton of work but if they're not total trash they can be made to look and fit good. As Bob said, depends on whether you want to spend the $$$$ up front or invest in the extra labor... Never have seen a body that came out perfect and just needed scuff and primer. Like anything, the more time you can put into it yourself, the more actual $$$ you'll save, but then your labor has got to be worth something so it becomes a balancing act.

Hi Dave Severson, Thanks for the reply. I made a polite reply to Bob's last post but the moderator doesn't seem to want to post it yet or ? The company in question is in Buffalo, NY, They have been around for quite some time. On another forum a couple guys have come back with not so good opinions...the more opinions I can get the better(preferably hands on opinions) since I can't personally look at their products right now. I am mostly concerned about "value for the money", to include strength and fit and some finish concern...although some extra labor on my part here and there is just fine, but I do want it strong with good reinforcing, metal and wood where needed. I of course want as recent info as possible regarding their parts quality. I asked for opinions and that is what I expect, then based on hopefully many opinions I can draw somewhat of a conclusion...for now. I'm just trying to gather some info (of course based on opinions) from forums with people that may have first hand knowledge of said companies parts. So far, I'm not hearing good things about their products. My labor is free for a car I'm working on for myself, (labor of love), but when I purchase an expensive part I want the correct quality for what I pay...expected value for price. If the majority of people end up telling me that acautos products are not worth the money, I will more than likely believe them if I get what I think is a large enough base of people.