Thread: Out of "Tradition" Build. What are your thoughts?

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I have a guy interested in a chevy truck I have. If he purchases it, I'm really considering buying a 32 Ford Coupe/Roadster. I've always wanted one. I'm into the diesel stuff way more than gas stuff. So, if I get one, I'll be shoe horning a 6bt cummins of some form in it. I've wanted to do this since a friend of mine had a fiberglass 32 with rolling chassis I could have baught right. Instead, I built my Corvette. I know a lot of guys will hate it. But in my mind this is hot rodding at it's finiest. Take an engine that never went into a hot rod, and go hot rodding. I know I can have 500hp and 25mpg. Plus it won't be another hot rod with a SBC in it. I'd really like an open hood, no fenders, big wide tire'd coupe. If I do this, I plan on finishing it and selling it, and building another. To me this will be more fun then working on the trucks we are now, and I will have to deal less with people whom don't want to pay their bills! What are your thoughts since you guys are more vintage rodders then I am?

I guess I always look at it that the guy writing the checks is the only one who has to like the build----but when you're talking building for resale, then often it has to be a build done in such a manner that it will appeal to the largest market possible.... However, a one-off build like you suggest may be unique enough to attract that one buyer!!!! Then, the problem with a unique car is getting it and/or an ad about it in front of the RIGHT guy.....

As far as a diesel in a Deuce, it'll offend some, but who cares???

There was a really nice little pickup at the Ottawa show last year running a diesel. He drove that thing everywhere, long hauler, and it looked very nice. I don't know enough about diesels to know a 6BT Cummins from something else, but it's yours so do it! On the resale thing, you may hold it for a while looking for that right buyer, but as long as you're not leveraging yourself based on a quick sale it's just time, right?

Wow, just Google'd the 6BT Cummins - that baby weighs in at 1150 LBS!!

Was the little truck orange by chance with a Perkins in it? I think it was a 29 Ford truck that I saw. The owner and his wife had it the All truck Nationals in KC 2 years back. I've wanted to do this for a while, but we've been so busy in our shop time hasn't allowed. Well, now I'm tired of getting stiffed and dealing with goofy people. So I figure I'll change my line of business to building complete units. The first one will be the hardest because it'll be all out of pocket. But once that one's done and you take it to some shows, enjoy iy a little, pedal it, then do the next. I'm guessing I can make the same amount of money each year as I do now. It's just my brother and I doing it part time, which is more like full time, before our full time jobs.

Roger, yep, they're pretty heavy. But, I think a straight axle and a heavy version of some a bones and a mono leaf up front will hold the weight fine. I really think a 12v with a set of compound turbos hanging off it with big meats will be awesome.

You both are right, it'll take the right person to buy it. I know there's a market for them, I just need to get one done and see how big that is. I almost did this to the 40, but it really isn't a big enough car to do it with. on an open hood car, I can stretch the frame and it won't affect the interior. We'll see if the truck goes to a new owner first.

Yep, I had to go back and look through my pictures, but it was a nice little orange truck - '32 shell, don't recall the year on the truck.

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Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

To me this will be more fun then working on the trucks we are now, and I will have to deal less with people whom don't want to pay their bills! What are your thoughts since you guys are more vintage rodders then I am?

I don't know about the "vintage".... but personally, I think it'll go over like a fart in church! I think the re-sale on it would be limited as Dave said but don't let that stop you! I'm hardly ever right about much so my wife tells me..

You asked so there it is.. just 2 cents.

It would definitely be unique and unusual. I wouldn't worry about what traditionalists think about it since your build is obviously not directed toward them. So I'm all for doing your own thing and it sounds like this is something you would enjoy doing and is right up your alley/field of experience.

As mentioned above, I also think it will be more difficult finding a buyer for it but that's not to say you won't sell it. You may just have to be more patient and figure out how to promote it, like through your business, and at events that cater to diesel fans, in addition to the more common hot rod shows.

Originally Posted by 34_40

I don't know about the "vintage".... but personally, I think it'll go over like a fart in church! I think the re-sale on it would be limited as Dave said but don't let that stop you! I'm hardly ever right about much so my wife tells me..

You asked so there it is.. just 2 cents.

I'm sure you're right. That's exactly how I figured the Corvette would go over too. And to some people they absolutely despise it. But, it's what I wanted to do.

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Nick

It would definitely be unique and unusual. I wouldn't worry about what traditionalists think about it since your build is obviously not directed toward them. So I'm all for doing your own thing and it sounds like this is something you would enjoy doing and is right up your alley/field of experience.

As mentioned above, I also think it will be more difficult finding a buyer for it but that's not to say you won't sell it. You may just have to be more patient and figure out how to promote it, like through your business, and at events that cater to diesel fans, in addition to the more common hot rod shows.

Yeah probably. You'd be surprised how many guys tell me they'd drive their trailer queens if they could actually have power and get above 12mpg. Hopefully I can make it happen.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Yeah probably. You'd be surprised how many guys tell me they'd drive their trailer queens if they could actually have power and get above 12mpg. Hopefully I can make it happen.

Yeah, but those trailer queens have big sexy Hemi's or big block's with shiny blowers and lots of bling. They want the look they have, and better mileage, too. I fear that trying to dress up that Cummins is going to be putting lipstick on a pig - it's just not going to be something that draws the oooohh's and aaaahh's other than maybe at the drag strip when you jam the skinny pedal and belch black smoke while kicking butt as you go? At best it will be seen as unique, IMO, like the Blastoline Special that Leno bought. Not trying to discourage you Ryan, but you really need to be sure of your market if you're going to plan on building these, turning them for profit and building another, and another, and another. It's one thing to build it because it's what you want, but entirely another to build to sell. There are limits to what the market will accept.

What an interesting topic, to build a traditional hotrod for resale or to build a "one of" to please yourself. There are people out there that will buy either one. Personally, I build mine to impress myself with no thought of resale. At least with yours, it will be different enough to attract a lot of attention, the same way your corvette does, isn't that why we build hotrods in the first place? Also, there are a lot more kookie people like myself that would buy something like that than you realize. I say go for it..... Just don't go too wild, my friend is having a hard time selling his shopping cart. After one ride in it, the buyer usually backs out. HEB is the local grocery store chain here.

Milner

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Go for it. Different is good. I saw a rat rod recently with an air-cooled Deutz diesel in it. Makes sense to me.

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

Go for it. Different is good. I saw a rat rod recently with an air-cooled Deutz diesel in it. Makes sense to me.

I saw pictures of that but I can't remember where it was.

Holy cow, the shopping cart is very unique! It's cool to see a huge scale shopping cart! Maybe a giant of a shopper will jump on it. Haha

Originally Posted by rspears

Yeah, but those trailer queens have big sexy Hemi's or big block's with shiny blowers and lots of bling. They want the look they have, and better mileage, too. I fear that trying to dress up that Cummins is going to be putting lipstick on a pig - it's just not going to be something that draws the oooohh's and aaaahh's other than maybe at the drag strip when you jam the skinny pedal and belch black smoke while kicking butt as you go? At best it will be seen as unique, IMO, like the Blastoline Special that Leno bought. Not trying to discourage you Ryan, but you really need to be sure of your market if you're going to plan on building these, turning them for profit and building another, and another, and another. It's one thing to build it because it's what you want, but entirely another to build to sell. There are limits to what the market will accept.

I don't know about lipstick on a pig. I can't argue with the looks of a hemi or a supercharger, but there are enough shiny parts on the 5.9's and they will look sweet too. There are even finned valve covers for them.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

I'm sure you're right. That's exactly how I figured the Corvette would go over too. And to some people they absolutely despise it. But, it's what I wanted to do.

I can hear the Corvette crowd over here! Sacrilage!!

Hey, if it's what you want to do then make it happen! And you're going into it with both eyes open is all that matters. It's an interesting concept and not as far out as a shopping cart.