Thread: Dream Builds-Generation Lost??.

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As I surf this forum and others as a long time hod rodder,leaves me to wonder if this generation has been lost to the bombardment of the cheapest low dollar parts market.That is all they know and if funds where available,they wouldn't know what to get.
When I was younger and well even now,I have always had a dream build I wanted to do.I don't see that kind of posts anymore.I think it has taken the optimism point of view out of hot rodding which that has been a cornerstone of what hot rodders are.We had always figured a way to get-er-done without compromising our dreams.

I do know of "some" guys on here that have thousands and thousands of dollars invested in their builds.But not many............

Maybe you guys could list what your dream build would be and how your going about it to prove me wrong.I sure hope so.My hot rodding is my everything and I do really care a ton which direction it's going in.

My dream was to have a 40 Ford like my Uncle's someday. I got his car and am now fixing it up how he would have wanted it, or as how I remember growing up in and around it. I do shop around and get the best deal I can. Who doesn't? And yes, I have thousands in this car. From purchasing it to repairing it. I spent $1600 to buy a car to get the engine out of. Honestly, I don't care how much money it takes, I just want to drive it this year. When it'll be finished, I have no idea. There is so much I want to do to the car it never ends.

As far as a dream build, I have several and who knows when I'll get there. I guess my biggest dream right now is I want to restore my dad's 68 GS400 convertible and give it back to him. I occasionally purchase rare parts for it. This car is down on the list right now but I hope to get it done within 10 years or so. Having too many projects is my issue.

Now on my Corvette, that was kind of a dream of mine too. I always wanted a Corvette but they are so pricey. well I got one and built it. How I wanted it. Is it what everyone wants? No. But it's different, fast, and pretty close to done. Here's another car with thousands in it. How could you build something without thousands in it? I don't see it. Every truck or car I have absorbs lots and lots of money.

I will disagree with your outlook that the kids aren't into building cars. There are dozens upon dozens of car websites loaded with young men playing with cars. And watch the drag strips around you and there's pleanty of young folk there too.

They may not be playing with 30's or 40's / 50's etc.. but they are playing with what is cheap and available to them. And some of the ricers around my city will put a spankin' on my ride and any muscle car I ever had in my lifetime!

My dream car build??? I haven't a clue, when I see it, I'll know!!

I've posted this before - but always good to be reminded of what I'd spend my lottery dollars on! I could go on a while on this topic, but here’s list of cars I would own if I were to come into a gazillion dollars. No particular order, but all ones that would be in my stable if cost were no issue:

1. 1940 Ford. Painted deep burgundy with a late model Ford engine (5.0 coyote) and automatic transmission (six speed) and nice highway gears. Independent frond end (Fatman or similar) and coil rear suspension. Nice leather interior, tilt column, lots of soundproofing to allow freeway cruise. Vintage air and cruise control to enhance a two hundred mile leg of a journey to be pure comfort. Nice CD player (okay – MP3 too!!). Not a muscle car, but a classic cruiser.

2. 1955 Stepside – copper or burnt orange with flames. Lowered a “titch” with Crager SS chrome wheel and nice fat tires. The bed would be oak finished so beautiful it would look like it came from Ethan Allen furniture. Stainless steel bed strips polished to look like chrome. LS engine with billet in the right places and 200R4 to 3:90 gears. Leather “tuck&roll” and dice from the mirror. Classic style instruments with a tilt column and very aggressive Flowmaster mufflers with turn down tips. This one would burn rubber on command, but still be civilized enough to drive to the local A&W.

3. 1967 SS 396 Chevelle – Marina Blue with stock SS interior. Sits up a bit with five spoke American Mags (gray with natural aluminum). Monster 502 (built by Pat) with stock appearing 396 valve covers and air cleaner. Holley Dominator or maybe dual quads if I could get the perfect look on a chrome reproduction air cleaner. Rock crusher built to handle the 600 plus horsepower. Hooker ceramic coated headers, 3” stainless exhaust and 50 series Flowmasters. This one would launch and hookup with a 4:11 (highly engineered to allow nice big tires inside the wheel wells). I would actively seek any Japanese rice-rocket and eat them all gone with no apologies.

4. 1965 Impala SS 396– deep red with subtle ghosted flamed. Black leather bucket seat interior with carpet an inch deep. Upgraded suspension all around to include four wheel disc brakes. Modern 454 with modest roller cam and excellent street manners (of course I’d commission Pat build all these motors!!) – Another 200R4 and Hooker ceramic coated headers and 2-1/2” stainless out just past the rear bumper. Lots of sound deadening, electric windows, air conditioning, cruise control, etc. This would be my wife’s daily driver and our “go-to-church-on Sunday” car.

5. 1965-70 El Camino – maybe a couple years as I believe everyone should own at least one El Camino in their lifetime. Silver, red or Marina Blue – black interior is a must. I think God must use them in heaven for casual hauling of stuff. Engine(s) could be SB or BB. Transmissions, 4-speeds or Turbo 400 – doesn’t matter. A couple nicks or scratches in the bed would be fine as I’d of course, have a tonneau cover.

If this doesn’t happen here, come by and visit my garage in heaven and you’ll see them all!!

Glenn

I guess I started late in the building cars thing..(1985)First one 68 camaro 400hp 350/350 Lots of fun to drive. Built my 38 while driving the 68 till I ran out of the gold it takes to build anything and sold the 68 to finish the 38. drove the 38 till I moved to MI. the cost of a new shop took care of the 38.Then got a 32 chevy. Traded that for a 64 chevy there both gone and I built a 53 ford 2dr wagon Thats gone I bought mama a 57 chevy 2 dr wagon, I think I'll die working on that. I bought for some unnone reason a 67 Fury3 383...Haded that car, never even plated it. traded it for my 73 Nova. 454/400 9" narowed Nice ride fast turns heads haven't had a chance to go to the track with it but this summer I will. Now I bought another project 72 C10. That has already started costing money and its not even ready to take apart. I have the cost of the truck + a better bed+ a door. +a fender + grill. The parts I bought cost more than the truck. I figure somewhere or some time this summer the Nova wiil be on the chopping block,,,
to pay for finishing the C10. I try to build any one thing and keep it I like building and MAKING parts fit or work where they weren't intended. It keeps me thinking and out of trouble. Oh yea somewhere in there there have been 4 other trucks a 72 .a 71 a 49 ,2 51s and I can't remember all of them..BUT they have all been Chevys except that Fury and a few motorcycles

I dunno dude. I'm 30 and this is pretty much my dream build. I made or scrounged everything on it. I can assure you, given the necessary funds, I could go crazy with one of these.

my dream build? i am 26 had a 64 nova for awhile got rid of it tinkered with odds n ends since then, right now fartin around with this mustang witht he oldsmobile motor.

my dream build? ill be getting the supplies to start ONE of them at the end of the month, its been along time coming.

my dream builds are as follows,

a gasser, whether it be a 33-40-41 willys, an anglia, 62-67, or a tri 5 chevy i want one. blown 427 stickshift different details to each build as you know.

ive always wanted to build a fuel altered!

front engine dragster.

4 speed super/stocker 66 nova 283 4 speed...oh yes.

and i have always liked amc's as well!

i would also have t save a spot for a 66-67 gto.



i have so many "dream builds" itll take the lotto n then some!

Already had a few of my dream cars, still have a few of them. I do want a '67 Mustang fastback to go with the Ranchero, pretty much decided the brand new Dyancorn body is the way to go on that. Then there's still my rendition of an Indy roadster to build, "team" restorations on a few more vintage sprint cars, a Cobra Daytona Coupe replica, and a GT 40 replica. Oh yeah, a '63 or '64 Polara with a Max Wedge, too. First off have to get some of my other's done and sold to have the money, space, and time to finish out my list.....

I told my wife when we got married that I wanted to build 4 cars or trucks for every 15 years I have to work. That way at the end I will have my own collection. I think she thought I was full of it. Haha