Thread: Describe your Rat Rod project here.

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Originally Posted by Kolie

Hot rodding is not about BUYING a plastic body; BUYING a frame; BUYING a crate 350/350; and then PAYING somebody to put it together, do the interior; and then paint it it............The only thing the "owner" does is provide a trailer to move it from event to event.


But that's just my opinion..........

Kolie

Sounds like a nice way to build them to me, but then like I said I've been in the business of doing exactly what you have described for the last 30 years..... Heck, most of the time I deliver them in my trailer....and they are some very fine, very fast Hot Rods!!!!! or whatever the owner has spec'd it to be.... Though I normally don't use crate engines, I much prefer to use one that is built by one of the many engine builders I've done business with over the years....

It all depends on perspective....Some say Hot Rods are there hobby, some say they are there business...... For the last 40 years Hot Rods have been a way of life for me, both hobby and business..... I've done everything from a T-bucket frame for first time builders who don't own a welder to turn-key 6 figure cars. They're all Hot Rods....

I've also seen many cases where the "reverse snobbery" you suggest is nothing more or less then jealousy of the people who have developed the talent to build their own car, but not the means to write the big checks to hire it built. Neither is more or less of a Hot Rodder, but both are perpetuating the sport.

But that's just my opinion............

I do like your opinion better Dave and I'm older that both of you.

Originally Posted by Kolie

It only takes money to pay some one to build a car for you, or to buy one already built. Real hot rodders build their own. If this offends anyone who owns a plastic easter egg, 350/350 too bad!

Kolie

Oh no, they're on to me.......I'm *gulp* not a "Real hot rodder".........at least not anymore....

I built my Cameo from the frame up....and yeah I chose to paint the frame Magenta specifically because I like things that are hot and pink.........You can choose to disagree with me on that all you want....It won't change my opinion or the color of my frame for that matter.

Unfortunately, I no longer have the time, the tools or the space and I am paying to have my Firebird built; because what I do have (at least from time to time) is the $$....and because I am part of (whether I like it or not) Generation X, I don't want to wait until I have everything else set up to build my toy myself. I want my toy, and I want it now. If that makes me less of a hot rodder in other's eyes, so be it....I'm not "paying to have it built"....for them.

All that being said, I realize everybody has their opinions, and I'll respect your's for what it is....your's and not mine.

I'm not offended, and if that offends you or anyone else.....well....

Dutch

There ya go, Dutch... Got to do what best suits your current situation!!!!! I've done work for a lot of folks that have a business day I wouldn't even try to keep up with!!!!!

Originally Posted by Kolie

Hot rodding is not about BUYING a plastic body; BUYING a frame; BUYING a crate 350/350; and then PAYING somebody to put it together, do the interior; and then paint it it............The only thing the "owner" does is provide a trailer to move it from event to event.

Easter Egg colors are pastels, pinks, purples, egg shell blue, etc. Such colors belong on a woman's panties, not a hot rod.

Personally, I have no problem with what ever anyone drives. Having someone build a plastic car or otherwise for you doesn't take any brains, just money. For that matter GM, Ford, and Chrysler do the same thing....they just haven't sprayed on the pastels yet.

But that's just my opinion..........

Kolie

Sounds like you DO have a problem who doesn't share your opinion. I think it takes less effort and a lot less brains to cobble together a bunch of pieces of unpainted junk from the scrap pile than it does to make a quality street rod.

Question: What do you have when you bolt together 100 pieces of junk into a hot rod?

Answer: One running piece of junk.

Oh . . . and what color are YOUR panties?

So Far, except for some welding and painting I am the builder and I have previously revamped an incomplete 'glass Dune Buggy and "restored" a metal MG Midget from a hulk with a small tree growing up through the floor. Money is the issue and the price of gennie steel has gone up and up past the price of 'glass and 'glass is still cheaper than Brookville steel. Is metallic maroon OK by you? And yes, I am so sick of the details that I have great respect for the professionals who do it right and I will be very happy just to get it running. Sorry I brought up the nostalgia issue, but I do agree that real steel from long ago does have nostalgic appeal not present in a replicar.

Just a poor Boy,
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

I do like your opinion better Dave and I'm older that both of you.

Geez, I think you might be older then some of the rocks in the alley!!!!!

Originally Posted by Kolie

Hot rodding is not about BUYING a plastic body; BUYING a frame; BUYING a crate 350/350; and then PAYING somebody to put it together, do the interior; and then paint it it............The only thing the "owner" does is provide a trailer to move it from event to event.

Easter Egg colors are pastels, pinks, purples, egg shell blue, etc. Such colors belong on a woman's panties, not a hot rod.

Personally, I have no problem with what ever anyone drives. Having someone build a plastic car or otherwise for you doesn't take any brains, just money. For that matter GM, Ford, and Chrysler do the same thing....they just haven't sprayed on the pastels yet.

But that's just my opinion..........

Kolie

i actually like cars that are pink or egg shell blue and if someone decides to buy a 350/350 crate combo hows that any sweat off your nuts ??
but Woooooooooooooah your a real hot rodder ! i reckon i had just better forget about purchasing a frame because in your mis-guided theory thats also a no-no im glad you cleared that all up for me , i think i will have to take up bingo as a hobby....

Originally Posted by Firechicken

Oh no, they're on to me.......I'm *gulp* not a "Real hot rodder".........at least not anymore....

I built my Cameo from the frame up....and yeah I chose to paint the frame Magenta specifically because I like things that are hot and pink.........You can choose to disagree with me on that all you want....It won't change my opinion or the color of my frame for that matter.

Unfortunately, I no longer have the time, the tools or the space and I am paying to have my Firebird built; because what I do have (at least from time to time) is the $$....and because I am part of (whether I like it or not) Generation X, I don't want to wait until I have everything else set up to build my toy myself. I want my toy, and I want it now. If that makes me less of a hot rodder in other's eyes, so be it....I'm not "paying to have it built"....for them.

All that being said, I realize everybody has their opinions, and I'll respect your's for what it is....your's and not mine.

I'm not offended, and if that offends you or anyone else.....well....

Dutch

Dutch
I met a guy who was having a hot rod designed from the ground up. I want to say he dumped 250,000 into it 3-5 years ago. It took multiple guys, almost a year to build it. It was truely one of a kind. The owner financer was very specific about the design, and all the body panels were metal. Even the headlights were ground to a unique shape. Yhe dash was 100% maple burl, in a 3 demensional curve shape, with the vent channels, guages everything built into the wood. I'm sure it probably hit a few magazines when it first showed.
The point is the guy with the money decided what went where and how. The guys with the specific skills, built their parts for it. In the end, Denis one of the car shop owners said, it's the type of stuff we die to build, but just can't afford to pay the cost of the project, so if it wasn't for the owner funding it, they never would of had the chance to build it. If laying out 250k for a dream isn't being a hot rodder, I guess I'll never be with my project special K

Originally Posted by Kolie

Hot rodding is not about BUYING a plastic body; BUYING a frame; BUYING a crate 350/350; and then PAYING somebody to put it together, do the interior; and then paint it it............The only thing the "owner" does is provide a trailer to move it from event to event.

Easter Egg colors are pastels, pinks, purples, egg shell blue, etc. Such colors belong on a woman's panties, not a hot rod.

Personally, I have no problem with what ever anyone drives. Having someone build a plastic car or otherwise for you doesn't take any brains, just money. For that matter GM, Ford, and Chrysler do the same thing....they just haven't sprayed on the pastels yet.

But that's just my opinion..........

Kolie

So that wasn't you I overheard at Lead East last year swooning over that 55 Crown Vic in black and pink . Then again were you the one at the burnout pit at Conklins farm with the exPOS caprice burning the rubber off the tires until they popped ,,,,,maybe yes, maybe no........Yes, we have met (while I was still in Rockaway but at a cruise in Sussex County), but you'll only remember me for the 427 Ford sidoiler that you thought sounded "real mean" (hint, hint)...You also noticed my old Clubhotrod hat

It boils down to the basic facts that each owner has the right to his or her own tastes and choices on how to spend their personal wealth. It really has nothing else to do with buying a store bought frame vs building one of your own as some people do not have that type of talent. Same goes for the choice of body, engine, color, etc..............Does it make you or I more of a man because we can build things from scratch vs those who cannot, sorry, I just don't think so....All it does it make us more talented in those areas while the people spending money to have it built clearly have talents in other areas we do not.

Keep it real, keep it simple, keep it on the ground and level.


Bill S>

How about this veiw! would`nt you rather a guy with not the greatest skills use a fiberglass, instead of messing a nice steel one up!! plus the more fiberglass ones leaves more steel ones around, cause then not as many people are snatching up the steel ones!!!


Plus i live in florida, things rust real bad here, so its real hard to find old tin. so its makes more sence for me to use glass!! ill have it forever!! but then i guess ill have to quite the real hot rodders club, hey dave can i be part of your club?? we can not be real hot rodders when we chop the panel!!

Originally Posted by hotroddaddy

How about this veiw! would`nt you rather a guy with not the greatest skills use a fiberglass, instead of messing a nice steel one up!! plus the more fiberglass ones leaves more steel ones around, cause then not as many people are snatching up the steel ones!!!


Plus i live in florida, things rust real bad here, so its real hard to find old tin. so its makes more sence for me to use glass!! ill have it forever!! but then i guess ill have to quite the real hot rodders club, hey dave can i be part of your club?? we can not be real hot rodders when we chop the panel!!

Good point!!!! Seems the "if it ain't steel it ain't real" crowd is usually headed up by someone fortunate enough to have found a steel car.... I guess the rest of us shouldn't be allowed to build or have one built using a 'glass body.... Guess I might as well go burn that warehouse with all those fiberglass molds in it!!!!! Should also call all my customers that I've built cars for over the years and make them bring their cars back and give them a refund.... Heck, they're not real Hot Rodders!!!! One of my customers is really going to be disappointed though, I've built 5 different cars for him over the years......AND they all have 'glass bodies!!!!!!

By definition a Hot Rod is a car that has had the performance charachteristics improved upon.......Period......Doesn't specify who has to do it or what the materials used must be!!!!!

Guess I'll probably keep doing things my way, too old to learn all these new rules anyway!!!!!!!!

Better burn most vettes too, can't have fiberglass there either!
Stop the madness. I'll hand out free official hot rod club cards to anyone who can read!

Here is what I started with






It'll get 7" chop and slammed low and will be built with whatever I can trade or barter for

If you haven't ever built a car from scratch, well you have no idea. It does take all kinds and If I had the coinage I would hire it done, then be a pia at the shop until it was done exactly like I wanted and I would talk like I "built" the car when people asked.lol

But in reality, I have a lot more respect for the homebuilts as a rule. Park a 6 digit credit card rod next to a well made (not goofy) rat and see which one draws a crowd. The older I get the more I am bored with fatman this and flaming river that. But I don't see my tasyes as very representative. I will always appreciate the labor that goes into even the most hideous car.

It is a changing world, if you let change annoy you then you will be a bitter person. I remember when most of the Harley riders built/modified their own rides, then in about a decade it morphed into the yuppies that could lay down more money for Screaming eagle accessories than we had into our whole ride.Now you go to Sturgis and there aren't any of the old intimidating bikers, just a lot of wrinkled grannys and old dudes with training wheels on their bikes.