First Rat Rod

Or all three of them could have rusted away beside someone's woodpile...

I'd take the "use three to make one" alternative most of the time.

There's nothing that special about old rusty stamped steel...not until someone does something with it.

Potential means nothing...until you do something about it.

Clem

ClemSparks wrote: Or all three of them could have rusted away beside someone's woodpile... I'd take the "use three to make one" alternative most of the time. There's nothing that special about old rusty stamped steel...not until someone does something with it. Potential means nothing...until you do something about it. Clem

+1 QFT.

I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

kreb wrote: I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

If noone else wanted to step up and do something with the car than it beats being a lawn ornament. I'd much rather see someone doing something with a car and having fun with it than seeing it rot away wether it be behind someones shed or in a museum somewhere.

I have mild qualms about the heavy modifications we are doing to the Wartburg. There are very few in this country and they are at least an interesting sidenote in automotive history. But you know what? It sat in a field for 20 years and noone did anything with it. If anyone really wanted to "save" the car all they had to do was make me an offer I couldnt refuse.

And I personally think hot rodded Dusenburgs kick butt :)

kreb wrote: I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

I honestly have NO idea what either of those are (I'm only inferring that they are cars). I don't do rare. I like weird...but rare means $$$. So...if I came across something neat (that was rare) and had a desire to finish it...It would not be a "correct" restoration because I'd do it so it would be functional and attainable (for me).

It's just different paradigms...and I respect that.

Clem

ClemSparks wrote:

kreb wrote: I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

I honestly have NO idea what either of those are (I'm only inferring that they are cars). I don't do rare. I like weird...but rare means $$$.

Very expensive 1920s/1930s high-end cars. Think coachbuilt, 8-16 cylinders at a price that would even make Rockefeller blink as he wrote the check for one.

Generally very elegant cars as well - I've just come back from a trip which included a visit to a museum in France that houses a few Hispano Suizas. Unfortunately the person behind the camera screwed up so no pictures of those...

I don't see how the common hotrod and the uber-rare-expensive coachbuilt-car-of-the-elite has any rational comparison. At all.

[edit: BoxheadTim, I realize you were just supplying info...not making an argument]

AND...I could really care less what anybody does with the uber-rare-expensive coachbuilt-cars-of-the-elite, personally. Though I do understand that some folks are into that.

But a 37 Chevy truck is far from extremely desirable unobtanium.

kreb wrote: I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

What's funny is that you think you bring up a concept that almost impossible to even conceive.

but.

There's an former Alfa 8C2900 (read WAY more expendive than a Cord or Hispano- more than the two combined) that's now shortened and has a 50's caddy v8 in it. It happens. I don't own the car, and will never have the means to do that. And it's not like we are taking the only example of a piece of art and burning it up....

It's fine with me. If you are the owner, so be it.

E-

You'd be surprised what people modified at some point, but I think this is a case of "it was then and this is now". If you've got a really 1930s rare car or bike these days, you'll be more of a custodian than a restorer/modifier anyway.

alfadriver wrote:

kreb wrote: I understand your sentiment. I just throw scarcity into the mix. How would you feel if someone took a classic Cord or Hispano Suiza and got all jiggy with it?

What's funny is that you think you bring up a concept that almost impossible to even conceive. but. There's an former Alfa 8C2900 (read WAY more expendive than a Cord or Hispano- more than the two combined) that's now shortened and has a 50's caddy v8 in it. It happens. I don't own the car, and will never have the means to do that. And it's not like we are taking the only example of a piece of art and burning it up.... It's fine with me. If you are the owner, so be it. E-

I would say an Alfa 8C2900 is a piece of art. And to destroy one is shameful if you ask me.

I'm partially responsible for this diversion. Sorry about that. Knock yourself out - although bear in mind that a lot of "altereds" look worse than the stock vehicle.

JThw8 wrote: One of the guys in the local VW club was building a t bucket with miata drivetrain and suspension. I'll have to see how he's doing with that and get some picures.

Please do.

JThw8 wrote: One of the guys in the local VW club was building a t bucket with miata drivetrain and suspension. I'll have to see how he's doing with that and get some picures.

A guy on ratsun did that with a 66 Datsun pickup. That thing is freakin' awesome.

ClemSparks wrote: I don't see how the common hotrod and the uber-rare-expensive coachbuilt-car-of-the-elite has any rational comparison. At all. [edit: BoxheadTim, I realize you were just supplying info...not making an argument]

I realise that - no worries. BTW, here's a photo of a Hispano Suiza. Looks like decent hot rod material to me :

here's a photo of a Hispano Suiza. Looks like decent hot rod material to me :

Philistine!

Thanks for all the feedback but im not building it for other people or to be tune period acurate, its going to be far from it.

All i wanted to know was about the structural integrity of the frame, so if my frame is beyond repair, what type of frame should i go with?

yes i could make one from scratch, but i dont have a pipe bender if i wanted to do a tubular frame, and no steel saws at the moment, had to sell them, just have my sawsall left and that would take for ever and look horrible

so if i am to buy a new frame, what should i look for? (years of vehicles, types of vehicles, etc) a list would be great! going to the junkyards today (11-11-09)

spkdtch wrote: Thanks for all the feedback but im not building it for other people or to be tune period acurate, its going to be far from it. All i wanted to know was about the structural integrity of the frame, so if my frame is beyond repair, what type of frame should i go with? yes i could make one from scratch, but i dont have a pipe bender if i wanted to do a tubular frame, and no steel saws at the moment, had to sell them, just have my sawsall left and that would take for ever and look horrible so if i am to buy a new frame, what should i look for? (years of vehicles, types of vehicles, etc) a list would be great! going to the junkyards today (11-11-09)

Since I'm far too lazy to go back one WHOLE page- this is a pick up, right? I would start with one of those. More than likely, a small PU will be closer to the wheelbase, frame size, etc of your truck- S10, Ranger, etc. The more modern the better. They are all easy body on frame, and pretty much the same layout. But the underlying issue is wheelbase/ chassis porportions. That's what you need to look for over year. Tape measure- lots of easy measurements that can be done at a JY.

I've actually thought of doing a "rod" of a modern compact truck. They are all capable of towing 5500lb, and that would be cool as a utility/tow/ show truck.

Eric