Ask 50 different hot rodders what a 'real' hot rod is, and you will get 50 different very devoted answers of what they think a hot rod should be. From modern independent suspensions to Flatheads, I have never met two people who think the same when it comes to their dream ride. For entertainment (and argumentative) purposes, here is what I think of when I hear those words.
First of all, if it didn't come with IFS from the factory, it is in no way okay to be sporting Mustang II's from the '70s on your 1930's-era hot rod. Period. Nothing makes me more sick then seeing a bad-ass '39 Ford coupe in Rod and Custom, only to read on that it has one of these terrible-looking semi modern front ends. Granted, they ride better and you can have more adjustability with them, but that should not and does not matter if you are building a hot rod to do what it is supposed to do - haul ass.
While we are on the subject of independent suspensions, if your pre 1965 car has a Jag or Corvette IRS, you don't have a hot rod. you have a nasty Boyd Coddington piece of work.
By my definition, it needs to have drop axles, cut coils ('50s and '60s), reversed spring eyes and removed leafs, or lowering blocks. There are no air-bags allowed here.
Secondly, If you put a brand new Corvette LS7 in your '32 Ford, you will haul ass, but honestly there is nothing like hearing a bumpy- cammed Olds Rocket fly by you. If your car has fuel injection (with the exception of Hilborns), I want nothing to do with you. Carburation in multiples is the key here.
On the drivetrain subject, I believe that is your car does not have 3 pedals, its not a real hot rod. Anyone can put a TH350 in their car. Go find an old Ford top-loader. It's much more satisfying to shift your own gears.
Thirdly, billet aluminum pieces on hot rods are like a heard of raging bulls for me. They make me want to run away as fast as I possibly can. It doesn't matter how nice the rest of the car is. This also applies the the idiots who put 22 inch billet wheels on their old Cadillacs.
Fourth, hot rods do not need Air conditioning. Period. Open the freaking windows.
Fifth, the only music that you should hear is the sound of your open headers. CD players weren't around if the 1950's, sorry. Stock radios are acceptable if your car was lucky enough to be made with one.
See what I mean by devoted? Every one has their own opinion here. Let the hate mail fly.
The big things.
2 years ago
2 comments:
Hey have I mentioned that you're brilliant? Why you aren't running a company with all this sexy knowledge of yours is beyond me :-p.
Instead of a CD player, could you put an old 78rpm record player in there? Or perhaps a phonograph? Nice post. It's giving me that hot rod itch, again.
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