Money. Labels. and opinions

[philbay]

Maby its because Im allittle older, 58, and have been in this since 1963 in one way or another, but it seems when I read all the opinions and see all the bull about this fad and that "donk" whatever that is. I want to scream,, there was a time that if you loved cars like we do, there were no catalogues, maby whitneys?; and all your mods and individual tastes, had to be found in junk yards, thats what we called auto recyclers then , or made at home. Today its money alone, you can buy ideas also, that we see and we awe and ahh about. Myself included. You tell me,now close your eyes, what car do you see , now go to the bank, get money, and wait...... Anything that you want will be availible in parts or as a complete project.. If I had deep pockets and allittle imagination, I too could . Sorry for the rant,perhaps my only having limited funds and other more important priorities makes me bitter to dart throwing at other cars and types, because I remember when..... Anyone my age understand?

[Bandit]

I do not have as many years as you for experience, but I think I see where you're coming from, and share your sentiments. I try to keep an open mind toward other styles and tastes, but when I open one of these car mags like "Whips" I guess one of the biggest things that turns me off the most is that almost none of the owners are actually car guys. To them, their ride is no more than another accessory, like their gold teeth, jewelry, and rented strippers for the photo shoot. Most of these guys never turn a wrench on their own car, and couldn't tell a wingnut from a lugnut. I would be willing to bet most of them only talk to the builder to pay him, and figure out how to operate the systems that have been installed on the car for them. On the other hand, we have shows like "Overhaulin'" that turn out some awesome machines. Most of us would gladly accept one of those vehicles, and drive it with pride.

That said, if someone offered to finish my car for me the way I wanted it, or to give me $150K, my choice, and no TV show airtime, I think I might just take the money. Because to me it's not just about the car, it's about personal pride and that feeling of satisfaction that comes from sculpting your dream with your own two hands. Not to mention time spent with buddies and all the technical know-how you acquire along the way as you build your project. If a show like Overhaulin' got ahold of my car and "finished" it for me, I would be happy to have a sweet ride for what it is, but I would also feel a sense of loss, because my project was taken from me. I am sure I would soon either change something on it, sell it, or get myself another project to work on.

On the other hand, I'm all for the aftermarket and industry experts. I am the type that is a do-it-yourselfer, but don't see the point of reinventing the wheel. I mean how far do you take this car crafting business? From the average person's point of view, I do everything myself on my car. But from a die-hard fabricator's view, I don't know anything. I don't build my own engines (yet), but even if I did, there have been guys who have cast their own pistons! I will probably never do that; if I need new pistons, it's aftermarket to the rescue. Likewise, if I need a transmission rebuilt I take it to a tranny shop. But I try to do what I can myself.

I guess it's about the spirit of the thing for me.

[USAZR1]

I'll be 53 on Thursday so I know where you're coming from,Phil.
However,it is nice to have such a huge selection of aftermarket parts and services we now have at our disposal,,funds permitting.

[DarkBuddha]

It's not an age thing... its a mentality thing. I was raised cruising salvage yards all over the world... from Germany to Puerto Rico to Okinawa, and in more states than I care to remember. That's just the way my father did things. Even now, once a week, I head to the local pull-a-part to look for ideas, parts, and to just figure out how cars were designed, built, and engineered.

That said, I learned something else from my father because of that kind of stuff... sometimes you'll spend more money, time, effort, and heartache trying to get something from a salvage yard to work in your application than you would if you just coughed up the coin for the easy-to-install aftermarket part. See, there is a balance to be had between creativity and ingenuity, and trying to reinvent the wheel when it's already available (and probably whittled out of billet to boot).

Anyway, I think I'll take your money, but you can keep your labels and opinions.

[vanzuuk1]

I hear this all the time,but there are still guys doing cool stuff on a budget. Look at andrew pettys nova as an example.

[Footjoy]

I am 54 I have played with cars since 1967. The older I get the more I want to learn 4 years ago I got tired of expensive body shops taking my money for poor work and no professionalism. So I bought a 40 ford coupe all steel oneof those been a project for 20 years types. I bought some body tools taught myself how to do body work. Then a buddy showed me how to paint. Turned down 40,000 for it last year.
My son and I are building a 70 Nova and the pro touring look has really bit me. So the challenge goes on now I am going to build a 700r4 on my own because 500 dollars is out of my budget.
I hear what you are saying Phil I am learning every day because I can't afford to, or won't spend the money for someone else to do it.
New trends but I still have to do it the old way. Do it myself
Sorry for the babble
Footjoy

[bret]

I sympathize with your personal opinion of the extreme fringe styles...I would not stand next to a "donk" car [WTF did that word come from?]
However I have come to respect enthusiasm in all forms be it cars music or clothes. I do not like rap music, but obviously a lot of people do. I do not like molesting my body with piercings, but it makes some people grin. Donks [or antiques, or limos, or 4WD's for that matter] don't interest me, but as long as they don't force me to participate...its good entertainment!
I guess its like the 12 step guys say...take what you need and let the rest lay!

[ProTouring442]

For the labels, I know what you mean. I can't stand it when someone knocks a well built car because it's too "rice" or "pro-street" or whatever. I like all kinds of cars and trucks. In the magazine pile next to the bed you will find Popular Hot Rodding, Street Thunder, Hemmings Muscle Car, Hemmings Sports & Exotic Cars, Bimmer, Street Rodder, 5.0 Mustangs & Super Fords, as well as many other car, truck, motorcycle, and gun magazines. I think my car reflects this as I don't think it conforms to any one label.

As for the money; my father and I have searched many a junkyard to build our projects. Each of our cars has parts from salvage yards to get the look, feel, and accessories we wanted. Both cars also sport many "purchased" parts that fit our ideas as well. One way to look at it though is that a dollar is NOT a dollar. A dollar represents a certain amount of your time or labor. You can trade that time/labor packet however you want. If you want to trade a small part of it for a salvage yard part, then invest more time/labor making it fit, more power to you! If you want to invest only the dollar (time/labor packet) to save you the time/labor of making it fit, that works too. After all, you're only buying someone elses time/labor with your dollars.

Hope this helps!
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442 (http://www.fquick.com/ProTouring442)