Channeling????

[**DONOTDELETE**]

This an honest to god question I want to ask about channeling and the current trend to channel cars so deeply. What is the attraction? I really want to know what the thinking is behind dropping the body so far over the rails that it's lower than the grille shell, engine and the ENTIRE steering wheel sticks out.
There are plenty of channeled cars that look great but I'm really having a hard time understanding what the motivation is to have a car you sit ON rather than IN.
I'm just looking for some real answers to the thinking here. Is it about getting the car low without going through all the work involved in lowering the suspension?
Any body have some ideas? To me it just doesn't look comfortable- and when there's a driver in the car it just looks plain goofy- big hunched over the steering wheel.

[alteredpilot]

just like so many other things, i think its just a really bad trend. and yes i think it does stem from the rush to build a low-low without the time and energy of engineering a properly built ride. couple that with the whole 'cartoon rat rod' thing so prevalent around the country and i think you have your answer.

[rickyracer1962]

just one of those trends, like pt cruisers.

[The37Kid]

For me it is an East Coast thing, I've wanted to build a channeled '31 roadster ever since I saw the January 1962 issue of Hot Rod. That car was just featured in American Rodder January 2003.

[porknbeaner]

Jim
You probably know that in the beginning (back in the day?) channeling was a cheap and easy way to drop one.
I think the new trend of the deep channel is just a way to be more extreme than somebody else. Combined with a mild suspension drop it is an easy old school way to get one waist high. That attracts a lot of attention.
Back in the 50s and 60s a deep channel was a common mod in the bigger kustoms. Dropped spindles and bags just weren't that easy to come by.
Perhaps some of the Trad Rod bunch have taken a que from that era and ran with it.
Anyway its gotta be more for looks than comfort. There is a way around the discomfort with a deep channel. You can drop the seats and then build foot wells into the floorboard. A lot like the Hudson step down coupe (only more extreme) or a european sports car. When I was younger I did several like that for some of the long legged guys that either had too much chop or too much channel.
I may be way off base but that's the conclusion that I would draw.
The PknBner http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[general gow]

Yup. I think it's all about pushing the envelope for pushing's sake. Some may actually like the way the car looks because of some attraction to all things outrageous (they probably think Dennis Rodman is cute, too). And maybe it's just a natural trend to expect amongst those that favor traditional cars. Because, if you are building a car within the old style, there is only so much you can do to make a car look really different immediatley. I tend to prefer the well crafted look, the type of cars that require closer inspection to reveal why they are so special. I do get a chuckle, though, from those ridiculous cars like the Model A that was on here not too long ago that was channeled to about an inch off the ground with those huge tractor wheels sticking up to the roof line. It made me smile. Well, more like smirk.

[Bruce Lancaster]

It's also a cartoon extension of the 1950's East Coast look for rods--modifications, which typically included channeling without chopping, were done as radically as possible because it was more important for the car to look modified than to look good. The rat rod look is a ridiculous extension of this, and is often based on types of bodies that were seldom if ever considered roddable in the fifties.

[cleatus]

Is some is good then more must be better.

[metalshapes]

[ QUOTE ]
the current trend to channel cars so deeply.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you sure it is strictly a current trend?
I am working on a '27 T Coupe right now that was channeled about 7" over a Model A frame when the owner brought it to me.
The work was done by his Dad in the '50s, but he stopped before the car was finished...
It did not look good, the Radiator was higher than the cowl, there was not enough space inside the car etc...
Back then, it was probably just to get the car as low as they wanted, with out putting Z's in the frame ( not everybody had a welder ).

Maybe that is that "look" they are trying to copy???
With a little " more is better" thrown in??

[Jaypee]

It´s just for the looks. I channeled 5" and Zèd 8,5".

[**DONOTDELETE**]

metalshapes nailed it ! If you want the low look, do it by lowering the frame rails by Z-ing both ends and channeling only the frame width. You'll be able to sit in a more normal position and won't look like a monkey f***ing a football.

Design it first....then build it !

[Jaypee]

Sorry! Forgot the pic.

[ponchobilly]

First, a disclaimer: "I don't know anything, this is an opinion". Bil

I think it has something to do with it being... extreme, Dude! I don't have an age demographic to base this on, but I have not seen any grey beards driving them. IF this same thing were being done to a Merc/shoebox, it would be widely accepted. We expect that from a leadsled.

Again to draw a parallel to the X-games, it sure is fun to watch and interesting to look at. No way in hell are you ever going to see me on that vert ramp. But then, a very small piece wishes I would.

Bil

[Kevin Lee]

I'd swear I've seen a picture on here of Dick Flint sitting in his roadster with his eyes well above the top of the windshield.

I channeled my car the height of the frame and if I did it over I would probably leave it unchanneled and let a bellypan fill the wierd gap. But even at 6'1" or 6'2" I'll be able to sit IN my car, have a short windshield, and actually be looking THROUGH it as I drive.

[Muttley]

Blame it on the mini truckers, now that that trend is over lots of these guys are getting interested in hot rods and they still all want there cars to be on the pavement. I dont ever remember seeing any cars that low 20 years ago. You have to admit it does draw attention, be it positive or negative.

[shifts]

I think its a personel preferance, but I have been chopping & channeling my cars for over 40 yrs. My biggest reason aside from the lower stance, is to hide the frame rails. As you can see, I also like to Z the frame on both ends. I originally built this car about 20 yrs ago for a guy & he didnt want any chop or channel. It looked like a phone booth pushing a big block chevy to me. Look on my website & you will see my 32 roadster my dad & I did somewhere around 1960, so its been around for a while. DAVE

http://img71.photobucket.com/albums/v216/midtowntransmission/Im000420.jpg

http://img71.photobucket.com/albums/v216/midtowntransmission/Im000419.jpg

[41ChevyTrucker]

[ QUOTE ]
Is it about getting the car low without going through all the work involved in lowering the suspension?


[/ QUOTE ]

That has to be it... at least I hope. Its a lot of work to modify the frame and suspension to get an old car or truck to sit on the ground.

[Morrisman]

Same logic behind 24" over front forks on choppers http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A bit is good, so lots must be great? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[marq]

Historically there were lots of channelled cars in the 50's and i mean real channelled.People wanted cars that looked like salt racers and there were many emulating the low profile of these heavily channelled cars.In the eastcoast they wanted the look but had nowhere to race and kept the cars practical by keeping a full height roof,this made the cars look out of proportion a little a look i have come to love and have tried to emulate with my truck.i have about a 10 inch channell and a 4 inch zed but with the roof full height it's real roomy inside.The other thing is centre of gravity obviously the lower everything is the better it will handle a thing most european sports cars had at the time.There aint too much you can do with a trad hotrod suspension set up but channelling will get you an instant handling result.p.s this is a car i love........Marq http://img56.photobucket.com/albums/v171/smeagoluk/Marqs%20photos/Pict0035.jpg

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yes, I'm not talking about anything below 8-10 inches of channeling- it's when the frame is in the middle of the door I don't understand. But if it's about pushing the envelope I can get it. Just style wise I can't get past the shell being higher than the cowl. Plenty of examples of beautiful channeled cars- the Dick Flint car is definitely one I would put at the top of that list. For the times he was one of the taller guys and did sit high in the car. I just think the hot rod should fit the guy the same way a bike does- just not as cool when you see Shaq riding a Triumph as a guy that actually fits the bike.

[Slide]

I think everyone is tryin' to be Rat Fink. Head over the windshield or pokin' thru the top of a coupe with the shifter knob at shoulder height.

And you'd hafta be pretty drunk (or stoned) to think that looks good, so that takes care of the bloodshot eyes and drool to go with the Rat Fink image.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Phil1934]

A lot of the early deep channels were actually easier than stated. Just cut a frame size hole in the firewall and a notch in the rear, remove the crossmembers, stick the frame in over the stock floor, and put the crossmembers back.

[OGNC]

I am, and always will be considered a "mini-trucker" thanks in part to the fact that I actually worked for Mini-Truckin Magazine at one point and I only channeled my Model A 4-inches (just enough to cover the frame with the body). And I chopped the windshield 3-inches. Of course I also kicked the rear of the frame up 5-inches and am probably going to Z the front 3-inches. But I also chopped my grille shell to keep it under the height of the cowl and have kept my aircleaner under the hood line. My car is fairly low, not on the ground by any means, and I still fit inside of it as opposed to on top of it. But it doesn't look like a cartoon and I am okay with that.

[praisethelowered]

[ QUOTE ]
You'll be able to sit in a more normal position and won't look like a monkey f***ing a football.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I don't get out much. . . . but I have never seen a monkey fucking a football. Is this a new trend among monkeys? Where do they get the footballs? Do they seem to prefer nerf or pigskin?

Anyone have a photo of this often referenced activity?

[Fat Hack]

Marq nailed that "East Coast" style that I've always dug, too! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(I love 'em channeled and unchopped...but channeled within REASON!)

The 'cartoon channels' are for the kids, just like on cable TV! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[NealinCA]

[ QUOTE ]

The 'cartoon channels' are for the kids, just like on cable TV! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

Cartoon Channels(TM)...hahahahaha, thats the best thing I have heard all day http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[OGNC]

Or a bear in a uni-cycle... just heard that one for the first time the other day. Funny thing it was in reference to a guy in a T roadster.

[malaguena]

Well just to put my 2 cents in, since im a modern guy and am into new cars as well. Channeling is alive and well today with the import truck crowd. Channelling the body or giving it a "body drop" isnt that uncommon here in washington. Though it will usually only be seen on a show truck thats already been lowered.

[slazzen]

if your runnin A rails it looks much better channeled over the rails but channeling over duece rails is what I dont get

[OGNC]

I agree with Slazzen about the 32 Rails. I don't get that either. But covering up a model A chassis should almost be a law.

[DrJ]

I thought it was two dogs fucking the same football....? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I like to be able to understand some reason for modifications on a rod.
I can understand channeling the 4" highth of the fram on a Model A. just enough to cover the "ugly" frame but still having the cowl line up visually wiith the bottom of the frame instead of the top.
That's a logical look.

I see a lot of cars lately and used to see them in East Coast mag coverage of cars channeled as low as whereever the split wishbone mounts ended up. I guess that still gives some kind of visual reference but it just doesn't work for me. Mainly because it's only a mater of time and the radius rod's gonna get moved and the "line" will be gone.
I do, however, like a frame height channel with a stock height roof, "East Coast Style."

I guess channeling a car too low just because it's an easy way to get it low is like a "little" woman wearing an over padded swimsuit top to the beach. It's just too damn obvious a cheat to fool anyone or look good. And the clincher is hearing the owner bitch about how badly the doors latch, (or the top fits)!

And some of them just look "broken" in the middle.

I find the one's with a channeled body and a stock height radiator as rediculous looking as I did the "American Grafitti Coupe" with just the "channeled" radiator on a highboy. Just damn silly looking! They look like some kind of farm implement or pump engines, with headlights.

[Joe T Creep]

I see both sides of the page. I think that channeling your rod so far that you have to see the chiropractor after every time you drive it is a bit extreme, but I always have liked the way low look and I think if you can pull it off and be semi comfortable driving it what the hell.....

[klazurfer]

GRIMLOK , ... Here it is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I love that car , but it looks like SHIT with someone behind the wheel .. ( Flint himself posin`)

[klazurfer]

This one was built with the Flint car in mind , but the interior & seating was given a bit more thought .

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I channeled this car to the bottom of the frame. I like things in moderation.

[slammed]

From the lowest to the High-boy and all point's between....wild to conservative, without them it would all be boring.

[slowpoke]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You'll be able to sit in a more normal position and won't look like a monkey f***ing a football.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I don't get out much. . . . but I have never seen a monkey fucking a football. Is this a new trend among monkeys? Where do they get the footballs? Do they seem to prefer nerf or pigskin?

Anyone have a photo of this often referenced activity?

[/ QUOTE ]

It’s rare...but it happens...usually in the suburbs of Bangladesh. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
http://www.pixelbasic.com/getquick/football_monkey.jpg

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Since I'm not taking a beating on this one and everybody seems to be in a pretty good mood please let me slip in that after leaving my post at the Goodguys I will be taking up residence at Rod & Custom Magazine in a week. This is one of the biggest thrills of my life as my life almost would have no meaning without this American institution. I can trace just about everything important in my life back to Rod & Custom having learned to read out of it when I was 3 and studying every page I could get my hands of after that (collecting over 15,000 magazines at one point). I will be joining a great staff of guys while equally leaving another great team behind at Goodguys. Thanks HAMBers for all your support, Jim

[34Fordtk]

Good luck at the new position Jim!! Over an "A" frame you are talking about 3" or so,over my truck frame its 6" and I like the look of both. The 8" or 10" jobs are just to much.

[praisethelowered]

Thanks for that pic slopoke- I think that may get a lot of use around here

[Kevin Lee]

That's the picture klaz. Here's my channel with me peeking over the top. (nose is just clamped in place...crooked) My car won't be nearly as cool as Flint's but at least I'll look a hell of a lot less goofy driving it.

[The37Kid]

Thanks for posting the original Flint roadster photo. Something nobody has mentioned is that channeling was done to give your Hor Rod a race car look back in the 1940-1950's, check out a photo of a sprint or midget race car of this era. The driver was sitting about the same height as Dick Flint is in the photo, in full view of both front wheels, just like a racer.

[Kevin Lee]

I channeld my car to get a 1940-1950's race car look too. Take a look at a photo of a lakes car of the same era. Where's the driver now? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've got another photo of what I think is the Flint car. Give me a minute to scan it and get it up here.

[Big A]

Heavy channelling is certainly not without precedent...

http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/GM_27'modifiedroadster.jpg

http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/GM_ArtChrismancpe.jpg

http://www.threeringcircus.ca/BigA/GM_BeanBandits_27modified.jpg

(all photos lifted from www.gassermadness.com (http://www.gassermadness.com))

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm not sure those last cars would be called "deeply channeled" as they were not the "sit on top of" style of street machines I was talking about. Yes they are SUPER LOW, but the also have a great sense of flow and beauty that the cars I was questioning do not. I was asking originally because it seems that such a small percentage are into this style of car(only mags that feature them are Ol Skool and simular), and even this post itelf does no seem to support the "monkey/football" look. I got that guys are just going for the extreme with no place left for style. Guys like Grimlock put thought into the lines AND the seating arrangement, where the others do not. Thanks everyone for the input on this- I get it now.

[Big A]

I think the popularity of the PPE and others have led guys to think that if they build something outrageous just for the shock value they will get mag coverage and be suddenly rich and famous. Then they start building Hot Wheels charicature cars and everything starts to get stupid.

[Kevin Lee]

Early shot of the Flint car. How cool is your super tall seat now Dick? I'll bet he was scrunched down and cussing evey inch of seat riser during that run if it was even in there yet. Hard to tell with him leaning over like that.

I think it's just harder to make a car look good with a super deep channel. That green sedan featured in Street Rodder a bit back pulled it off and it was supposed to 9 and 9 (chop and channel) I think? It looked a bit cramped but the tradeoff was that it looked rad...and you didn't see that guy with half a foot of radiator sticking above the hood line either.

Just comes down to good design. Form, function, esthetics and all of that. You should have found some bomber seats Mr. Flint.

[av8]

If you channel a Model A where in hell do you put the exhaust system?! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Morrisman]

[ QUOTE ]
Historically there were lots of channelled cars in the 50's and i mean real channelled.People wanted cars that looked like salt racers and there were many emulating the low profile of these heavily channelled cars.In the eastcoast they wanted the look but had nowhere to race and kept the cars practical by keeping a full height roof,this made the cars look out of proportion a little a look i have come to love and have tried to emulate with my truck.i have about a 10 inch channell and a 4 inch zed but with the roof full height it's real roomy inside.The other thing is centre of gravity obviously the lower everything is the better it will handle a thing most european sports cars had at the time.There aint too much you can do with a trad hotrod suspension set up but channelling will get you an instant handling result.p.s this is a car i love........Marq http://img56.photobucket.com/albums/v171/smeagoluk/Marqs%20photos/Pict0035.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Marq, The secret to a channel job you can live with:

http://img74.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Pburgess68/channel.jpg

Great looking car, and I've seen it at several shows and runs, he certainly gets some use out of it.

[Big A]

I dunno. I'm 6'3" and I drove MGs, Minis and Triumphs http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif for years without ever having my knees up around my ears like that. The lower back has got to take a beating.

[AHotRod]

For the Newbies.....

[greatbg]

I love the "east coast" look myself. The way I heard it was back in the day when west coast cars were getting dropped axels and etc.. to get them low.
The east coast guys were limited by certin laws. ie you could not modify stock suspention, you had to run fenders and more crazy stuff the man designed to keep the hot rodders in check. So to get that low look we get deep channel and motorcycle fenders.

Thats I heard it anyway.:)

[Bugman]

Who is/was this the mysterious "DoNotDelete" and why was he deleted, and yet not deleted?

[Flipper]

It is not a new thing. Two weeks ago I had a conversation with my dad about hot rods "back in the day". He said that from the early fifties 'til mid-sixties he knew of several 30's cars that were cut up to look like the cars in the magazine, but never left the backyard for anything more than the occasional street race.

He said some started out as junk, some started out as nice cars, but in the end they all got junked out because they really weren't driveable.

He said modern "traditional rods" are better.

[alchemy]

Who is/was this the mysterious "DoNotDelete" and why was he deleted, and yet not deleted?

Gooch

[JimA]

Gooch

WRONG! Care to make another guess?

[four-thirteen]

it was the gooch, after he was lownslow

[kentucky]

Here's a hint...It's a wonder this thread didn't get locked:)

[alchemy]

WRONG! Care to make another guess?

Rebondorodder?

[JimA]

Rebondorodder?

As close as you will get, but the clue that some responded to "Jim" in their posts lets you know it was me. "DO NOT DELETE" was a special pen name Ryan gave me for a while ;)

I see the confusion with the one post by Gooch on page 2 sharing the "DO NOT DELETE" handle- we both were given that title at the same time.

[fur biscuit]

As close as you will get, but the clue that some responded to "Jim" in their posts lets you know it was me. "DO NOT DELETE" was a special pen name Ryan gave me for a while ;)

I see the confusion with the one post by Gooch on page 2 sharing the "DO NOT DELETE" handle- we both were given that title at the same time.


i thought jima...wenta way? but...wierd, but what happened to mr. personallity?

[47bob]

Anybody here old enough to remember "Stroker Mc Gurk" should remember his channel jobs.

[kustombuilder]

i think the real rediculous SUPER channel jobs are just an attempt to one up the next guy and try to be "different" as well as going for that cartoon or toy car look.
i've seen the sae thing happen in the minitruck circles over the years. first they channel it to the pinch weld, so the next guy cuts off the pinch weld, and the next guy cuts off the rocker completely and channels it to the door and on and on. same thing with the bog wheel fad. gotta have bigger wheels than the next guy. it's all just a "my dick is bigger than yours" thing when it comes down to it.

[speedaddict]

I take a super channel over that "broken frame" look...

[InDaShop]

I tried to find a pic, but GasMonkey had a car on ePay a while back. '33-34 Ford was Gold and deep channeled. Car look good until you saw it with the door opened. I'm not sure a kid could have climbed in. From mid door down it was a wall to cover the distance from the floor down to the door sill.

Totally eye catching car, totally impractical in that configuration. It actually made my "AB" hurt thinking about driving it.

[63CadGuy]

I like the channeled, chopped and Z'd frame look and when I first started into this the lower the better, but as time has progressed I've gotten away from the extreme and have shifted back to moderate, 3" Channel, 3-4" chop, etc., I just think that looks the best.

[Brewton]

To each his own. I personally don't like a heavy channel, but if that's your thing - oh, well.

[Model "Eh"]

i think the real rediculous SUPER channel jobs are just an attempt to one up the next guy and try to be "different" as well as going for that cartoon or toy car look.
i've seen the sae thing happen in the minitruck circles over the years. first they channel it to the pinch weld, so the next guy cuts off the pinch weld, and the next guy cuts off the rocker completely and channels it to the door and on and on. same thing with the bog wheel fad. gotta have bigger wheels than the next guy. it's all just a "my dick is bigger than yours" thing when it comes down to it.

Your post seems a little ironic, given your signature.

[Gambino_Kustoms]

can we just build and drive the shit out of these cars please

[Gambino_Kustoms]

As close as you will get, but the clue that some responded to "Jim" in their posts lets you know it was me. "DO NOT DELETE" was a special pen name Ryan gave me for a while ;)

I see the confusion with the one post by Gooch on page 2 sharing the "DO NOT DELETE" handle- we both were given that title at the same time.

hey do not delete welcome to the hamb

[Gambino_Kustoms]

[ QUOTE ]
You'll be able to sit in a more normal position and won't look like a monkey f***ing a football.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I don't get out much. . . . but I have never seen a monkey fucking a football. Is this a new trend among monkeys? Where do they get the footballs? Do they seem to prefer nerf or pigskin?

Anyone have a photo of this often referenced activity?

you should drop by are shop some time,where monkeys are fucking a football all the time,some times 2 or 3 on one football

[buschandbusch]

when there's a driver in the car it just looks plain goofy- big hunched over the steering wheel.

I'd rather work out the suspension than a deep channel- but, I actually think it looks pretty cool all hunched up over the steering wheel, ran into the roof! :D

it makes you look bigger, like you're some kind of Roth monster! LOL

http://www.copronason.com/images/Prints/roth_race_big.jpg

[Ringo]

hey do not delete welcome to the hamb

Welcome to the hamb? His join date is 1969! lol

[JimA]

Welcome to the hamb? His join date is 1969! lol

Yeah, I'm WAYYYYYY Ol Skool!

[kustombuilder]

Your post seems a little ironic, given your signature.


realy? how so???

[Dirk35]

WARNING, WARNING: The following is only my opnions from my observations, and what I have learned watchign speed channel and using, well a tiny bit of thought (doesnt really take a lot here):

It is a thing for racing, not for daily use. But.....what looks cooler than a race car?? You cannot tell me my Wife's Monte Carlo looks as cool as Jeff Gordons stock car Monte Carlo (I really dont know what Jeff Gordon drives, Im just making an analogy). Well you could try, I guess.......

This does not apply to drag racing until probably the 70's, mostly distance racing.

We have all seen the pictures of the 30s racers. Big Skinny wheels, open cockpit, driver might have a leather helmet on, might not be.

Enter, 1940ish, Dry Lakes and Beach racing becomes more popular with long distance racing and want to reaching higher speeds than atainable in the 1/4 mile. It was realized that the lower your center of gravity, the better your car will handle, the more aerodynamic it will be, the faster you can go more safely, and should you lose control, it will spin instead of rolling over.

Enter more learning of overseas racing long distances races. Look at the porsche racers that look like little pine-derby cars with the cock-pit being only inches higher than the tops of the tires. Lower is better. This was also 1960s.

This was often accomplished by chopping the top, Dropping the axle, sometimes stepping the frame,or to channel the body. You can see this in a number of 60s era's cars of the 1930s era production models. Look at the chop on the SoCal Salt flat racer. Ill do more research in a second.

Thus, I honeslty believe, it is racing influences, not everyday drivability that would lead one to channel a car.

Yes, suspension modifications are ideal. Chop top too. But combine that with a light channel........... well you get the idea.


-------------------

Ok, I have done a little research.

For a pic of a channeled Model A, this one was in final "paint and rubbed out in 1961". Does his dad look like he is "fucking a football"? This from even the same damed page on on the board right here. I had to go all the way to actually left click to find this research. I better go get a drink of water. :D

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105423&&showall=1


--------------

Now, for the crazy 10" plus channesl of today, well that is a little extreem (in my opnion) of taking old technology to get a vehicle lower, just to get it lower. I do agree, this would/can/sometimes does lead to the silly look referred to as football fucking by a monkey.

[Model "Eh"]

realy? how so???

Ironic, that is, unless you're calling yourself a fool... :D

By the way, this is a reply from another fool.

[lukeh]

I can appreciate Fendered,Hi-boy,and Low-boy(Channelled) Hot rods.Many channelled cars I have seen have been done tastefully in my opinion...as long as they don't have a roof chop for my tastes,and have a Ford engine!! http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/lukeh/6591c071.jpg

[KING CHASSIS]

SIMPLE>>>> LOW IS FAST. We all know the history of drag and lakes racing, everything goes thru a learning curve. And they have come around to; low to the ground and less stuff to push thru the air is easier/faster. Yes I love the straight axle up in the air cars, and I will build one in a couple of years, they are cool, they are a part of our hot rodding history. And so is a modern day Pro Stock Car. Four inches off the ground using 34" tall rear tires(covered by a body). And damn fast too. Now what one would you want to be sideways at the 1/8 mile mark in? Yeah the one that is on the ground. This same principle can be moved to hot rods. Everyone wants to look fast. That is what is so cool about hot rods is that they are all NOT the same. Cartoon cars, love them. Diggers , love them. On the ground Rat Rods , love them (gets old car bodies back on the road that are too far gone to make nice) , and un chopped , un channeled banger motored A,s , love them.
Point is , that is what hot rodding is all about, personal preference. But low cars just look fast.