If you could ask your Hot Rod Hero a question...

[SamIyam]

what would it be?

I had this neat idea.

And maybe, if it all works out... it could be archived in a special place here on the HAMB.

It's no secret that the HAMB reaches people all over the world... and I would go as far as saying that anyone who is anybody in the hot rod and custom world is only one person removed from a member of the HAMB.

We got guys that know Don Garlits for crissakes... and he knows everyone in the universe. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, here's my idea... we compile a list of ten questions... questions YOU WOULD like to ask your hot rod heroes...

Once we decide on a list of ten... yea, like we can agree on just ten... people can print that list out and have it with them at car shows or in their car.

If you get a chance to meet someone famous and spend a half hour with them... ask them if they wouldn't mind being asked a few questions.
Don't forget to snap a pic with the person so we know you ain't bull shitting us.

So what do you think? Could this be something that we could all learn from?

Ryan, are you game?

I'll start...

Question #1
How did you get into hot rodding/customizing?

[OutLaw]

Sure, Sam what do you want to know?

[SamIyam]

Hahahaha... funny.

Ok, I'll bite... So Tyler, how come I heard you were the burnout king... but last year in the parking lot just before the HAMB Drags... your car couldn't do a burnout? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sam.

[OutLaw]

Its because I swaped rear end gears from 355 spool to an open 275. That whole driving cross country and 8 miles to the gallon at $2.50 a gallon. Can change almost anyones mind.
I also used to work at a tire shop and would get free 235/75/15 black walls. When I decided to run WW it started to get a little pricey to smokem down.

Tyler

[skipstitch]

Good topic Sam... let's see. To Pete & Jake, Lobeck, or Paul Atkins....

How did you guys make the jump from backyard to full time professionals?

[SamIyam]

There... I fixed it Tyler. I actually know who you are, I just have a brain fart now and again... sorry.

BTW, do ya got a question to ask me? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sam.

[OutLaw]

Sorry Sam, but I don't have anything at the momment.

[Gracie]

I would ask Gene Winfield why he lives in a dumpy trailer... I know the guy has money buried in the back yard or something! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Greezy]

Hell theres enuff well knowns here that I would like to bend their ears for a while...and some of the not so knowns that are very talented.

[Skate Fink]

.......I already asked Clark (SoWhat) & ScaryLarry and I ain't sharing!!

[Cruisin']

<font color="blue"> Now here's a spin for ya Sam, take it one step further...
Ask your hero who their Hot Rod Hero is.
That is sure to be quite an instrumental question.
Just a thought.

And as an aside, this chap here was a pioneer..... and the hero to many, family included, if only he was alive.
Sir Malcolm Campbell (http://www.britainunlimited.com/Biogs/CampbellM.htm)
The main question to ask one of the/my many Hot Rod Heroes...
"What or who inspired you to do what you did or were you just born to push the boundaries?"

That's my NZD$1.00 = USD$.66c worth.

P.S. Petrol is also rising here, $1.26c a litre @ present (dependant on Co.).
Mind you, not as bad as parts of Europe.
Cheers,
C http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

</font>

[Ant]

I would ask, what was the single most important thing you learned to do that made the biggest impact on what you do.

hmmm does that question make sense?

I'm not saying who my hero is though http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[JOECOOL]

I would just say "Self, Let me ask you a question"

[46stude]

"How do you feel about the rat rod craze?"

I'd seriously love to know what some of the famous folks think of the phrase that gets so many people worked up around here. Look at the cool answers to that question we got from the Rides episode on rat rodding! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SamIyam]

Thanks to those who answered my question!

I'm seriously thinking about doing this... so hopefully we'll get up to ten!

Sam.

[lownslow]

i would ask you sam.................how can i be JUST like you ??????? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif......... i miss you sammy..................

[SamIyam]

[ QUOTE ]
i would ask you sam.................how can i be JUST like you ??????? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif......... i miss you sammy..................

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Donnie! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Your first step is admitting you have a problem... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[lownslow]

good....i am on my way because i know i have MANY problems http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif......bad ass new truck by the way.....looks like a good hauler....congrats........xoxo

[Fat Hack]

I would ask Butt Reynolds if he wanted to go to the bar! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[36couper]

Easy one....."Hey, Jeff Norwell.......can you teach me how to draw like you?"

[Roothawg]

I'd say.....so how was Jungle Pam in the sack?
Did I say that....? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Hot Rod To Hell]

Hey Speed Racer, aren't you pissed that your parents never told you that Racer X was your brother??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[banzaitoyota]

Boyd, why does Rashy want to buy your collection of Hawian Shirts? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SamIyam]

...anyone want to ask any serious questions? Not person specific... just general questions.

What I was thinking was that this could be VERY insightful. How many of you jokers run into people like Barney Navarro, Vic Edelbrock Jr., Bob Petersen, Bob Peirson, Bruce Crower, Don Garlits, Rich Guasco, Ed Iskiderian, Gene Winfield, George Barris... and many others...?

The majority of us DON'T... but a few of us may run into one or two in a lifetime... and all can benefit and LEARN from it.
Here's what we have so far:
1. How did you get into hot rodding/customizing/racing?
2. How did you make the jump from doing what you do for fun to doing it professionally or doing it on such a high level?
3. Who inspired you to achieve what you have achieved or do what you have done?
4. Were you born with a drive to push boundaries?
5. What is the single most important thing that had the greatest impact on you?
6. How do you feel about the RAT ROD craze?
7. How was ________________ in the sack?
Sam.

[Scott B]

What do you wanna do - that you haven't gotten around to yet?

[alteredpilot]

i think i'd ask garlits how much actual 'study time' (researching other peoples work) went/goes in to every thing he does/did. you know like, why did you do x, y, or z. was there something you read somewhere that made you think it would be a good/bad idea, or did you just get a bug up yer ass and say, hey that sounds like a good idea....does that make sense??
don garlits=hot rodder to the bone!!!

[52pickup]

will you teach me?

is there anything you wish you were better at?

[Broman]

I tried to think of questions that I could ask ANY builder. It is pretty damn hard to come up with ten GOOD questions. I mean they've probably heard it all by now, right...
And I have a larger interest in Customs than Hot-Rods so that was weighing on my mind when I was coming up with these - as I realized that there are builders on both sides.



1. When you get a new project car for your own build (not for a customer) - where do you start first?

2. Do you have a finished product in mind when you start or do you work "on-the-fly"?

3. What inspires your best ideas - music? the world around you? other cars?

4. Does a project ever take a turn in a different direction mid way through or do you stick to a plan. (this question might be moot if the builder goes "on-the-fly")

5. How much of the work do you do yourself - interior/ ext/ engine? What are you better at/ what is your favorite thing to do? (could be it's own question if the other one is moot)

6. Do you have a favorite make/model - and does it match up with your all-time favorite rod/custom?

7. If you had one last car to build (NOT forsaking the others already built) what would it be?

8. What's the biggest mistake made by amateur builders?

9. Do you consider yourself more of an artist or a mechanic/technition?

10. Do you try to keep your finger on the pulse of the hobby or do you just keep forging ahead on your own?



I was trying to find questions that would delve into the psyche/personality a little more - but what bears to most interest to other car-guys is how they think when they work - not what they like to eat and how they clean their asses, so that's what I went for.

[Church]

For the customizers, I guess I'd want to know what was going through their mind right before the first cut. I mean it's not like they could call Cole or Guildner to fix their mistakes. Or their first fade, creating candy etc.

For guys like Guasco, I'd really like to know what it was like growing up with my old man. Racing against him, for him, having him as a flag starter, his outlook on safety, and so on. Dads a pretty humble guy, so hearing it from guys other than him would mean the world. Not than anyone else on the board gives a shit...but still!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Sailor]

I would like to buy Larry Watson a beer or 5 and ask all kinds of silly questions about where it was cool to cruise back then, his customers, that kind of stuff...

[wingnutz]

I'd ask Lil John Buterra which car was his favorite car he had built...???

And Which car did he sell..., that he would like to find and buy back...???

Mark

[hotrodladycrusr]

[ QUOTE ]
Good topic Sam... let's see. To Pete &amp; Jake, Lobeck, or Paul Atkins....

How did you guys make the jump from backyard to full time professionals?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure wish you would have been with your folks, sister and little Alex at the Nats in Lville. I would have introduced you to both Barry Lobeck and Paul Atkins and you could have asked them those questions yourself. Next year perhaps.

Barry usually goes to the Nats North in Kzoo. If your coming I'll make sure you two get hooked up.

Gene lives in the trailer cuz his house is too full of parts and stuff to actually LIVE in. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[porknbeaner]

Never mind.

[Fat Hack]

Hot Rod Heroes are just regular folk...ask 'em what ya ask anyone ya need ta know better!

1. You an Elvis person or a Beatles person?

2. What ONE TOOL could you NOT live without?

3. Dog person or cat person?

4. David, Sammy or Gary?

5. Weld it or bolt it?

6. Wide whites, thin whites, blackwalls, or raised white letter?

7. Given a choice, would you make a part, adapt a part or buy something that works?

8. Which Darren did you like best?

9. Fast ugly car, slow pretty car or fast pretty girl...pick one?

10. Tell me what Disco means to you?

Seriously...fire these questions at anyone and see what ya find out!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[InjectorTim]

I wouldn't waste time with "boxers or briefs" or "favorite food" I would seize the opportunity and ask Gene Winfield how to paint fades.

[Drewfus]

Don Garlits.........Cars these days, tell me about the dream car and engine......?

Mr Weesner.........Attitude, Passion, Speed &amp; Style, tell me a story, tell me what you believe........we've seen some inspirational images, these alone tell a story of greatness, but, we're all human, what gives you inspiration, who do you admire?

Admiration, this is what I'd like to know about most of our HERO's, who are THEIR Hero's &amp; why?

Cheers,

Drewfus

[weekender]

I would ask: What are you doing to help the young guys that will be taking our places in the future?

Thanks, McCray

[Zeke]

Killer: how can you be so cool and short at the same time. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[52pickup]

hey SamIAm - if you can finalize a list by 3:30 tomorrow afternoon i will have the chance to ask Bob Spina some questions

[willowbilly3]

I think the basic idea is good but I doubt there is a question Garlitts hasn't answered dozens of times in interviews and the same would probably ring true with most celebs. So it may be a bit difficult to act interested without seeming ignorant for not haveing ever read prior bios or interviews that answered the same questions. That having been said I would love to spend an afternoon with Smokey Yunick and could unashamedly look like an idiot just to be in his presence. Or A.J. Foyt

[50Fraud]

Heroes

- Buttera
- Brizio
- Moal
- Cole

Questions

- What are your favorite cars that ANYBODY has built? Why?
- What are you hot to build that you haven't done yet?
- What are some interesting starting-point vehicles that aren't often rodded or customized?

[50Fraud]

I second Broman's list, and "what one tool could you not live without"?

[Zodoff]

Easy..
"Do you have a daughter,on my age? "

[wingnutz]

[ QUOTE ]
Hot Rod Heroes are just regular folk...ask 'em what ya ask anyone ya need ta know better!

1. You an Elvis person or a Beatles person?

2. What ONE TOOL could you NOT live without?

3. Dog person or cat person?

4. David, Sammy or Gary?

5. Weld it or bolt it?

6. Wide whites, thin whites, blackwalls, or raised white letter?

7. Given a choice, would you make a part, adapt a part or buy something that works?

8. Which Darren did you like best?

9. Fast ugly car, slow pretty car or fast pretty girl...pick one?

10. Tell me what Disco means to you?

Seriously...fire these questions at anyone and see what ya find out!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

And I'd ask these questions as well!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[KIRK!]

Id ask....

Do you like green eggs and ham?

Why Livermore?

[tommy]

I'd ask which of the other legends were jerks and which were nice guys. Then compare the answers to see if there was a consensus.

[Paul]

first I'd ask "how ya doin?"

then I'd ask "whatcha doin?"

and then I'd ask "can I watch?"

well,

assuming the answer to my second question wasn't too personal or disgusting http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Paul

[00 MACK]

Wheres the Dave Bugarian Merc??

[slazzen]

I ask some of mine alot living in the greater bay area lots of hero's around here.I have talked with Arlen Ness ,Art Himsl ,Frank Derosa,Darrel Holenbeck,Ron Simms ect ect ect

[Smokin Joe]

Ask 'em what they drove when they graduated high school.
Then leave the mic on and just listen for an hour or so. Best opener I've ever found. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[WrazedWrong]

I would ask
Sammy Why did you change the paint?
Butt he's already answered that

[paperdog]

I Asked Mr .Barris Two things During An Recent Autograph Opportunity..
" Where He Thought The Real James Dean Porsche Was At Now ?" Said He " Couldn't Comment"...roll Eyes..

"was He Sorry He Cut Up The Futura To Make The Batmobile? (because Of The Recent Millions In Selling Other 50's Dream Cars)
He Said" I've Made Way More Than That FROm It Since It Was Done."

Paperdog