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Hot Rod & Custom Inspiration

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Jun 16, 2006.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    For background, check here.

    Got more inpirational photos or ideas? Pile em up fellas...

    BONUS: How cool is this little Fiat? It was a service car for Ferrari and although smaller in scale, very similar to a '37 Ford. Too cool...
     

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  2. dabirdguy
    Joined: Jun 23, 2005
    Posts: 2,404

    dabirdguy
    Member Emeritus

    VERY cool.
    I been toying with doing something like that with one of the Cabs I have in the barn. Was thinkng of making it into a camper for overnithg meets and stuff.
     
  3. sodas38
    Joined: Sep 17, 2004
    Posts: 2,410

    sodas38
    Member

    I have always found the 1937 Cord to be a graceful car. I think you could take some ideas off it as well.

    The interior with respect to the gauge cluster may be a good cue. The idea may be as simple as using some diamond plate to replicate the look here:
    [​IMG]
    And of course the side pipes that are visible and well know on these models and you could also get some inspiration from the grille:
    [​IMG]
     
  4. krusty40
    Joined: Jan 10, 2006
    Posts: 869

    krusty40
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Ryan - you are SO right; there's a lot out there that can be brought in to traditional rods and customs without becoming street rods and modern kustoms. Thanks for showing us what we can be if we think outside the kulture.
     

  5. Some French cuisine... 1939 Talbot Lago and 1935 Delage. Inspiration for a mid 30s Ford kustom, maybe?

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  6. flyingpolock
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 459

    flyingpolock
    Member
    from PHX

    It probably goes without saying, but the Delahaye lineup is just loaded with great inspiration... flowing lines, graceful everything, and those low headlights and tall grille look flat-out MEAN.... Consider the Delahaye's design cues when compared to Westergard, etc. Low, sleek, flowing....
    And this Dodge I had posted before on a Friday Art show, but the inspiration ran the gamut from Jaguar to the Russian Gaz (side trim was inspired by their model 13... which bears a striking resemblance to a Packard...)
     

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  7. oldandkrusty
    Joined: Oct 8, 2002
    Posts: 2,141

    oldandkrusty
    Member

    Flyingpolack, you have it exactly right. Delahayes are the best references when you need some design cues. They have it all. It's hard to think of anything bad about them.

    Now, if you are thinking rods - use the Duesenbergs for inspiration. From their gorgeous bodies to the detail on the delicious straight eight engines, there is no better reference. Perfect, just perfect.
     
  8. ryangobie
    Joined: Jan 1, 2006
    Posts: 460

    ryangobie
    Member
    from Jersey

    Ryan, I've really love these entries. I think a lot of people feel the need to stay within this vaccuum of a predefined notion of traditional. You give just perfect examples of period items and stylings that would really set something off. I really like the finned drums myself. It's simple, can be found in the past and looks stunning. I'm glad you approach this with a designer's eye, an open eye, but an eye that knows when something would be too much.
     
  9. I love this post. Lots of fine design work out there.

    I hope this isn't off topic, but I'm inspired by the Arts and Crafts style of architecture and design, particularly, the lamps of the 1920s. Most of the shapes aren't exactly right for traditional cars, but some of the styling cues, I believe, are right on. And the rich glow of copper and mica materials could make some awesome turn signals or dash lights. Imagine driving at night with your whole dash insert glowing and scaring the crap out of the guy in the next lane when he sees the illuminated crazed look on your face.

    I've attached an image of some example shapes and here are a few more links:
    http://www.craftsmanhome.com/lighting/micalamp/table-wood.html
    http://www.craftsmanhome.com/lighting/arroyo/list.html

    And a source for mica...
    http://www.ashevillemica.com/lampshademica.htm
    (They have "sample kits" for $20.)



    .
     

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  10. synthsis
    Joined: Mar 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,899

    synthsis
    Member

    did anyone see the R&M auction million dollar auction show on TLC the other night? the Talbot Lago went for something like 3.25 Mill. good gawd.
     
  11. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,380

    Paul
    Editor

    look at engine compartments of luxury cars from the depression era

    Hispano Suiza, Pierce Arrow, Bugati, Duesenberg and others.

    with various polished metals, brass, copper, aluminum, even hand rubbed and oiled steel
    with rich paint colors,
    and engine turned panels and castings

    all parts functional and very nicely layed out
    all obviously hand made
    with a distinctly artistic eye
     
  12. cleatus
    Joined: Mar 1, 2002
    Posts: 2,277

    cleatus
    Member
    from Sacramento

    Does anyone know what car, either American or Euro, that would be considered "The First" to have full fade-away fenders - where the front fenders continue all the way to the back?

    Westergard built a 40 Merc for Butler Rugard in the early 40s that may be the first car "customized" to have full fades, but what I am wondering is what car was - or may have been - the inspiration for this modification?

    What MIGHT they have seen to make them think "hey, that would be cool on my car"?
     
  13. No discussion of european cars can be complete without the Auto Union
    influence. From road race cars to Land speed racing
    [​IMG]
     
  14. flyingpolock
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 459

    flyingpolock
    Member
    from PHX

    [quote='29MurrayTub]I love this post. Lots of fine design work out there.

    I hope this isn't off topic, but I'm inspired by the Arts and Crafts style of architecture and design, particularly, the lamps of the 1920s. Most of the shapes aren't exactly right for traditional cars, but some of the styling cues, I believe, are right on. And the rich glow of copper and mica materials could make some awesome turn signals or dash lights.[/quote]

    Ya know, '29MurrayTub is on to something here... Consider both Arts and Crafts, as well as Mission-style design. Function first, with a twist of "how to make it look nice"... The Bahaus School of design offers tremendous inspiration, obviously.
    Considering the mention of some killer dashboard illumination, while not European, imagine a Euro-inspired dash cluster lit Electroluminescently (say THAT five times fast), similar to older Imperials, early Chargers... you could pull off some serious deco-inspired looks with a little creativity. The right combination of nickel, chrome, and maybe even some brass would breed a kick-ass instrument panel... and even jusicious use of some engine-turned inserts...
    Anyone considered looking to custom musical instruments for inspiration as well? Some of the stuff from Fender's Custom Shop are pure inspiration in more than one way, as well.
    Great thread... It's gonna cause me MANY sleepless nights at the drawing board!
     
  15. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Actually, Auto Unions are prolly only 2nd to Ferrari for me as far as dream cars go... They were just out of the time period I was thinking about for this particular article.

    I have a huge Auto Union article written up that I will roll with in a couple of months most likely...
     
  16. Spaulding
    Joined: Mar 16, 2006
    Posts: 197

    Spaulding
    Member
    from Wichita

    Check this out. Although far from a traditional ride, couldn't help but notice the similarities between the Alpha tail-end and the Foose built "Impression".
     

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  17. Spitfire1776
    Joined: Jan 7, 2004
    Posts: 1,069

    Spitfire1776
    Member
    from York, PA

    For me Auto Union, beats out Ferrari. But I think I'm biased because I used to race around an Audi. :) Nah seriously, I think Auto Union had more of a flair for going out of the box on design. They lead the way for a lot of others designs. Don't get me wrong though, I love old Scuderia Ferrari's. Oh, I give up its a tie.

    One thing I always enjoyed about older European cars is in their designing they kept that deco or simpler look for a longer period of time than American cars, and some never really gave it up. Ahem...Morgan.....or Austin.....Volvo's in the 60's....
     
  18. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Check out the whole spectrum of tech and style of the time period you like--aircraft, classic cars, locomotives, military vehicles, appliances. Check out museums and shows, roam the architecture-history-art-photo-design sections of a big bookstore, go to the library and read through Life-Post-specialized magazines, looking at stuff in articles, ads, etc.
    And--for automotive stuff, if you are building to look like 1952, stop and imagine what a 1952 hotrodder would have seen in the junkyard, surplus store, newsstand, Sears catalog, etc.
    B-29 bits in surplus? a dead Pierce-Arrow hearse at the junkyard? magazines showing sprint cars or Allards? Diesel locomotives replacing steamers at the depot? Sabrejets in Korea? What was on the menu for a rodder looking beyond the JC Whitney catalog??
     
  19. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    In 1933 Pierce-Arrow built 3 (?) Silver Arrow show car/prototypes with fadeaway design. Sidemount spares tucked into locking wells looks a little strange at first glance.
     
  20. cleatus
    Joined: Mar 1, 2002
    Posts: 2,277

    cleatus
    Member
    from Sacramento

    Thanks for that info, I'm doing a search of pics of that car now.
    Anyone else know of any pre-war cars with full-fade away fenders?


     
  21. When you look back to styling from the late 20s up until WWII, you have to look at how much design was influenced by German builders. Working for a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz dealer, I get to see alot of vintage Mercedes from time to time. Mercedes owners are very loyal to the make, and many are big collectors of everything Mercedes, including some super art work. I scrounged around the web to show a few of the cars that I've seen in various customer's art prints hanging in their homes.

    The streamliner is incredible! It reminds me of the streamliners that were running in Bonneville after the war. This one really mirrors the Kenz and Leslie 777 Streamliner. I love it!

    The open wheel race car has hot rod influence all over it. The wire wheels and lack of fenders shows the style that early rodders were copying on their cars. The nose just makes me melt! I love the way the nose and headlights are all in one, and the grille headlight protectors are super neat! The owner of our sister repair shop has a great print with three of these racecars running a race in first, second and third place, with some Ferraris in the background trying to catch up. I have to admit I'm more of a kustom guy than a hot rod guy, but if I ever do build a rod, a nose like that is on my wish list.

    Bottom line, you just can't beat the styling from the old days! E
     

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  22. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    OG... that's another one for me too actually... I have a photo set consisting of a ton of nazi era race cars (mostly mercs) being blessed by hitler himself. It's a real contrast - these gorgeous race cars next to such a puny little/pathetic man... I've been debating whether or not to post them as they do come with baggage... more later.
     
  23. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,086

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    lol you have no idea what these articles have set into motion. look for some supper secrect mock up pix in a few months

    tim
     
  24. I know what you mean, Ryan. You gotta love the style, but you almost feel guilty about it because it was all part of the Awful Machine. As car nuts, we just have to enjoy the good and be thankful that the outcome was how it was. Without getting political or anything, I'd just like to say..........

    THANK YOU, VETS! E
     
  25. stan292
    Joined: Dec 6, 2002
    Posts: 858

    stan292
    Member

    Here's a few that might provide some esthetic inspiration. A couple cool Indy car paint schemes. I can see the black and white Ford (circa 1935) scheme redone on just about any lakes mod or race-inspired rod - especially one with flatty power.

    The later car is a '60's era A.J.Foyt car that was done up by West coast Kustom legend Dean Jeffries. Again, I think this motif would be pretty cool on a rod.
     

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  26. stan292
    Joined: Dec 6, 2002
    Posts: 858

    stan292
    Member

    A couple more ideas - this time on the tech side. Again with an Indy flavor - but well suited for a unique rod. Maybe a bit outside the box, but hey - no guts, no glory.

    First is a "traditional" circle-track torsion front suspension (this happens to be the Foyt car from the previous post, but this setup was used in hundreds of cars - with variations still commonly seen in the sprinters today). Two offset bars, each running parallel with the front axle - and supporting a seperate wheel. I'll be using this type of front end on my RPU.

    How about front wheel drive? This Miller, and several others were very successful at Indy, and there was more than one example at the lakes in the early days. An FWD setup would be a knockout on a rod today.

    Intercooler anyone? Another kick-ass Miller deal. We talked about this at some length a few months back. There was some division as to the performance potential, but no question about the super bitchin' look.

    Not whacky enough for you? How about a diesel-powered rod? The Cummins guys did O.K. at the brickyard with this "smoker" - and there have been some impressive diesel runs at Bonneville in the last several years.

    Still too mainstream? What about the Belond Exhaust Special (an Indy winner, BTW)? This car featured a laid-on-its-side Offy for minimal wind resistance. Could this be done with a "banger" in a lakes-style car? Sure, it would take a crazy amount of work, but you'd have something that would probably never be equalled.

    Well, who's gonna step up and do something really different?
     

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  27. Speed on Tweed
    http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v605/jimmyschev/05 Speed On Tweed/?start=all
    Being from Australia I have been influenced & inspired by the early hill climbers and Grand Prix cars. The above link shows some of these vehicles that would of competed in early Australian racing events, our early hot rods were called specials this changed in about '48/'49 when they were from then on called Hot Rods.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    A homemade shifter that is simple & effective.
    [​IMG]

    Bugatti one of the best race cars of all time, jewellery like precision
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Cockpit of a D-Type Jag
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  28. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    I really like the Dashboards Zagato used to make in the '50s and '60s.

    Swoopy handmade Aluminum shapes, painted in Black Wrinkle finish.

    This pic is even better because of the horrible contrast of that beautifull Dash with the modern Pedal surfaces and Radio ( mounted crooked...)
     
  29. This is similar to what I have in mind for my '25 Chev Roadster's interior.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    & Some other pics
     

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  30. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,138

    metalshapes
    Member

    Also, I like the way exposed rivets look.

    Like on this Jag XJ13 ( pic might be of a replica...not sure. )

    Its something that you expect to see on earlyer cars, but it looks great on this mid '60s car.

    I'll use both these things on a Hot Rod someday...
     

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