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Technical AV8 Redux

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by av8, Dec 22, 2008.

  1. av8
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 1,716

    av8
    Member

    Last edited: Dec 22, 2008
  2. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    I suspect that book created most of the younger part of the Old Ford contingent on the HAMB and some of the older part as well...
    I think it caught the attention of many, many beginning rodders and a few burned out older ones who would never have realized otherwise that there was a second path to running an Old Ford, one not requiring power windows, billet pulleys, and faux Toyota interiors.
    It continually amazes me that there are people on here whose PARENTS weren't born when the last early Fords were new who are building flatheads and learning the mysteries of banjo setup, and I suspect that few of them would have made it to where they are without this book, surely the major catalytic element in modern traditional rodding.
    This book is not just useful, it is important.
     
  3. the-rodster
    Joined: Jul 2, 2003
    Posts: 6,945

    the-rodster
    Member

    My copy of the book looks pretty bad, tattered, oil and grease on every page, but it sure helped me through my first hot rod build.

    Rich
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2008
  4. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    I bet I've bought over 20 copies of the book through the years... I give them out to people that are building cars, but don't have it... It's like a steering wheel.
     
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  5. SUHRsc
    Joined: Sep 27, 2005
    Posts: 5,093

    SUHRsc
    Member

    when i got heavily interested in building a car... my supplies were a stack of 40's-50's magazines and that book

    thanks!
     
  6. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,407

    general gow
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    the book lives on my coffee table. full time.
     
  7. ynottayblock
    Joined: Dec 23, 2005
    Posts: 1,954

    ynottayblock
    Member

    same here.
     
  8. qzjrd5
    Joined: Nov 23, 2004
    Posts: 1,339

    qzjrd5
    Member
    from Troy, MI

    The book lives in my bathroom. But that's after a long stint in the garage helping me build my car. Its truly a great piece of American literature. Right up there with Kerouac and Twain!
     
  9. A Chopped Coupe
    Joined: Mar 2, 2004
    Posts: 1,133

    A Chopped Coupe
    Member

    The Bishop/Tardel book was one of the first I bought, and my chassis was patterned somewhat after his. When I was having issues I talked with Vern and he set me straight.
    Both Vern and his son Keith are great people and so some really nice work.
    I had wanted Keith t make my frame but I didn't want to wait 6/9 months to get one, so I built my own.
     
  10. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,479

    banjorear
    Member

    Funny, mine too. I have a garage copy and a house bookshelf copy. Rarely do I buy doubles of books. This one was an exception.

    Mike and Vern did an excellent job with this. Seems to speak volumes of both men as well. Straight forward, no nonesense and to the point. Like it should be.
     
  11. Amen!
     
  12. Lucky77
    Joined: Mar 27, 2006
    Posts: 2,495

    Lucky77
    Member

    It's so great seeing that car in color. There's only a few color shots on the front and back cover of the book. fab32 explained the value of "How to Build a Traditional Hot Rod Ford" to me like this. "Read it cover to cover, then when you're finished read it cover to cover again. When you start to think you're understanding what you're reading, read it again."
    He's right, everytime you pick it up you learn something new. I'm using it every step of the way with my hiboy roadster build. Right down to the rear step and modified 32 K member. I'm fairly certain between "the bible" and the "gospel" of the HAMB I'll be able to turn out a killer roadster.
     

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

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    What a perfect response...
     
  14. Like an old friend. Dig seeing the new pictures.
     
  15. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Same here!....

    What a great JJ entry. :cool:
    I've been reading this book (not finished yet) and using it as a guideline, rather than bible, for my 'A' Roadster build. It contains some very valuable information that is put together and written in a way that is very easy to understand.
    Thank you Mr. Bishop and Mr. Tardel!


    Malcolm
     
  16. mine is in the library... ie the bathroom
    tk
     
  17. PAracer
    Joined: May 21, 2007
    Posts: 91

    PAracer
    Member

    I wasn't to interested in building a hot rod until I found the HAMB and learned about traditional cars. I spent months reading all I could here but still didn't feel comfortable taking on the project of building my first hot rod. The book was recommended all over the place here. So I bought a copy and read it from cover to cover. Now I have a 31 Model A coupe, 53 Flathead, 39 toploader, and a 40 banjo rear end sitting in the garage....

    In my opinion this Book and HAMB go together like Peas and Carrots!
     
  18. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,582

    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Yes.

    Thank you to both Mike and Vern.
     
  19. Tremendously well done book.

    The building is fun, but tweaking and tuning are my favorite parts.

    Mike and Vern really did the hot rod world a favor by bringing this book to fruition.

    Now, if Mike would only get started on his life story and all the little pecadillo's he got involved in.

    It'd make a helluva book....
     
  20. i've had a couple copys but they seem to disapir, i should get another one. i'll second that the new color pics are nice and make me want a car like that again like when i read it the first time.


    and now for some thing completely different:

    i like to see a couple of companion books

    1. a rolling bones book with the stuff chuck varrnas has been doing for street rodder
    2. a bleed book documenting bobby's style
     
  21. AV8Paul
    Joined: Mar 2, 2003
    Posts: 1,813

    AV8Paul
    Member Emeritus

    Mike's book hit the street about the time I was finishing my AV8. If I had the book 8 years earlier, I would have been on the road in 4 years, not 8. I have read and re-read it several times. I have refered to it so often, I've almost worn it out. It's a classic.
     
  22. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,429

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    I love that book and Mike's roadster. Both are very inspiring. It was nice to read the story behind the book and the car. Welcome to the hamb Mike!
     
  23. rustydeuce
    Joined: May 26, 2006
    Posts: 855

    rustydeuce
    Member

    Beautiful Roadster!

    Congrats to Mike and Vern on a book that will undoubtedly inspire many more generations to come.
     
  24. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Heh... Mike's been on the HAMB since... 1998?
     
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  25. ironbuyer
    Joined: Aug 10, 2004
    Posts: 370

    ironbuyer
    Member

    Between that book and Don Montgomery books it certainly has influenced how we build our cars. More than anything how important it is to stick to an era. In my opinion you can see this generations guidence in all of these books. Who gets it and who does not.
    Steve Glucoft
    Amocat Speed Emporium
     
  26. I bought AV8's book back when I found out about it on the RRT... Back when I was a mere lurker here.

    Mine's spine is white and wrinkled, and a bargain at twice the price.

    I had collected a lot of the right chassis parts once, and sold them all off to pay a medical bill, my 1959
     
  27. rustybucket
    Joined: Dec 21, 2006
    Posts: 265

    rustybucket
    Member

    I have had my copy for nearly 10 years. It certainly had a huge effect on me. I had been into old cars for a while mostly 50's style customs. I began having an interest in rods and picked up the book. It sealed the deal for me and began my personal journey into proper hot roding. I had been in and out of college and it became apparent that if I wanted to have the hot rod of my dreams I needed to get a good job. This meant going back to school with a serious focus. I did just that and nearly 10 years latter, now a degreed and practicing industrial designer I am less than 6 months from realizing the dream I have had for all these years.

    Thanks!


    Chris
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2008
  28. MIKE-3137
    Joined: Feb 19, 2003
    Posts: 1,578

    MIKE-3137
    Member

    When I bought my copy, I really didn't know what a tradition roadster really was. I didnt follow it to the letter with my roadster, but I learned a lot about the dedication it requires to build an authentic car.
     
  29. I've seen this book everywhere I go. Never bought it because my '29 is 'glass (sorry) left over from the '70's altered wars. Looks like now I have to go buy the book, and add it to my reference library.
    My taste in hot rod style runs about ten years newer than the blue '29's style, but I'm studied enough to realize, kind of like the blues, the blue '29 and cars like it are really where it all started.
    There are books you must refer to if you want to know, or in my case remember, which parts you need to build your dream car. This must be one of them.
    Names like Gingerelli, Batchelor, and Medley come to mind off the top of my head.
    I know, I'll wrap it and put under the tree! Someone in the family is going to get me what I want for Christmas!! Thanks, Mike
     
  30. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

    Killer book..I have read it thoroughly many times..each time learning something new...and am using it as a reference for aspects of my current roadster build.
     
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