Hot Rod & Custom Inspiration

[OG lil E]

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

[Ryan]

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.

[Tim]

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

[OG lil E]

Originally Posted by Ryan

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.

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

[stan292]

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.

[stan292]

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?

[Jimmy B]

Speed on Tweed
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...eed/?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.




A homemade shifter that is simple & effective.


Bugatti one of the best race cars of all time, jewellery like precision



Cockpit of a D-Type Jag

[metalshapes]

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...)

[Jimmy B]

This is similar to what I have in mind for my '25 Chev Roadster's interior.


& Some other pics

[metalshapes]

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...

[choprods]

I built this car for a customer a few years ago- but I feel it has many styling points that are not common on too many old cars.
Although an American classic and also-BEING OFF TOPIC-cause it is built as a STRod,Here is a car that even with its four doors reeks of art Deco styling cues,and swoopy sleek shapes[ALL STOCK].
['34 DODGE BRO'S -TOWN BROUGHAM -LWB.]
Excuse the deuce bumpers and American wheels....

[Kilroy]

I've seen a lot of hot rods and customs so lately I find myself looking elsewhere for inspiration...

Like everybody else it seems...

The Blue Train...

[Kilroy]

Delage...
Talbota...
Alfa...

[Kilroy]

Originally Posted by Kilroy

Delage...
Talbota...
Alfa...

There is nothing more inspiring to me than the fit and finnish of Miller race cars...

The attention to detail makes even today's indy/F-1 cars look hap-hazard in comparison...

The V16
The Novi

[Kilroy]

Originally Posted by Kilroy

There is nothing more inspiring to me than the fit and finnish of Miller race cars...

The attention to detail makes even today's indy/F-1 cars look hap-hazard in comparison...

The V16
The Novi

And for the LSR guys...

The Miller-Thorpe Land Speed Car.

[Clark]

Kilroy ...this looks like it's from the same family. The upostered body and the front mount blower are a match.
Clark

[Kilroy]

I hate to do this it's so damned predictable but...

The Spencer Roadster...

[Kilroy]

When other HAMBers inspire me...

It kinda PISSES ME OFF!!!

I think, "WHy the fuck can't I finnish anything?!!!"

Rolf...
SUHRsc...
And of course Cole...

[Kilroy]

To take this away from cars (Which is what I think Ryan kinda intended)...

Vintage Ranges...
Trains...

[Kilroy]

How about a little Chris-Craft?

And some other stuff...