Projects The long process of finding a project car and adventures of the new guy.

Not really sure where to post this but this thread will be to document my intro into hot rodding. I'm pretty young (17) and since i'll be a broke college kid the next few years i'm not gonna have much to spend on a car. I've been into cars ever since i can remember and now that I'm old enough to actually have my own car and tinker with it when I like, i figure it would be a good time to start. My build will definitely be retro styled as i've always thought that's the best way to style a car. My main plans are as follows: sbc 283, 327 or other 50s-60s engine, possibly a 350 but i'm more interested in older power plants. I'm going to use some sort of 50s or 60s car for my build and it's gotta have chrome everywhere. Loud exhaust, thick white walls, and metallic paint. Since i'm here in illinois, a car that isn't rusted out or outrageously expensive is going to be hard to come by with a title, but hopefully i'll find a decent one soon. I've started picking up a few parts here and there. Just got some baby moons and Chevrolet scripted valve covers at a swap meet this weekend. They will definitely be used on this build.

Again, kinda just a thread i'm starting for when i have questions, or need know how or opinions.

 

What do you have for workspace and tools? Buy a running car. You don't have to be anywhere at any certain time - go where the cars aren't rusted to buy one. If you have some space part out a car or 2 to get what you need and generate funds.

Where in IL are you, fill out your location, it may generate some leads or assistance.

Your profile says you're 45, what's up.

 

Welcome the the world of cut fingers and an empty bank account ! Your plans sound good, and, it is generally best on the first car to get one that is done or almost done and make changes to make it your own. That will keep you from getting burned out in the middle of a long, expensive build.

One good thing, for you, is that our hobby is aging. Lots of us older guys are either giving up playing with them as much or we are dying off. That leaves a lot of cars to be bought. Plus, most of the young guys are really not interested in old cars so much, they tend to like newer ricers. That leaves a lot more old cars for you to find.

Don

 

Welcome to the hamb., this is a good place to be , if you like Rods. There's a lot of cool people here willing to help. check out Speedway Motors They have Some great starter RODS. And just keep us posted. Time is on your side. Never get in a hurry, or spend over your budget. It takes time, but the FUN is in the dream, and in the build. Make it yours . And you may just keep it a life time. Also keep in mine, If your Interested in a 50s or 60s car, there's a lot to beware of. A nice car will be Expensive. A simple T ROD may be your best bet. Best of luck and ask us lots of questions any time. Ron...

 

I've been in your shoes, and it's a fun place to be. The downside, you don't need to go for broke immediately. I'd buy the nicest car you can, and get it going. Slowly, you'll start acquiring tools, knowledge and confidence to take on bigger challenges.

Simply put, don't rush into it. It's the best hobby on the planet, but there are tons of unfinished projects out there for a reason. Find a car you absolutely love, and tinker with it.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm not entirely prepared to start working on a car yet, but im looking. I'm in the process of cleaning out a gravel floored garage right now to use for my build and i'm going to sell off some of my stuff from previous hobbies like radio control cars. I'm also debating if i should buy a reliable cheap car and sell my 4x4 s10 that way i could save money on gas and i'd have some more money for a car to build. Hopefully when i'm out of school durring the summer and i'm working i can find something decent to work with. Oh and about my age... I assumed it wouldn't take my birthdate because its pretty recent so i just put 1970 lol

 

Nothing wrong with a beater, you can have fun with those too. I roll an 80's Escort wagon on cheap Chinese ripoff 100 spoke Daytons with white walls. It's a total pile but still gets thumbs up on the freeway while getting 40 MPG. Leaves some extra scratch to dump into my avatar vehicle.

 

Yeah thats my goal i think maybe an older 2wd 2.5 s10 would be a good choice that way i can haul parts while still having a cheap ride. Wondering if its worth selling my reliable truck though. Its not perfect but i've beaten the hell out of it and its still a strong runner.

 

Good luck on your journey and welcome!

 

Save up a few thousand dollars. Buy the most complete running car that fits the bill. Learn to keep it running and then go from there.
Please don't buy project after project, falling further down the rabbit hole. That happens to many people.

Also don't just get a body and chop it, just cause.

Get some dough together buy a nice vintage car. Keep it running. Learn all about it. Then modify.
Don't be the guy that gets and promotes a pertronix but doesn't know crap about a points ignition system.

When I say save a few thousand. I mean you can get a nice decent running car in the 3k-5k. Even under that if you look hard enough. You would be surprised how much you save buying the most complete version of the car you want. If you wait.

Check this post in ten years and see how you did!

 

I suggest that you go back to your profile page and do an edit...Location will help too..

 

alright, made a few changes to my profile. I also found an interesting car that might be worth looking at. It's a 53 buick special sedan with a running straight 8 and 3 speed. comes with extra parts and it's decently solid but needs an interior. The guy is asking 1800.

 

kinda unfortunate it's a 4 door but still a cool car.

 

Keep the truck, or get another truck, this hobby becomes more complicated if you can't haul parts easily. When youre starting out you need lots of parts.

I'd shy away from 4 doors, this build won't be your last, this car will likely get sold in the future, 4 doors are just harder to sell and recoup your cash.

I've been to Belleville a few times, you should be able find some decent projects in your area, much less salt. I think Missouri used primarily sand for a long time and not salt. Locals, correct me if I'm wrong. I always found cars in the greater St Louis area.

 

alright, i'll probably pass for now then on the buick. The straight 8 would probably be a little limiting since there's no way i'd get rid of it but parts would be so hard to find.

 

Welcome to the HAMB, you have come to the right place. There is the best info,knowledge, and help right here. Good luck in your search for a car, take your time.

 

Don't be down on the 4 doors. You can get a lot of car for short money because of those doors and that's not a bad place for a young guy to start. You can buy a 4 door in really nice condition for the same or less money as a roached out coupe usually. BUT, as @indyjps cautions, you will need a truck andI'd try not to sink a lot of money into a 4-door project; I just think it's a good starter car option.

What's your knowledge level? There are a bunch of books on the suggested reading lists for a lot of HAMBers.

I took a look at Craigslist for Southern IL and saw a few interesting cars. There's a 27 T with an inline Chev 6 that has potential after knocking the rat crap off it. Might be a bit more than you can chew at this stage though.

I also saw a 1957 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN 2 door hardtop for about $5k, titled but not running. A 64 Corvair coupe that runs, A 53 Pontiac Chieftan, lots of stuff there and more will come and go. Keep an eye out there.

 

yeah i was looking at the 57 pontiac. Definitely my kinda car. If i go with my plan though and sell my s10 and just buy a cheap beater truck, i could make some money off of selling it, plus the couple grand i have saved should be able to get me a decent project.

 

that 53 chieftain actually looks pretty nice. Interior is already done

 

Well I was a broke high school kid for 4 years and I discovered that '50s cars were really cool to play with. Of course they were only about 10 years old back then LOL

 

as stated above, do not rush into anything - no impulse buys - think long & hard about what year/make/model that you really like - if a real popular one likely price will be too much for now - but, you never know what you might stumble on by looking at Classifieds here, craigslist, local papers and just keeping your eyes open.

 

just to clear this issue up... can someone from illinois help me out with titles? If I bought a car with no title in illinois, am i basically screwed? there's a really cool complete but rough 55 oldsmobile with a rocket and its 1200 but has no title.

 

http://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_IL.pdf

 

That was how I ended up with my roadmaster, no one not even the old grannies wanted one and it was cheap.

When you are poor ( broke?) you work with what you got. My first door slammer was a '55 Ford cause chevy stuff was made from expensium. I didn't care that it was a ford at all, anything can be made faster.

 

Since it sounds like you're interested in a 1950's era car or truck, keep in mind that the 1950's saw a large advancement in auto design. The mechanical areas of a 1959 car or truck were very much advanced over those of a 1950. This was even more so with the "Big Three" auto makers....GM, Ford and Chrysler.

1955 is basically the dividing point. In general, and mechanically speaking, pre 1955 cars and trucks were closer to the 1940's, while 1955 and newer mechanical designs are still in common use.

For example, the stock front suspension on my 55 Chevy is the same basic design as in my S-10 pickup.....Double A arms, coil springs with ball joints. This is in contrast to a 54 Chevy that although has a double A Arm front suspension, still used king pins. 54 and older Chevys still used torque tubes, instead of an open driveline.

Or in other words, a 1955 Chevy basically is still a relatively modern auto design.

 

so basically, not worth it? Seems pretty complicated

 

Im just a little older than you (20) and currently building my second hotrod, a 27 ford roadster. What I have learned being a newcomer to the traditional hobby is to go to shows or events and make friends/connections, Do a ton of research on the different eras, and always wait for the right deals and parts. Dont settle for something you didnt really want! You will regret it in time. This is a great forum to use, theres a ton of help here. Good luck!

 

thanks. this seems to be about the best and most friendly forum so far that i have found. most of the time these sites are filled with a bunch of people that aren't so nice if you don't know much like myself.

Question on engines. So, since my valve covers have no breather cap on them, could i use any pre 1986 sbc as long as i use an intake with an oil fill neck? i'm confused with this because people have told me i need a pcv breather and i'm unsure how this would all work. I'd want a 4 barrel carb and possibly a dual quad or 3 dueces but i'm unsure of what parts and engines i could use with such old valve covers.

 

I read this, "I'm going to use some sort of 50s or 60s car for my build and it's gotta have chrome everywhere. Loud exhaust, thick white walls, and metallic paint." and my thought was that you might consider concentrating on college. Get a solid CAREER, not a job and go from there. In between classes, football games, booze and girls, do some research on the bullshit the rest of us are doing.

See ya on the other side.

 

th

that's why i'm going to college. To get a job in computer engineering. i'd just like to have something to work with even if i'm not out of college with a steady job yet. It might be a very cheap build lacking the cool factor of others but its something i could be proud of when it's done.