Ryan submitted a new blog post: Tradition and Innovation: A Repost Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Cool - Thanks for repost and all of the hard work that you, and others, put into fine tuning everything. good to remind people to think outside the box and be open to inspiration from other parts of the automotive world.
Ryan, I agree completely - and wonder sometimes what would have happened with 50s and 60s hot rods had the "tradition police" been as active as they are now - would we still be in the brass age? The copper brake line idea can surely be pulled off with the cupro-nickel line available today and AN style fittings have been around and commonly available since the 40s-what returning AAF mechanic wouldn't have thought they were a good idea? Nowadays I kinda like the Swagelock line of fittings, they've got the AN look but don't require flaring and are specifically designed for high pressure apps. Just one idea.
The Porsche 550.....is that the patina'ed Porsche in Stuttgart that still gets rally invites, and actually runs them ? Events like the Mille Miglia ? My memory is vague.....but I don't believe they touch it up whatsoever. Sympathetic is not even a word used while racing. Proud more like....
I have printed and filed this one away, one of the treatments was close in idea to a project I have on the back burner.. we will see if it can be pulled off.
I always thought a Talbot or Maserati or DelaHaye competition nose would look good on a hot rod.......in '32 nose dimensions....maybe kicked back ten degrees from straight up. Great inspiration to work from.
Just amazing what kind of high art was incorporated into the upper end cars of the day. Beautiful stuff.
Having spent much time there, I have long held the conviction that Italians are mentally and physically incapable of creating a purely functional object. It is in the national psyche and DNA that it has to be art.... Thanks for the repost Ryan - here is Maserati's take on the brake drum, the 4 banger and the gas tank....
Another view of the sexiest brake drum I've ever seen. And how about those housings for the heim joint ends?
Nothing beats a handcrafted European car.I just posted some pics on facebook of my 1959 MGA that I had in college.Just a beautiful ride.Simple,elegant,timeless.....the same qualities that I look for in a custom. /www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203316420534191&set=a.1650851954090.2082756.1320746846&type=1&theater
Man, that's some good stuff. I couldn't help think of this similarly styled post penned by @Ryan during that same time period ... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=114
I've been inspired by the heavy American stuff from the 30s for decades. Several mechnical aspects of the fender attachments used on Packards has been incorporated into an O/T rod project for a client. The parts individually don't mean much, yet when applied to a 34 Ford fender it seems really trick. 1 example is a simple fork that carries a carriage bolt for holding the skirt portion and the "12 o'clock" point on the front fenders. The rears got long rectangular washers arched to body. Their use is so onvious and prevents a dread that can be seen on other builds. Well, I see it anyways. Now the fronts have no exposed fasteners and the rear fender to body bolts don't create tumors between the fender and 1/4 panel. Clean and simple, seriously effective changes.
The Europeans have a handle on building Traditional style American hot rods as well as these beautiful examples above.. Cool thread...
I'm glad I am not the only one who looks at the classic European Sports cars and picks out design elements that may work well on my next hot rod or custom. While collecting photos for inspiration on my boat tail roadster the early Alfa roadsters always seem to pop up in the mix for me.
I may have posted this before, some more styling cues. http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars...ng Monoposto-4.5 Litre DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder
Thanks for this post. Nads, Ramblur and I always make the trek to Amelia Island, and have the pleasure of being upclose an personal, with some of these rolling jewels. Almost $100 clams to just get through the front gate, but ultimately worth every penny. Signed, Buddy Palumbo
Never knew Halibrand made a race car. Just saw this one, in an e-mail blast, from one of the big auction houses. Going across the block Nov 13th. Nice wheels!!!
Here is some of my inspiration taken from the original thread and others. NOS Sunbeam Speedo, poor mans sporty steering wheel and a repop 32 Pierce Arrow dash insert that will get some engine turning. And the shifter will have gates!