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Projects Who drives their Hot Rod

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 36 Penny Coupe, Feb 1, 2019.

  1. 36 Penny Coupe
    Joined: Jan 7, 2014
    Posts: 169

    36 Penny Coupe
    Member
    from VA

    Tonight after a long 11 hour work day I finally made it home for some dinner with my kids before they went off to bed. My wife gave me the “you would be some amazing if you made a Walmart run” list as usual. As I made my way out the door I decided to drive my 1936 Ford Flathead powered Coupe. It was a full out manual choke start kind of night. Nice and clear with bright stars and about 27 degrees. I backed the car out of the garage and patiently waited for her to get up to temp. As I stood there looking over my car idling in the cold air I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else drives their car at non traditional times. I made my grocery trip in style and cruised past the kids hanging out at the end of the long parking lot late tonight. I had fond memories of those days with nowhere to go on Friday night and nothing to do but spend time with your girl.
    Now life is much more complicated. I have children from kindergarten age to 21 and life can be stressful. I guess in some ways driving my old Ford can be a breath of fresh air and some kind of therapy. I love the simplicity of an antique car. It is a much needed change in my life away from gadgets and screens.
    Who else finds the charm and imperfections of an old car worth the expense and upkeep just for those moments of escape from 2019?


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

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  2. lumpy 63
    Joined: Aug 2, 2010
    Posts: 2,603

    lumpy 63
    Member

    I drive mine every day....But then again I dont live in VA..You can be having a crap day and once you hop in ,fire it up and put it gear ...All is good:cool:
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2019
  3. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,179

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    look for current thread by Rocky "I Couldn't Help Myself!!"
     
    36 Penny Coupe and Stogy like this.
  4. I drive mine when it's not storming. 34winteride3.jpg 34walmaart10_18.jpg
     

  5. 36 Penny Coupe
    Joined: Jan 7, 2014
    Posts: 169

    36 Penny Coupe
    Member
    from VA

  6. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,606

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    An escape? Absolutely. A time machine, even.
    As you said, an escape from the high-tech world of today.
    And for you, a momentary escape from the day-to-day demands of life. Especially a father's/husband's life. What I want to say is, I have much respect for you family guys. You work hard. You sacrifice. You guide and encourage. Yet you find time and energy enough for a little fun. Amazing.
     
  7. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,097

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    They spread so much salt my street looks like the short course at Bonneville. No go
     
  8. klawockvet
    Joined: May 1, 2012
    Posts: 580

    klawockvet
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I try to drive one of my cars every day. I actually prefer to drive a vintage car as it takes me back in time to a life and times that I dearly miss. I really have grown tired of the modern world.
     
  9. 36 Penny Coupe
    Joined: Jan 7, 2014
    Posts: 169

    36 Penny Coupe
    Member
    from VA

  10. I drive mine alot, to Walmart, to Church, or usually anytime the weather is dry. It's always more fun to drive a Hot Rod. Also sometimes it's the best way to relieve stress. Well maybe the second best way!:rolleyes: 20180120_171216.jpg 20180120_172701.jpg 283.jpg 20170924_131506.jpg
     
  11. I have always said-‘I don’t need a car show to have a reason to drive my car’ I love to go for a drive anytime. The simple trips are suddenly transformed into a micro vacation from the day to day.
    Sadly at present it’s 20 below zero with a nice thick film of snow, salt and sand covering all the roads around these parts. So while I dream of warmer temps- my old ride hibernates in its winter spa[​IMG]
     
  12. Lil32
    Joined: Apr 4, 2012
    Posts: 2,598

    Lil32
    Member

    I get in mine as much as possible

    DSCN4136-1.JPG
     
  13. clem
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 4,188

    clem
    Member

    That’s the whole point of it for me............helps keep my sanity.
    It is quite something to walk out to the garage and jump in a 87 year old car with a 70 year old motor and go for a drive.
    Any excuse, - every week - when it’s not off the road. :(

    0C8185EF-4838-4C6E-9A0D-BB2C26A88315.jpeg .
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2019
  14. 61Cruiser
    Joined: Dec 5, 2013
    Posts: 191

    61Cruiser
    Member

    Firstly, that’s a great looking car. I try to drive my 61 Belair at least once a week even if it’s just to take me dog for a walk somewhere. It’s definitely therapeutic and good for my well being.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  15. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    0_20181107_163313.jpg

    :rolleyes:...yeah it's an escape of sorts...raw, lacking in so many ways...and I'm sure a very personal experience for each of us. I have said it many times here...this style of Hotrod is isolated even in the Hotrod circle here by its inspired period simplicity...but it is what it is...Its idle for the winter but the pic above was the last drive of the year...it dropped to 39°F on the way home that night...I will not drive once the salts down...its like everything again, a choice I have made...
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2019
    Algoma56, hfh, hotrodharry2 and 19 others like this.
  16. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 4,041

    gene-koning
    Member

    10,000 miles last summer!
    Not in the winter though. The car is pretty helpless in snow, and below 40 degrees its a very cold ride for this wimpy old man. My car gets to spend its winters outside. Right now, its buried under a bunch of snow, and I wouldn't be able to even get it to the street.
    Come spring, anything is a good excuse to go for a ride. Gene
     
  17. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

  18. I really miss driving them this time of year (winter)..easy for me to make excuses-it's raining, no defroster, poor or non-existent heater, roads are wet/icey, etc. it's like I'm saving them for only the nice sunny day driving.
    It's a bit ironic, since I'm old enough to have driven these cars in all weather conditions back in the day,
    and my cars aren't show cars, just driver quality.
    I make up for it by working on a project car/s all year long.

    Good for you guys who drive them year round (guys who live in distinct 4 seasons part of the country).
     
  19. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    Too much salt and other chemicals here to drive year around. I do my updates this time of the year so I can cruise from March to December.. I can't wait to try out my Hurst Auto Stick!!!
     
  20. ...I'm havin driving withdrawal symptons as we speak, been a good month since I could get the old iron out,(snow, ice and below zero temps)...can't wait to drive my current project for the first time, drove it back and forth in the shop about 3 feet each way tho.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2019
  21. Black_Sheep
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 1,446

    Black_Sheep
    Member

    I have not driven mine since October. The salt and liquid chlorides used on the roads are so destructive, no way I would subject any vehicle that I care about to such a harsh environment. Subzero temps are not all that fun to drive around in either.



    During nicer weather I drive ‘em for running errands, cruise nights, shows or just because I feel like going for a spin. My favorite time is early Sunday mornings when there is very little traffic and the motor seems “happier “ in the cool morning air.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2019
  22. partssaloon
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 677

    partssaloon
    Member

    kind of the norm driving them everyday here in our town
     
    Stogy likes this.
  23. Unique Rustorations
    Joined: Nov 15, 2018
    Posts: 623

    Unique Rustorations
    Member

    [​IMG]

    I drive mine everywhere as much as possible when I don’t need my truck for hauling stuff for the new shop at home. When I grew up guys were brand loyal I think. Now I pass anything from the same era and I get a wave. My wife and I (she owns three of our five Pontiacs) enjoy that. One reason why it won’t be off the road much in 2019...Randy


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  24. The coupe gets worked on during the crappy winters here in Pa. As soon as it warms up and the drag strips open, its game on. In the summer I drive it every chance I get. Like others have said, it keeps me some what sane. LOL. All I know is, when I fire her up and strap in I instantly feel BETTER.:D
     
    Elcohaulic, Montana1, scott27 and 7 others like this.
  25. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    I'm 67 and my generation was brainwashed on the whole point of life ...
    Well imagine that....... "sometimes shit don't work out for some of us in the end..." I can't afford any daily driver right now, so it's the 32 Ford. Strange thing is that during the long penny pinching build, I insisted on dual wipers, heat and even defrosters...now I know why....

    I don't own a TV to avoid deliberate, constant, bad news...<< F'them..... The world around me is great .... I am in my own perfect world behind the wheel.
    DSCN2177.JPG
    stop worrying and start living...

    PS, NWS online weather claims near 60F on Tuesday...Oh Baby! ...roll the windows down to hear the big Olds rumble...all freakin day
     
    hfh, Roger Loupias, Boryca and 24 others like this.
  26. brokedownbiker
    Joined: Jun 7, 2016
    Posts: 651

    brokedownbiker
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I try to drive mine whenever the weather allows, I live in the Great Rainy Northwest. The rain doesn't bother me, it is just a fact of life here, but the short days affect me due to my night vision sucking pretty badly; I feel like a kid again having to be home before the street lights come on, lol.

    I have to confess that my destination determines what I'm going to drive; I wouldn't think of taking my '41 Chevy to the local Walmart. It is a given that it would have door dings or be broken in to when I returned, same thing at the local grocery store. Anything that stands out gets messed with around here. My daily driver looks like hell from the parking lot damage over the years; it was keyed by someone who didn't like the fact that I parked next to her and she couldn't get the cart to the back door (someone was kind enough to tell me about it and gave me her license plate, for all the good it did me). If I can't keep an eye on it or park it away from other cars, I use my daily driver. At least until I get the '51 Ford back on the road; I wouldn't call it a 'rat' but it is not yet painted and the bodywork is still to be done so I don't worry about it- flat black is easy to touch up, lol.
     
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  27. For the first time in almost 30 years the old beater is off the road and parked at my pal Dave's shop while he is doing the interior, but I have been driving Brenda's wagon a lot and a few short trips in the 50 coupe.

    We get very little snow and ice, when that happens I leave the old cars in the garage.HRP

    1954_Ford_Wagon_001_t607-vi.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2019
  28. OFT
    Joined: Jun 1, 2005
    Posts: 574

    OFT
    Member

    20181231_104644.jpg Drive it all year.
     
  29. For me, winter is a time for upgrades and repairs. With a virtually rust free body, I'm not going to drive on salted roads.
     
  30. stinger40
    Joined: Nov 10, 2012
    Posts: 24

    stinger40
    Member

    I drive mine every chance I get, . Need something from the grocery store, sure I will go! Its noisy, rides terrible, hard to see, hard to steer and I love every bit of it! I’ve had it apart for the past 2 months for rewiring and fixing a few other issues. I really miss driving it, it’s still about 6 weeks from being back on the road. My granddaughter was 4 when I bought it, from the first time she saw it she fell in love with it. She asks me every week when is the Model A going to be done so we can go for a ride. IMG_0858.JPG IMG_3749.JPG
     

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