Seems to me [from looking at this thread] that a lot of rods ran hoods, or at least the top sheet metal. Is this the case?
If I were a teenager in the ‘50s, and my parents made (let?) me park in the driveway or the street, it seems to me some kind of weather protection for the engine would be in order. -Dave
Just like to thank every one who has posted on this thread. The original photos really show it like it was. It was a simpler time then and the cars reflect it. Sure there were high buck builds then too, but many of these cars shown were built in a one car garage or in a gas station bay or someones driveway or backyard. This was Hot Rodding.!
My daily driver from 1956 through 1959....(I guess that makes it '50's correct, eh?) ;o) Flathead '56 - '57. Chrysler hemi '57 - '59. Sold it in '59 and bought a '53 Cad convertible....not near as fast, but man it sure felt good to actually go places and not work on the car all the time! I picked up a hot chick in the Cad who has now been my wife for 49-years. Probably never would have happened with the coupe!! ;o)
I was trying for a late 50's period. 331 hemi, old SW gauges with a 1953 Chevy speedometer, 41 Studebaker wheels, 50 Olds rearend with the trailing arms, 34 Ford dropped axle w/juice brakes, exhaust coming out under the running boards in front of the rear wheels.
All the talk of big and littles. Notice how many cars have same size tires front and rear? When the first thing you did was rip off the fenders then hopped up or changed the motor. Big and littles must have been far down the chain of changes when performance was first in line. Guess it all depends on how far through the history of the hot rod the pictures were taken.
Guys please keep this going this is so cool love the original pics!! these were the true good old days!! Thanks guys for what you have done for Hot rodding!!!
These are a couple of pictures in 1958 of my 32 three window, then owned and built by Earl Wilson... It had 49 Caddy early trans and rear .. I bought it 1978 and drove it for a number of years ...Sure wish I still had it , Oh Well .. It is in good hands with Mark Gale, Bristol ,England ......
Jeffery, If you like the fenders here's how it looked on the beach in Bristol ,England.. Mark has now full fendered it, installed a Hemi ,4 speed and Halibrand...
Yep that all sounds Bitchin! i am channeling my '32 but lately I have been thinking about rear fenders ya know? They don't always look good but when they're done right they look so damn perfect!!!
No it doesn't fit. Send it to me and start over. Just kidding! Great looking car. Good job. Al PS I DO think they would have installed a top in the 50s!!!
Great thread... here's mine... I've owned the 33 for 38 years... hasn't changed except paint touch-up since 91... 27 is still a work in progress
PM #1 exStreamliner Member Great thread... here's mine... I've owned the 33 for 38 years... hasn't changed except paint touch-up since 91... 27 is still a work in progress You nailed the Look on that 27 Bucket. Congrats!
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