Hot Rods Question about tradition?

Having made a living in the hot Rod industry, I have a different take on the subject. In my mind, it has always been “traditional” to use the newest and best parts when building a car. Just like Dick Dean and George Barris, I’ve taken two new cars from the show room to the shop. However, while they were traditional, the time frame isn’t correct today.

The HAMB is like the sites for civil war reenactment sites where they debate the correct buttons on tunic.

I built my cars for me.

 

I'm curious how many of the 2-300,000 members have a car that would pass the "traditional" inspection.

 

Devil's advocate...If we were to hold true to what Ryan defines as traditional, very few builds would be allowed on the H.A.M.B.
350's, 8"-9" rearends, etc. are major no-go's. "You are a NO-GO at this station"

 

I agree but it's still a 350.

 

I haven't been here long but from what I've absorbed, traditional is a style and a mindset. Compromises are made here and there for various reasons, some of which skirt the line, some of which are wildly over it. It's mostly about the look and attitude.

I think the Mustang II front end example is frowned upon because it's kind of a trifecta of wrongness for a traditional hot rod: it sticks out like a sore thumb, drastically alters the handling (to where even going down the road it doesn't "look" right), and it's viewed as the easy way out when setting up suspension on a built car. It's an 'upgrade' that a traditionally powered car doesn't really benefit from and just takes away a little bit of the car's novelty.

A well-disguised air conditioner, alternator, seatbelts, LED lights in original housings, etc. will be overlooked (or even lauded) because they improve drivability and don't alter the novel traditional character of the car. Replacing massive parts of the car with modern components does.

 

@Ryan had a MII in his 38 for years He downplayed it and even apologized for it. Just don't make a big deal about it and you will be fine.

 

Funny thing about this post is that if you ask a s10 question you are ostracized but on the other hand an s10 framed vehicle is highlighted in another thread. Shouldn’t it be about the cars and the cool factor?

 

I just skip what I dont want to read , accept we are all different , and have been very educated with found information on the hamb.Very glad it is as well run as it is , and look forward to reading it as many times in a day as I can .
Mods do a great job here !!!

 

I understand the “rules” but ……

 

Any ya just had to share that with me before lunch….

 

I agree and I am not trying to pick a fight but would this be considered hamb friendly?

 

Well, consider the early days of a horse pulling a wagon, back then the wheels were pulled off, spindle/axel greased, then when put back on.
Now consider when grease pumps came out, and “traditional wagon builders” drilled and tapped for a zerk fitting.
Does the zerk fitting fit in the time frame they were not available?

By all means, build your car as you want it, but don’t try to push that on pre-66 builds, right?

 

I got my balls busted for running a pair of Rocket Launcher front wheels on an era-appropriate (see how I didn't call it period correct? I'm smart!) 55 Chevy gasser, but you know what, it was valid. I was going for a specific look, and they didn't fit it. I changed them out for a wheel that fit the look I was trying to achieve. That's constructive criticism and it came from guys I respect on here.
The drilled/slotted rotors on the car definitely don't fit the look, but screw it. Nobody here has gotten their pocket protectors too bent out of shape about them.
Basically if you're not a mook about it, guys here will let a lot slide, especially in the name of safety and even convenience sometimes. If you're looking for constructive criticism, this place is great. If you're a dick and you're looking to get your ride cut up, this place can also be great.

 

Ok I will continue to use the hamb for inspiration but not post any pics

 

I like that the HAMB tries to maintain the traditional build theme. And I don't think those overseeing it are too restrictive either. I've seen cars and parts shown here that I thought might get the axe, but were overlooked, and I was fine with that. I've also seen guys continuing to post topics about their MII or Camaro subframe swap, and get the axe; only to wonder why and start the same topic again. I wondered if they just didn't read the guidelines when they joined, or didn't understand?
Way back when I joined here I got grief from a knothead just because of my user name. Fortunately another person stepped in and told him my post was very traditional, and user names could be almost anything.
I try to keep my builds traditional, and if something I do is a question in my mind, I simply don't show it in a post. There's only so many traditional parts left out there, so there are times when I use some modern parts, and I try to make them as traditional appearing as possible. I've purchased fairly new bucket seats, and not just removed the headrests, but also cut the bases for the headrests off, and reupholstered them in old school style upholstery.
I don't think it's too hard to stay within the guidelines here. Just read them, and don't post it if it's not traditional.

 

I go by the maxim that if it looks right, it is right...

If the full-on 'traditional' yardstick was applied to every part on every car, this place would be a ghost town.

I do think that some guys get hung up on the 'traditionality' of some parts as well as displays of originality. I recall pics of a period-built '34 Ford coupe posted a few years ago that a few 'traditionalists' started picking apart because some of the unique features it had weren't 'trad'...

 

It’s really funny,,,,,,,was the MII front end pre 65 ?
And besides,,,,,pretty much Everything here about a mustang is OT,,,,if I remember correctly .
No problem,,,,,plenty of places to discuss Mustangs on other boards ,,,,just not here .
The moderators allow a fair amount of latitude,,,,but certain aspects they draw the line at .
Sorry !

Serpentine belt billet systems,,,,,sorry.
Big billet wheels,,,,,sorry .
Anything billet,,,,,pretty much,,,,sorry .

Paint,,,,,well,,,,most anything is okay,,,,it is a Hot rod and custom site .
Almost any safety related item,,,,brakes and such,,,,,okay .
Modern wiring,,,,,kind of necessity,,,,most older wiring is kaput .
Just use good judgment,,,,,and careful photography skills ,,,,and it is overlooked usually .
And don’t feel too bad if it gets deleted,,,,,every moderator is human and feels different on different days .

This is the Hamb,,,,,and like Walter Cronkite used to say,,,,,”That’s the way it is “ .

Tommy

 

Besides that, it looks like you've set it up for air bags, and those aren't kosher here either.

 

I didn't say there was anything wrong with them.....

 

I`m trying to. I have to defend my build to every one who wants me to call 1-800 and order parts. That`s why parts gathering is taking a long time. Just found a trumpet horn and an unbroken exhaust manifold.

 

I wonder if anyone who makes parts out of billet aluminum knows that you can design them to look exactly like cast aluminum, down to the "cast" texture, and any irregularities. One pass in the bead blast cabinet takes the shine off. There is no need for them to look like crap. It is just lazy.

I 3D scanned a badly broken brass part from a fire truck under restoration, and "fixed" in the program. It appeared exactly like the original. Waves, hand tool marks, texture, and finish, just no breaks. The owner artificially aged it, and then re-polished it. It is undetectable.

Not traditional methodology or technology, but a traditional in appearance part. Was not cheap, though.

 

The word kustom

 

Custom yes,,,,,but not Kustom in the traditional right .
Those are late model MB headlights openings,,,,,and air bags are not traditional .

Sorry,,,,I believe Mr. Moriarity is on once again.
To be honest,,,,he doesn’t miss much,,,,,,,I didn’t catch it at first .

Tommy