I like the idea of having a modern (newer) drivetrain under an old car. My 51 chevy is town car because of the original drivestrain, 55/60 mph is max without pushing it and possibly causing damage. when I get done updating it, it will be a car that can be driving out of town.. I still get the same feeling but can enjoy it more. This is what makes the hobby great, there are so many niches.
That guy nailed it with the two hot rods... nice patina, old looking but new interior... and a drivetrain that kicks ass and doesn't skip a beat. I like it. I guess I got spoiled with my daily drivers... haul ass, comfy... great tunes pounding out on the awesome stock stereo. In an old car... I want it all too... I've pulled enough chokes, feathered enough throttles... and smelled enough raw gas. (not enough nitro smellin' yet, though) I can relate to this guy. I still yearn for the simplicity of a roadster... Something about it... Sheesh, I'm torn. Sam
For the more abrasive comments, each to his own, and respected, i guess. For those who like and understand the car, thank you. We're glad you guys dig it and your comments mean a lot. Thanks for checking it out Ryan.. How about that video?! Kudos to the guys at eGarage P.S. How about you meet Jonathan before any predeterminations..
Look at the man's hands. Those are not the hands of someone who turns a wrench for a living. He's a big picture guy. He's the one writing the cheque and saying "do X to this car" while his guys are the ones doing the magic. I'm not saying that's a bad thing either. My personal feeling is, if you want the old car experience, have it all or have none of it. If I want power windows, cruise and fuel injection, I'll drive a new car. Adding all that to a car it was never intended to be in removes a bit of the machine's soul. What you're ending up is with is a watered-down, detached version of the real thing. Shawn
He comes across as a guy from the L.A. garment district (with the same lexicon) who probably studied under Mickey Drexler from the Gap; who, as others have said, thinks that what he is doing is very novel, yet it is actually quite trendy. It's a high priced rat rod for athletes and celebs. I saw this site months ago and it was forwarded from a yuppie friend of mine. He could just as easily be doing this to furniture in your home; give it that fake distressed look. You may or may not think it's cool, but its not new, novel, or a lasting approach.
I have no ill feelings toward the guy but I do think his cars are streetrods with bad paint. That's cool if it's your bag, but it isn't a new concept. I don't think it's a stretch to compare what he is doing to painting on faux rust, because it really comes down to just esthetics. It's cool if your into it but rust is the new turquoise and pink.
I don't see this as anything new, the first guy to put an SBC in a Model A is no less visionary, but probably didn't have as big a budget as this guy. Nothing wrong with what they are doing, its just not new.
It amazes me as to how many people just 'don't get it' -A 1912 1/4 cut oak encased Victrola could easily be converted with CD/DVD player internals while handily eliminating the hand crank. And the two front doors could discreetly be replaced with an 'actual' volume control (amplifier) while the lid could be replaced with a tone control. -It could be made to turn on and off at whim and you'd never need to replace the needle after every 3rd record ever again. And a 1936 Rogers Majestic Tube Radio could be upgraded with ultra modern digital AM/FM radio internals and even the original 6G5 Magic Tuning Eye could be replaced with a silver dollar sized plasma screen. And any old vehicle could be "modernized" while hanging onto the "aesthetics". -Yeap, any Flathead could easily be yanked out and a V8 with 49 computers attached would breasily slide between the rails while anti lock brakes could guard all 4 corners. But where's the adventure in driving that? Where would the glow of the tubes come from and the wonder of the 30 second warm up be? Who amongst your grandchildren would be amazed to watch how you had to hand crank for 45 seconds and adjust the wooden cabinets front doors for a little louder volume? And who would twist their neck when they heard the alluring sound of a 6 volt starter spinning 8 lowly cylinders while 6 exhaust ports lazily roar to life? Who? nobody -Some people just can't comprehend that Tubes hold a warm glow, and that the tone control is in how far the lid is open and that your grandparents crossed the country on dirt roads driving a miled out Flathead. ...But there is something to be said for those that do 'get it' and can and will service every part. And for those that can comprehend our forefathers inherent values and ultimately do 'get it', what they get is more, -more out of the driving experience as a whole ..Maybe that's because it isn't an 81 Camaro or v8 s10 that for all intents and purposes may as well be your grandma's Olds Alero Walmart parking lot door dinged -$4800 tranny slipping- grocery getter 5 year old Boredom -Some believe that things are only original once and you cannot replace 60 or 100 years of hard fought history with 8 coils and a plastic upper plenum without replacing the very underlying essence of what the thing is, what it was and what it has always been. And if some people want to live under the false pretense that buying a new engine, transmission, microwave oven, coffee maker and vacuum every 3 to 5 years is somehow "better", then I can't help but feel sorry for them. jmho 1936 Rogers Majestic Tube Radio's original 6G5 Magic Tuning Eye (Vacuum Tube) . (edit, my comments are not in regard to the chap in the video, rather they are intended for this forums use) .
I applaud any automotive enthusiasum, I have looked at his 4wd stuff quite a few times. Icon does fine work.... no soul.
What really pisses me off, honestly, is people who keep banging on about old cars being unreliable... just shows they can't be bothered to fix them up right. I'm with Ryan, people in 1939 drove their '39 Fords everyday, why can't he? Or me, or anyone else for that matter? Just get the damn thing done properly and it'll be as good as new (or better if you don't mind slipping some small inklings of modern tech in there). I drive a '67 off-topic car everyday, and I'm looking to get another sedan of the same lineage to share its duties as a topless 2+2 is not always a sensible choice when you've got kids to get to school in the winter, so a sedan will join the fleet soon. My wife drives a modern, but it is the single most damn expensive car to run in my house. Even if nothing breaks (and fortunately it hasn't gained that habit yet - knock on wood), the maintenance is expensive and I don't dare touch it, it's always done at the main dealer. The only things I think an old car needs improving on are ignition, fuel delivery, and lighting. My cars run MSD ignition, electric fuel pumps (no long churning of the starter before fuel gets to the carb) and halogen lights. Apart from that, all that I do to my cars is get the bloody things fixed up right before putting them to use, instead of waiting for shit to pack up every now and then. And then I follow their maintenance plan as per their manufacturer's directions. And you know what? They don't break. They always start, they go, stop, steer, handle and ride as they should. And what's funny is that this doesn't take half as much engineering nous or specialised equipment as these folks spend on their cars... mine have never been laser-measured, apart maybe from some wheel-alignment shenanigans. Still, some people do have faith in modern car tech, and would rather have that. But moderns are ugly, and old cars have style. They envy that. So I do get the point, it's just not my cuppa. I like being the master of my cars, and we get along very well. Cheers, Eddie
this is what I was thinking also.... he has to have this promo reel to show to his clients - people that would NEVER venture on to the HAMB people that understand the concept of wabi-sabi........I had never heard of it - but then I only pay attention to the giant monsters and robots that come from Japan........ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi
Sleeper!!!!!?, not in the sence I grew up in. A true Sleeper on the Blvd was made with the performance goodys that belonged to it's platform. Sure you could say thats what it is, but not in my book. This is like rewriting a good book, the story will not be the same.
I'm in two minds about this guy...I hear the wankery (wabi-sabi aesthetic) and think he's just doing a DEUS EX MACHINA (google them - they're an Aussie outfit making $15,000 SR400 bobbers for cashed up hipsters) But then I see the finished product and it looks pretty good to me. OK, they lack the authenticity of having the era correct drivetrain but I think some of the comments posted here are just smug snobbery. It seems putting fake Olds Rocket valve covers on a 350 Chev is OK but this is a step too far. He's obviously a genuine car guy - surely there's room for him in the rodding fraternity. On balance I like what he's doing - dont hate him for being better able to articulate his vision than you are.
I've read this entire thread this morning, and while opinions are fine (Like %$#*s, everybody has one), it bugs me when a few critics would define an approach to hot rodding as being right or wrong. Now for the antique restoration guys, there is a right or wrong - black & white, it's either like it left the factory or it isn't. "Perfection" is easily defined. Not so with hotrodding, and that's what I like about it - the creativity involved in engineering and style. Every day there's something new to see here on the HAMB and elsewhere. Some like to build and drive like was done in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Some want to modernize. Some consider well maintained drums as safe braking, others go to discs. Some want patina, some want a mile deep candy, or scallops. Some see a car they like and try to copy it. Others work hard to find new ideas and dare to be purposely different. I think one post on this thread said that anything that keeps old cars on the road is fine with him. I agree. How that is done is 100% up to the owner IMO. Respect for different strokes...
Yes, but this message board is about Traditional rods and customs. Nothing traditional about shoving an Art Morrison chassis under something.
it is funny how a guy does something different and 90 percent of the shitty coments come from the guys with the most post count on the hamb, Its different, its his ,and someone would buy it the second it was for sale unlike some stuff thats been for sale on here for years.
But wouldn't that be custom? I think many of you are taking this too far. You don't have to like the art, but you have to appreciate the passion. If Henry Ford didn't bend the rules, we might be still riding bicycles.
In my world "digitally remastered" usually means "cleaned up, all imperfections removed, leaving it soulless and sterilised". That's why I only buy vinyl 45's and listen to them on a good quality 50s valve record player. Paul
Theres a place for "his derelicts" as he calls them. Me, I don't mind pulling my choke, adding fluids, a lot of fluids sometimes, and I love the old car smells!
Thats because it goes against the grain of what this site is about. I have a feeling this was put on the board so the guy that is doing these cars can get real feed back from a differant group of thinkers.
The Chrysler/Desoto was used on the cover art for Wabi Sabi Bang Bang by Zandergriff Miggs & the Parliament of Owls Maybe a paint suggestion... ...
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