Your daily dose of philosophy

themoose · Aug 3, 2013

Ive been doing this car/hot rod thing for over 50 years now and I still get excited when Im building something new or just cruising around listening to it bark. A good portion of my life has always revolved around things related to them including making a living. Gets you to wondering .What is it about cars in general and hot rods in particular that can have such profound influence on so many people?

Rusty O'Toole · Aug 3, 2013

Freedom, independence, movement, excitement, beauty, color, power, mobility, the whole thing is there in one package.

Roger Walling · Aug 3, 2013

The greatest thing about building a car in my opinion is that you have to stop and think.
You have to ask yourself, how I do this so that it comes out the way I want it.

This makes you question, what do I want? You will then examine your life and determine what is important to you. Do you want to show others how to do it, or show them that you don't understand or care enough to do it correctly? The biggest challenge is to get everything to fit together and work as a whole. This requires that you exercise that mussel between your ears.

Think about it, then do it, and learn from your mistakes. and do it again until it meets your approval.

GregCon · Aug 3, 2013

To take an old car that has been neglected by 'others' and make it better again means you are not like 'others'. That makes it worth it all.

Bluedot · Aug 3, 2013

Combination of engineering, style (art), and creativity. With hot rodding in particular, there is that ability to find a better way to do something, unlike restoring to original, where there's only one way. It's right or it's wrong.
Dunno how many times I've been working on a project, stumped on how to do some particular task, resolve an issue, make something fit or look better, whatever, and at 3AM I wake up with an AHA moment. Then I can't wait till the next opportunity in the garage to try my idea. The victory of defeating an engineering obstacle is sweet.
And then there's that special thrill of putting an old car back in motion down the road after perhaps decades of just sitting. Almost like the car is smiling because it's back on the road with a new life, and if now a hotrod, likely going faster than it ever has before. It's happy again. I talk to my car - bet some of you do too. Am I nutso?

brady1929 · Aug 3, 2013

Vision. To know in your mind what you want it to look like. A lot of people don't have vision.

Jcox68rt · Aug 3, 2013

Satisfaction, style, purpose, freedom, and engineering all wadded into one.

Saxman · Aug 3, 2013

-A sense of history and as close as I can get to actual time travel.

-Working with something that absolutely makes sense. It doesn't care about politically correct bullshit, it responds only to common sense and rationality.

-The miracle when it comes to life again. I am still amazed by the wonder of it.

-The satisfaction of seeing something that would be junk to most people, returned to it's former glory. A vision realized.

-A sense of exhilaration at the sights, sounds, smells when you drive it.

I'm obsessed with it.

tfeverfred · Aug 3, 2013

Rusty O'Toole said: ↑

Freedom, independence, movement, excitement, beauty, color, power, mobility, the whole thing is there in one package.
Click to expand...

Probably the best answer. Look at the expression on the civilians in the next lane over. See that boring, "I just wanna get where I'm going.", look? Yea, that's why I drive my hot rod every damn day.

Rickybop · Aug 3, 2013

Bluedot said: ↑

Combination of engineering, style (art), and creativity.QUOTE]

I agree. One of the most daunting endeavors of the combination of both engineering and art.

Takes money, time, effort, tools, space, vision, passion, devotion, sacrifice, cooperation and understanding from your family and friends, knowlege and skills in fabricating, bodywork and paint, engines, transmissions, steering, suspension, electronics, fuel systems, interior, glass, etc. Consequently, a great source of pride when the goal is finally met.

I'ts beauty and speed, a guilded carriage, a toy, an "E-ticket" ride, a mechanical monster, a time machine, a hobby, an expression, a statement, an extension of yourself. (or who you want to be)

Especially for those who enjoy the old stuff, it epitomizes and emulates much of automotive history, and conjures up old memories.

It brings people together...a common interest.

And it's fun to scare or delight others.
Click to expand...

Saxman · Aug 3, 2013

Rickybop said: ↑

Bluedot said: ↑

Combination of engineering, style (art), and creativity.QUOTE]

I agree. One of the most daunting endeavors of the combination of both engineering and art.

Takes money, time, effort, tools, space, vision, passion, devotion, sacrifice, cooperation and understanding from your family and friends, knowlege and skills in fabricating, bodywork and paint, engines, transmissions, steering, suspension, electronics, fuel systems, interior, glass, etc. Consequently, a great source of pride when the goal is finally met.

I'ts a guilded carriage, a toy, an "E-ticket" ride, a mechanical monster, a time machine, a hobby, an expression, a statement, an extension of yourself. (or who you want to be)

Especially for those who enjoy the old stuff, it epitomizes and emulates much of automotive history, and conjures up old memories.

It brings people together...a common interest.

And it's fun to scare or delight others.
Click to expand...

HAAA! Well said, Rickybop!
Click to expand...

jivin jer · Aug 3, 2013

When the Berlin wall came down the whole world watched as people that had no concept of freedom suddenly had it thrust on them.

I''ll never forget seeing a reporter stuff his microphone into a little car that had two young guys in it. They were chanting so that the whole world could hear " gonna' get a Fire Bird, gonna' get a Fire Bird"

The American experience basically consists of being able to have a (cool) car and being able to go wherever you want.

We take this for granted (mostly).

Rickybop · Aug 3, 2013

Saxman said: ↑

Rickybop said: ↑

HAAA! Well said, Rickybop!
Click to expand...

I'm nothing, if not eloquently philosophical.
Click to expand...

Saxman · Aug 3, 2013

Rickybop said: ↑

Saxman said: ↑

I'm nothing, if not eloquently philosophical.
Click to expand...

When I wax philosophical I often end up with that ugly philosophical wax build up.
Click to expand...

roseville carl · Aug 3, 2013

What is it about it?
well for me its being 1500 miles away from home in a car I built or modified myself and knowing if it doesn't get me home its on me. There is a great satisfaction in knowing the ol Flattie will get me there and back and I did it......... peace of mind. At the end of every trip when I am on the last coupla miles from home it hits me again and the feeling is great........

tfeverfred · Aug 3, 2013

"I was quiet, a loner. I was one of those children where, if you put me in a room and gave me some crayons and a pencils, you wouldn't hear from me for nine straight hours. And I was always drawing racing cars and rockets and spaceships and planes, things that were very fast that would take me away."
Gary Oldman

Offset · Aug 3, 2013

I at one time I would have said without question that we want to be unique, the opportunity to stand out by being different having something we created. Not sure that is the case anymore.

dkendall · Aug 3, 2013

I can build but I can't write. Very well said, all of you.

3wLarry · Aug 3, 2013

Unique is what we seek...Bizarre is what we are

60widewhitez · Aug 3, 2013

It is cool to take something and make it your own.... Also to drive something that every piece was made in america!

Rickybop · Aug 3, 2013

Saxman said: ↑

Rickybop said: ↑

When I wax philosophical I often end up with that ugly philosophical wax build up.
Click to expand...

You eye-a-dot...lol.
Click to expand...

pitman · Aug 3, 2013

Gotta love this place! Good stuff there guys!
I'll take an exquisite build, but this thread describes it spot on.

Frankie47 · Aug 3, 2013

dkendall said: ↑

I can build but I can't write. Very well said, all of you.
Click to expand...

This says it for most of us!

On the other hand my most favorite quote on the net is......"How are you going to build a car when you can't even build a fucking sentence!" I think I read it here on the hamb........

Edit!!!!! Not an attack on anyone.

falconsprint63 · Aug 3, 2013

they look cool--hell,they ARE cool.

teejay99 · Aug 3, 2013

I've been a "car nut " for virtually all of my 67 years ...got the bug from my late father ......and I worked in the car ( retail ) business for 25 years . One of the things I would do to break the ice with customers was ask them about their very first car . In most cases their eyes would light up and they would rattle off specifics about that experience , good and bad . It's a great feeling , and I never tire in my excitement for cars .

Rickybop · Aug 3, 2013

Got custom paint
She's a candy cruiser.

Got the big V8
She's a boulevard bruiser.

And when I hit the gas
I can barely keep the wheels from squealin'.
Oh what a feelin'!!!

And now me and my baby are custom cruisin'
We're hot rod automobilin'.

mickeyc · Aug 3, 2013

I have a friend, a waitress at a local café. She drives the most horrid excuse for a car I have ever encountered. She just recently bought the damn thing against every persons advice. It is an s10 chassis early Plymouth rust crap that is totally unsafe. She gives me grief because I will not even stand near it at local cruise nights. For her it is a matter of
'look at me!' and nothing else. I spend countless hours trying to make
something rust free and totally functional of my current project. every small bit of actual progress or solving of a particular problem and moving forward gives me an immense feeling of getting nearer my goal. To me it is not 'look at me' but rather 'look at that!

BarryA · Aug 3, 2013

Pretty much all of what has been said already, and in addition to me there is the idea that you are honouring the era, designers and craftsmen who poured something of their soul into the machines they created. A time when machines (and other products) were made with more than just the bean counters and corporate bottom line as the guiding factor in what and how things were made.
By taking something old and improving on it, without destroying what has gone before is one of the greatest tributes to human endeavour that we can make. It is a soul thing...

Weasel · Aug 3, 2013

Its the fusion of art and engineering, making parts fit that were not intended to and turning the mechanical into art. Creating a whole that is greater than the sum total of the parts that went into it - it's art baby, art....

40fordtudor · Aug 4, 2013

3wLarry said: ↑

Unique is what we seek...Bizarre is what we are
Click to expand...

Saw that painted on the back of a pickup at the KKOA NATS a number of years ago---------------------

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themoose
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Your daily dose of philosophy

themoose Member from Connecticut Connecticut HAMB'ers HAMB Old Farts' Club Termites and Bowties Primeval Chevy Disciples

Rusty O'Toole Member from Ontario Canada

Roger Walling Member from Western Ma.

GregCon Member from Houston

Bluedot Member from Claremore, OK

brady1929 Member from Gilbert Arizona

Jcox68rt Member from Atascadero, CA

Saxman Member from Menifee, California So Cal Hot Rodders HAMB Old Farts' Club 1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners 283-350 Chevys Small Journal Society

tfeverfred Member Emeritus from Houston, Texas

Rickybop ALLIANCE MEMBER from the thumb of Michigan

Saxman Member from Menifee, California So Cal Hot Rodders HAMB Old Farts' Club 1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners 283-350 Chevys Small Journal Society

jivin jer Member from Saginaw,Texas

Rickybop ALLIANCE MEMBER from the thumb of Michigan

Saxman Member from Menifee, California So Cal Hot Rodders HAMB Old Farts' Club 1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners 283-350 Chevys Small Journal Society

roseville carl Member from roseville calif 1935-1937 Ford pickups Northern California HAMBers Vintage Dragster Association Front Engine Dragsters

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from Atascadero, CA

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1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners

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tfeverfred
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from Houston, Texas

Rickybop
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from the thumb of Michigan

Saxman
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from Menifee, California

So Cal Hot Rodders

HAMB Old Farts' Club

1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners

283-350 Chevys

Small Journal Society

jivin jer
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from Saginaw,Texas

Rickybop
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from the thumb of Michigan

Saxman
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from Menifee, California

So Cal Hot Rodders

HAMB Old Farts' Club

1955 - 1959 Chevy/GMC Pickup owners

283-350 Chevys

Small Journal Society

roseville carl
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from roseville calif

1935-1937 Ford pickups

Northern California HAMBers

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Front Engine Dragsters

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Offset
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dkendall
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