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History Bring Back the 60s Wacky Show Rodz?

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Jive-Bomber, Jan 26, 2021.

  1. Well, I hate both but this is a good point. 'Shock rods' brought to everyman, no longer requiring chrome, outrageous paint or even much in the way of workmanship...
     
  2. They are out there if you look, may not have a coffin or a toilet seat, but it's radical and still a driver!
    Remember though for a lot of people seeing a real nice classic hot rod is a pretty rare thing these days. Have a look in the background of the photos at the old shows, the "regular" hot rods, like a 40 Ford with chrome reversed wheels would stand out today compared with a time when I guess there were still a lot of 40's on the road. Paradise-Road-Galaxian-7-copy.jpg Paradise-Road-Galaxian-25-copy.jpg
     
  3. TCATTC
    Joined: Oct 12, 2019
    Posts: 283

    TCATTC
    Member

    Speaking of these ridiculous "Rat Rods" things, I wonder what their insurance company thinks they are insuring?
     
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  4. Bluedot
    Joined: Oct 26, 2011
    Posts: 331

    Bluedot
    Member

    I'd rather see one hotrod or custom of even mediocre quality going down the road than a hundred megabuck shiny show cars sitting in a show. I appreciate the talent that it takes to make a good show car, but for me that does not hold the magic of an old car doing what it is supposed to do.
    But I'll also add that what I like best about this hobby is the freedom for a builder to do it his (or her) way, unlike the antique restoration hobby, where you have no choices, no chance for any creativity. There it's either right or it's wrong.
     
  5. some were really great ( Uncertain-T for one) .. some really bad...
    but hey it was different times for sure
     
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  6. So many of these cars that get posted in threads like this are obviously from beyond the HAMB 1965 cut off.
    Why should that be allowed here?
     
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  7. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Cracks me up that a pic of nicely built Deuce with 20" rims would immediately get axed, but a V8 Baby Carriage will pass muster here:rolleyes:

    Incidentally, wouldn't those straight piped wake up the baby:eek:
    zzzzz.jpg
     
  8. It got outta hand at the end, Tim Leary style.
    But as a kid at the shows looking at it all, it hooked me.
     
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  9. WillyKJr
    Joined: Sep 5, 2009
    Posts: 152

    WillyKJr
    Member
    from Blackstone

    I was a fan. Until I wasn't. I think the issue with these rods ever coming back into fashion is that many of today's "builders" can only work in billet with multi-axis mills or 3D printers. Most good fabricators wouldn't want to go there.
     
  10. Chrome rat rods. Just missing the skulls and barbed wire. I'm sure the sawmill express could use some old saw blades and barbed wire.

    All you really need is a few junk shops and a hot glue gun.
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  11. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    One of the things I really liked (loved) about the OP's posted "T", was the really SHORT wheel base. Add the tall "T" to the mix and it just catches my eye. One car no one posted about is another car I like, I "think" was called the "Boot Hill Express"; hot rod wagon style Hearse with a coffin inside. Most of these were just show cars, but what a street car they'd make. Some things may need to be changed to a better functioning thing, but that's easy enough. How many versions of the Munster's Drag-u-la have been made? same deal. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
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  12. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    Haven't seen the Pink Freak in a minute. But I like it.

    5541_1341336595470cd381e2ae6.jpg
     
  13. [​IMG]
    The influence surfaces from time to time.
     
  14. Greg Rogers
    Joined: Oct 11, 2016
    Posts: 802

    Greg Rogers
    Member

    I think we change as we mature. I also loved all those wild show cars as a 13 year old, but would probably dismiss them as silly if not discusting if similar were to be made today. It just makes us what we are old codgers!
     
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  15. Ned Ludd
    Joined: May 15, 2009
    Posts: 5,026

    Ned Ludd
    Member

    Nobody has linked to the other recent thread on this topic?

    That last one is called the Elegant Farmer. That is a Lancia V4 hanging off the back of it. It was designed by Willard Wayne. I had no idea that it existed in full scale.
    [​IMG]

    I've tried my hand at that idiom, in 1:25:
    Paddy Wagon 14 crop.jpg Paddy Wagon 09 crop.jpg

    Paddy Wagon 03 crop.jpg

    I have a fondness for the sillier kind of show rod, but I'll admit that a lot of them don't translate very well into 1:1 scale. But they don't need to; they're just as cool in 1:25, or even just on paper.
     
  16. Torchie
    Joined: Apr 17, 2011
    Posts: 1,099

    Torchie
    Member

    I refer to this era of customs/show cars as the The "Model Car"era as it seems that many of these were built to become model car kits. LOL
    There is still people out there building cars that are really show cars only. Making body molds ala Roth.
    Radical chops on T's, etc. They just don't seem to get much press any more.
    Its all a big circle. Their time will come around again.
    Torchie
     
  17. Gearhead Graphics
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 3,890

    Gearhead Graphics
    Member
    from Denver Co

    As said, bringing back the "fad" would have a totally different flavor today than back then.
    Today most builders would want to load it with crazy tech, machined aluminum 3d prints and huge wheels, but thats the current "fad" too.
    As a kid I was too late for the heyday of these things, but I loved finding them in books and magazines. Useless and impractical, but pushing the box of what can you add a motor and wheels to.
    I got to see boot hill express in person once, what a trip!
    This thread keeps sending me back to seeing that, and making me look at the pile of parts ive stashed for future builds and wondering if maybe a show rod out there build is what I want to do next.... probably not... but there's a feeling to putting to life something a kid would want to build a model car of.
     
  18. Butch -

    You do realize that the "OP" (@Jive-Bomber Jay) actually referred to & posted a pic of the BootHill Express in his TJJ Blog that started this H.A.M.B. thread:

    TJJ Blog 1-26-2021.JPG
    1967-Boothill-Express-Custom-Show-Rod-hot-rod-custom-engine.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2021
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  19. denis4x4
    Joined: Apr 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,198

    denis4x4
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Colorado

    The Boothill Express and the Red Baron are on display at the American Museum of Speed at Speedway Motors
     
  20. ramblin dan
    Joined: Apr 16, 2018
    Posts: 3,609

    ramblin dan

  21. Gahrajmahal
    Joined: Oct 14, 2008
    Posts: 493

    Gahrajmahal
    Member

    If you grew up with these in the 60’s as I did, seeing them on tv, in print and at the yearly indoor car shows you can have an appreciation for them. My first job working at the local van conversion shop was an extension of this of sorts. My closest build like this was a hearse with a custom interior, multiple removable sunroofs and an extensive rack system on the roof. The owner had a monkey that he would travel around with. I did loads of custom candy paint work that mimicked these outrageous custom creations. It all was just a bunch of fun!
     
  22. NOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo...................!
     
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  23. I worked at Scott Guildners' custom car shop when we restored this one - The Invader twin engine all aluminum body show car. It was Americas Most Beautiful Roadster 2 years in a row.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2021
  24. dumprat
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 3,479

    dumprat
    Member
    from b.c.

    I actually like the Roth built cars, that and Uncertain T seem to have the most driveable vibe.

    I think the reason you don't see many of these cars built is the fact you will spend five years and 40G to build something that you can physically drive. That being said I am currently scrounging parts for a seriously 60's be C cab T. I don't care if I ever drive it. It's more of an art project than an actual road driveable vehicle.
     
  25. stpaulsdealmaker
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 257

    stpaulsdealmaker
    Member

    Even if u don't like this style ,you have to appreciate the man's imagination and skill, the workmanship is like their cars, "out of this world"
     
  26. Jacksmith
    Joined: Sep 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,565

    Jacksmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Aridzona

    Uugghhh! I s'pose it's all a matter of taste... Beauty, art & sanity are all a matter of perspective...
     
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  27. gsnort
    Joined: Feb 5, 2008
    Posts: 281

    gsnort
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Differences of opinions are what make the world go around.
     
  28. dumprat
    Joined: Dec 27, 2006
    Posts: 3,479

    dumprat
    Member
    from b.c.

    I often wonder if the guys who hate show cars and far out 60's style are just restoration guys hiding here in our midst.

    You know the same guys who bitch if you ditch the fenders or chop a car.
     
  29. Jacksmith
    Joined: Sep 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,565

    Jacksmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Aridzona

    I don't hate show cars, just don't love the wacky styles... I do appreciate the work and imagination that was involved to create them. That's the beauty of this thread... to each their own. I don't own a single stock (O.E.M.) car or truck. Keep 'em comin', this is a fun topic!
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  30. D-Ozzie
    Joined: Oct 28, 2015
    Posts: 63

    D-Ozzie
    Member

    SS327, Okie Pete and chryslerfan55 like this.

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