Projects Quad Headlight Grille Roadster

Hi, just wanted to get some options and perhaps ideas as to thoughts on this mock up, not sure if its worth continuing , your thoughts.

 

I like it, but it's not really era-correct for a Flathead-powered car...

Quad lights first appeared in '57, the flathead was well on its way out.

 

Thoughts? Okay. Quad headlights became a thing to do after factory cars started coming out with them. However, your build looks to be an earlier style than that. In other words a car built in the early fifties would not have had something that didn't come about until the late fifties/early 60's.

 

Um....uh....er..... I don't want to hurt your feelings, but.....no! The quads (and maybe the Pontiac grill) don't match the era. JMHO, take it or not....

 

Just my opinion, but I don't think quad lights look good on any hot rod. Even customs some restraint is needed. I'm just not a fan of quad lights.

 

Not unless you're trying to copy the "Ala Kart" ?

 

I like it, is that Edsil or Chrysler head lights?

 

On that car they look way too stuck on as an afterthought. As in "OH, damn, I need to do something to get ten more show points to beat Joe next season".

I'd have to agree 100% the car wants something more befitting and appropriate for the flathead.

Actually 36 Pontiac headlights to match the grill mounted in traditional hot rod fashion would look pretty nifty. Maybe even mounted like on a stock Pontiac if you have enough of the nose.

 

I’m here for it. Proceed!

 

If you just had the A cowl was adding some back section that you scrounged up and cut down that came off a post war car and a overly flashy engine then the quads would be cool as all get out.

 

Well, you asked.

 

Can't be done.

 

I like it . Looks Kool

 

Thanks for all your comments, original idea was early 60's show car with flake paint etc. as Mark suggested but appreciate that the flathead may not have been used in this era.

 

I dig it. Building a car to a period is cool but its not how true rods were built, even an early rod built in 46 would get altered in 53, then again in 59 and in 63 and on.... build it how you like it. Looks like something ed roth wouldve done

 

They are actually off an English car.

 

Hmmm...I don't think you can pull that off without adding some more '60s custom touches to tie it all together.

 

Only if you also have tailfins in the back to keep the same theme.

 

I like the design but the rest of the car would have to be equally radical or it would look off.

 

Actually, for where you are in New Zealand, there were a few early cars around the 60's early 70's that had quads and Flatheads, although the engines were usually up graded to Y blocks later on. These were generally early builds that had been updated. I'm an old Rod Bender. Build it how you like, it is yours after all. In New Zealand we were generally behind what was happening in the USA and took our inspiration from the next Hot Rod mag we saw. Most things were adapted and massaged from what we had access too.

 

This is what we call the arc of a story. I'm glad to see all angles represented.
Every one is right.
Rocket88NZ has the last word.
If you don't can't care for it change it.
The motif factor does hold,, to support the image.

 

Emperor and the Cockroach my 2 favourite roadsters. Thanks for all the comments encouraging and not. Definitely food for thought. Wanted to do something different with the front end but not make it the whole car focus, pretty difficult I guess. As Krazee said there were quite a few cars here modified this way in the early days although not really fenderless hot rods that I know of.

 

Slim the shell down width wise and highth wise a couple inch and it would look a bit better.

 

Most of the ones I was thinking of were sans the front fenders, with modified/bobbed rear fenders. Doug Smiths 36 coupe, another 34 Tudor that was chopped and channeled, 32 Mor door that was channeled only. Most were copied from the late 60's era in the States. For NZ, your mockup could be from the late 60's early 70's.

 

Bring it on like Fink...before it eats your brain...just funnin' ya Mate...I suppose there were some that flatheaded it against the rules of engagement but I agree there were many OHV options tugging at the gas pedal for more in the later 50s and on. You've captured my interest...there's another Hotrod a Hamber has evolving and it sure shares similar details, mind you there are no quads...

 

would look better with headlights vertical with that grille IMO

 

It does not fit the usual recipe, that most find pleasing. You need to decide if that is a good thing, or a bad thing.