Besides being a great hobby, building hot rods and customs is also a bit like creating a piece of art. Granted, I'm not sure that any of my past or present projects deserve mention in the same sentence as the word "art," but there's definitely a bit of some kind of talent needed to put together a decently styled hot rod or custom.
However, artistic abilities aside, for the most part your inherent or learned talents, the vehicle you've chosen, and the components you've gathered will generally dictate how it goes together. You can plan, design, consider modifications, theorize trick doodads forever, and still not get anything physically accomplished, or you can just take what is usually the most simplistic approach and proceed. As that well-used advertising slogan says, "Just do it!"
Well, I have in the past, and I'm getting ready to do it again; I've certainly thought the subject to death for quite a while, and even gathered, traded, and eventually sold off some stuff around the garage trying to gather a small bankroll to get myself started. But you know, I got to thinking that I'm not getting any younger, and if I hold out for the "perfect" project, it most likely ain't gonna happen. So why not take inventory of parts on hand and go on the full-boogie hunt for what's missing?
I've decided to take a page from the much-maligned youngsters of the day. These "kids" build cool cars and aren't held back by a lack of funds for such niceties (what most would consider essentials) as paint, chrome, and upholstery-so much so, in fact, that they've created their own style. Heck, even some folks with the bucks to make it all happen prefer the frugal, back-to-basics approach to what they feel is/was the REAL hot rod look.
So, I think I'll join the fray. I'm talking a bare-bones hot rod here, not a rolling deathtrap with no floor and less-than-poor workmanship. I mean one that has the look and feel of a real hot rod, one built with both looks and safety in mind, using as many of the new old-style parts available these days as I can afford. Lord knows there are plenty (thanks again to those that have continued to carry the traditional torch). Just take a look through the myriad of ads here in R&C-So-Cal Speed Shop, LimeWorks, Wilson Welding and Machine, and Egge are just a small sample of the suppliers and manufacturers that are but a phone call away. Between these sources of new-old parts and your local swap meet, we've got no more excuses. It's time to just do it-and we'll all be that much happier for it. -RIZ