Inflating Our BubbleI just received the January '06 Rod & Custom and I have to say, wow, what a cool issue! The Green Devil is an outstanding example of a hot rod. And let's not forget about the recreation of Ed Roth's Mysterion and the Roswell Rod. Both are awesome cars. I've never been a big fan of that particular style of rodding, but the Roswell Rod is an excellent example of an Ed Roth-like car. The fact that it's a mostly owner-built car is even more impressive. I have to hand it to you guys; R&C is doing a great job of being well rounded yet staying true to its original roots. By the way, the star of "unknown origins" on the dash of the Roswell Rod appears to be one of the stars found on the front fender and door of a '55 Pontiac.Scott Talley Bakersfield, CA
I've been reading R&C since it came back in the late '80s and I believe the January '06 issue is your KOOLEST yet!! Keep featuring rods like Dave Shuten's Mysterion copy and Fritz Schenck's Roswell Rod, as well as Elden Titus's Voodoo Spider from the June '05 issue.Kelly RobinsonVia E-mail
I was very pleased to see Thom Taylor's visualizations of hot rods constructed from sections of early cars. I've dreamed of doing something similar and Thom's illustrations brought it to life for me.
In the late '70s my kid brother spilt a '50 Chevy pickup hood down the middle, turned the center of each side upward, thus creating two very curvy sides for a bucket roadster body. He fabricated a cowl, back, and floor with the result being a very nice steel bucket body.
I would love to see this become the next wave in rodding. No more cookie-cutter hot rods; let's see some owner-inspired bodies with lines from the early car designers. Now if I can just decide where to start cutting on my '65 Bel Air.Dean WhitlowJackson, Missouri
We were very happy to get the chance to have Chris Shelton provide us features on both those bubble tops. They both draw crowds wherever they show up and a quick look at the photos will show you why. As for Thom Taylor's work, it's always inspiring; I just wish I had the talent needed to turn some of them into a reality.
Bursting Our BubbleI've been a fairly loyal reader for over 40 years, but enough is enough. A Starbird or Barris car may have looked and seemed state-of-the-art in 1962, but today they just look plain ass stupid. Cars were meant to be driven and if I made the rules, no trailered cars would be allowed at any event unless it was a museum.
I feel that if you can't afford to build a car that looked finished or was safe to drive then you should not build one, so maybe that explains why I always felt rat rods were truly made for driving in farmers' fields only.
I'll always regret that I never could afford to build the stretched '34 Ford roadster with 400-plus hp of modern V-8 and state-of-the-art suspension and brakes, but it will still be a dream. I've settled for a '65 Chevelle instead, as I could afford it.
I'm sorry we have to part company and I wish you continued success, but it is 2005 and not 1955 so we have to do what we have to do. When my subscription runs out, I will not be renewing it.Sincerely,Mel HayesVia E-mail
The January '06 issue of your magazine is boring and stupid. I don't like the cars you featured and the cartoon drawings are pathetic because how are you supposed to build something you don't even have a real picture of? I like to see pictures of built cars that are actually real possibilities.
Basically, I get your magazine so I can learn tips on how to work on my cars. This issue doesn't have anything that helps me. These cars are unrealistic.Rick CarsonVia E-mail
Just goes to show that we can't possibly keep everyone happy. Sorry to lose you, Mel, but you just might not be the kind of guy that should be reading R&C. Good luck with the Chevelle-wouldn't mind having one of those myself. Rick, as for how someone can build a car from a drawing, you may want to ask Chip Foose. He seems to do OK.