Jane and I attended the Classic Chevy Car Show today and I noticed that lack of early Fords or Chevrolets. The show is open to all models and in the past there have been a good supply of pre-48 models. I know this has been the case for many years now and NSRA and Goodguys have opened up their gates to later models. As a business man, this makes good sense as my age participants are either too old to drive, lost interest or have moved on to the later models.
The question becomes, if you still have an interest in building another car or buying one, what do you choose to do? I grew up with the Tri-Five Chevrolets being the predominate choice of my peers and I owned a few myself, but have no desire to own another one. I am really stuck in the pre-48 mode and will probably never change. If I would be lucky enough to start another project, (health permitting) what would I do for suspensions and drive train. Today’s trends, for the most part, are IFS, parallel leafs or coil overs along with creature comforts. I’m thinking Hot Rod or Highway cruiser might be the next choice. My love is the pure fenderless Hot Rod, with three pedals and a Quickchange. My body tells me IFS, roll up windows, lumbar seats with heat and a quiet 9″ rear axle. These decisions face most of us who are over 70.
A bigger question is; what are your plans for the new car? Do you plan on road trips over 200 miles, over 2000 miles or just around town to the local shows and cruise nights? At my age, I need the creature comforts and smooth ride..How about you? The Back Road Boys like to travel a few hundred miles on our trips. And of course, Deuce Days in Canada is coming up next year and that is a long haul for us
Stay Tooned!
Lynn
click on photo for a larger image
A 40 Ford coupe fits both options, pure Hot Rod or fully equipped cruiser.
The convertible sedan offers an option that provides it all and retains the Look.
Joe’s 34 sedan has the styling and comfort required and still retain its originality.
If you want more of a Hot Rod look, then chop the top, add your taste and you will have a winner.
If it’s just around town you want for your ride then this Deuce will suit your needs. These can be very uncomfortable on long cross-country trips.
A Deuce sedan also makes a comfy ride and provides some room for passengers but no trunk requires a luggage rack.
I’m a little bias but the delivery offers everything you could want even a back seat if so desired.
I am a fan of the 40 convertible like the one shown above. These cars provide the foundation for a long haul ride and if you chop them they take on the custom look.
My long time friend has the chopped (4″) and he calls it his custom with creature comforts.
Deuce Coupe Bruce’s Hot Rod is bare bones and Hot Rod all the way through.
Bare Bones is the best way to describe this Hot Rod. You can comfort creatures but most folks prefer the stark look.
Dave also owns this reacher with stock springs and no comfort creatures. He attends the LARS as you can see from his mugs.
Built to go cross-country by Brizio, this 33 has late model everything and a BBC for go.
Don Smith has owned many Hot Rods and this sedan has all the early features.
My 48 was perfect for long hauls. No A/C made me put the top down but Jane didn’t like that on hot days.
If I were to move across 48th street this would be my choice. A 49-51 shoebox convertible makes a great riding and handling cruiser.
I would also consider one of these Wescott Phaetons for my last ride. This one is perfect as is.
O.K. so I’m partial to 33 Phaetons like this one. My final ride would be one of these with only a heater for those cold Date Nights and a top with side curtains.
If I were a rich man I would talk Canepa out this one, flatly and all.
This one is available but out of my reach money wise. I know the car and how nice the sheet metal is. I would add SBC and modern drive line.