Friday’s Future

Our group, most of us in our 70’s, continue to talk about the future of the Hot Rod and Custom Car hobby we love so much. So far, we continue to see the trend continuing in both arenas. Young builders, such as Cory, continue to crank out traditional style Fords from his garage. His style of build requires some knowledge that is much older than he is. He learns from the elders and reading, but his ideas are more advanced than the older crowd had when we built them. Modern engineering allows old ideas to be incorporated into improved engineering and therefore, safety. Other talented builders also continue to build traditional style Hot Rods and Customs. TV reality shows show some fantastic cars being constructed through a series of episodes on Velocity and Discovery channels.

Reproduction bodies help the Deuce builders but the custom car business (pre-60) depends on finding some early Fords and Mercury’s. Other candidates such as Buick, Cadillac and Oldsmobile are also being customized for owners. In fact, almost any make/model can be made into a custom by today’s customizers. I personally like the Fords and Mercury’s over other brands even though my personal custom was 53 Chevrolet hardtop my father purchased for me. He was not a Ford fan so we didn’t talk Fords in our household. He did love the Oldsmobile and Cadillac convertibles but they were not to my liking as a youngster.

In conclusion, I think the Hot Rods and Customs will continue to be built by both young and old enthusiasts. The later model Chevrolets and Muscle cars will continue to dominate the NSRA and Goodguy’s events in the future. This is also the current situation, but you can still find some of our old style cars lurking in the same spots year after year at these events. Yes, we are maturing, but the youth movement is alive and well — which means we will continue to have car guys and gals doing what we did — oh so long ago.

Enjoy your Easter weekend with your family.

Stay Tooned!

Lynn

 

Cory is a prolific builder of traditional style Hot Rods. His current Deuce 5-window is a perfect example of his build style.

A chopped 51 Mercury has always been at the top of my list for Mercuries. I see lots of sedans but very few convertibles.

The 49-51 Ford convertible is also a great looking car and would have been more affordable in my high school days. We have quite a few of these in the LA area.

Gary has been building traditional style Hot Rods for many years and tells me he is not retiring anytime soon.

A local built this stunning Mercury and shipped it to Germany.

The top chop and window treatment along with retained drip rails made it special.

I have a thing for these convertible sedans. Chris’s buddy built this one with the 50’s look.

Another with the tail dragger look and Appletons.

Current build styles are being done in the traditional style as shown in this 34 Ford.

I really love this sedan with the hammered top, louvered hood and whitewall tires with steelies.

Built in Napa, CA and sold to a Japanese customer where traditional Hot Rods are preferred.

In process Mercury is soon to be a top shelf build in the traditional style — not chopped.

Built at SO-CAL and displayed at the GNRS, Mick’s 34 was a winner for me. The 60’s look.

Adding the 37 Ford truck grille certainly goes back to the 50’s when Jake did the same.

Our Europe friends continue to build the early traditional style of roadsters for their use.

Terry built the top Mercury in recent years. He is a master of his craft and his workmanship is flawless.

Another Mercury looking good with the chopped top and skirts.

I see the Barris (?)Crest but I don’t know this car. The simulated Buick side trim looks nice.

Bob-O loves this early 39 Ford custom. He used to see it all the time as a youngster. I believe Scott painted it a few years ago.

Some of these old customs are being restored and at the races.

Building a Carson/Gaylord style top is not difficult if you have the eye.

I leave you with another Master builder — Alloway’s shoebox in black. I really love this car. Tradition continues with some new thinking without compromising traditional styling.