Breaking the Rules

I started with a story on hot rods and I’m signing off with a story on hot rods. This article is about a car that breaks all the rules.

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/featuredvehicles/1211rc_1931_ford_model_a_coupe/

Dreamers

When I went looking for answers to the following question, “If you had unlimited resources and money and could buy any car you could possibly want, what would it be? What would it look like and why?” I was surprised at the results. I discovered that my readers were dreamers or just someone who really did not care about what they drove. I know that I am a dreamer because I want a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. Some others were just as dreamy.

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Norma T. first said that she wanted a BMW 745 Li because she always thought they were beautiful cars. Except hers “would be white with completely blacked out windows,” however, when I was a kid it was a Ferrari Testarosa just because it was at the time the fastest car” out there. In addition, Marty Deiters of Anderson stated, “a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette, always wanted one since I was 10.” Marni S. said that she “loves Impalas” and that she wants “a bright purple one with chromed out everything, slammed to the ground (three tortillas off the ground) and a white convertible rag top.” 

1968 Opel Gt

Carl D. of Cincinnati would love to have a 1966 Studebaker Avanti ii because it was labeled as “fastest production car in America” as he described the car. In addition, Stephen B of Anderson, Ohio said, “I would love to have a 1968 Opel GT. If you look at it, it bears an uncanny similarity to the corvette, but it’s really the headlights that get me on this car.”

Since I come from a car loving family, I decided to ask some family members the same question. James K of Cincinnati is a true dreamer. He wants a 1967 Shelby or a 1969 Camaro in nut brown with a candy coat with black racing stripes going from hood to the deck in the back complete with custom racing tires and wheels. My brother, Jimmy, also wants a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport or a Ferrari F50.

However, some readers just did not care for a fancy pants car. In most cases, they were more concerned with the amount of rust or lack thereof and the ability of their car to get them from point a to point b without failure.

Sunny Day Driving

India Ink always wondered why she usually saw older guys driving their "old school hot rods" on sunny days. Being older in construction like they are, do folks tend not tend to drive them all over creation? She asked because I say they are safe to drive, but she doesn't see them on highways with out of state plates. Again, awesome car.

India Ink, this is easy, first of all the cars are not older in construction. When some one rebuilds a car, they tend to use all new parts whenever possible. That way the car is in fine running condition and can drive for miles in any kind of weather. But, in most cases it takes beautiful weather for the owners to bring them out to show the rest of the world that he has one and they don't. 

Another reason that you might see many custom cars on the road might have to do with whether or not they have regular or historical plates (at least in Ohio) on their ride. Historical plates only allow that particular car to be driven during certain parts of the year. But, if they have regular plates, then they can drive it for the full 12 months. The best place to find custom cars with out of state plates are during custom car shows, such as the Good-Guys 19th Southeastern National to be held in October 26, 27 & 28, 2012, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina or at any one the hundreds of car clubs like the Cincy Custom Street Machines out Cheviot, Ohio. There is also the Old Guys Car Club out of Columbus, Ohio.

Like I mentioned in the beginning, this is isn't a hobby. This is a lifestyle. It's something for the whole family to enjoy. The dads do the engine work, the chopping, the dropping and the paint jobs. The kids help with the polish work on the chrome and with the washes; and the moms pack the picnic lunches for the long days at the shows. And if you keep your eyes open you'll see hot rods, street rods and custom built rides anywhere you go.

In fact, I saw three hot rods-- one yellow, one blue with a candy coat and a rebuilt 1954 Mercury lead sled in the past week... just cruising around. Now, that's what I call awesome cars and a good day.