A Guy Can Dream, Can't He?

[bajajoaquin]

In a lot of threads ("Going Down" being the example that comes to mind) there's some background discussion about philosophy of car building. Stock versus low rider. Hot rod versus concours.

My take on this is that I want a car that looks, on the outside, like an original survivor, and maybe a little tired. Original paint, perhaps a little dull, stock wheels, stock interior, etc. But I'd like it to be mechanically warmed-over. The steam punk scene (which I don't really care for) has a philosophy of seeing what 19th century technology would be if it had continued to be developed in the absence of transistors, internal combustion, etc. I kind of like that idea, and have changed it around to what would the car be like if the basic elements of the day were improved, but not with a quantum leap to super-modern stuff?

Since I'm still trying to figure out how to replace a suspension mounting bushing, I recognize that my vision for my car is a long way off, if ever. But here's how I would set up my car now if I had $10k to put into it all at once:

Fix body and interior warts (small tear in driver's seat, left rear bumperette tweaked)
Remove vinyl top and paint roof black (keeping chrome trim)
Add relay to headlights, fix turn signal cam
Add more stout subframe braces in the engine compartment
Re-arched rear springs, leaf added
Stiffer-than stock shocks
1.06 or 1.12 torsion bars
A518 swap with lockup torque converter, stock stall
3.23 Sure Grip rear end
440 .030 over
Lunati cam (213/220 @.050; .454/.475 lift; makes 19" of idle vacuum)
Stealth 440 heads (I know, not in the '60s tech spirit, but the castings look close to stock, and I'd paint them stock color)
TTI 2.5" exhaust
440 HP exhaust manifolds
Eddy Performer intake
16" wheels (still working on how to keep stock hubcaps)

I think this would make the car a bit more drivable, with lower cruise RPM, and better gears to balance the slight loss of off-idle performance. Firmer, more-modern suspension, with a few mods to help reduce the stock cowl shake. But nothing that would change the essential character of the car.

Can you guys articulate how you feel about stock vs modified? How original do you need to be? What mods are acceptable to you?

 

[Catfish]

Anything is acceptable to me, I can appreciate most everyone's build. It's their vision. The whole Donk think still leaves me bewildered however.

I like a more more stock appearing car, but some tweaks are perfectly fine for me.

there were some things I would have loved to do on my 65 polara that would likely have upset a few. One being after the blue paint was laid down, I thought it would be such a nice look to have a gator grain vinyl top installed.

 

[300rag]

My view has always been that you build a car the way you want it (new or used), not for the next guy or for resale. If it is not for you, then why would you want to have it? Just to say you have a "correct" car? That being said, I still prefer that it looks like it may have come from the factory the way it sits - tastefully refined as opposed to radically altered.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

TASTEFULLY REFINED? I like them wordz! I think me 'n the Batwagon can live jes fine with that

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I am for any mod that makes the car perform better and have a attitude not a look at me like a "donk", like Ross's imp, or 440 sled's NYer have attitude and they are both done a different way. Engine mods that make it perform better are a no brainer and the result should also be a increase in mpg if not, you did not finish ie. tuning. Stock is good to if your a detail oriented person, personally the chalk mark assembly line stuff is way too much work and money both of which I don't have enough of. I can appreciate those cars along with rat rods but I'm not building either.

Yes tastefully refined

 

[commando1]

Regardless of what direction you take the car, nothing should be done to it that shows that all you know is from reading too many magazines and little else.

 

[bajajoaquin]

And what are the characteristics of that affliction?

 

[Wildaugust]

I'm of the opinion that it is your car and that you should build it anyway that you like. One reason that I like to attend cruise nights is to see what kind of interesting creations show up. IMO, individuality helps to keep the car hobby interesting. Personally, I wouldn't build a Donk, but if a Donk is someone else's dream car, I have no problem with it. When it comes time for them to sell I won't be the one buying it, but there will be someone out there who will want a Donk and buy it.

Sometimes though, people will "bite off more than they can chew". They start on some radical project, only to get in way over their head and then lose interest and give up. By this time there is a very good chance that they have ruined what could have been a perfectly good car. They've gone too far on it to turn back and nobody else wants it, so, where does it end up?

For those reasons, my general opinion is do what you want, but don't cut the body. I realize that there have been a lot of examples of chopped, channeled street rods and radical customs done beautifully over the years, but there have also been an awful lot of cars ruined by people who thought they could build one. Not everybody is George Barris! .

 

[bajajoaquin]

There are lots of things that I like, but don't want to own. Like Lowriders. It's not a case of, "it's your car, do whatever you want...." I genuinely like them, and get stoked whenever I see them. But I've never felt any drive to build or own one.

One thing I don't get is the rat rod trend, or the larger "distressed" trend in the rest of pop culture. I've got a fitted wool ball cap that has a floppy and frayed brim. But it's like that because it's about the only hat I've worn for the last 5 or 7 years and it's gotten that way.

Barn finds are cool. Survivors are cool. Restored cars are cool. Restored cars made to look like something they're not are not cool, in my opinion.

 

[commando1]

And what are the characteristics of that affliction?

Wheels and tires are at the top of the list followed by a list too numerous to put down. I think purple wire harness looms are # 1,317...

Posted via Topify on Android

 

[Mr C]

And meaningless under-hood chrome accessories...

 

[commando1]

This thread could go EPIC....

 

[Ironwolf]

This thread could go EPIC....

 

[67Monaco]

I know this might send some off in a whole new direction since it's a SEMA car, and some of it is well over the top, but there's lots of great ideas in this car. I love it when someone takes the natural lines and subtly smooths them out. Like, bumper bolts, I dispise seeing them. Or excessive bumper hang over. I know why the factory did it, but when it's drawn in and made part of the accent it's just pleasing to my eye. And when it can be done with an absence of an inch of mud yet even better.


Oh and if you have the funds and the ability, i see no issue bringing the engine/drivetrain/convienence into the 21st century.



Nelson Racing Charger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keuz4PBccWo

And what are the characteristics of that affliction?

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I use that plastic conduit on my truck if I'm chasing an open in the harness, only in black, when did that crap become show material.

 

[67Monaco]

It didn't. Never did never will. BUT ricers like it.

 

[Catfish]

BUT ricers like it.

just wait till the VTEC kicks in, yo.

 

[67Monaco]

 

[rexus31]

In a lot of threads ("Going Down" being the example that comes to mind) there's some background discussion about philosophy of car building. Stock versus low rider. Hot rod versus concours.

My take on this is that I want a car that looks, on the outside, like an original survivor, and maybe a little tired. Original paint, perhaps a little dull, stock wheels, stock interior, etc. But I'd like it to be mechanically warmed-over. The steam punk scene (which I don't really care for) has a philosophy of seeing what 19th century technology would be if it had continued to be developed in the absence of transistors, internal combustion, etc. I kind of like that idea, and have changed it around to what would the car be like if the basic elements of the day were improved, but not with a quantum leap to super-modern stuff?

Since I'm still trying to figure out how to replace a suspension mounting bushing, I recognize that my vision for my car is a long way off, if ever. But here's how I would set up my car now if I had $10k to put into it all at once:

Fix body and interior warts (small tear in driver's seat, left rear bumperette tweaked)
Remove vinyl top and paint roof black (keeping chrome trim)
Add relay to headlights, fix turn signal cam
Add more stout subframe braces in the engine compartment
Re-arched rear springs, leaf added
Stiffer-than stock shocks
1.06 or 1.12 torsion bars
A518 swap with lockup torque converter, stock stall
3.23 Sure Grip rear end
440 .030 over
Lunati cam (213/220 @.050; .454/.475 lift; makes 19" of idle vacuum)
Stealth 440 heads (I know, not in the '60s tech spirit, but the castings look close to stock, and I'd paint them stock color)
TTI 2.5" exhaust
440 HP exhaust manifolds
Eddy Performer intake
16" wheels (still working on how to keep stock hubcaps)

I think this would make the car a bit more drivable, with lower cruise RPM, and better gears to balance the slight loss of off-idle performance. Firmer, more-modern suspension, with a few mods to help reduce the stock cowl shake. But nothing that would change the essential character of the car.

Can you guys articulate how you feel about stock vs modified? How original do you need to be? What mods are acceptable to you?

I suppose it all comes down to how often you plan to drive the car. Daily driver? Weekend cruiser? Car show runner?

I build my cars stock for the most part. I make some safety upgrades such as a dual reservoir master, disk brakes when applicable, etc. That being said, I primarily drive my cars on short trips on the weekends. I like the nostalgia of driving these old heaps as they were designed: spongy suspension, loose steering, inadequate brakes, etc. For all intensive purposes, my cars are "brand new" as they've been restored from the ground up so technically, although it is old technology, the components are new. That being said, if I were building a car to be a daily driver, I would want all of the creature comforts of a modern car as you've outlined above. It all depends on what you want out of the car.