Anyone who has built a Street Rod/Hot Rod in the last 15 years knows how expensive this activity is. There are some things one can do themselves to keep the cost down, such as mechanical or fabrication work or maybe your not a mechanically inclined person, maybe your more the creative type, paint might be an option. In the last decade paint has become the most expensive part of doing a rod; it used to be the least expensive part. Environmentalist, Zoning and Hostile-Business Legislation has driven the price to unreal levels. So, if you can paint you can really save a bundle.
Then there’s the ego boost of owning and driving these attention getting beauties. Nowadays most people choose to hot rod or customize their old cars. And there nothing wrong with that if good sense is employed before you make that choice. I do all three, with respect and wisdom. Hot rodding and customizing are self enlightenment activities, restoration is a giving process. One gives of themselves out of the love for the car and an interest in accurate representation of what was produced originally. A professional restoration costs more on average than a hot rod conversion or a customizing process, however restorers are generally regarded with more respect than those who choose to modify. This is understandable since the accomplishment is so much greater. Hot Rods are fun Customs are cool, but restored cars has class because it retains its integrity.
Savings on the mechanical side is easy. If your engine is too high performance it won't be as easy or convenient to drive and may even require special fuels, which in most cases turn the thing into a trailer queen. Most people want something they can drive to the meet. If that’s you, then keep it simple which is also less expensive! Remember, high tech engines have high tech problems. If your engine lives under a hood less bright work is an option to save money too! This also translates to more fun and less upkeep.
All right let’s say you've got more dollars than sense and money is not an issue. Great! Spend as much as you want! But, don't be stupid about it after all you didn't get all this money by being stupid so, use the same wisdom in your Rodding then what you create will be spectacular! For example, if you can afford to build a main stream dream machine, don't waste your money on an obscure orphan car. If you do so, all you'll have is a red headed stepchild with gold teeth.
The top guns at pre ’49 Rodding events are ’21-’48 Fords with ’33-’41 Willy's a close second followed by ’37-’48 Chevy’s along with ’31-‘’38 Dodge and Plymouth filling in the rest. Anything else with few exceptions is a waste of time and money on the Rodding side of car collecting. So spend as much as you like, indulge in the best you can afford but, be wise in your choices above all have fun!
*The following list may help in choosing your next project. These are the best candidates for each category.
Traditional Hot Rods:
’21-’40 Ford is King (Remember that)
Restro. Rod & Street Rods:
’41-’48 Fords/Merc., ’37-’48 Chevy’s, ’31-’38 Dodge/Plymouth
Pre ’49 Tail Draggers:
’40-’48 (Short wheel base) Buick, Olds, Pontiac, 2dr. Mopar and Mercury’s
Gasser’s:
(Orphan car rodders and post war cars are where it’s at)
Henry “J”, ’33-’41 Willy’s, Anglia’s, Austin American, ’53-’54 Stude’s/Bullet Nose
Stude’s, Hudson Jets, ’58-’60 Rambler American, ’49-’56 Chevy Coupe/Sedan’s, ’49-’51
Ford Coupe/Sedan’s, 49-’54 short wheel base Mopar’s
Pro Street:
Anything goes but, most are 1940 and newer. The most popular seems to be ’55-’57
Chevy’s and ’67-’74 Camaro’s
Rat Rod:
(The cheapest to build of all rods and maybe the most fun)
Any pre-’35 Ford car body (some times Mopar). No modern parts are used. Usually in satin black primer with Spartan interior.
