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Reading this article reminded me of something.
If you are not spinning your own wrenches, you are NOT a hot rodder.
You may own a hot-rod, it might even be an impressive hot-rod, but you are not a hot-rodder if you paid someone to do it for you.
I am baffled at the article where the author agonizes about rewiring the starter circuit.
He's right, you can't just wander down to Autozone and pick up the part for a Model A. Or a 2008 Corvette.
For the 'Vette, you need to get the factory part from someone who stocks the cables.
For the Model A, get familiar with Summit Racing and Jeg's.
It's not hard to do!
It's how I rewired the battery on my old '79 Camaro.
In a pinch you CAN go to Advanced Auto and get everything you need.
The Hagerty's writer acts like if you can't just buy it complete then a professional MUST do it.
He's not a Hot Rodder, and it shows.
Interesting point you made there. I wonder if a 'biker' (motorcycle rider) who rides but does not do their own mechanic work on it should be considered a 'biker' and not a 'rider'. I'd bring that up to my wife, but I think that would spark an argument not worth starting.
ReplyDeleteWhen we work on her bikes, I'm usually there for the muscle work. She has smaller hands that fit nooks and crannies that bigger hands don't fit well. We are both amateur mechanics, battery and oil replacement and related we got More ambitious projects - call in the pros.
jrg
No, It's worse than not being a "Hot Rodder". That writer likely does not know which end of a screwdriver to hold, much less being able to name and use automotive tools.
ReplyDeleteIn Kyle Smith's defense a lot of his Hagerty articles do involve actual wrenching up to and including engine rebuilds. The gist of the article is whether it's a better use of time and resources to buy a heavy gauge Model T starter harness rather than make one. In this case the cost of tooling offsets any savings from buying materials. In context it's no different than having a hydraulic hose made because the professional crimp tool is $2000.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of mechanical work but some things get farmed out.
It's a philosophical thing. Mr Smith is a mechanic. A good one, no doubt. But when you start weighing opportunity costs about making or not making a cable, you're not hot rodding.
DeleteI am still making up my mind if businesses who make hot rods for others are hot rodders or not.
we live in a time where there are lots of "experts" who actually don't know an asshole from a hole in the ground...panzer guy
ReplyDelete