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There is no perfect hot-rod.
This is because what makes such a thing is entirely subjective.
Marv and I have been comparing our "what if we won the lottery" builds and we don't agree on very much at all.
He's thinking first generation Firebird.
I'm thinking early to mid 1960's full size.
We tend to agree about LS engines and 6+ gear slush boxes.
But I wanna car that cruises all day and am willing to accept some performance sacrifices to be comfortable for 12 hours on the road.
Marv wants exceptional skid-pad performance and an impressive 1/4 mile time.
We both want modern climate control and electronic fuel injection.
We're both aiming at something where the body control module doesn't get a veto.
But neither of us is screaming the other is wrong!
His vision is awesome. I hope he wins the lottery and makes his dream Firebird.
It's a really cool car!
A car that I think we'd both be miserable in if we tried to take it on the Hot Rod Power Tour.
Contrariwise, my vision is awesome at things like the Power Tour and will not carve the corners or win any drive and drag events.
We both want something that's reliable, though. Being miserable or losing an event doesn't mean we wanna be on the side of the road fixing it.
Hot Rodding is best when you can not agree about what to build, but be totally excited about someone realizing a vision you don't share.
Some days an old Ford pickup with a 300 and a four speed would do fine, as long it was old enough to have vent windows. Some little 2 seat ride, underpowered, so you know if you hit the right line or not, a GTO, an early Camaro, like bikes, there really isn't Just One that scratches All those dammo Itches.
ReplyDeleteI want enough ooomf that it can get out of its own way and handling so that places like Tail of the Dragon are fun instead of terrifying. And I don't want to have to see a chiropractor after driving something like Sick Week or The Power Tour.
DeleteThe mobility blob, The Beast, lacks the style, but it's got the other boxes ticked.
Individual style is the essence of hot rodding. Personally I like the idea of a miniature rod using an Austin 7 and a four cylinder engine in the style of a 50s roadster
ReplyDeleteIt would be a pretty boring hobby if everyone were looking for the exact same thing. And parts would be expensive, too, as everyone would be looking for the same ones.
ReplyDeletePlus, finding out what exactly you like is part of the fun of any hobby.
Daosus