The Printed Page
The internet is special for gaining access to ideas and info on anything and everything. Pulling images or watching YouTube How-To’s are a benefit the Web.
But sitting down with a printed magazine is still a joy. There are periodicals out there dedicated to Hot Rods and Customs, many have been in publications for decades.
Some of the 1950 and 1960 issues of Hot Rod yield amazing design cues that are timeless. Of the newer rags, my personal favorites are Ol’ Skool Rodz and Rat Rod. Both blends cars, news, and Bettys (in this politically correct world) in a balanced, yet irreverent, form.
12/20/2011
Classic Mags
To name a favorite classic wheel would be like trying to pick a best movie or cutest girl on the beach. I have at least a dozen contenders and half of that are equally admired.
Form follows function, they say, so the wheel/car fit has to do with the intended use or perceived style. My mind-set lately are the cruise nites of my youth when we paraded up and down main street an showed off.
For this I see ‘generic’ 5-slot sprint car aluminum mags, often referred to as Ansen wheels. Wrap ‘em with some Uniroyal Tiger Paws, iconic basic drivers, and I’m nostalgic for a summer ride.
12/19/2011
Excalibur
Dagger dipstick handle: I first saw one of these when visiting a friend with a 60′s Chevy short-bed, the hood was open, and he was tweaking it to fit his oil dipstick. He had found it rummaging through a box of parts at a mechanic’s shop, while looking for something else.
They also sell handles in the form of a Madonna, but this is the best design – in my not so humble opinion.
En Garde!
12/18/2011
Lube Decor
You can’t have enough grease on hand. I used to stock up at Wallymart or grab a tub at the auto store.
Lately, I have been buying vintage cans with my favorite logos that are 1/2 to totally full of grease. We’re talk’n Kendall (two fingers), Pennzoil yellow, Quaker State, Mobil (pegasus), Sunoco.
I figure the old grease is gotta be as good as new grease, and the cans look great in the shop. Cost is basically the same same (okay, a bit more) and I refill the cans with my said stock.
12/17/2011
Its All in the Details
When I first saw a spark plug keychain in a magazine photo, I thought, man, that’s the best! Like I’m adapt to do, I searched the www and found a photo of one (sorry – no credit but u can find it easy enough).
fleaBay offers lots of antique spark plugs, so I ordered and made my own. It has a fat brass top & was ‘easy’ to drill a hole.
What’s your flavor – Champion, AC, Bosch, NGK?
12/16/2011
Lono=Love
The Tiki. Definitely a relic used by motorheads. A shift nob, or key fob. Build a whole car with a tiki theme* – strap yer longboard to the roof. If u gotta a woodie, I bet you’re already onboard.
If you’re in your mid-50s, as me, maybe you wore a tiki necklace to keep the dream alive. I sort no jewelry these days but I do have a dash hulu girl – more on that later.
* Search auction sites for Coco Joe’s or ‘vintage tiki statues/figures’. The resin ones work nice for drilling & threading.
And you better take the ol’ lady out for drinks at a Trader Vic’s for inspiration.
12/15/2011
My Sticker Series
What’s a hot car without decals? Whether you choose the quarter panel or rear window, ya gotta stick one somewhere. This is the first of a zillion stickers which I will profile in the future.
There are so many classic stickers to choose from. Generally it harks from one that has a special meaning for you. Mr. Horsepower works for me.
You might have seen it only a zillion times. Its the logo of Clay Smith Cams, an auto shop established in 1931. A cigar chomping Woody Woodpecker type with attitude.
Timely too. With the recent passing of 11/11/11, Nigel Tufnel Day, its fitting to mention that he has a Mr. H on his guitar.
Not to be confused with the Thrush bird, another righteous logo.
OK, that’s 1 zillion minus 2.
12/14/2011
Peel Out!
Other than the patinaed and mismatched body panels on your rat rod, it’s tires and wheels stand out as important element in the overall statement. You may seek out truly vintage skins, or probably can afford only wide whites that you paint yourself.*
Another popular route is to buy classic reproductions, Coker Tire is a good source.
A real throw-back gem for rods, and especially gassers, is the Hoosier drag slick. American made in Indiana (!) since the 1950′s.
*Tip: if you paint fat whitewalls, use house primer on old tires where the oils have leached out, or you’ll end up with brown-walls.
12/13/2011
Pedal to the Medal
There’s a few iconic items that are hard for me to resist putting in my rod. I’ll be checking them off in future posts. This one dates back to my love for all things surf. Looks great against a rubber floor mat. Who can’t grin when they see this?
12/12/2011
Crack a PBR – A Toast
Primo post.
I’m gonna write this like I’m the only one viewing it, which I am. But if I’m wrong – hey, how ya doin?
This space is gonna be for rat rodders, a resource. No, not an interactive blog or forum, there are lots of them already. I’ll post stuff which I find cool and sometimes use on my ride(s). Most of it will deal with rat rods or hot rods, some things will be out of left field.
But I will list forums, blogs, magazines, stores, articles, videos, images, that you should visit. Check the bottom of this page – when I get around to it. But what’s the hurry, I’m solo here, right? Just me.
You may recognize the pic, the Beer Wagon. Man, I built this kit as a kid. Loved it. Perched it on a mirror with tiny stanchions around it. Flocked the seats, red thread as ignition wires. Sanded the slicks. Amazing how the mind stores these kinda memories from 40+ years ago. Geez.
I was looking around the www for pics of kegs when the Monogram model popped up – woah, this brought me back. Waaaaay back. A fitting first image on my freshly hatched zine.
Thanks for reading, Oh wait, I’m all alone.
12/11/2011