Hotrodpete's thoughts on hotrodders

I rather someone ask me "how long did that take for you to build that!" rather than "how much did that cost you to buy!"

well said, i think to be a true hotrodder you need to be doing atleast some of it yourself. Anyone can buy a car or get someone to build them a hotrod. What sets them apart is the level of individuality, a rod you build yourself will be more unique than one built in a professional shop and you will appreciate it more because you put that time and effort into it.

True but back in the good ol days there was more we could do on our cars. These days you may have the knowledge and you may have the skills but you do not have a certificate that says you know how to do it so it will not pass the tests to register it when finished. We used to do engine swaps at home and replace sideys with OHV's and change whole suspention assemblys in the shed at home, not now. As you get older things that used to be easy are now becoming a hassle and a worry so you pay the money and you get a "professional" to do the work, this does not mean you are not a hot rodder or a lesser hot rodder. You see something for sale cheaper than you could build it so you buy it and drive it with pride [but not in the rain huh] but that also does not make you less of a hot rodder, it may mean that you have done the time now you can rest and get some work done for you, still not a lesser hot rodder. If we did not do quality work on our cars back then, then why are cars still being driven and warrented with a declaration of the modifications being legal. Not everyone can do the work now and they may be lucky enough to pay someone or to import one that is finished and drive it with pride. Do not judge a book by its cover and do not listen to gossip about who did what to what and where and when, just appreciate its still happening and hot rodding is strong and so are the cars.

I can appreciate a nice car, but am always more impressed if the owner knows the car well, and has done something on it himself.
To me that doesn't just apply to hot rods, but any car.
My last car the motor was rebuilt and fitted for me (previous motor I had fitted myself though, plus fitted transmissions, done standard engine / trans / diff fluid changes, fitted diffs, done wiring, suspension, intakes / carbs, distributors and ignition systems etc etc).
That to me is being involved.No, I have never rebuilt an engine (I have a fair idea how, just not the tools / space).People have skills in different areas, but most can have at least some involvement with their car more than filling it with gas.
However if they don't have the inclincation, thats their call.Maybe they just enjoy driving a classic / hot rod.