putting a v8 in a 41 plymouth coupe

[Guest]

Yes, with lots of ice and a shot of gin.

HV

[Twitch]

Perhaps I was drawing the wrong picture in my mind. I just tend to conclude that folks with unwavering, one-mindedness are tantamount to followers of fascist regimes of the past and present. Since I'm am constantly engaged in writing WW 2 comnbat sagas I guess it slipped in there.

I realize many, including myself, love stock, restored or original cars. I simply approach it with a less extremist attitude regarding what someone else is going to do with their car. Bill was nothing but civil to the 41 guy. There are other occurances of fairly mean-spiritedness in the past though and it simply does no good.

Back in the olden days when I worked at Road & Track people selling nice, classic if you will, import cars screened their buyers very carefully so they found one of like mind that could give their car a good home. I don't see that attitude much anymore. That's the seller's fault! If so many stock cars are truly going to modifiers WHY are the original owners selling them in supposedly such large numbers? What is wrong with the hobby for that to happen? THAT'S what we must ponder.

There are many questions that can't be answered about the fate of old cars in general. Who sold a possibly nice, stock 41 Plymouth to someone intending to modify it? What was being done with the 41? Was it deteriorating in a garage or outside somewhere? Was it sold by ignorant relatives of some deceased hobbyist? Was it running or was the engine running gear boat anchor material? In fact he never said there WAS running gear in the car. Many old cars have been found engine-less though stock. So why the rush to judgement with only the slimmest of facts?

My Packard spent most of its life in an underground garage accumulating 76,000 miles in 55 years. It went through 2 other owners before I got it. Obviously it hadn't been used at all! My 96 Eldo has 93,000 on it. OK, so the car was never seen by anyone other than rats in the garage for decades. No one was appreciating it. Now the car is out in the light somewhat yet I've only driven it 200 miles in the past 6 months and it lives in the dark of my garage now!

It is almost useless except for my whim to possess it. I realize that is nearly stupid in essense. I'm sorry, but if the new owner of the 41 Plymouth plans to update the running gear and leave the outward appearance stock I applaud him for it if it will get the car on the road. On one hand a 100% stocker ain't stock no more. On the other, if this guys plans to "get out and have the car seen," that's great.

We cry about old cars being modified yet do not lift a finger to nobly write a check to prevent an old car from going into a hot rodders hands. To bad mouth them in general is useless. How many disintegrating hulks are fading away on people's property where folks can't afford to restore them, don't know any better, don't care, or just spitefully don't want anyone to have the old car if they can't afford to rebuild it?

With 7 million Fords alone built between 1929-1941 how on earth could all of the semi-desireable old cars be stored properly in hopes of some resto-geek to come along and resurrect it? And there have always been folks modifying cars. In 1935 guys were pulling fenders off their 1928 cars and attaching whatever speed equipment existed at the time. So we must damn them too for beginning hot rodding.

Most of these old cars were parked at sometime in their existence due to the fact that they quit running and weren't worth fixing at the time and/or parts were near impossible to get. Believe me in 1964 there was no internet-style of global communication to source out hobbyist's needs for 1934 cars.

Should the 41 Plymouth owner spend more untold money and dink around for years obtaining parts for a dead car or make a simple $2-3000 investment for modern running gear and get it on the road quick?

I don't harbor any venom for anyone at this point in life. I simply am puzzled by the negative verve directed at car owners that don't conform to a few people's concept of what should be done with old cars. Realistically, there's pretty much nothing anyone can do except impotently wail about something for which there is no control. I'm concerned that it represents a consumingly negatively perception of members of our society by certain other ones who would dictate what those others do with their tangible, inantimate property. The constant and recurring voicing of worries about other people's old cars is puzzlingly irrational to me and scary at the same time.

Sorry, but I will never tell someone to "get the hell outta here cause we don't cotton to your kind," simply because they have different views of things than I do.

[ted sweet]

worst thing is that if he had asked about restoring it he would have lucky if he got 5 reponses.

[nearchoclatetown]

Amen, Ted.

[Rick Hoover]

That may be true Ted, but that would had been 5 responses more then he got here from those encouraging him in doing this modification.

All I've read from Twit and some others, who think this is OK, is a bunch of bashing on BillP. Can't any of you explain to him how to install that V-8? To those who wish to encourage doing this to an original car on the AACA Forum, step up to the plate and give the man some answers. Or maybe busting on BillP is just plain easier?

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Or maybe busting on BillP is just plain easier? </div></div>

It's always easier to define others and then criticize the definition. We have an entire political process built on that precept in this country now. <span style="font-style: italic">You're either with us or agin' us, and we'll tell you which!</span>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Curiously, this thread has far and away more views than any on the board. Wonder why that is? </div></div>

Either the wolves are all salivating at the prospective loss of another car that could've been restored to an authentic standard (or quite likely once was--<span style="font-style: italic">"I bought it totally stock."</span>), or maybe there's a preponderance of people here who still like old cars and there's still hope for the AACA. Who knows?

[ted sweet]

if the number of post are this message board is indicating the number of active AACA members we are really in trouble. How can such a big club have so few members that use computers?

[Shop Rat]

Many people do not have, or do not even want, a computer. Or they use them so much at work they have no desire to be on one at home. And I bet there are plenty of members who have no idea that the forums are here and how much information there is here, and people willing to help them when they need advice. Many people have said that they found the forums by accident, but were glad that they did.

[Twitch]

Hey pal, go back and read my posts. Nowhere did I bash on BillP personally. Nowhere did I encourage anyone to modify all original cars! Please don't put words in my mouth. Some here are simply saying to be cordial to folks like 41rat, which BillP was. Don't change my, and others, clear intent to direct the guy to a site that could assist him. When 25Buick and I did that came the derogatory responses about how we shouldn't. That's where the topic came off the rails.

I own a car that is more original than many have here yet I'm smart enough to know that that is not the only way of the world. Like Dave said this attitude of "you're either with us or against us" is a sad window on the car hobby world. It smacks of elitism too guys.

Everyone just assumes this picture of a pristine 41 Plymouth waiting for just a dust off to be cruise and show ready and none of us have the slighest idea of the car's true condition. "Stock condition" by no means defines "restored" or even "original driveable condition." The junkyard is full of "stock condition" cars. It's hilarious really to defend the concept that it should be/could be easily tinkered into show winning condition without even knowing the car. Yet I've seen folks strongly emphasize, cajole and whine that the owner of a parts car quaility vehicle restore it instead of parting it out. See, that's the omnipitent attitude that turns people off. "Do with your car what I decree. for my way is the one way to auto salvation!" It's easy to demand that someone else spend their money as some collective groups sees fit. Maybe the 41 guy doesn't have an unlimited cash fund to rebuild vintage engines and transmissions as some of us do.

Figure out how to form some sort of intervention group that keeps owners of actual, bonifide good condition original cars from selling them without screening buyers and I'll be all for it. This is the catalyst that no one wants to address. Why are owners basically bailing out of their commitment in the hobby and dumping their good cars to any jamoke who stumbles in with green in their hand?

The saviors of animal rights and historic buildings and myriad other "save the___" groups have slush funds to buy what they deem save-able. Maybe that could be an tangable alternative to childish rants about the boogeyman car modifiers that no one can stop anyway..

Everything in our little worlds doesn't go the way we want it, does it? When we can accept the concept that we can't control much more than our bodily functions we'll all be better off.

PS- Go to the main AACA forum and read about the Kaisers in that topic. See, THAT'S the problem. Here are some cars that have been announced on a worldwide podium and NO ONE is interested. THAT says it all about all the high and mighty dogmatic rhetoric. But if some rodder came along and bought one of the Kaisers the hot air would blow, huh?

[Rick Hoover]

So, if you weren't bashing on Bill, then who exactly is it you have a problem with? The AACA membership is general? I assume you are a member, right?

I also want to thank you for your old car hobby lesson. You see, I don't know much about these things and I always look forward to learning from people like yourself. So thanks for taking the time with me. Someday I'll have to get serious about this old car hobby.

Oh, and by the way... I'm not your pal.

Rick

[Ron Green]

Rick,

Hopefully some day you will get interested in the old car hobby as there seems to be a lot you and me just don't seem to understand. Be sure to hold the screwdriver by the handle that's all the further I've gotten. Don't know nuttin bout this hotrodder stuff!

[25Buick25]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

All I've read from <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Twit</span></span> and some others... </div></div>

I think this is where you went wrong <span style="font-weight: bold">Rick.</span> Maybe it was a typo??????

I also feel like I'm being singled out here in the exchange because I decided to help this guy find a way to modify his car. I can appreciate stock cars and I've built some rodds. To me its all good if your having fun with your car. It was the attitude that this newcomer right off the bat got that kind of turned me off. When I started coming here a few months ago the welcome was pretty warm because I found other people with cars like mine or because they were happy to see someone else enjoying an old car in pretty much original condition. I'm not going to cut up my Buick, but it now has an electric fuel pump to keep it running, a non-original oil pressure gauge and some kind of exhaust whistle that sure ain't stock, the front seat is vinyl instead of leather and sooner or later I'm gonna have to paint it and I'm going to use clearcoat paint. Where does my car fit? Am I "with you" or "against you"?

Anyways the problem I had was with the icy reception a newcomer received, regardless of his intents with his car, not with any individuals or what they do with there own cars. If I sounded like I was dumping on BillP I sure didn't mean it that way. It was the message not the messenger that riled me up.

[Rick Hoover]

25Buick25,

It wasn't anything against you personally at all. My reasons for posting here is that I'm getting a little tired of hearing certain people busting on what this club represents. I don't see anything being gained here but some flap jawing and showing disrespect for the AACA. If anyone doesn't like what this club and forum is about, then find another place to hang out!

I totally understand that this original poster may have mistakenly found his way here. I doubt he even knows what the AACA stands for. That's OK though, as it has happened many times before and will happen again. And, I didn't see a thing wrong with BillP's reply. Yes, maybe he could have been more "gentle", but he may have done better then me had I felt like answering the guy. Look, I've been reading BillP on here for years and I have never seen him disrespectful to anyone. He is always going out of his way in helping others with their problems, he's also direct to the point and most importantly, knows what he's talking about. Maybe that's why I didn't have a problem with his reply.

Also, it's not a matter of being with you or against you concerning your car. That's not my style. And, I also see what you mean about my spelling error on Twitch. Thanks for pointing that out. That darn spell check needs adjusting I guess and I'll have to correct that then.

Ron Green.... Someday you'll have to show me that screwdriver trick, OK? Better yet, I'll make you a deal. You show me the screwdriver and I'll let you read my 1968 Hot Rod magazine. Then we'll both get smart!

Rick

[Steve Moskowitz]

Rick, relax...count to 10 and then come on over to visit the "new museum on the hill" Mostly Oldsmobiles but there is a cold one in the refigerator! I will show you my hot rod 1904 Curved Dash with a blown 455....just kidding. Heading to Greensburg but will be playing on Sunday and Monday (need to watch the 500 though). <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Rick Hoover]

But I was just starting to have some fun Boss! OK, I'll behave myself. {Party Pooper!)

A cold one always gets me motivated as you know, so it's a deal after Greensburg, See you then.

Rick

P.S. You weren't going to be happy without throwing in that 455, were ya?