ex98thdrill

You can't get kids to take an interest in an American car, let alone a Durant. A year ago I had my step son lined up with a '76 Olds Cutlass 'S' that was black, fully loaded with a 455 engine in it with 30,000 miles on it with no rust for $2,000, and what did he want? A Honda civic. I had an '84 Camaro Z-28 with T-tops, with 22,000 miles on it for the same price, and the kid didn't want that either. I know I'm 34 years old, my stepson is 17. When I was 17, if you'd have offered either one of those two muscle cars, I wouldn't have thought twice about getting either one of them. The only reason I didn't get those two cars is because I feel for the money I would've paid, I could've had my '79 'Lil Red Express looking real nice. Needless to say my step son is driving a '94 Corsica that has over 100,000 miles on it, that he paid more for than what he could've had either car for, and I've washed my hands with it. Hopefully someday he'll learn. As for a Durant? I wouldn't know one unless you ran over me with it. If I had the money and had to pick between a '70 Chevelle SS, '55 Bel-Air, '72 Chevy pickup, '55 Thunderbird, '66 Mustang, '65 Barracuda, '49 Studebaker, or a Durant? No offense, but I wouldn't want the Durant. But I'd take a Durant over a Honda Civic any day of the week. I'm not promoting street rod building, but I can understand the value of spending $30,000 to have a car that's old and awkward to drive, or having a car tha's old and comfortable to drive. As much as I hate playing the Devil's advocate, this all boils down to dollars and sense. Wether you like street rodders or not, they are our allies when it comes to keeping the environmentalists from outlawing our cars, because although their cars are different, their interests are the same. Times, generations and tastes change.

Here's another twist. My father and I have restored several cars. Even though the two of us did the restorations and pooled our resources, does that mean that our cars would lose their status if something happened to him? The vehicle is registered in his name, but can we have the vehicle registered with AACA to where they are co-owned? I have no intentions of turning our cars into daily drivers, but why should I have to prove myself if I did the restorations, went to the shows with the vehicle, and earned the awards? Due to our ownership of multiple vehicles (15+), all of our cars are registered and insured in my father's name to keep the cost down. There are some cars that are solely owned by me, there are some cars solely owned by my father, and there are cars that we both own. Irregardless, every one of our cars were built by the two of us, we're both AACA members, and I don't agree with it either. If I bought someone's car that already had AACA status that would be one thing, but when you have a joint interest in the vehicle, then it should be grandfathered. If one of us died and our spouse chose to continue showing our vehicles, does that mean that the vehicle would still lose all of its status above a junior? <P>This all goes back to AACA rewarding the vehicle and not the owner, but in the event that the owner passes away and leaves the vehicle to a loved one, there should be provisions to allow the status to remain. <BR>FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!

I've got to agree with Dave. If your financing is limited and you want a muscle car, the AMX or Javelin is the best bang for the buck. As much as I love the lines of the '70-'72 Chevelle, and despite being an owner of several mustangs, you won't find a more economically priced car other than the AMX. The only issue is if you go to sell the car, you won't get the money out of it like you would a Chevelle, Camaro, Mustang, Firebird, Challenger, Barracuda, Road Runner, etc. The advantage to the AMX is that it is uncommon, the disadvantage, parts are more limited. The advantage to you is sooner or later it might evolve. I can remember as I kid, a lot of people wanted Model 'A's, when instead of paying a higher dollar, my father bought Chrysler products for a song. As in the restoration, parts are more expensive, and harder to find, but you have a vehicle that isn't as common. <P>Dare to be different!! sooner or later it'll come around where your "oddball" will be worth a good price. I can remember back in my youth when my father use to trade a crate of Ford stuff for two milk crates full of Mopar stuff. Food for thought!!

If you want to see a lot of old tractors and machines to include the maytag motors, come to Canandaigua, New York in next week. Every year they have this show called the "Pageant of Steam" They've got the maytag motors and all kinds of farm machinery from steam engines powered by "reins" to all kinds of old farm iron up through the years. As a matter of fact, while you're there, on Thursday night, they have a cruise night at one of the local supermarkets (Wegmans) just down the road. They usually get 200+ cars there every Thursday night during the summer and there is everything from Antiques, muscle cars, street rods, classics, motorcycles, you name it. They really have a lot of different and interesting stuff, and always a good crowd. If you or someone you know is coming up for the Nascar races at Watkins Glen and want some time away from the track, it's a 50 mile drive and there's some good stuff there. I'm not trying to talk you into visiting New York, but if you want to get out of the house for a couple of days or if you're in the area, pay them a visit. If it wasn't for being across the big pond, I'd be doing the same thing myself.

Ahh yes, and if you get up into the Adirondak mountains, you'll see an occasional Model 'T' with tracks on the back and skis on the front (snowmobile). As a matter of fact, this past winter they had a show of nothing but those cars, up near Old Forge, NY.

Don't count on that! When my father registered his '37 Plymouth pickup last year DMV wanted him to produce a bill of sale on the truck so he could register it. He's had the truck since '63 and had it registered up until '71. Up until last year, the truck had never been out of the state, let alone been registered anyplace other than New York. In our case, even though my father still had a copy of the '71 registration, he still had a tough time getting the truck registered.

I turned 34 last month.

As much as I like the old cars myself, most people have it in their mind that if they're going to spend the money for a car, they want something that is comfortable to drive. Without adding insult, most people don't want to drive anything without some power under the hood, power steering, power brakes, comfortable seats, air conditioning and a good stereo. As much as I love the iron my father and I have, the most comfortable driving thing that we have in the fleet, .....our towing rig. especially on the long hauls.

I don't know Dave. No maybe some people won't be restoring Ford Escorts, Chevy Citations, and Dodge Caravans, but you will still have the muscle car collectors with the Mustang GT's, Buick Grand Nationals, Chevy Iroc Z-28's, Monte Carlo SS, Pontiac Trans Ams, etc. and I'd be willing to bet that they'll be back. Of course you will still see someone restore something more "common" but I still think you'll see that stuff in the years to come.

Pintos are eligible now, so it's only a matter of someone bringing one in. The problem with them is that a lot of them seemed to have begun to rust before they left the showroom. I'm not knocking Pintos because I have a couple of Mustang II's. Mustang II's were nothing more than a pinto with different bends in the metal. What I enjoy is when someone with one of the older mustangs, calls one of my Mustang II's a pinto and then I'll compliment them on their Falcon. It is a slam against either car, but I do use that to curb someone's arrogance towards an autombile.

'42? '46? Either way it would still be the same body style. If it is an American LaFrance, send me come pictures of it. One area that I really need is that most of the gauges on the pump panel are rusted and I need to replace them. I'm the third owner of my truck and I've got pictures of it back in '71 when it was still in service.<P><BR>As for other cars, we've got the 70's represented, It's only the teens, 50's, 60's & 90's that we don't have. (we've got 90's but they're daily drivers so I'm not counting them). Between my dad and I, we've got about 17? cars and we don't need any more. Right now we've got two cars currently under restoration, 7 unrestored, 5 restored, plus our daily drivers in the collection.

You're right, you need to take time to play, but for me I've found that when I have the time, I don't have the money and when I have the money, I don't have the time. It just seems like a no win situation. Even though I'm across the big pond, I did manage to get my wife to go with my father to the National Plymouth meet in Maryland last month (he took 2nd place). I'm hoping to con her into going to Hershey. If I get her interested, maybe??? <P>I was going to use the tax free money I'm making to restore my '42 Ford/American LaFrance, but instead I opted to buy a new Harley at cost and add it to the collection. In three more weeks I'll have a brand new Harley (Heritage Softtail) sitting in the shop next to the firetruck, Mustangs and everything else, and where am I? Paying for it! I was really hoping to get a 2003 model (100th anniversary edition) but I had to settle with a 2002 instead. If I get a glimpse of a 2003, I like the bike and I can get one, I'll sell my 2002. Right now our car collection stands as having at least one car in the 20's, 30's, 40's, 70's & 80's. Who knows? maybe we'll get something from the 50's, 60's & 90's (not counting daily drivers) because with the New Harley being added, we'll have a vehicle representing six different decades.

You haven't had one until you've had one HOT

Yep, I can help you, but I'm not in a position to where I can talk to you and get direct information for you. My father has a 1929 Whippet Coupe Model 96-A. Our car was finished about twelve years ago, but we still need to do some "honing" before we take it on the AACA level. My father isn't cumputer oriented, and if it isn't an e-mail address that my mother recognizes, she won't read it, so you'll have to pick up the phone. Call (585) 657-6358 and ask for Nelson. I'm not anywhere close to where he is, and I haven't been able to speak directly to him on the phone in three months so you'll have to let me know how you made out. GOOD LUCK!!

I don't know, I wouldn't mind getting into the local chapter (Genesee) but I haven't because I don't feel that I can dedicate the time to it. I work midnights and I get weekends off once every six (6) weeks, I'm in the Army Reserve, I'm also an emergency medical technician as well as one of the Fire Chief's in the local Fire Dept., and I also work on the crash truck at Watkins Glen International. My weekends are mostly dedicated to the shop working on the iron, and the rest of the time I'm pretty busy. In my spare time, I still manage to stay married (god bless her!). Although I do take time to go to some of the shows, I don't have a lot of spare time. My vacation time is usually eaten up going to shows, and working the whole week that the Nascar boys come to visit Watkins Glen. As a matter of fact, I was working the crash truck the day that the AACA founders tour cars took two laps while Dale Jarrett was eating his lunch.<BR> My father on the other hand, we dedicate our weekends in the shop (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), but he is active in the Fire Department as well (that's the only time I can tell him what to do 'cause I'm the Chief), He runs the highway department, which means in the winter time he's out plowing snow, in the summer time, he's rebuilding roads, and once a week he's sitting in board meetings.<BR> You're right, we should be involved in the regional chapters, but we're both extremely busy. Our relaxation is hooking up the trailer to my truck and hauling our old '37 Plymouth pickup to the shows. Hopefully by 2003 show season, we'll have our '40 Plymouth woodie wagon ready to show in AACA.

Yeah Peter, you're right, but regardless of how things go, you can't bring back the time that you lost ....life is short. My father is 62, he's healthy, but you never know how things could turn out. Of course if something were to happen where we couldn't work on cars together, my time over here would be lost. That's my concern. My home is East Bloomfield, New York, but I couldn't justify changing my registration to the middle east. But yes, you have an AACA member in the desert and no I haven't found any car parts or swap meats.

Due to security reasons, I can't say exactly, but it is in a country where there is a lot of sand, no shade, and it ends in s-t-a-n. I will tell you this much, if anyone ever tells you that the grass is greener on the other side, slap 'em upside the head. There isn't any grass over here, and the cobras and vipers cruising around this place don't have engines and transmissions if you know what I mean. It isn't a pretty place, but at least I've gotten a little more respect and appreciation for living on "the good side" of the big pond.<BR> As for my father's trailer, I look at it as a positive investment. Before I left I bought it for him, and we got it rigged up where we can take it off and use in on both car trailers. <BR> I'd still give anything to be back home. The time spent over here is lost time in the shop and it sure sucks when you plan your entire allotment of vacation time at work for the year going to shows and now you can't go. I was hoping to go to the Purchase show and get into judging school, and then go to Hershey. With any luck we'll get our Senior with the truck while I'm gone so we can shoot for our Grand National when I get back. <BR> Although I'm not involved in any regional chapters, I miss the cars. This old Russian junk over has a lot to be desired.

Yeah Ron,<BR> You're right, you can definately tell how people's financial conditions are just by looking in the parking lot, from $100,000+ motor coaches with matching trailers, to tired old trucks with a towbar, down to driving the cars to the show, the membership comes from all walks of life. The one thing that I can say is that for the most part, everyone is repectfull and courteous (for the most part)and usually have a genuine interest in the other members and their cars.....regardless of someone's financial situation. <BR> I know how the money thing works, but in our case, my father owns the enclosed trailer and I own the truck. Once we get our woodie wagon done, we may use my father's truck and our open trailer so we can run two rigs. To do a good restoration and to buy an enclosed trailer to protect your investment, it sure doesn't take long to sink $30,000+ just to roll down the road without the car (just the rig). <BR> To add to the cost, I bought an electric winch for the trailer so he can winch the cars into the trailer and not risk scratching something by driving it in. Not knowing when or if I'll be coming home, I didn't want him using a come-along and I didn't want him trying to load the cars without someone there to help him. Without me in the picture, it gives me one less thing to worry about.<BR> I can remember when my father and I went to Johnstown last year (June, 2001) I can remember several people commenting on how my dad and I were both involved, and how they wish their kids had the same interest. In my case, the cars is all I've ever known. We've got the antques that were prevelent when my father was a young man, and we've got some muscle cars that caught my eye during my youth as well. To be honest with you, we love them all, but it would require a lot of soul searching if we had to part with something. Despite owning several Ford Mustangs and a Dodge 'Lil Red Express truck, our last purchase was made by me and it was a '42 Ford Fire Truck.<BR> You're right, not everyone can afford to own a Packard, and not everyone can afford a Cadillac or Lincoln. But the beauty of AACA is that those who can afford the expensive cars have them, and those who have a limited budget can drive cars that the common folk drove during that era. It isn't uncommon to see a Packard, Dusenburg or Chord sitting there with more money in chrome than what some people have invested in their whole cars. But with the different financial situations everyone has, it allows us to see MOST of the cars that are out there and it doesn't descriminate against members because of what someone has.

My dad will be there with our '37 Plymouth PT-50 pickup going for our senior award. I had been planning on going to judging school, but got sidetracked to a surprise trip accros the big pond for an extended period of time. I'll have to shoot for the 2003 season now.

Howard,<BR> You sure know how to pick 'em don't you? I've seen threads die after 5 or 6 postings, but you sure do manage to weave a rug. Don't take this as a complaint, but I have to admit that you bring up a lot of good points and usually draw the response in (some of it entertaining, some of it, well??) which is often good for the organization.<P>Peter,<BR> Regardless of how much arguing goes on this post from time to time (either good or bad), don't ever doubt yourself for starting the forum. IT IS A GOOD THING!! To be honest with you, the only reason I ever got involved with the forum to begin with, was because I was looking for parts on a project (our '37 Plymouth PT-50 pickup). I have gotten a lot of information off of the forum and I'm glad to have had it. Sometimes the politics are both good and bad, but otherwise it has been a great tool in preserving our club and our hobby. Thanks to the contacts that I have established through the forum, my father and I have been able to get our truck finished, and with any luck, we'll be getting our senior at Purchase, NY in August. Although I won't be there to see it, I'm hoping that when I get back to the good side of the big pond, the senior badge will be on the front of the old truck.

I agree about the fiberglass bodies. This is almost like Pandora's box. You've got some of these "replicars" that will be approaching the 25 year mark very soon. I can remember as a kid when they made those Model A's on the Pinto chassis way back when. <BR> As for the Roush Mustang's, you're right, but on the same token, Carrol Shelby's products would fall into the same category as well. When you think about it, the AC Cobra was actually a (Brittish?) sports car with a Ford engine put into it, and the Shelby Mustangs weren't a factory Ford car either. Whatever the club decides as a group, we need to look at the whole picture from both sides of the spectrum. <BR> Still as I've said before, anyone can take a car out of a field and make it look like an old style street rod, but I still think that to restore a car back to its original condition takes more patience, skill and tallent. <BR> Theoreticly speaking, if this class were to develop, what would stop someone from taking a '32 Ford coupe (or any vehicle) with AACA Grand National status on it, and turning it into a an old time street rod and still showing it in AACA? I know that this may sound far fetched, but there are people in this world who are warped enough to take a beautifully restored car and "butcher" it into a street rod (modern or old style). We've all been to enough shows to know that there are some people who are able to live where money is no object, and when boredom sets in, there may be someone who would do something like that just to prove a point.<BR> Howard, I commend you for starting this thread. This was a good topic, and it makes my 6,000+ miles away from home feel a little bit closer. Man what I'd give to be in home in our shop (with my dad) and out to the shows, but duty calls. Thanks to technology (the internet), it makes life a little more tolerable. Just to give you a heads up on life over here, most of the Russian vehicles are total junk, the people aren't real trustworthy, and there aren't any KRISPY KREMES!!

I may be one of the younger generation AACA members, but I have a question about the subject. Back in the 60's couldn't you go to a car dealer and buy a race car through them? <BR> Although it was before my time, I was thinking Chrysler did it with Petty Enterprises, and Ford did it with Holman & Moody, and I was thinking that they had cars that were built for drag racing and SCCA racing as well. <BR> Later on, I was thinking that Jack Roush, Steve Saleen and Bud Moore had their hands in the market as well. Actually wouldn't some of the cars built by Briggs Cunninham and Carroll Shelby fall into those categories as well? <BR> Without disrespecting anyone, wouldn't that type of car be more acceptable than a street rod? If my information is correct, would a race car bought through a dealership hold a little more weight than a home built street rod? A home built street rod would be tougher to prove its own credibility more than a race car unless it had some lineage.<BR> I'm just trying to increase the thought process without upsetting anyone. I'll talk to you later, We've got to go hunting for Taliban, they're in season over here.

Howard,<BR> Greetings from across the big pond. Although I am writing you from southwest Asia in a country that rhymes with "plan" I couldn't let your post go ignored. I agree that a modified or street rod class is not the way to go. Even though most of our restorations are done with reproduction products as new or newer than any aftermarket street rod parts, I don't agree with that class (if it is fact and not fiction that such class may exist). A restored race car with some documented history is one thing, but not a street rod. Don't get me wrong, I'm not encouraging anyone taking a '40 Ford coupe and making it into a race car and showing it at an AACA meet. But if it were a car that actually raced (like Richard Petty's '70 Plymouth Superbird) in that era and had the documentation to prove it, I would like to see that class. I still say an authentic restoration of an antique vehicle, takes more skill to restore than to build a street rod. As much as I myself like street rods, there are no rules when it comes to building a rod. A street rod is built the way the owner and/or builder wants the car to be built. A restoration is done to the specifications that the factory used to build the car when it was new. My father has had his '37 Plymouth pickup at a lot of local car shows, and he has taken a couple best of shows, but he has also beat out a lot of street rods that had more money in chrome than he had in his whole truck because it is original. Regardless of the trend leaning towards rods, people still appreciate an authentic restoration, and an AACA badge on the front of a vehicle, also gives that specific vehicle a lot of credibility. My feeling, keep the street rods in a different circuit, keep AACA for the antiques.

I don't know, but if the guy in the picture still has the car and it's still that nice, and wants to give it up, I'll take it.

I fully understand the 100th anniversary thing. I have been planning on ordering a 2003 Harley when I make my stop in Kuwait.