Well they’re cool! Yes, that’s true. But what makes them cool?
The shine of the chrome, the rumble of the engine, the ear-splitting sound of no headers that lead to the high-pitched sound of rubber over coming friction. Yup all that too!!
If you are an owner, working on them make it pretty cool too, despite the mess.
I was reading an article in GoodGuys magazine where the writer (a hot rodder) would love to greet new neighbors by revving his hot rod and laying down some rubber in front of their house. In the course of article he matured a bit which improved his standing with the neighbors.
I’m glad he did because frankly he wasn’t doing the hobby of hot rodding or muscle car ownership any favors. It reflects poorly on us and makes it harder to protect the ability to pursue the hobby at home. There’s no reason to be a “Richard Cranium” (I have friends whose kids read this)!!!!
Let me share a story from my own neighborhood.
A few years back a guy moved in next door who was a DPS (State Trooper). I was glad to see that since I’m a former cop and I was “DELIGHTED” when a couple of days later a bright yellow 1962 Chevy II drag car showed up on a trailer outside his house. It was all I could do to keep from running over there and take it off the trailer for him. The car was beautiful. And the first day he fired it up – windows rattled 1/4 mile away. It was awesome!!!
After a couple of months the thrill ran out. The owner would move the car out of his garage on to the driveway and running for long periods of time – while tuning and most of that was a the same decibel level you get at the drag strip that’s just 7 miles way (you can actually hear it on a calm day in my front yard). As much as I enjoy cars, especially those that are fast and loud, there became a point where I starting to think my other neighbors were right to complain.
Now listen, my Mustang is pretty loud, and I’m sure a few of my neighbors are bothered slightly – but this guy made me look like a saint!!!
But, I think the tipping point for me was when he and a buddy (I would loved to help – in fact it might have been better if I did…the ‘why’ is coming up) decided to tear down that monster power plant in the driveway. “Well what of it?” You might be tempted to ask. Well they did so while allowing a wide stream of all the fluids (oil, antifreeze, fuel) to run down the driveway (driveway has a steep angle) into and across the street (which is mid-way a slope) and down the gutter on the opposite side. It traveled about some distance passing about 4 house/driveways. Needless to say neighborhood cars’ tires spread it further down the street and into their respective driveways.
Now, I like working on my cars and the “why” it would have been better if I had helped is the fact that I have all the containers I personally use to capture, hold and properly dispose of these fluids. Oh, I’ve had my share of spills, but nothing as offensive as their failure to even attempt to stem the flow, much less clean it up.
Adding insult to injury, they left that big block GM motor open and dripping for two more days.
This was of course unacceptable to most on the street and as a car guy, I was horrible disappointed that a follow enthusiast had such disregard for those around him and the environment. It wasn’t much after that I saw the car on the trailer and a moving van followed.
Now I know that owning a hot rod or muscle car isn’t perfectly clean but there is no excuse for such behavior.
Do what you can to protect the environment, and the image of the hobby. Don’t be a Richard Cranium and ruin it for the rest of us.
So be reasonable and responsible!!!
1. Keep the mess contained to your garage or property.
2. Capture your fluids in the proper containers and have it disposed of properly. Make friends with the local auto repair places and they may even take it off your hands. Even auto parts stores will help recycle some fluids.
3. If you can’t afford the containers or to have the fluids disposed of, then maybe you should have the car.
4. Don’t run your car at inconsiderate hours and for extended periods. (I try very hard to warm up the Mustang and get out of the housing development a soon a possible. I also do what tune up and testing as necessary but if I have to upon it up I’ll take to outside housing area to do so.
I happen to live where the weather is nice nearly year round. You could almost always work on your car. But even here in Southern Arizona, we get a cold spells….HEY…36 degree (morning temperature) is cold!!!!
Ok…enough whining. There are many of you that live a bit North of here and driveing much less working on your project car is more like Man vs. Wild in the Antarctic – I know I’ve lived in Nebraska and up-state (way up) New York.
So one cool way to spend the winter it collecting model cars (actually you can do that any time). I wrote a piece about 3 years ago (Yikes I’ve been writing this blog for that long!!!) about collecting model cars. Here a link: When You Just have to have that Classic/Muscle Car?…Think Small!!!! http://wp.me/p2YxYx-1rV
As you can see (compared to 3 years ago) my collection has grown a bit.
The Mustangs
The Vettes
Few others
More of the collection.
These are only a few that I have room to display. Of course these were all purchased and unless you are big in to dusting, this isn’t really going to help those winter months speed by.
But building your own can be rewarding. Here are a couple I have on deck for building.
This is a 1963 model kit of a Stutz Bearcat and a Model T
The Stutz model pieces are not there, but yes I’m gong to but the Model T together.
After that I have this one coming up:
1930 Packard. This is a 1960’s model – the original box is long gone
What am I working on now?
How about an Edsel? Yup love those cars.
Here’s the body in the first stage of painting:
Edsel in paint
This is an experiment. It’s the first model car I’ve painted by spraying on the paint. This is the first coat and it will be sanded and re-sprayed. I want this two toned with the rear quarter panel inserts will be black or white. So I experimented with some liquid masking that my wife uses when she is doing her rendering.
Art Masking Liquid
This actually worked very well. After it’s applied it rubberizes and protects the area from paint spray. It comes right off when you are done. I used a pencil eraser (exactly what my wife uses on her hand rendered drawings and I used a tooth pick to get around the lettering.
So spend you winter building a classic, or a hot rod, or a muscle car!
This is a repeat – it got lost in the move to the new domain – I had to add it back to the archives so I could refer to it in my up and coming post on Model Cars.
I should throw “collecting” in the title of this blog (but it’s really long enough), because, although it’s about 2.5 months old, I have mentioned collecting a bunch of times. But really that is part of hobby as well.
Of course if I were to list all the cars I’d love collect, it would be fairly long and in reality (my reality) unaffordable..unless you are Jay Leno… I hate that guy. Ok..I don’t hate him…not really..the green-eyed monster made me say that.
Since I’m not as funny as Jay and I have to work for a living….what?…..ok..ok….I’m sure Jay works very hard…I guess…it’s tough reading funny newpaper clips….ok…Sorry Jay, I have “substituted” this alternative method of obtaining the cars I’d love to own.
You all figured it out yet? I’m talking about models, scale diecast replicas. There is an entire industry out there that produces, imports and markets these items. Some of them are extremely well done.
Here are some shots of my collection. I’m concentrating on the Mustangs and Corvettes in the sizes 1/18 or 1/24 scale.
These are a few of Mustangs
And these are a few of the Corvettes.
A Few of the Vettes
Most of these are Danbury Mint and GMP pieces, I do like what they produce, lots of details and they are affordable (around $100.00 each).
Here is a few shots of the 1967 GT 350.
GMP 1967 GT350 Interior
GMP Mustang GT350 Engine compartment
The Franklin mint produces cars, Greenleaf, Motormint, just to name a few.
It’s fun and affordable and they do increase in value. It’s gotten so popular that even the mainstream car magazines like Hemmings (they normally have at least one article in every Motor News edition), Mustang Monthly and Corvette magazine have articles that discuss this portion of the hobby and even rate the quality of individual brands and their offerings.
If you collect already or want to get started drop a comment to this post. Toss in some pic as well.
