Rat Rods

My 16yo son and I went to a car show a couple weeks ago. I thought we were going to a normal car show, but it was a rat rod show. I kind of knew what a rat rod was from reading my car mags, but had not seen one in real life. The high points of a rat rod as I see it are- rust, black primer, badly chopped tops, Flame jobs over rust, indian blankets over plywood seats, Von Dutch type pin striping over rust or primer, Skulls (painted and shifter knobs) and straight pipes. They were so cool! Boy have I got plans for the '70 Suburban now. It's already rusty. It needs a paint job (black primer). I've tried my hand at pinstriping on my first car ('68 mustang) and really enjoyed it. I love flames, and want to learn how to paint them. I think (know) I'm going to skip the chopped top and plywood seats though.
I haven't said much about the '70 suburban (olive erl) because I was going to sell her and use the money to finish my '82 pickup. My son and I cleaned olive erl up to drive to the car show with a for sale sign in the windshield. I hadn't had her on the road for about a year and a half, So we spent about 3 hours cleaning her up in & out, and checking fluids, airing up the tires, and getting her sort of legal. We couldn't get the tranny to shift out of first, so we went without her. Spending that much time with olive rekindled the fire that her and I had a few years back. I don't think I want her to go. I don't think she wants to leave either, her transmission has less than 5ooo miles on it! About 5 years ago I had a 400 small block built, and had her original turbo 350 rebuilt. I cleaned up the engine compartment and bought shiny stuff and Edelbrock stuff to put on the engine. We got real close during that time, and I drove her to work every day, but we drifted apart, mostly due to her lack of AC, and fuel mileage (10-12 mpg).
I bought an '86 suburban parts vehicle for the AC, power disc brakes, five lug bolt pattern front and rearend for Olive, and also the electric windows and locks, and 1 door and fender for the '82 pickup. I haven't named the pickup yet cause we haven't progressed past the "it's just a car" stage, we're still just friends...
I was already planning on a true fire flame job on my pickup, so will try a classic white/yellow/orange/red fade with lime green pinstriping on Olive erl (by the by, the name comes from her original color) That link is Mike Lavallee's shop, He's the originator and best true fire painter (imho). There are other cool paint sites to see on my last blog entry.
The one thing that bugs me about the rat rod culture (Kulture) is the people. A lot of them looked like a cross between the Goth crowd, tattooed Harley gang members, and James Dean. I don't really like death, tattooes, or james dean, but the cars look cool...

Never play leap frog with a unicorn

I want you to know, that that title has nothing to do with this post, but I spent more time thinking about a title, than writing the post. This was one of the less weird titles that my tired brain came up with, so I went with it. Ya gotta admit, it got yur attention though, didn't it.

I've been real busy lately, but am determined to start back on the truck. There are a lot of little things I can do without spending more money - bolt the seat and seat belts in, install the kick panels, run electrical for the door locks and windows, etc.

I'm not going to drive the truck until I get the headliner, dash pad, and new seat upholstery installed. When I feel like I'm going to have a free Saturday (probably after the first of the year) I'll start with the headliner. I think if I just set aside one weekend a month I'll have this truck done by mid 2007. Ya, I know, I'm dreaming, but ya gotta dream. Once I get it on the road, I'll feel better, but if I start driving it now, I'm afraid I'll quit working on it.

House of Kolor has a 2 day basic painting class in Dallas. It's aimed at the professional painter, but I'm told they'll let amateurs in. The last class this year is mid November. I think I'm going to miss this one, but try for early next year. I'd like to practice a little first, so I don't look completely foolish. I'm going to spray my '91 suburban roof and hood. The sun has baked about half the paint off 'em, but the sides still look good. I figure as bad as the suburban looks on top, anything I do will be an improvement. I have the '70 suburban to practice on also, iffin I need to. House of Kolor has a 4 or 5 day advanced class, but the only one scheduled is in California. I'm hoping they'll have one in Dallas on next year's schedule. Another cool paint site is here

I get real excited about the creative part of this project, like the painting, and custom wood touches to the interior. I found some luthier grade curly maple on Ebay the other day, and almost bought it, but that project comes later...remember, pace yourself, baby steps, breathe....

By the way, it was 86 degrees today... in November... Wal Mart has winter clothes and christmas stuff out... The public swimming pools have been drained... and it's 86 degrees out... in November!