Anyone Here Have Experience Building a Custom Hot Rod?

[MBZ 500E]

Lately I've had this crazy idea in my mind that I want to build my own Hot Rod. It all started when I was watching the Barrett Jackson Auction and seeing some serious beauties and thinking how cool it would be to cruise in one. It doesn't help that I don't want to modify my current car and I've been itching to get into the custom toys again.

Problem is I have no idea where to begin. I have mechanical skills and I do work on my current car regularly. I could piece things together easily and even design pieces for fabrication but I don't have the tools or the experience to actually fabricate the parts. Can any of you that have done this shed some light?

I'm also wondering what kind of cash outlay would be required to build a custom rod.

Any thoughts, opinions and direction would be truly appreciated.

[Jngrbrdman]

Are you looking to start from scratch or restore an existing car? My father-in-law and I are building a 427 Shelby Cobra replica. Its taken a long time because we are going top notch on this thing and the parts we want to use aren't cheap. There are a lot of really nice looking classic hot rods you can build. Not all kits are built on Fiero frames. Most of them provide you with a custom frame to build on. The instructions are pretty good too. I don't think you necessarily have to be a natural with a wrench to put one of these things together. Its definitely a fun project.

[rjstaaf]

Ever though of a kit? Here is what I have been looking at for years. One of these days I hope to save up enough to build.

www.factoryfive.com

[MBZ 500E]

Jngrbrdman/rfstaaf,

Thanks for the quick replies!

I've been watching Rides (New show on TLC) and last night saw a 32 Ford converted from a junkyard car to a completely custom rod, that in essence is what I want to do.

I'd like to get an old bodystyle car or even a kit version of the car and build it the way I want. This may include reshaping the exterior panels, installing components I prefer and adding a crate motor. I also want to use top notch materials similar to what your doing Jngrbrd. The big question is are Hot Rod kits readily available and how to go about changing body panels and suspension setups? Also do either of you have experience with custom interiors. I have a feeling it's going to be costly but I'm not sure really.

Jngrbrd have you hit any walls with your project and are you doing anything custom?

[taxidriver]

I don,t know mutch about hotrods.
But i know one thing!! an orginal steel body Ford 32 cost a fotune
check it out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=7251

[taxidriver]

OOOOPS.Sorry, wrong car !!
Try this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6234

[rjstaaf]

Try www.hotrodders.com. I have had it bookmarked for a while but, haven't spent much time there. They do have a forum and a ton of links to different manufacturers.

[Jngrbrdman]

Originally posted by MBZ 500E
... I also want to use top notch materials similar to what your doing Jngrbrd. The big question is are Hot Rod kits readily available and how to go about changing body panels and suspension setups? Also do either of you have experience with custom interiors. I have a feeling it's going to be costly but I'm not sure really.

Jngrbrd have you hit any walls with your project and are you doing anything custom?

The only walls we've hit are budget walls. We had it figured out down to the last penny. It was going to cost about $60,000 for the car we wanted to build. A lot of that was tied up in the aluminum body and 427 motor. We compromised on the 427 and got a 351 Windsor. The aluminum body is an all or nothing thing. When this is finished it will be worth far more than what we have put into it. We are building it primarily for show purposes, but are certianly going to have fun with it at the track now and then.

We are lucky enough to know some people who know far more about cars than we do. When we have wanted to make something a little more custom like the suspension, for example, we knew who to ask who already had the know how and we didn't have to figure it out for ourselves. The only money we have had to spend on getting somebody else to do stuff for us so far is just some of the engine work. The rest has been pretty easy to do ourselves or when we have someone helping us. All it has cost us in labor is a six pack now and then. lol

Hod Rod kits are easy to get. We got most of the parts for our kit from www.shellvalley.com. They have this roadster for about $11 grand.



The drivetrain isn't usually included in that, but that is a pretty fun project for the money. Shell Valley is really good about letting you budget out the parts and buy them as you need them. www.kitcar.com might be a site you want to check out. There are some really great kit car magazines you can get too. Head over to Barnes and Nobles or something and check them out. There are lots of options for some really interesting cars. Lots of hot rods too.

[MBZ 500E]

Bob thanks for the link to that Forum. Looks like I have some serious reading ahead of me.

Taxidrive, got to love Ebay! They have everything on their, now I just need to figure out what I want.

Anyone have any tips on how to convince the wife this is a sane idea?

[MBZ 500E]

Jngrbrd,

That red rod is more like what I had in mind, very sweet!

I was also thinking an Aluminum chassis and frame would be cool, nothing like having 400Hp in a 1800lb car!!! Would love to see some pics of your project if you have them available.

I'll try to get to Barnes and Nobles this weekend to find a few mags.

Thanks for the additional links.

[rjstaaf]

Originally posted by MBZ 500E

Anyone have any tips on how to convince the wife this is a sane idea?

I am lucky in that my wife has gone along with all my hobbies to date. I have gone back and forth between the idea of building the Factory Five Roadster or restoring a '70 BOSS 302 Mustang. She has been supportive of both ideas and somehow I don't think she would be suprised if I dragged the carcus of a project Mustang home one day