Ever notice when you look @ a car (1:1 / model) you start thinkin', I would've done it this way ?

[Greg Myers]

The great little roadster Jeff showed us in his "Traditional HAH! " post got me thinking about this.

The Mustang steering wheel just jumps out, saying "wrong part / wrong year". There are other things, but to each his ( or her ) own.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Greg Myers

[Ace-Garageguy]

Yeah, there's a ton of things I would change on that car. The goofy looking luggage rack and bicycle fenders would be the first things to go. Then, the wheels covers and tires would get the heave ho. The trunk and doors would have to be opened which kinda leads me to believe the body is more than likely fiberglass. So, I don't know how "traditional" that car really is.

Couple of points...California, as well as other states following their lead, required fenders on cars weighing over 1500lbs during the early hot-rod years. "Cycle" fenders were a popular solution, and these are about average for ugly vs. legal.

Also, fiberglass was a 'big thing' in the early '50s in the rod movement...I have a lot of old mags and books to prove it...so depending on your exact definition of "traditional", a vintage dorky glass body could qualify...and it wasn't uncommon to see steel-bodied cars with the doors and decklids welded shut, and filled to be smooth.

The steering wheel and luggage rack are wrong for a '58 build, but most real hot-rods evolve over time, reflecting whatever the current trends are, to a point. As a survivor that actually gets driven, it's pretty cool.

As far as "what I'd do differently"...everything.

[Greg Myers]

Well there you go. I really wasn't picking on this car in particular, but using it as an example.

I find when ever I go to a show , be it 1:1 or model, many cars catch my eye (interest) with the caveat, "That's great looking, but . . . I think I'd change this . . . or . . . that ." On occasion, I have spotted a car that hits it right off.

To be sure, the roadster in Jeff's post is a survivor that has surely evolved through time, the true nature of this hobby.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Greg Myers

[crazyjim]

The Mustang wheel is OK and so is the luggage rack. I don't see a seam for a trunk lid so it would make sense to have the rack. The pin stripes are terrible. Fenders, wheels, and tires are passable. Hey - at least it has rear view mirrors.

[Ace-Garageguy]

...Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure (99.97283319%) I have an ad in an old '50s issue of one of the rod rags for this exact body, in fiberglass. The way the rear corners are squared off and the molded bases for the round lights (which I believe the manufacturer noted could also be opened and used for exhausts) is what triggered the remembry. The body did come with the doors and decklid molded in solid, but the ad said they could "easily be made functional".

I agree that almost every car we see triggers the "I'd do that differently" response, so I tend to remain silent about cars i don't particularly like, design-wise (done by individuals...I tend to be outspoken about ugly work done by 'professionals') and praise the ones that are close to my ideas of what 'should' be.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy