I think alot of you guys will like this article. I did. I agree with almost everything in it. I hardly let anyone touch either of my trucks. Only two times on my 95 have I let someone else work on it. One for a new windshield, two 4 brand new tires. My 82 F100 is my restoration project and I don't think I let anyone else work on it. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...rner/index.php

 

Yeah, I agree with that article but I'm not that automotive savy so I pay the shop for big projects. Definitely agree on the Foose comment, 20s'ers doesn't say muscle car.

 

I personally think that no true muscle car isn't complete without either factory mags, or crager SS's. I'm a stickler for details, when I build a car, it's either a custom, or I want it all stock for shows... I like foose, and I like some of his wheels (if I could get them in real sizes like 14 and 15 inch...) but he's swayed too much by the modern "bling bling".....

 

I watch them all. But I am a huge gear head so I enjoy them all. If there is a bunch on them on TV now that shows they are popular now because somebody is watching it somewhere. Hey it is better than soap operas.

 

I think it is absolutely criminal to "kustomize" a vintage car the way Foose does. Seeing him destroy the Challenger R/T made me sick. They took the whole original interior, including the dash, and just chucked it in the dumpster. Better he stick to Cadillac Escalades or Honda Accords than butcher classics. I have a 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T and a 1969 Chevrolet SS396 El Camino, and I'd sue Overhaulin if they "fixed up" my cars.
And, on the latest episode of American Hot Rod, they destroyed a beautiful Ford Model T. Even the guys working at the shop said "This cars is too nice to cut up". But, cut it up they did, and now an original 75 year old artifact is gone forever.
Sorry, but I don't think these icons of America's past should not be chopped up just for some TV show, or because somebody with $$$ thinks they can style a car better than the manufacturer. Once they are gone, they are gone for good. To me, it's the same as painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

 

I agree 100%.

 

Same here. If I had a '70 Challenger and someone did that to it, I'd probably end up in jail...

I will admit, however, that I'm not a purist as far as classic cars go. But rather than cut-up a rare or easier to restore car, I'd like to take a rusted out clunker that has one wheel in the crusher and do a "Jay Leno" on it; restore the body but bring the suspension, brakes and drivetrain up to modern specs.

I have stumbled onto one decent show on the DIY Network. Part of the "Classic Car Restoration" series. A guy does some dirty work on an old '38 Packard. He rebuilt the car's master cyclinder and carb, describing in detail many of the indiosyncracies involved.

 

I'm sorry everyone, but I have to disagree with most of you. Most of the cars that come out of either Boyd or Foose factories are worth more than before because of the names attached to them. In regards to the Challenger, the average price I found on the internet is between 25,000 and 30,000 US. With his name on that car it is worth more than that. If I had a car worthy of a show like that, other than "Pimp My Ride" (I'll address them later) they wouldn't have to pretend to steal it, I'd volunteer it. Those guys can do a better job than I ever could.

Ian F, most of what they do on overhaulin is very similar to a "Jay Leno" job. Aside from the Chevy 4 door they did with Wyotech, most cars have just been body restorations. At this point in time I can't recall any chopped tops, sectioned cars, etc. on Overhaulin. But I don't think I have seen every episode, so I could be wrong. I will use the Mustang on the link as an example. They didn't do any major body modifications, if any, put a modern powertrain/suspension/brakes on the car. Sure, they do custom interiors, but in my opinion that is what sets the car apart from the rest. How many lime green Challenger's do you think they are? Now that guy has one like no one else in the world.

Most of the cars they have built have been nice, simple, beautiful cars that are built by some of the most talented people in the world.

Unless we are talking about the rarest of rare muscle cars (Hemi Cuda's, COPO Camaro's/ GT 350's & 500's etc.) most cars are worth more customized than a factory restoration, because not many people want a 6 cylinder Mustang, Camaro, Charger, or whatever. Hence people build clones and sell them for more than the car is worth as a factory restoration.

But this is all just my opinion.

Trevor

 

I read the article, it was good. But all those who agree or disagree on the issue should take note of the last line about these shows. "just entertainment" I'm not a gearhead, but I enjoy watching Pimp My Ride, for the entertainment value.

My feelings on these custom jobs: Their nice, and their extravagant, but hey, they don't represent any kind of commonality, standard or average in the car hobby world, fortunately.

Alvie.

 

i feel muscle cars with matching numbers should be left intact. if i had a 6 and wanted to drop in a v-8, i would look for another car to play doctor with. i feel grandmas car, all orig.with the window sticker should stay that way.
some of the hot rod shows miss the point that rods were built by kids from quailty junk yard parts. seems silly to chop a hole car to make it look like a bunch of parts you found. i think you can build your dream car without destroying somebody elses. but then again i'm a cheapskate.
i like street/stock muscle cars. the 14 and 15 inch mags all the companys used looked great. chome lugs on the steel rims or cragers' look fine to. all you need is a tac, hurst shifter and a "bigfoot" pedal and your set. the orig. interiors look awsome just the way they are, other than a color change i see no reason to mess with them.
some of the shows (pimp) are cool cause they fix up heeps. though i saw them put huge tires on a car once and not bigger brakes. hope they dont hit my ford wth that deathtrap.
they should also mention saftey issues. i saw a OCC guy get ratty glove and his hand chewed up on a drill-press. they should have mentioned that gloves and presses don't mix. also saw the girl team on monster garage pouring gas from a ripped up can into a carb. that was backfiring. i think some of the tv shows could send folks to the hospital. i'm not a PC type of guy, but if they warn me before i watch "beavis and butthead" or "jackass" then some of these shows should tell you that these guys are pros and not to try this at home.
i must be getting old to be so concerned. i'll be chasing kids off my lawn next.

 

I'm not exactly a purist myself, but I too hate to see older classics and collectables butchered. I don't like to do any mods to a vintage car that aren't reversible, I.E. anything welded or holes cut. For older cars like Model A's and T's, there are so many aftermarket kits and parts available that you could build an entire car from repop parts, so there is no need to destroy an original. Of course, this doesn't apply to GM cars, cut them up all you want, anything would be an improvement! (I still want to drop a 351C into a '55 Chevy 2dr. hdtp) What I'm tired of is the trend to emphasize the bling-bling (I hate that term) without much, if any, improvements in the performance, like these wanna-be ricer boys running around with big wings, 17" wheels, stickers, and a fart-can exhaust, and a stock no-go motor. (On the other hand, that's probably a good thing, because the majority of the ones I see around here don't have the driving abilities to handle the little bit of power they do have, no telling how big a hazard they'd be with some real power) And of course, let's not forget that every build-up on these un-reality shows seems to center around the thumpity-thump sub-woofer stereo sytem, sometimes at the cost of the rear seat or the trunk. If they tried to put one of those dang things in my car, I'd definetely have something to say about it. Well, I guess that's enough of my rant for now! -TD

 

I was just watching a show called Trucks, on Spike TV...that host is terrible! What a phoney, he tries way too hard. He was building a 349 stroker out of a 302 with Holley/Lunati parts. I realize it's tv and they have to take some shortcuts, but really! He was assembling the valvetrain dry, no lube, just dropped the distributer in the hole without timing it, I don't really think he knew what he was doing, he was just acting (and not very well) I had to turn it off before I blew chunks all over the tv! I'm going to make sure not to watch that show again! -TD

 

Most of these "original" cars are not very original. If you have to replace floorpans, door skins, fenders, trim pieces, etc. Its not exactly original. Brought back to original specs, but original?

I like what Foose does to the cars. The wheels are a little too big for pothole, salt damaged roads where I live, but in CA or FL it would be ok. Plus the cars Foose has done on the show were not exactly big money cars.

I like Joe Rogins Cuda Troy Trepanier did.
http://www.radrides.com/projects.php?cursec=22&timg=18
There are enough cars out there for everyone. I'm not saying someone should customize an original Bugatti, Yenko Camaro, or a Shelby Cobra GT 500 KR. But modify or customize a mass produced car, whether it was built 10 days ago or 50 years ago-GO FOR IT. Its better than sending a classic to the crusher. Its their car, its their money. Some people see a car as a blank canvas, while others see it as "done."

 

The guy that wrote the article must have been having a bad day. He did get his last paragraph right. If Overhauling wants my truck, I'll gladly leave the keys in to make it easy for them, and I would sweep the shop floors just to work with those guys.
Dono

 

Hey if I've got the money to buy it, and it is MINE, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! I'll do with it what ever I please. If I am a purest I will get it back original... If I am not, it is still my business whatever I decide to do with my property.
So you see I have no bone to pick over anything anyone does with their stuff.
Big Jim