MAGAZINE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

TO THE POINT, HUH?

The big news is that the "Rat Rods" are in. They are the darlings of the real magazine industry, and the press will undoubtedly cause legions of readers to follow suit, and build and buy cars so they, too, will not miss out on this generation of ink.

But, like traditional hot rod types, who have had a genuine interest in simple hot rods throughout their lives, and have not gone "trendy", the Rat Rodders are the real thing. They - the Humans - are what you get. Copy-cat rodders can duplicate the cars, but they will not be the people. They can't be, because these people do not follow. They don't copy. They are satisfied with their own style, and they will not fashionably change to curry ink. The reason they are ink-worthy is because they are originals. Content with their act. Whether you like it or not.

Some of the lemmings in our hobby will "throw in" in hopes of getting some ink, but they will have missed the real message.

The Rat Rodders (The name came from the real magazine people. We were searching for a handle, and the professionals gave it to us) are kind of in a cool spot. They approximate the look of the early cats, with a little more hair and body ink; kind of a cross between them and Milner. But a lot cooler.

We, on the other hand, see ourselves as true Hop Up Guys, based on the cars we dig and way we dig them, but not lifestyle guys. We (babyboomers?) came from a time in which we emulated the real, early guys, who we never really looked like. The cars do, but we had the gifts of the post-war economies, the socio-economic influences of the 60's, 70's and 80's modifying our behavior and, being that spoiled, how could we really do anything austere? All we did that was cool, was to resist the smooth, billet extravagances of the 80's and 90's. But we've been extravagant in our own way. (Look how bitchin our people restore old hot rods!) So we look back on the poverty-stricken rodders of the past and we look forward to the poverty-stricken (maybe) rodders of the future, and here we are, pot-bellied, gray-bearded, screen-shirt wearin' stereotypes of that group in the center.

COULD THIS BE A RESTORER'S OLD PAINT?

But what of that group? As we have said ad infinitum, we held it together. We were the thread that connected the original rodders to those new, clever ones coming aboard today. We may have majored in resto-luggage rack-power glide-fordors in the late 60's and 70's, but we found truth. You know what that truth is, don't you? If you are a Hop Up Guy ( and not some voyeuristic detractor) you know the truth without it being spelled out.

So on these cheap-ass pages, we will embrace the fresh, new, genuiness of the movement. And we probably will be reticent to use the Rat Rodder handle. They are kin - whether they want to be or not! Hop Up Guys.

MODIFIEDS ET.AL.

J.NEAL EAST DID THIS ONE

Back to modifieds, Bird's is out, Mild Mitch has his rolling and is shooting for a spring light-off, one other Hop Up Guy has one being finished in a famous pro shop and will no doubt see it done in time for an auspicious showing, one other famous guy built the all-time 3-springer, narrowed T body, cool-like Capanna car, had it mocked up in the shop and someone made him sell it, another Hop Up Specialist has all the parts stacked up, but is finishing his too-cool A-V8 and then may be looking to his Dual-Cowl Lincoln Phaeton before the modified (I think I would do the Lincoln and hitch a ride with Mitch when I got horney for a modified! Ed.). The glass industry is making the bodies available to those who find that acceptable, but it remains to be scene (I know) what these dudes will do with the simple theme of using old parts. Will they or won't they? That's why there's chocolate and vanilla, right?

It oughta be a kick to see all the correct ones out there next year. If you have one to show off, send a picture.

LYNN BIRD IS ON THE DIRT AND WE'RE ALL STILL COLLECTING PARTS

BEING THERE

OUR BOY IN GROOMING FOR "HOP UP KINDA GUY"

It was pretty hep that Dad wanted to even mess with it - or even be with the post- bugger-eating, pubescent kid with the weird interests. It was interesting that Stroupe has talked to Art Chrisman, who was there that day, and remembered it as well; and for a current event twist, the '29 roadster that he's ogling is Ken Fuhrman's, a car that is still owned by the same stiff, and was a feature car at the Oakland Museum of History's honorarium for rods and customs a couple of years ago. It's evolution included a chrome deuce frame, Plexiglas hood and such, which it still wears. All trends did not become de riguer, thankfully!

Now, we like the Merc in the background; James Dean, no chop, suede, probably twice-pipes and two carbs. Go get chicks.

THIS SCENE WAXES NOSTALGIC IN A BUNCH OF WAYS

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