NotMinus

Anyone here building a street rod? I have seriously decided to start a project but am still looking into car models and whats available and learning more about the culture. I have partialy restored a 1978 Porsche and want to being on a new project. My budget will be 1000 a month along with the initial cost of car body and eventually engine and drive train. Is there any good lititure out there about planning out building a street rod? Any advice on where to start and what to look for as a base car? I have a few ideas of what I would like to use as a base car. I want to do some concepts, look at the some locals street rod gatherings and plan / purchase the body/frame in a few months.

This all started a few weeks ago when I was driving and looked over to see a 1930's coupe in gloss black, limo tinted windows and throaty V8 shinning with purple lighting accents. It got me to thinking about the evilest car and how I could build one. I want a car that will cause: mothers to grab their children from the street as they see it, people will close their curtains as it approaches, other drivers to fear looking into the passenger compartment as El Diablo himself may be staring back at them. I may decide to do something a little less extreme though. I am building a portfolio for being accepted into an automotive design program and I plan this project to be the highlight, I plan to make some changes to make the car stand out but traditional enough to be appreciated as a conventional street rod. I definatly want a pre 1950 base car.

big_bubba

I can't give you any first hand advice for the pre-50 part, but I'm building a '76 Dodge Dart Sport (same thing as a Plymouth Duster) with a 383 cu. in. big block V8 and a 4-speed. It'll be orange, lowered about an inch in the front, raised about an inch in the back, and when I have the cash I'll put a different cam/intake/carb on the engine. In the end I'm shooting for 12's hopefully. Handling? Economy? Who cares?

I had a video of a '30s Ford with an early Chrysler Hemi in it. THAT was cool. I'll see if I can find it for you, maybe help out with inspiration

MSD

I'm drawing up plans to convert a PT Cruiser into a RWD, Hemi-powered, RWD Street Rod.

I'll get back to you in five years when I get around to building it.

shakran

Been done, tho' not hemi. The Hennessy PT Bruiser is RWD, powered by the Viper motor behind the front seats. That's one Cruiser I'd love to drive.



As for street rods, there's TONS of resources available. Books, online, there's literally WAY more than you could ever absorb if you want to start your project before you're 80. Your first step should be to find your local hot rod club and join up. You can find tons of advice and help in a good car club.

Also, if you're planning on doing all the work yourself, you should drop by your local tech college and take any autobody and metal working course you can sign up for.