From The Publisher

I sat watching the Barrett-Jackson auction broadcasting live from Scottsdale, Arizona waiting for lot number 1287, the Pontiac Club De Mer, to roll across the stage. I was on the edge of my seat with nervous anticipation for our friend, Marty Martino, the builder of this one off re-creation. I couldn’t help to wonder if the re-creation would come in under the money when the hammer dropped like some of its counterparts had during the day. Early on in the week I had decided that I did not posses the nerves of steel obviously required to consign a car in a no reserve auction. Not that I need to worry myself over that, since all of our cars are like children, they’re here to stay.

After watching the hammer prices it was evident a large populous of car enthusiasts and collectors have not been effected by the current economic conditions. However, I believe it would be safe to say that the majority of “us” live in a different tax bracket than the bidders at Barrett Jackson.

With the new year upon us maybe it’s time to reflect back to the days when times were easier. Looking back to those days of early hot rodding, there isn’t much that was different then compared to what we are facing in 2009. Money was tight back then ... and money is tight now. So what does this all mean to us gearheads? The answer is simple ... fall back to our roots.

Let me point out the obvious, something I believe many have overlooked. Things have gotten out of control. Americans today seem to think they’re entitled to have it all ... All at once! Expensive cars, big homes, media rooms, spa like bathrooms with TV’s built into the bathroom mirrors to watch the morning news. Families today have right out of the starting gate what took our parents a lifetime to acquire. The difference from then to now? Back then in my parents and grandparents generation, it was paid for in cash. Today credit debt has gone wild, but ... they have it all.

We’ve seen this as well in “our” world of car building with paint jobs costing up over $10,000 ... you could buy a fleet of cars back then for $10,000. The custom world has gone crazy, too -  like doctors, everyone is a specialist. Whatever happened to the shade tree mechanic who could do it all?

Let’s look at an interesting point as we move forward together into 2009 ... Back then you had little cash and little know-how. Today ... you still have little cash, but now you have the know-how. Take advantage of that know-how and get back to our roots of hot rodding. A good example of early hot rodding is our ‘58 Vette.  It’s running a 283 out of a 1957 Chevy that was totaled, which Big John then bought back from the insurance company. The rear is out of a 1959 El Camino. The M22 Muncie came out of a 1969 396 Chevelle that a friend rolled over, he didn’t have collision insurance and sold the parts. This is the way is used to be done. Money was scarce; these parts were not mated to each other in harmony. It was what was affordable and scavenged when something blew. Maybe it’s good we’re getting back to that, maybe I’ll see you in the junkyard?

continues....