Nov
05
How To Build a Cheap Hot Rod
Filed Under (Car Insurance) by admin on 05-11-2009
The ever-escalating cost of building or buying a hot rod is leaving more and more would-be hot rodders behind. This book will get those hopefuls off the sidelines by showing how a hot rod can be built for less than the cost of, say, a new Hyundai. Author Dennis Parks documents his own project–building a quintessentially cool Model T roadster from a “Track-T” kit–showing in step-by-step detail how to turn a pile of parts into a rockin hot rod. He provides a detailed, easy-to-…
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I have always enjoyed old cars and working on cars and the idea of building a hot rod has been in the back of my mind. Because the ones that get the big press–vehicles by Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose–tend to cost six figures or more, it did not occur to me that a hot rod was something that could be built on the cheap. The last pages of this book show the complete budget, demonstrating that the V6 Track T on its pages cost under $16,000. And it’s a cool looking car.
For anyone thinking about a hot rod project who wants to proceed at a very reasonable cost, this book is the logical starting point. It’s a doable project for anyone with basic mechanical skills–there’s always someone with more skill you can bring in as necessary. The author had a hand on numerous components, so that price can be less if you’re an ace with tools and especially if you have a car to start with. My hot rod lies a few years down the road, but this is still a good read and a way to get the ball rolling.
When I read the title of this book I thought it meant How to build Hot Rods cheaply. I was wrong, the title is correct How to Build a Cheap Hot Rod. The author buys the cheapest fiberglass T body and chassis, uses a V-6 Ford engine and spends over $16,000 to build just what he started with – the cheapest hot rod kit available. I thought it interesting that he spent $300 on an engine and tranny, but $1100 on a 9 inch rear end. I think he’d have been happier in the long run spending a touch more on the engine and using a less expensive differential. He had to have someone else do his welding (if you want to build a hot rod, spend the time to learn to weld).
There are no money saving tips here, he buys all his parts off the shelf for real money.
When all is said and done, he has spent $16,000 on an unpainted (even though he bought the paint), fiberglass T, with an ugly $300 engine/tranny. He’d be lucky to sell it for $8000. You can do better without his help.
How To Build a Cheap Hot Rod.
Just recieved my copy, and indeed it is a cheap build. By today’s standards, even the cost of raw materials “ain’t cheap”. It is an excellent basis for building a “copy” rod or even modifying a “real” antique. Today, modifying an antique is short of blaspahmy, but to each his own. Hot rodding is not only modifying, but also includes building. This book give an excellent insight on the subject of building and assembling for both old and new.