This discussion hit another board and it's nothing short of popular and I figured I would share it with you and get your take on it.

Ok here we go.

In your eyes, what makes for a good rodder these days?

Let me be the first to start things off so you know how to bat at this one and be on track.

In my eyes, a good rodders the little guy out there each week much like all of us doing what we can to make a show and having fun the whole time trying to make that show, even if it means we're out in the shop 'till 2am trying to get running (and buddy, I can relate to that one!) After school every day sometimes till 3am sometimes I got off school hit unc's shop and never left till a hour before school started that next morning so I could get cleaned up and be at school on time (Ok, i'll give, I was late a half a dozen times)7th grade some 9 years ago out in the shop for a month solid before York with my uncle messing with his fresh painted (not running) '39 Chebby Sedan. Dropped the motor trans doors hood grille fenders headlights and trunk on in 9 hours and had it plumbed wired started and running the morning (Thursday) we were leaving for York.

And with that hard working rodder trying to make it happen for the whole family comes good friends. Nine out of ten times if it hadn't of been for good friends most of us would never have made it out sane or alive in some cases.

You know as much as I do, friends make it happen, trust me! In the shop, or out of the shop at shows and or out in public away from the show scene having fun around a dinner table at a restaurant, wherever you and the gang hang out and whatever you do together as a group your cruisin' buddys are key! Yeah, I know all the gang around here locally that I associate with in my eyes is the greatest gang ever, but thats only the half of it. I'm glad I got in on here and got to know almost each and every one of you and to be honest I wouldn't trade it for the world! Simply the greatest gang ever!

But way before the friends comes the A-1 key ingredient, FAMILY! If the familys happy your happy and rodding can be a great hobby for all if you make it. I've seen in alot of cases guys come and go weekly, they're in one week out the next all because the family dont dig sittin' around all day/weekend at a show when your havin' a ball. I believe that when the larger end shows started the kids games and Womens World that took the cake and made it great for everybody that attended!

Lets hear your take on what you think a good rodder these days consist of!

See ya
Grant

--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

On my web site I have the following Street Rodding rules to live by. I wish I could take credit for them but a friend came up with them and has graciously allowed me to use them. I think they paint a pretty good picture of what it takes to make a good rodder.


Street Rodding Rules

Every hobby should have a set of rules to help guide participants and enhance its reputation in the eyes of the public. Please read and try to live by the following simple common sense rules:

1. Wear your seatbelt while driving.
Statistics show that you are more likely to survive an automobile accident if you are wearing your seatbelt.

2. Own at least one black car in your lifetime.

3. Never let popular opinion or trends dictate what color you paint your car.

4. Learn basic mechanical skills, you never know when you will need them.

5. Drive your hot rod across country (and back) at least one time.

6. Own at least one car without a top during your lifetime.

7. When people ask you about your hot rod, be friendly.
It's staggering to think of the impact rodders could make if they all did this.

8. Attend at least one national event.

9. Carry extra parts and a tool kit in your car on every journey that is further away from your home than you care to walk.

10. Remember, rock chips and bugs are like a badge of courage.

11. You also are no better for driving your hot rod than trailering it. It's all about attitude. I've met some real asses who drive their cars, and nice people who don't.

12. Go to the Henry Ford Museum at least one time in your life.

13. Own a car that will make your butt put a death grip on your seats' upholstery.

14. Help younger rodders in any way you can.

15. Own a car with a Hemi motor at least once.

16. Always drive slow through residential areas.

17. Make at least one pass down the drag strip in your car.

18. Build at least one car in your lifetime.

19. Don't be ashamed if you didn't build your car.
There are very few people out there who can do it all.

20. Learn to do as many aspects of car construction as you can.

21. Never rush a project, it will always show.

22. At the same time never take more than a decade to build a car. Trends seem to cycle every five to seven years.

23. Stay clear of trends, that is unless you are the one starting them.

24. If you are going to do a burnout, do it where nobody will see you.

25. Never, and I mean never, try to outrun a cop.

26. Build cars that are safe.

27. Learn how to draw flames.

28. Build your car for YOU, not for the fame and glory.
Fame and glory fade with time but YOU will be around as long as you live.

29. Never wax your car in the sun.

30. If you get your car in a magazine, buy only one or two extra copies, not fifty. If you buy all the copies up, no one will ever know you were in a magazine.

31. Subscribe! Don't be a jipper and read magazines at the newsstand. This, in its own way, is bad for our hobby.

32. Remember, your painted car is no better than a primered one. Maybe the owner of that primered car likes it that way.

33. Don't ask, "Is it Glass or Steel?" You are only showing your place on the "Hot Rodding Food Chain".

34. Be modest.

35. Log onto a rodding website every day or two. You will learn a lot.

36. Remember, Opinions are like arm pits, everybody has a couple.

37. Work on forming your own opinion, and don't be afraid to voice it.

38. Buy your own torque wrench. No body likes to loan their torque wrench out only to have it returned loaded.

39. Use jackstands.

40. Listen to constructive criticism. But remember there are people out there who enjoy seeing you get angry. If you learn to tell the difference between the two, you are a wise person.

41. Take someone over age 65 for a ride in you rod.
They can remember when these cars were used as everyday transportation and it will most likely trigger a fond memory that they will share with you.


42. Most of all, and above everything else, Have Fun!!!

--
Later...

1) Taking a perfectly beautiful day, and spending it indoors laboring on your project, when you'd like to be elsewhere.

2) Not letting trends or others' opinions influence your personal choice. Be original and let your ideas shape your project.

3) Don't be intimidated to try something on your own. Get sound advice and instruction and let the sparks fly.

4) Spread the joy of the hobby to others outside the hobby. When that guy at work expresses interest, don't give him the cold shoulder, give him the keys. (Yea right!) Every year at the NSRA Nats East, we have a party, and most of the attendees are first timers. I really enjoy the opportunity, being it's my hometown, of seeing the looks on peoples faces when they see all the different styles and types of rods, it's that kid at Christmas look, and usually by the end of the weekend, they're hooked forever!

5) Not needing a show to get the car out of the garage. Some of the best road trips we ever had, were random 100 mile trecks to some ice cream shop off the beaten path. Even taking the rod to the sprint car races has been fun for me.

Respect and understanding for all.

Aw geeeeze! Ed you sound like you're trying out for the Miss America pagent-What's next? You vision of world peace?!? Or maybe a tapdance demonstration?

I would try out for the pagent just to bunk with them babes, if I could get away with it. We will leave the world peace and a tap dance for Richard.

As this is the original question :

"What makes for a good rodder these days??"

And based on some of replys in other threads ...
I'd say MONEY !
MONEY , " ...makes a good rodder these days".

I guess that would make the other 98% of us, wannabe`s and posers?

No Ed, just Bad Rodders. LOL There are many of us whose only limit to building the car they dream of is money, so that's a very valid point. However, my lack of money doesn't prohibit me from having fun.

Then add me to the list of bad rodders and wannabe's! I sure can't write the "big check", I do like to have fun and I won't be afraid of a stone chip or to buy a beer every now and then. See you all "on" the street!!!!

... and bad attitudes , Yea , that's it ...
Money & Attitude ! OH , and OLD ... Ya GOTTA be OLD to be a good rodder. Gee, there's more to this than meets the eye. Might as well throw in a ... chip on your shoulder the size of a railroad tie , too. That should 'bout cover it.

And then there`s me! ...LOL

The problem that i have seen is that when you are i a club that the car, street rod ,kustom what ever is secondaryand fun and making money is first and so i dont get beat up this is not all clubs.The ones that i know of seem to be that way.To me a good street rodder or car guy is someone that thinks of family first and obligations he has to his family and then comes the rods or kustoms.I look at it if i can help anyone i will do my best and love to help young guys or gals to get in the sport.Helping people in the sport is real gratifying to me.
--
A GOODGUYS REP

So............BAD is good?........GOOD is bad??
--
Drive like you stole it !!

Now I`m confused!!! I`m selling all my cars...LOL

I GOT TEN DOLLA! Wanna make a deal Ed? LOL just kiddin' with ya bud!

Anybody besides myself and "Big Al" plan on being here in Baltimore Jan 25th to the 27th?? Bob? Ed? Richard?? C'mon gang me and Al will need some company!! World of Wheels...no wait, more like World of Trailer Queens is in town at the Convention Center Downtown. If you can make it it's one good show!

Wonder if I asked 10 trailered car owners at the World of Wheels show what makes a good rodder these days what they would say?? Me thinks I ought to do it just for ha ha's!

Full report Saturday night the 26th after the show on what they're answer was! I'll probably get laughed at and they'll come off with some "Money is a must" answer. Gimmie a break!!

Later
Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

Grant-
You'd probably be better off going to the inner harbor and getting some seafood and beer! When you do go please count the trailers(I bet you come up with over 75 in the lot).

Seafood? Beer?? I get that enough seeing how my cousin owns a seafood joint.

HA HA HA! You mean 75 the first 5 minutes after we got there at midnight waiting for the doors to open at 2am for us to start set up. Last year Oriole Park at Camden Yards looked like a mini version of the trailer parking area at the Nationals. I'd say 100+ on Friday morning around 10 when I looked outside from the lobby during my "break" during setup (forced to set up Friday morning at 2am till 6 cuz the bunch leaving didn't pack up in time.) and by 2pm when we were done Ravens Stadium O's Stadium and most every motel had trailers parked.

They usually bring in a 50/50 split, half drivers half trailered so it's a little for everybody.

It's definately gonna be a great show this year going by the plans they got set up!

Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

Is Hammerjacks still alive? We used to go there about 25 years ago.(I still can't remember driving back from there a few nights but that's a different story.......)

Hammerjacks just reopened at a new location in Fells. If you remember (or can picture it) that used to be smack dab in the thick of what now is PSINet Ravens Football Stadiums parking lot. Bohagers is still alive, just moved to Fells Point, Mariners Landings still in Dundalk, Green Monkey (fairly new...dont know if you were around when that was going up) ofcourse, Hard Rock Downtown at the Inner Harbor is crazy, Planet Hollywood just went into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after spending 26 months at the Harbor ESPN Zone was a flop. Basically with the exeptions of a few re-locations for some places and a few fly by nights that we're in the area just as a test run that have since flopped on their backs and died everythings still the same, Just seriously built up.

If I think about it I'll take a pic of the baseball and football stadiums which took the place of Bohagers and Hammerjacks if I have one or two left on the film. If theres something else you wanna see tell me and i'll do my best to take some pics.

Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

This time of year anyone who doesn't use a trailer to get their car to a show is just asking for trouble. If you live close to the show and there's no snow or salt on the road, great, go for it. But how likely is that in Jan, Feb or March in the great white north? The Detroit Autorama is a ISCA show and attracts a couple of hundred awesome cars that travel almost every weekend from show to show gathering points. Sometimes they have to travel half way across the country in a day or two in the most awful weather. Who can blame them for trailering their cars. Not me, I thanks them for bringing their beautiful rides for me to check out. I really appreciate their effort. Comparing indoor, show car trailering to the summertime trailered cars is like comparing apples to oranges, the guys in the wintertime do not have a choice. I know, I've been there, scrambling for a trailer cuz there's 2 feet of snow on the ground and I've got to get my rod 20 miles to Cobo. You guys know me, and my cruzn habits, there had to have been a ton of snow on the ground for my ride to be on a trailer. Give em a break and just enjoy the awesome rides.

6 weeks to the 50th Anniversary of the Detroit Autorama!!!
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Drive it trailer it, Who cares ? just get it there so we can see it.
What it takes to be a good rodder is a good attitude and
dirty fingernails.
Happy Newyear Bob H.
--
Bob Harris

Sorry Grant,
I'm settling on my house the weekend of the WOW. I'll be busy till Nats East!

Money???!!!! What the hell is that? Total in my 35 so far, counting every reciept..... $3485.??. That is even accounting for wire and gas for the welder, gloves, grinder discs, duct tape, jig saw blades, , rattle can primer till I can get it blasted, yada, yada, yada. This is over a year and a half. Im figuring itll easily double by the time I get the engine going (already have most all parts bought for it), glass, and paint.


Guess Im not a good enough rodder! Thats good, cause I dont wanna be associated with a good rodder, if it takes money to be one! Whats is the fun in that? Any Dork can pick out a color they like to go out and buy a brand new car, or one someone else built!

Surely your being sarcastic, and didnt actually type it in that you are here! Gotta remember we cannot see your faceial expression, nor can we get any tone or inflection from typed text here.
--
Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

If it came from Richard, you can be sure it`s a goof. Relax! $3485???? arent ya a little over budget?

WHEW ! , DIRK ! ... From now on I'll preface everything I type with LOL's , Smiley Faces , J/K's , ETC. just for you. Look at my screen name , CHRIST , I'm not even considered a RODDER ! Not with a 66 ! BUT , I did pay more than $3485 for my TRAILER TIRES. :) <-------

LOL :) I spent :) $4385 on the rotating assembly LOL for my small block. :P I have $1700 worth of primer :) on my ride!!!! :)

Yes, there is sarcasm smeared all over this board. HAHAHAHA

Ya, I figured you were! Just nice to let others know once in a while! :)

Seee, you took mine all personal too, and I meant it lightly, thats why I actually added the part letting ya know I figured you were...blah, blah, blah, blah... You get the idea. :)

Oh yeah, some of you rich folks dropping that kinda dough......Im up for adoption! Im 28 yrs old, and already through college so Im very low maintaince! And you can brag to all your friends about "you son" if you adopt me! Been in Army reserves for eleve years too so I can give ya lots of army stories to pass to those golf buddies!
--
Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

OHHHHH NO YOU DON'T! I already paid for one illegitemate son and I ain't payin' for another!!!! I'll buy the beer but adoption is OUT!!! (Besides I can barely afford my own maitenance much less another mouth to feed!)

Hey Ed, Ya hear that bud, Bill's up for adoption....wanna put him up on Ebay too? LMAO!

Whats the reserve there Ed? Your talkin' about a rare one of a kind here bud!

Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

I may be easy but I'm not cheap!!

SEE ... it "IS" all about money ! ! !

EDIT : LOL
--
BATTERED WOMEN ? No Thanks , I like mine plain.

Well Grant, If ya want to know what the reserve is on the 53, go there and bid away. I`ll clue ya...it`s pretty low. It`s gonna make some lucky SOB really happy they bought it.

No Ed, im talkin' about the reserve for Bill (35delivery) If you read back a while on this post I think he said he was up for adoption. Since your Mr Auctioneer why dont ya take and get 'em a good home for a while till ya can put 'em up on Ebay make a few. He's a one of a kind!

LMAO!

Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!

Where do I go to sign those adoption papers? I'm all for adopting a 28 year old, (good looking?), low maintance, college educated, hot rod son!! :)
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

There you go Bill , she got a convert too......
--
Mike J

Who's Bill? I thought I was adopting Dirk?
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Dirk's twin?
--
Mike J

Does that mean I get 2 for the price of one? I guess I'll have to put bunk beds in the "boys" room! LOL
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

I don`t know..... Anyone who is looking for "rich folk" to take em in, Sounds like sponging to me.

He'll earn his keep ED. Remember, I've got a streetrod in the garage that needs to be finished. LOL

Did you misplace your sense of humor today?
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

He`ll get it done "cheaply" for ya too. He knows how to budget a hot rod. He has less than 4500 in his. Thats fantastic! You might be $50 away from your dream car...lol

Thats only parts and materials. If he added his labor cost at a reasonable amount, his rod would have, what, twice that in it so far? So it really isn't as "cheap" as it sounds. You, as a "professional",(LOL) would never consider building a rod without adding the labor costs. Even the home builders should add those costs too, especially for insurance purposes.

BTW: I've got a Holley 650 in the box still. Can't give it away here. I'll bring it to Syracuse, it's yours if you can put it to use.
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Send it UPS and I`ll re-emberse you for the cost. I`ll email ya my address if ya want. Luv dem Holleys

Email it buddy, it's yours.
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

It is done.....Thanks

Got your e-mail and I'll cruz to UPS on Monday :)
--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Denise,
I'm only 29! Can I enter the raffle to live at your house?
--
MrWillys aka HRB

Paint don't make 'em any faster!

Bob, you get a note from your wife that says it's Ok for you to enter, send it to me, along with your resume, letters of references, finanical statement, and of course a photo of your rod and garage. Don't forget to include a SASE so I can send you the results of the "adoption". LOL


--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

wHAT THIS I HEARD OF YOU NOW DENISE? aRE YOU TAKING DATE APPLICATIONS ON-LINE? sOUND LIKE YOU COVERED ALL THE IMPORTANT BASES, BUT DID YOU ASK FOR A
" VALID DRIVERS LICENCE". ..sOMETHING i FAILED TO ASK ONCE AND WHEN THE COP STOPPED US THE THE DRIVERS DRIVER INFRACTIONS WERE LONGER THAN THE CAR, I KNEW IT WAS A 1ST ADN LAST DATE.
--
Hot Rod Liz

Denise, no problem, not married yet. I will compile my info. and send it express to meet any deadlines. I will miss out on the Mecungie show this year because I sent my registration in on Monday (day after show ended) instead of the day I got there! (what's up with that?)

HRB
--
MrWillys aka HRB

Paint don't make 'em any faster!

Bob, You've just moved up to the top of the adoptee list! I'm lokking to "adopt" one "son", not a whole family!!! LOL Take your time filling out the paperwork, no deadline for qualified individuals!

--
Your "top-less" cruzn buddy, Denise

Hey Dirk, In your eyes, What is rich folk? 28 and college education? You should be fairly successful by now. ...LOL

Off beat ride, huge rat motor, radical camshaft, 4 speed w/ hurst shaker, mongo rear tires, lottsa gear, tiny, little, very loud mufflers, the smell of fried tires, 3 inch flame throwers, I'll run over your lawn chairs, I hate your dog, like your kids even less and your wife better not plant that trailer she's pullin on my fenders. Now, anybody wanna park next to me?

blksheep....in Charlotte

blksheep, I'll bet you weren't in the glee club either.
--
Mike J

Sheep, I'll park next to ya! anytime, anywhere.
--
That's my story and I'm stickn to it

Back to the original question : "What makes for a good rodder these days??" ... there's this web site Hotrods and Classics .com ... big site ... lots to see ... some of the cars look familiar ... they got this section called " Rodders Helping Rodders " ... you sign up and provide a contact for fellow hobbyists that may be traveling state-to-state and find themselves in trouble. Sound like a good idea ? California - HotRod Heaven ... all of 3 people bothered to offer their assistance. Michigan - "Home of The Big Three" ... ZERO. All of CANADA - 7 people.
This is on a site where's there's HUNDREDS of photos , THOUSANDS of visitors , TONS of links.
NOW , for the IMPORTANT part , to some - IT'S FREE !
"What makes for a good rodder these days??" ... the precious FEW that HAVE bothered to offer themselves up to TOTAL STRANGERS in need and expect nothing in return.
GRANT , I hope this at least PARTIALLY answers your question.

EDIT : the serious side I don't often show.
--
BATTERED WOMEN ? No Thanks , I like mine plain.

Richard- this is the first I've heard of this site and the listings to help fellow rodders.I have the NSRA rodder pages and I'm due to be put in on the next printing(I'm a new member). I'll be sure to sign up, I mean we've All been there once or twice. And besides the rodder bunch is the best group of people I've ever met.

I'd have your book too , but 66 don't measure up ...
So Far , that's me and you ! THANX !
--
BATTERED WOMEN ? No Thanks , I like mine plain.

Hi Bill,Good point,January is sign-up month for the "Fellow Pages".A sign-up form is included in the latest issue of your StreetScene if you're an NSRA member.Please consider signing up as this is a very valuable tool as we travel to and from events. Richard,I wasn't aware of this sight but will sure add my name to the list,am always glad to help if I can.Let's get those forms in!!See Ya!!
--
DARYLE

Richard, Some of us are beyond help.......but I`ll sign up anyway.
--
If it`s too loud...yer too freakin old

I saw this somewere and beleive it to be true. A hot rod is something you build with your own 2 hands(not everyone can own one) A streetrod is what your car becomes after you sell it.Anybody can own a streetrod.Only real rodders can own a Hot Rod So........i guess what makes a real rodder is owning a Hot Rod. :) I still aint got the answer to..... is BAD .. good.........is GOOD..bad????
MIKE........
--
Drive like you stole it !!

" Richard, Some of us are beyond help ... "

You are SO right , ED. Read the post between ours.
--
BATTERED WOMEN ? No Thanks , I like mine plain.

How about starting a list like that on this site? If it was set up so that you could print the whole page, you could take it with you when you went cruisin' to other states?

phil
--
One man's treasure is another man's trash.

What makes a good rodder these days?

One simple word, Compassion! For your rides and your fellow rodders!

Terry M.

College education doesnt mean diddly if you dont at least get out of the town you got said education in!! The local college is a degree factory, thus even a manager job at McDonalds around here requires a degree!
Also remember that I live in middle Oklahoma, and the cost of living is much lower, thus employeers pay much lower! Hince, rich to me is very relative! Most starting jobs around here with a degree are 16k-21k/yr! :(

Denise, I also come with a significnt other, and a 2 year old duaghter!! :) Im thinking you look kinda young to call yourself an instant grandmother!

Id like a new brother though! :) Mines kinda a dork. HeHe!
--
Damn, I wish I had more time.
35 Ford Pick-Up

So that would make Denise a "topless granny"? I don't know Denise this adoption thing is a bit much. Think about it the temper tantrums,leaving the toys all over the house,all the extra laundry,the "why should I" questions,"where did I come from" questions and THEN you have to put up with the 2 year old...........

Watch what you get "top-less" around. The kiddies eyes may wander!

Boy am I gonna hear it now!

Grant
--
Hold your ears folks...ITS SHOWTIME!!!