Originally Posted by dan-d

It's a shame to see you leave this site, after all it's all about diversity. Like you I'm of the older crowd at 57, but I also like to keep up with what the kids are doing today like we did as kids. So I guess this makes me part Hot Rodder and part Tuner since I work on and modify both older rods as well as sport compacts. I personally love to tweak out as much power from my cars as I can within reason. It's fun while at the same time making my car.....well....MY CAR.

Your 56 so this means you were born in 1950 a year after me, which means you couldn't have lived the 50's, more like lived through the 50's since that ended when you were only 10. Our generation lived in the 60's and 70's, the muscle car era.

Not trying to be critical here but as one who's your age I know I haven't lived the 50's, and surely wouldn't try selling any of these younger folks here my experience of one who did. Now I will admit that a lot of my "Hot Rod" background was indeed influenced by the 50's, as well as the generations that followed. This younger crowd isn't doing anything different today than we did, the only difference is the canvas for their imagination looks a bit different than ours did. Me, well I like painting on both. Keeps me involved, I love teaching the younger folks from my own experiences as well as learning a lot from them about these late model high tech cars. - Dan

Originally Posted by SoCal4me

I'm 53, born in '53. Don't remember a thing about the 50's. Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, GTO's, 409's, all the muscle car rage and all the gear heads that made those great cars better in the 60's & it got even better in the 70's. I don't turn my nose up at the guy who wants to restore (to cleaner than new in many cases) or the guy who wants to low ride or the guy who wants to hot rod. There is a place for all. More great cars ended up crushed over the years than saved. I suspect fewer of the more recent vintage cars (from the 50's-70's) were saved by strict restorers than by some form of "modifier", even if it's only slight "cruiser" type mods.

Car's are still meant to be driven and an older car with a newer engine, trans, etc. is generally far more enjoyable than restored vintage iron. I remember when the folks drove from San Diego to Boston in the early 60's in a '57 Starchief. Had to keep that water bag hanging in front of the radiator, for those hot areas.

Of course if you're going to Pebble Beach, that's a different story. Sounds like db justs wants to put his car up in the garage and look at it. To me Captain Howdy's response was right on target, and I think the other "I'm American" comment was about the fact that, more than most other nations (IMHO) Americans like to tinker and change and try to improve whatever their particular "thing" is. BTW, if I'm not mistaken it was upOnGamE that had the "Whatever I'm American" comment. Like others, sorry to see you go.

The site will reflect the multiplicity or opinions and tastes ONLY IF those with diverse goals participate. I'm not going to lower my car (my wife's actually) or put 22's on it or any number of other mods, but I really like some of the retro mods and I don't look down my nose at anyone who doesn't want to do exactly what I want. I appreciate this site here and all the folks with the ideas and work that they are ready to share. db, after you've gotten a rock through your radiator (as some here have) you may have a bit more appreciation for the modifiers and less for the "Holy" stock outlook. My