By The Music Man
Do you have an old truck or car? If you do, did you know you're a collector?
The definition of a collector is someone who puts together or accumulates?
It can also be said of a collector that he or she builds-up and in some
cases stockpiles parts for future projects or repairs to current or dreamt
of projects. Like most of us, you are likely to have one truck on the road
and/or maybe a project in the back yard or at least in the back of your
mind. In any case it's good for us gear heads to have a goal to keep our
portfolio diversified into something other than a new couch for the misses.
My goal is to attain the perfect trifecta by adding a 1957 F100 to my
garage. I bet you thought I meant the tri-five Chevy. As cars go, the
tri-five Chevy's are nice but, in my opinion, nothing beats a Chevy or Ford
truck for versatility and down right good looks.
When it comes to collecting, you can have one, or one hundred, or something
in-between, it makes no difference, there is no room in this definition for
numbers and that makes you a collector. You're part of a small but uniquely
American tradition of preservationists that ensure the continued heritage of
American iron. You may be a collector that enjoys the look and feel of the
original. With today's abundance of after market parts and fabricators the
average garage has no problem with most vehicle restorations. Returning your
ride to factory specs would be your passion, and if your wallet can handle
the strain of a rotisserie restoration that might be just the ticket.
As a group, I don't know if the wealthy collectors' stable of cars, both
restored and modified is larger than the resto-mod crowd, who identify
themselves with the main stream of wrench heads throughout the nation and
around the world. Some include frame off or frame on restorations while
maintaining the original body style and parts. It is clear that collectors
vary in style and preference but, are never the less true collectors. As a
rule of thumb, the resto-mod generally maintains the stock body style while
concentrating on restoring and strengthening the frame to accept the
transplant of a modern engine and transmission. In some cases these heart
transplants include Chevy motors, and while I prefer Ford blood in a Ford,
resto-mod guys go for the more affordable and larger parts availability of
the Chevy implants. Upgrading the bling factor with paint, interior, and
chrome accessories finishes off the resto-mod.
The Pro-street guys that just can't leave stock Detroit iron alone. They are
collectors that will always modify and change body styles and/or swap out
motors for more ground pounding power to that new differential and four link
suspensions. They will chop, cut and rebuild based on their idea of what a
bitchen ride should be. Interiors also go through modest to wild upgrades
and no cruiser or hot rod or even rat rod owner has ever been known to leave
the stock wheels on his ride. I've known guys that paid more for the wheels
and tires (financed in some cases) than they did for the entire vehicle.
That is the thing about collecting, you have the car or truck of your dreams
and when your wallet catches up with your imagination magic happens.
Then there are the shade tree mechanics. We all like to think of ourselves
as some sort of back yard mechanical wizard who will piece together the
vintage iron that will eventually hit the road with you as the proud owner.
A Shade tree mechanics is recognized by his knowledge of automotive parts
and assembly procedures. Some bolt on parts while others fabricate, or as
they like to say, they make things. The shade tree or backyard mechanic is
recognized by the years of accumulated grease and grime forever wedged under
his finger nails. These guys are the mainstay of any sport, and yes
collecting is a sport. When they are done with a vehicle, the fun is over
and they look for a new challenge, often selling their creations for seed
money towards the next project. By doing this they help perpetuate and renew
collectables for the next generation.
There are tastes for everyone that include the chop and cut guys the low and
slow bling, bling guys and even the Tupperware set with their long and low
recreations. All help increase the public's interest in your sport and
hobby. Collecting, even if it's preserving just one original, vintage,
resto, modified, pro, or rat, is an obsession that once infected with,
drains your patience, strains your marriage, and drains your wallet. But,
you love it. It's a love of the cruise, love of the smell of raw gas in the
morning or that first cruise of the day. It's the bench racing with your
buddies, and what better way to meet and greet than over the hood of a truck
or in your garage staring at the engine, while chewing the fat about adding
injection or blower or both. Love of life; love of the cruise, add any
adjective you wish, and the result is the same, we love our collectables and
for me vintage Ford trucks fill that need.
Until that time
The Music Man
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