Well for me its the 70-71 Chevelle SS.
The last auto-rama I went to the chevelles were out in force. As much as I like the repainted and completely re done and detailed look of a car, I enjoy much more the look of original paint/interior pieces which is somewhat scarce of cars of this age. I like to see original equipment and miles on the odometer. Knowing its been used and just very well cared for by a car enthusiast. I like that more than the million dollar resto.

 

This is probably the best ? on here by far, and one I beleive alot of people need to take notice of.
For example for me i love a car with a great stance and wheels, wheels that match the theme of the car aswell as the paint and the whole overall theme to the car matches example a billet car must be a billet car through out traditional hot rod same way and so on but i love customcars with clean mods that the average person would not notice. cars also that are very well detailed and use of great quality products through out. and not just bolt parts on cars that look like they just backed into a JC whitney store true engineered cars with alot of thought and craftmanship in theme a few builders to learn a ton from is Troy at rad rides by troy and the ovious like foose and a few other true craftsman and this work dosn't have to be on that level of expense but just taking ideas and thinking and designing a car before hands on paper and getting the look just right, Will save you alot of time and money in the long run.

 

Like above, I look for late sixties very early 70's muscle cars be they Ford Chrysler or Chevy. I like the restored stock look, especially on 69 SS Z28 Camaro's. I hate to see a first generation Camaro all customed up by one of the big boys.

Vince

 

Yeah I look for the cars that have some out of the ordinary on them. I like when someone does it differently. A different engine build or some personal custom on the interior or exterior, just something you dont normally see.

 

I look for the 53-56 ford trucks (56 specifically). I look more for the daily driver type or the resto-mod done at home by a guy in his garage.

I look for details that are different or done well. Inventive ideas or just quality work on the stock whatever it is.

The highly customized "show trucks" that someone pays a pro to do are of no interest to me. I walk right past them and totally ignore them.

An example of that was the 2006 F-100 supernationals in Knoxville. I was there for 3 days. I took hundreds of pictures of trucks of every year.

When I got home, I found out the top winner was this particular red truck. I looked and looked trying to find a picture of it in my gallery. I don't have one. I am proud of that!

 

take notice

I have too many favorite cars to list one or two, but what really catches my eye is a car that is clean and simple. I like some subtle mods that don't distract from the original theme of the car. I prefer the home built rod because I can relate to all of the hard work that has gone into it. I don't have anything against a cleanly built professional job but I have more respect for the little guy that pulls it off on a smaller budget. I also look for the little details that make the difference.

Rick

 

I like the cars that are clean and simple. I used to like the chromed out trailer queens, then after I grew up, I learned better. I like to see the drivers that are homebuilt. They are easy to spot. They might have a rock chip or two, the chrome on the headers is blue from being driven. They don't have a ton of billet or chrome, but you can spot the details that only a homebuilder would have put in. I like a well done paint job, a little sparkle here and there and some well placed pinstriping if it fits the cars lines. As was posted before, I don't even see the trailer queens now. There was a green '34 Ford roadster at the last autorama I went to here. The owner owned a chrome shop. I thought that was the sickest looking car I had seen in a long time. Chrome vomit. No soul, just a display of his employees plating skills ( the chassis was chrome for Gods sake!). I bet if I had asked him how it drives, he would have had to lie.

 

Once again, I must concur with Jay Leno on this.............what he likes to see, and I agree, is a very well preserved, but DRIVEN classic, or as deathrattle pointed out, an original totally cared for and preserved by the enthusiast.

Everyone has their favorites, for me, it's the birds, unbutchered, well-cared for t-birds up to '66. Still looking for that perfect '66 with the 428. Also, t-buckets that have been built from the rails up. G-1 corvettes are somewhere in my future............

 

Oddballs. Vintage trucks; IH Metro, Divco, COE trucks, Mack. Small cars Hillman, Morris, Anglia, English Fords, Metropolitans woodies, foreign cars like DS21 w/American drivetrains. Freaks yes, but tastefully done freaks. Homebuilt is a definite plus.

Whats turns me off is an dirty wheels and tires on a scratched up 50's 60's cars with 3 hubcaps. Just because a car is older doesn't mean it classic rod material.

 

I like the unusual also, Studebakers, Hudsons, Caddys, cars that don't get rodded often. Ross, did you see the article in Street Rodder on the Divcos? Dan

 

Authentic feeling representation. Sure, a typical car, with shiny paint, and over-popular wheels is nice, but it doesnt make me take notice.

Style has to come through somewhere, it has to make me beleive the owner believes in his ride.

Hard to explain, but.

 

I have too many favorite cars to list one or two, but what really catches my eye is a car that is clean and simple. I like some subtle mods that don't distract from the original theme of the car. I prefer the home built rod because I can relate to all of the hard work that has gone into it. I don't have anything against a cleanly built professional job but I have more respect for the little guy that pulls it off on a smaller budget. I also look for the little details that make the difference.

Rick

What he said. I am also attracted to the survivors that were parked in a barn or wherever years ago, drug out, hosed off and driven again "as is". Rough around the edges and so hopelessly outdated they're cool again but stilly ready for business.

 

64-67 Chevelles and Novas, 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks, anything rare...

 

I like to see the cars that few want to deal with.
Custom or stock
Someone that takes the time to find the parts to do these deserves extra credit.
67 Chrys Imerial----------sure would like a picture after mikey is done with it.
59 Olds 88---who would touch this???
60 Ford sunliner??? where the hell are they??? cool odd looking car
and of course a 63 Pontiac Catalina with a 4 spd :drool:

There are more---but seldom seen cars out there

Bryan

 

An up and down weekend but no more Monte "Blues".

:embarrass :embarrass :embarrass :embarrass :embarrass

Drink the coffee BEFORE posting.
Drink the coffee BEFORE posting.
Drink the coffee BEFORE posting.
Drink the coffee BEFORE posting.
Drink the coffee BEFORE posting.

 

LOL Wow, Hippie, that's good to hear. A little off topic, but good to hear.

Memo to self: Drink the coffee, man. Always drink the coffee before posting in the morning. :mwink:

 

I have no hang up or brand/period/country of origination loyalty. I do, however, walk right on by the Fiberglass Reproductions. I am always looking for a better way of doing things and for the latest parts/gadget items just to keep up with what is going on. Who knows, I may see something to invest in someday. I am never above stealing some one else's ideals because there is so much talent out there that is far superior to my own. Look quick/Study hard/Take pictures!!!

Trees

 

It's a combination of creativity and engine choice. It can be the sweetest street rod in the world but if it's got another 350/350 combo I won't even waste my time looking at the car. I'll just walk on by.

When we're talking muscle cars, it's the originality that counts. One thing that will draw me to a car is if it's a good quality clone too. Providing the owner isn't trying to pass it off as the real thing.

 

first gen camaros
along with hand crafted parts not the off the shelf stuff.
nice neat engine bays!

 

Like em "in da weeds" ,chopped ,frenched tailights,roll pans. Sometime louvres ,wide whites,,,,,,ah heck I like em all period. :thumbup:

 

LOL Wow, Hippie, that's good to hear. A little off topic, but good to hear.

Memo to self: Drink the coffee, man. Always drink the coffee before posting in the morning. :mwink:

OH CRAP!!!! :embarrass :embarrass :embarrass No wonder I couldn't find it. Yes, definitely drink the coffee first. Oh well, the whole rest of my day has gone just as well, I'm not touching anything when I get home except the recliner with my South 40..........

 

Hi Dan

I saw the article(s) on Kenny Campbells' Divco and just about wet my pants. Kenny is also a member of the Divco club. I emailed Brian Brennon a link to this site to see my project journal. Looks like he got a lot of feedback by owners of these trucks. I sent him some links to some of my favorite custom Divcos hopefully to do an article. I have noticed prices have skyrocketed for project trucks since that article came out.

Ross

 

Ross, definitely too many toys............ just kidding. Man I would love to have that woodie. Forgot to mention that in what I'd like to see at shows. No question that could turn out great after looking at your journal. Keep it up!!!

 

DETAIL, that is what sets a car off for me. Panels flawlessly fit, some guy who has spent hundreds of hours getting every single nook and cranny perfect, that is what grabs me. I can look at any style car, I don't care if it is a low rider, Rice rocket, 50 Merc, Deuce roadster, anything, if the details were done nice.

And the cool thing about it is, it takes NO money. So some home builder who is displaying his first build can get my attention as much as a six figure major show winner. In fact, to tell you the truth, I have seen my fair share of those six figure cars "undressed" and they are FAR from as nice as many home builts I have seen.

Brian

 

...In fact, to tell you the truth, I have seen my fair share of those six figure cars "undressed" and they are FAR from as nice as many home builts I have seen...

I've seen quite a few within the last few years that don't even have to be "undressed" to see the flaws. Amazingly, even by some of the top builders, who I know CAN get it right. I am just amazed at what people will let slide when they think they can get away with it; or when they know their name will override their mess.