I've never considered my car anything but a "restomod." I have done plenty of "restoration" type work on it, and plenty of modding. I agree that somebody should carry the torch and keep all-original stock Mavericks alive, but that ain't for me. To me, part of what's great about owning a Maverick is I can modify it all I want with no guilt. It was nowhere near original when I got it, and now it's far less so. But it's safer, faster, looks better...
Honestly guys comparing "restomodding" of today to the term "hot rodding" of yesteryear is like comparing what is now called Nascar too the original bootlegging. But that being said I dont consider myself to be a hotrodder nor a restomodder or any of that crap. We all do things too our cars that others dont like or may not care for. Take 71 golds car for example, now I dont particularly care for his drivetrain... Its not that its not a bad engine or transmission... because they arent, they are actually very good components. Its not that he did sub-par work.... well he doesnt, infact I have one of his crossmembers under my car right now and the quality is top notch. But it all comes down too the fact that I wouldnt put that drivetrain in that car.. but hey its his car, its his hobby. People would ask why I put a 5 speed and a 5.0 in my car or why I lowered it... well my vision of my car is one way and Franks vision of his car is another way neither one is better or worse then everyone elses opinion. But they are better visions for each individual person. The days of hotrodding and bootlegging are long gone. There is no more racing your buddies from light too light on the strip in town... the vision of american grafitti is just a memory now... So if you want to call me something just call me either a "car guy" or a "car enthusiast" because I would rather respect peoples time and execution over their preferences...
I keep joking that I'm building a Rust Rod. Someday though I'll be able to afford the body work, but I do driving projects so body work always comes last. Someday I would like to do a full restoration on a car though.
If John Force can call his funny car a hot rod, I think I can get away with it , too! That's what I call it, my hot rod. The car I would have built in high school, if I would have had the money. Loud and fast. Bright paint. Reliving my teen years, I guess. Where's that good looking cheerleader? It's all in a name. The original term, "hot rod", then later, "street rod", was pre 1948 only, because that was the last year Ford had a straight front axle, buggy style cross springs, and detachable rear fenders. 1949 brought in the "shoebox" bodies with IFS and one piece bodies. Hot rods were anything that were built for performance, home built, shop built, or factory built. I've seen the T Bolts from 1964 called factory hot rods, even though Holmon and Moody built them. Boss Mustangs were called the same thing. I don't like putting names on certain styles and then diss'ing them just because they are different than what you like. Sure, point out anything unsafe, but let it go at that. I'm not stuck on any style or build, I like'em all from 100 point restored stockers to rusty rat rods. I wouldn't build a rusty rat though, I like shiny paint and stuff. Heck, I can even get along with the young'ens with the rice rockets. The stuff they do with small engines, turbos, and electronics is over my head a lot of the time, but I can still admire it. Again, it' s not my style, but that's ok. Just keep the jungle boogie stereo turned down a bit, I don't care for the boom boom bass....... Just build and drive what you like, call it what you want, and to heck with anybody that don't like it!
They were build by Dearborn Steel Tubing. The only thing close to a Thunderbolt H&M built was Phil Bonner's freeby 64 hardtop 427 Fairlane called Daddy Warbucks (not a Thunderbolt) and the 427 Fairlane circle track cars.
Hot rod...Go job...Jitney...Restomod...Pro touring...Custom... They all fall into the same category...They have all been altered from stock for one reason or another in some way shape or form...Whats the big deal??? As for restored...If its rusty...Bent...Unreliable...Or just plain used out and you fix it... Paint it... Get it up and running... Make it safe and or useable...ETC... You have "Restored" the car/ Clock, coffe pot or whatever it is you did all That work on. Like shades of grey these terms all have their own significance/genre/group or following...Life is too short to worry about the next guy turning his nose up at your car because its not a 500 point show winner with provenence... I am "restoring" my blue mav to better than the condition I purchased it in. It will be safer too...
100% restored cars seem boring, and idea is dying quickly, sure they will always exist, and they have their place, and certain cars that deserve it. I like "Street Machine" better.
Well put Russ..................not sure when this "Big Wheel" thing started but for an older car they just look totally out of place. Now, with that said I do have 20" OE wheels on my Dodge Ram Pickup..................................
