[Skip Fix]

When I went to school all guys 8-9th grade had to have 2 semesters of shop-for me one semester electric shop-made a primitive electric motor from scratch learned to work the wood bases and paint. Made a "fuzz box" for an electric guitar. Second semester "power mechanics" where we learned metal shop, welding and tear down a motor and rebuild it. One guy brought in a motorcycle engine, another one of those 3 wheel US mail carts, another guy who raced Karts a McCullough kart engine. I built a mini bike and a West Bend 2 cycle motor.

EVERY Jr high and high school had a full set of shops metal, wood,electric. At least you learned how to fix stuff in your own house!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by ZeGermanHam

Uh, not sure you've actually watched Hot Rod Garage if you think their builds are not sketchy.

I said less sketchy than Roadkill...at least they aren't using duct tape and rocks for hammers to fix cars on the side of the road.

When it comes down to it, in real life all those guys are very skilled and knowledgeable, but they're actors on TV shows following a script.

[Entropy11]

I like that it’s more “real” than 99% of the shows on TV. Every other show out there has some SEMA deadline or other drama. I don’t need to know the guys’ relationships with their wives or that they have to rush the job to get their kid to a ballet recital. There also isn’t some fat stupid guy who does everything wrong for comic relief. They also rarely seem to take a sweet old car and feel the need to chop the top on it, recess/flush-mount, body color match the bumpers, or cram 22’s onto everything.

I like the episodes where they just show up in a junkyard and leave with something running. Sometimes it’s really creative how they tie-in Steve what’s his face from Junkyard Gold who finds cars for the guys in his episodes. The show he does might be the only one I like better.

[1966Lemans]

Every time the RKG or HRG say "This is definitely not the way you should do this... but we're gonna do it anyway!", I gain more respect for them. That's the realistic way most people approach their car projects. I love it! Not everyone is a professional welder, body man or engine builder. Not everyone wants to spend 30+k on their weekend project. It makes me feel better about my old '66 Leman.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I said less sketchy than Roadkill...at least they aren't using duct tape and rocks for hammers to fix cars on the side of the road.

When it comes down to it, in real life all those guys are very skilled and knowledgeable, but they're actors on TV shows following a script.

Absolutely agree on all points. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen Tony or Lucky ratchet strap a 5-gallon fuel jug to a car and use it as an auxiliary fuel tank. And I've seen that occur multiple times on Roadkill.

[67Fbird]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

At the end of the day you are what you are because of the effort you put into the endeavor.

Tom V.

Alot of truth there....with the only exception of some folks just aint got what it takes to do what they WANT and try to do. Some are NATURAL at things and hopefully actually enjoy what they are naturally gifted to do. As a Tool & Die maker, i have worked with some folk (20 yr exp)who bust their arss...try, try, try.....and yet fall short of actually achieving the desired result and others with 2-3 yrs exp that have the ability...the touch it takes to GET IT DONE.
As I have tried coach some of the apprentices I've had, you can take 20 yrs of work and knowledge and never be REALLY good at THIS!!! It's not a negative cocky thing....just plain truth so they can set their expectation at a realistic level.

oops...god off on a tangent...
Road kill guys make me cry.....just down right backyard here's what we got....make it work stuff

[Jay S]

I don’t have the Motortrend channel. So I am behind on the Road Kill shows. They are very entertaining though. Since I have pretty similar car back grounds to those guys it makes it that much more fun of a show.

Now occasionally some friends get together and do a “Road Kill Project”. Which is basically dragging some car out of the barn or weeds and putting it back on the road. Use to do that all the time. One memorable one was a 70 GTO.

Last winter it was putting a big block in a 65 Dart GT. Car hadn’t been on the road since the mid 90s, sat in a barn. Four of us changed the whole drive train out, I wish I had picture of the sledge hammer massaging the firewall for the big block. Crazy thing is how nice it turned out. Lol. Good times.

[TCSGTO]

I really enjoy those shows. It the most “real” reality on TV. Things rarely go as planned, stupid things happen, and old cars break, sometimes a lot. But you still have to keep going.

I think the main point of these shows is to inspire people to get an old car running and drive it.
It will probably never be restored or even painted but who cares if it is used and enjoyed. A refreshing change from all of the drama/billet shows that dominated the airwaves since Boyd Coddingtons’ shyte show started the genre.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by TCSGTO

I think the main point of these shows is to inspire people to get an old car running and drive it.
.

And David has always been a big proponent of this long before these shows started. It's one of the reasons I consider him one of the "real" car guys.

[Skip Fix]

David had a good saying on the last episode I saw about the Challenger. Basically you have a dream about what you want the car to be and to get it "right" is so overwhelming you never get it going. So just do it as good as you can to get it running and drive it.

[1968bird]

I like most of these shows building hot rods not high dollar cars and agree with the sentiment here. When I built my camaro years ago no expenses was spared to make it what I wanted. Car shows were fun at first especially day tripping with other guys from the club. However other than that I didn't drive it much otherwise. Definitely leary to leave it where I can't see it.

However the reason why I am excited about building my firebird is I'm doing it just like I did when I was younger. I try to fix or rebuild everything and not just throw money at it. Heck I've met several new people recently swapping for parts. I didn't realize this until reading this thread. When done I want to drive it everywhere and not worry about dents, scratches, etc

[ta man]

I'm currently working on a 1980 Trans Am. Slowly fixing all the issues it has. One was the brakes..beyond the fitting from the rear line to the splitter there wasn't much hope left. I wound up replacing the total rear brakes from another rearend that I had just purchased for the gearing and the posi. This was a complete job all the lines, brake cylinders, hardware, shoes and drums. It felt good doing this raiding parts to install on a running car.
I'm trying to show my son there are ways to save money on a build especially a driver..not everything has to be the best parts.
He is somewhat laughing at the next swap which is a good running 350 Pontiac replacing a tired 301. I told him I'm doing this for a reason there are many good 350's out there cheap..so why not...every build does not have to be that high dollar build. I also personally want to see how this engine runs with headers and a good exhaust.

[Vid]

I have slowly evolved into a fan of Vice Grip Garage on YouTube. Not much in the way of Pontiacs, but it’s always interesting from a general gearhead perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grivera]

I like Roadkill and HotRod Garage as well. Also like Garage Squad - I realize it’s scripted but at least everything isn’t super high dollar and they do get stalled projects back in the road. Joe Zolper is a good mechanic. One thing I don’t like is that flat black paint jobs...seems Garage Squad does lots of these.

[burd]

The guys lisp drives me nuts.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by Jay S

I don’t have the Motortrend channel. So I am behind on the Road Kill shows. They are very entertaining though. Since I have pretty similar car back grounds to those guys it makes it that much more fun of a show.

Now occasionally some friends get together and do a “Road Kill Project”. Which is basically dragging some car out of the barn or weeds and putting it back on the road. Use to do that all the time. One memorable one was a 70 GTO.

Last winter it was putting a big block in a 65 Dart GT. Car hadn’t been on the road since the mid 90s, sat in a barn. Four of us changed the whole drive train out, I wish I had picture of the sledge hammer massaging the firewall for the big block. Crazy thing is how nice it turned out. Lol. Good times.

No need for having Motortrend channel. A bunch of it is on youtube for free. That's where I watch it. All the other ones like Hotrod Hoarders, Vicegrip Garage, and SouthEast Gassers. Good stuff with real people.

[1968bird]

No pontiacs but I also like "not rod shop" on YT. No road trips but two guys building their cars and testing on the strip. I'm going to look at some list here that I've not seen.

[RocktimusPryme]

I like those guys a lot. Its more practical than the "WERE GONNA LOSE THE SHOP" shows. Its more fun based. They end up at the dragstrip a lot. They do a lot of dyno testing. Are there episodes I like more than others? Sure. But overall its fun.

Like him or not David Freighburger (sp?) gets more credit than ANYONE in my book for pushing grass roots hot rodding. It doesnt have to be about dollars and 10 years restorations. Just have fun. All of those shows have exposed me to types of motorsports I had no idea even existed. Rock Jumping, mud drags, 24 hours of Lemons, Standing Mile. The Merrill Ice drags are added to my bucket list because of Roadkill.

There are so many ways to be involved in the hobby, and those guys are a driving factor in getting that info to the masses. Gone are the days when all most people know about were the shows where you sit around and listen to Doo Wop.

Dont get it right, just get it running.



Ive said it before and ill say it again. I get more value out of my $5 a month MTOD subscription than I ever got out of DirecTV. I even think the actual racing that goes down on OG street outlaws and the No Prep Kings is better than the big brand TV racing. I just start the shows in the middle so you avoid the Farmtruck nonsense.

[Skip Fix]

My 65 GTO and my Impala projects I go between just get the SOB running-especially after I see an episode or I want it just right!

[geeteeohguy]

Don't get it right....just get it running I can identify with. I am 60 years old. I am still driving the same '65 GTO I bought when I was 21, and the same '67 GTO I bought when I was 22. I have been driving them non stop, every year, for almost 4 decades now. Tons of miles, tons of memories, good times. I have friends who's 'it has to be perfect' cars are in pieces in their garages and haven't on the road in decades. Losing deal, IMO. Driving these cars on road trips is where it's at for me......not spending 60K on aftermarket billet on a non-moving pile of parts that gets sold at my estate sale....as a non-moving pile of parts!!