Page 65 - Issue 50

GEOFF JOHNSONOFF JOHNSONOFF JOHNSON
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Downshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshiftingownshifting WITH WITH WITH GEOFF JOHNSONGEOFF JOHNSONGEOFF JOHNSON
The actions of the previous generation Today, our work is not done to preserve for
(and the one before that) made all this the future. Vintage iron isn’t as common as it
possible. Going all the way back were shade used to be. Thirty years ago, any trip through
tree mechanics guesstimating what it took to the country, and many short cuts through
wring more power out of an engine. Darker smaller towns, would yield several potential
times during the hobby found builders stuck vehicles for sale. I had my eye on more than
with smog emission power plants you couldn’t one through the years. And, yes, you would
legally modify if you hoped to ever pass the get a lot of the same reasons from owners for
inspection needed to buy new tabs for your why they wouldn’t sell (“Someday I will work on free commuting or cruising. I don’t think a car is
plates. Yet, the love old school motorheads had it…”). Keeping your eyes open will yield results
for internal combustion never faded and came since the more reluctant sellers do not post
in all shapes and sizes, from cars to trucks to online. Eventually, the car sitting under a lean-to
motorcycles to farm tractors and everything in might pop up at the end of the driveway with
between. There were enough vibrant times to a faded sign under the wiper blade. Stashing really yours until you have repaired or replaced
keep the hobby alive. what you can, to save what can be saved, to
ensure someone will have something to build is
The current a depressing necessity. I am doing my part to
generation of hot rescue what I can. If storage space is an issue something on it you didn’t think you could do.
an understanding spouse can go a long way
rodding should especially if they still have a spot to park under
cover when the snow starts to blow.
thank their luck out for them. Making modifications to stock
The next generation will have their work cut
starters vehicles in the future will continue to be difficult Every car I own is really mine.
based on current rules and regulations. Building
anything old will be tougher with dwindling
The current generation of hot rodding should source material. Even maintaining a newer daily
thank their lucky starters. With the cheap fuel driver is going to be more challenging when I have built more mechanical skill in the
and a rekindled horsepower/torque war raging doing simple things like checking the air in your
across the Big Three (Dodge-Ford-Chevy), tires (TPMS make me cry!) and the fluid in your
factory and aftermarket support for building transmission (what dipstick?) are a supreme
performance in our cars and trucks has never hassle. As alternative fuels go mainstream, the
othing stays the same. Our automotive hobby has evolved been higher. The process of swapping modern future could be wide open in what will actually past decade. I have always performed my own
performance engines into ancient iron has never
power rats in the future, but if what aftermarket
from the 1930s through today with decades of great hot been easier. The ability to replace worn older companies have done for E-85 is a guide, I am
rodding joy and turmoil. From the unbolting fender days parts with reproduced improved ones is an excited about what the future holds in this area.
Finally, I don’t mind making sacrifices to
Nof the past to the bolting in turbo diesel days of today, the expanding market. We need to keep in mind ensure a rat rodding future for our children. maintenance and only brought something in
all of this did not happen on its own. Today’s
only thing staying the same with rodding is change. So, what community is as diverse as ever with everyone Even if it means I have to drive a hybrid to work
getting along online and in-real-life (mostly).
Monday morning, I am willing to do it if I can
will rodding look like in the future and how can we ensure there This is why I love shows without such strict class drive the gas guzzling rat to the show Monday
will be a future for those yet to come? divisions. I can appreciate almost anything night. Harley-Davidson, yes even HARLEY,
someone has poured their own blood, sweat, announced they will be making an electric model to get scanned by the dealer if there was some
and motor oil into. The current generation has in the next five years: Project Livewire. The
made positive steps forward but still has work future will have more options than anyone at the
to do. We need to build on the framework our dawn of our hobby dreamed of, and I think that’s
rodding forefathers have fabricated. pretty hopeful. computer code I could not decipher. I help my
78 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY-ONE RATRODMAGAZINE.COM RAT ROD MAGAZINE 79
family and friends keep their cars on the road
And yet, through all that has gone on in the through maintenance and most repairs but
automotive magazine industry, Rat Rod Magazine have gotten smart enough to know when to
stands stronger today than it ever has. I can go to the experts--the key is before you have
still remember going to the car show and swap everything taken apart with no plan in site.
meet in Princeton, Minnesota back in the spring Saturday mornings at my house have become
of 2010 to investigate this new magazine I had an impromptu car clinic where everything from
been hearing about on a few online forums. I oil to alternators to axle half-shafts get replaced.
was a freelance writer at the time always looking Some of my strongest memories growing up,
for new markets to break into. I stopped by the both good and bad, revolved around cars. Trying
booth, bought an issue, introduced myself and to get pictures developed of cool brake stands
asked if they were looking for writers. I submitted while debating if my license plates are clearly
some writing samples to the editorial board visible (would they send a copy to the police?).
and was soon given my own column. Since Taking relatives to car shows that are no longer
then I have written everything from columns to with us. Driving the fi rst car I ever bought home
features. I still get excited seeing the new issue even before I had my permit. (No, I would not let
on the stands or getting copies in the mail--that any of my own children do this today.) Smacking
never gets old. I can only imagine what the next a deer at 50 mph while driving my 1969 Galaxie
fi fty issues will bring. to go visit my girlfriend (now wife of twenty
Personally, I have seen my own automotive years). Like I said, some good, some bad.
landscape change over the past decade. I don’t I want these same memories for my kids. I
own every car I have ever wanted to buy. My want more of the same for your kids. Cars will
wife has worked hard to help me place reason continue to change in the future, but cars will
over emotion in most of these situations. I have continue to be in the future. It is up to us to help
managed to acquire enough projects that my guide the next generation of rat rodders while
children will not be hurting for old sheet metal never forgetting our own history. We need to
when their craving hits. I don’t have the newest work hard to capture the knowledge of the old
or fanciest car in the parking lot at the grocery guard--these original hot rodders and real-life
store, and I don’t think I would want to. I own shade tree mechanics. We also need to work
cars with a purchase price of less than twenty- hard to capture the attention of today’s digital
fi ve bucks, and I have owned new cars fresh natives. We need to show them there’s value
off the showroom fl oor. New is nice, however, it in working on their own stuff and share those
feels good to take care of something mechanical feeling you get when buying something broken
and see it take care of you for years of trouble- and making it whole again.
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