Curbside Classic Outtake: Art Cars (Don't) Suck
Creativity means to explore new avenues of expression. In the thirties, forties and fifties, old cars were the clay that inspired new forms of creativity for the hot rodders and customizers. By its nature, creative expression was always changing, and 1953’s hot ticket was stale bread by 1958. The sixties were the blowout, led by crazies like Ed Roth. But by the seventies or so, the truly creative period was over, and it soon became a big-bucks business dominated by the Chip Fooses of the world. Glitzy eye candy, but don’t try this at home kiddies! No wonder there was a revival of rat rods, and the art car scene blossomed. Younger and/or artistic folks have always needed to test the sensibilities of the establishment, so if the goading words on this bumper have done their thing, and this turns you off, it’s been a roaring success.
More by Paul Niedermeyer
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Everyday is a parade when you drive an artcar! http://www.flickr.com/photos/thatcar/3861867034/in/set-72157594181971828/
As requested, some photos of my current artcar, the Utopian Turtletop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16479868@N08/sets/72157618150016876/ There are lots of new details that I haven't photographed yet, most of the pics are from over a year ago. A few details: It's a homebrew convertible! And I made my own top which to my amazement doesn't leak. It's survived over three Portland winters and the interior is bone dry. The back window comes out and is stored in the trunk. This year has been all about mechanical improvements. First up was the dreaded heater blower motor replacement (a 240 is a blower motor with a car built around it... nasty job). Next is a new drivetrain from a wrecked 240, which will effectively take 200K miles off of the car! Engine, trans, driveline, complete rear end. The rear end is in, next is the engine/trans swap. I know each and every last nut and bolt of this car. You name it, I've replaced, rebuilt or reconditioned everything. Haven't cracked the motor open, but I haven't had to... Red Block FTW! I did lots of interior work last year, but I don't have any decent pics at the moment. It's sporting some cool fake snakeskin door panels and lots of copper metallic paint on the dash and other soft bits. Seat covers are coming up, too, which my friend will help me sew together. I'm going after the body after all of that. I have a set of 1963 Riviera headlights and 1959 Chevy taillights waiting to be grafted on. Maybe some tailfins, too.