Attitude can be a good thing - then again, it can be a drag. Building a hot rod is a way for each of us to exhibit our tastes, our talents, and our point of view, as well. Some folks, in cases where talent and or bankroll allow, build flawless show-quality rods. Others opt to bolt together a down and dirty beater, and still others build ones that that fall somewhere in between. In every case each owner is usually satisfied and happy with the result - and that's all that matters. Me, I like 'em all, high-tech, traditional, and rough around the edges. Old cars are just plain cool, and everyone should have an equal chance of showing them off to the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, not all of us think along the same lines. A little while ago I received a letter from a reader who happened to run across a vehicle we'd featured sometime in the past year. The situation was such that he had the opportunity to give the car a pretty good once-over. After checking it out, and upon his return home, this guy sat down and penned us a pretty stern note expressing his dismay. Now, I don't recall what he said word-for-word, but apparently he was aghast that we'd featured a vehicle that upon close inspection had a few flaws! Can you imagine that! How could a magazine run a feature on a hot rod/custom that had a flaw, blemish, or chip in its paint!
According to this guy, it was an insult! If this was the case, why should he kill himself building a "flawless" car if nearly "anyone" could get his or her hot rod in a magazine? He even went as far as to say that he believes that automotive photographers intentionally use trick photography and strange angles to hide flaws in their subjects just so they can feature inferior vehicles in magazines. How dare we! That'd be like a pretty woman putting on makeup so she'd look even prettier!
Well buddy, it's like this. It is true that we (read that I) feature cars that are not flawless. And, like it or not, I'm going to continue doing so. And here's why: First off, there aren't enough "flawless" street rods, classic trucks, musclecars, or motorcycles out there to fill any magazine for more than an issue or two at any given time. And secondly, when I took this job I made a promise that my contribution was going to be for and about "real world" rods and customs. Sure, you'll find your fair share of honest-to-goodness head-turners between our covers. But what you'll find more of are lots of good-looking rides built by lots of folks who work their fingers to the bone and give up plenty so they can afford to buy the tools and aftermarket parts they need to put together the nicest hot rod/custom they can. No sir, not everyone is as talented, skilled, and as well off as you, but you best better believe that folks try like heck to do the best they can with what they've got, and we're damn proud of 'em for doing what they do.
None of us set out to build inferior cars; Lord knows I don't. I also know that the few I've built over the years were way less than perfect. But, I did the best I could. Hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to me they were awesome, and the good times I've had and the friends I've made because of 'em are worth more to me than all the tea in China. So, for what it's worth, I apologize for disappointing that guy (and those who hold the same opinion), and I'm sorry that he's been burdened with that rather large chip on his shoulder. It must be a drag going through life surrounded by the rest of us less than flawless folks and our cars.