Talk about proportions!

[gold03]

Let me hear your opinion on hot rod proportions. Are they different for different styles? I know what works for my eyes, but I would like to know your opinion.

Gold03

 

[Bonehead]

Okay. It is the hardest thing to explain to builders. It can be the difference in a work of art, and a bunch of parts bolted together. I think most of us know it when we see it, check out the Kool car photos thread. The hardest thing to see is when you are building and you think you have built something really cool. Or maybe you just put alot of work into something, and can't talk yourself in to going backwards. That is the biggest reason, I don't fear taking a step backwards if I don't like where the build is going. One wrong turn , and the whole trip changes.

 

[zzrodder]

Proportions and build styles can be a regional thing as well, for instance in the 50's & 60's, the difference between the east coast channeled, low down rod style and the west coast style which trended more to the hiboy look, drop axle, little higher in the rear.
Different build styles abound within different types of cars depending on builders preferences though the internet has probably had the greatest effect on the ability of people to see what the other guys are up to and I think it has really brought the rat rod style to the forefront.
For me, wheel and tire selection is all important - big and littles never goes out of style.

 

[skull]

stance

rake/stance/ is also key to the balance of the build.

wrong choice here can kill an otherwise great rod.

it took me a couple of try's to get the rear end of my truck to sit the way l wanted it.

the front end sat pretty close and l achieved the adjustment with tire size.

l think l nailed it.



on the street legal race car the stance will be both ends level or the rear maybe a 1" higher.

Later

 

[gold03]

I keep hearing this in build threads. I thought there would be more opinions.

I have always leaned toward form over function. In the case of my rat rod I will require a little road clearance. I live in Edmonton Alberta. The streets are rough because of extreme freeze thaw cycles and heavy truck traffic. So slamming it is not a great option.

The proportions of a bobber truck build seem to vary quite a bit. I think this is a great example of good proportions...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/jimmy-shines-34-pickup-hot-rod.htm

My 49 Ford won't have that kind of proportions for several reasons. I think the older square style cabs allow the builder to go places that are more difficult with 49 Ford when it comes to proportions. For example, the height of the roof line above the windshield. My 49 reminds me of the Cones from SNL, or a bald guy. No offence.

But when speaking of proportions on a bobber, how much front compared to box? On a chop, is it classical 2/3:1/3? If you go open wheels with hood and grill it changes the whole look, especially with the dome top 49 roof.

I'm planning on chopping the truck. Amount of chop will largely depend on how much room I need inside. I actually thought about extending the bottom of the cab down instead of channelling the cab. Not sure. I could chop further then. [S

I would like guys to explain what they were thinking when they built their rod. What drove the direction of the build proportionately?

Gold03

 

[zzrodder]

I don't like to blow my own horn, but here's my 2 cents worth.... I try to avoid the obvious like keeping the grille shell top just slightly below the cowl and not too far out from the front wheels. My personal preference is not to have the front wheels out in front of the grille as in some suicide front end setups, but that's just my opinion. With the bed, I think it looks best if the rear wheels are more or less centered. Roof lines are like stated, different cab shapes lend themselves to different chops, and some just look better with a slight angle chop. I scratch built the roof on my 55 and it turned out OK, but if I did a do over, I might have given it a little more crown.
Something that might look good on your 49 Ford would be to loose the door tops like Boneheads new build, it could make the top look a lot lighter perhaps - also raising the front window into the roof top would add to the look, like if 4" is taken out of the A pillars, only chop the window 3" raising it 1" into the roof.
BTW, you may see my 55 running around Edmonton as that's it's new home.

 

[gold03]

ZZ thanks for the post. Interesting you comment on the crown. I have been looking at chopping my top and cutting the roof around the edge of the rolled edge. For two reasons. One, to get away from the cross roof cut and warp. It also allows me to metal Finnish with short arms. I can get at the edge with a hammer and dolly, I can't reach the middle. Second, it would give me an opportunity to reduce the crown. I saw a chop done on a 49 Ford car done like that. Made it look a Lot sleeker reducing the crown. I have thought about shaving the rain gutter, but that can actually make the dome top look higher.

I will look for your 55. It looks great. Point me to a picture of it completed.

I like the grill below the cowl as well. I also don't like anything sticking up from the engine compartment.

I could cut the doors down... But it's colder than a witches tit here. I'm going to need the windows to keep out snow balls thrown by the neighbours snot nosed kids[S

Gold03

 

[zzrodder]

Here's a finished pic, search the builds section for it - Black Rat 55. With the idea of removing the door tops, I was thinking to retain side windows and have them meet up to a rubber weatherstrip glued to a shoulder in the door opening so the door can be opened with the windows up. Yeah windows are a must in the Great White North, I put a heater in every car I build, those southern boys are spoiled with longer driving seasons.
I'm working up a plan for my next build, looking for a 33 - 36 flatback sedan body to make into a sort of hardtop 2 dr. with no B pillar and functioning door windows, just starting to gather parts to get building in the spring. Here's my amateurish concept drawing..

 

[GJunktionMike]

Killing the 49 cone head

My 51 build thread. Not the chop for the faint of heart, requires a ton of work but it gets rid of the cone head. 3" works well 4" would be out of the question.

 

[gold03]

Thanks for the posts guys. Very interesting builds!

ZZ, do all four fenders move with the suspension? I have been thinking about doing that. I would like to profile my fenders so they blend into the tire when viewed at a distance. Keep it fender legal, but not obviously so. That's a beautiful truck.

GJ, that is quite the chop. Very cool idea. It looks like the front window was moved up into the roof crown. I would like to try that with a straight up windshield. Rework the crown a little to lower it. How well do you fit the cab? With the chop and channel how much did you take out of the height? I keep looking for a set of those wheels. Hard to find now.

Gold03

 

[GJunktionMike]

On the outside the height change in the cab was only 3", the inside was about 11" because of the frame I used. If I did it over again I would use a different frame, and only bring the floor up 4" and not 8". I did 6" on my 49 and it was still a little to much but not as bad as 8". My main problem is I'm 6'3" 240 I just don't fit into cramped spaces. I don't remember if I listed any heigths in my thread but I was 6" off the ground with the rear bags down (level ride) and the top of the roof was about 4'8", 5' with the bags all the way up.

 

[Bamamav]

I don't like to blow my own horn, but here's my 2 cents worth.... I try to avoid the obvious like keeping the grille shell top just slightly below the cowl and not too far out from the front wheels. My personal preference is not to have the front wheels out in front of the grille as in some suicide front end setups, but that's just my opinion. With the bed, I think it looks best if the rear wheels are more or less centered. Roof lines are like stated, different cab shapes lend themselves to different chops, and some just look better with a slight angle chop.

I've gotta agree with ZZ, nothing looks worse to me than a nose heavy ride, car or truck. And having the wheels out too far in front of the grill shell, making it look like a 50's-60's front engine dragster, doesn't look right either, unless you are building a 50's-60's front engine dragster.

Centering the wheels on the bed is a good idea, too, and you want your bed to be shorter than your hood.

Set things up so you can get a good side view, then move them around until you get it the way you want it.

 

[gold03]

Thanks for the replies.

Any one have thoughts on proportions top to bottom? As in how much top compared with the bottom?

gold03

 

[Sam_Fear]

You need to photochop.

 

[gold03]

Hey Sam, thanks for the reply.

I'm actually looking for opinions on the subject in general in an attempt to get other guys views on the subject, not really in relation to my build.

I'm new to building rods. My back ground is four wheeling where function definitely drives the direction of a build. Hot rods are more of an art form to me. I know when I see a rod I like, but it can be difficult to put my finger on exactly what makes one more appealing over another.

I think it has to do with proportions as much as craftsmanship. I think that is what draws the eye to look closer.

I just want to hear what the rest of you have to say about proportion when it comes to building.

Gold03

 

[Shea Laking]

Yep, proportions are a very personal thing... But there's also some things that most all will agree "don't work." The whole "fenderless S-10" thing is like beating a dead horse, so I'm not going there.

GJunctionMike's cab chop is an interesting one. Gotta be honest, I totally missed his thread, gonna have to go and read it through. Not crazy about the late-model frame and HUGE channel job, but oh my God, that chop... AMAZING!!! I love subtle s#it like that... Imagine that chop on a full-fendered, lowered stock looking rod. Man, people would be scratching their heads, "WTF has been done here? Love it!

Regards,
Shea

 

[echnidna]

Proportions can make or break the whole appeal of most if not all rods.

Unfortunately there are few hard and fast rules on suitable proportions.
Generally though fenderless rods on s-10 or Toyo chassis's look hopeless unless the front of the grill is well behind the leading facess of the front wheels. Despite that generalisation a track roadster nose can look good even if forward of the front wheels.

I keep pics of all interesting cars/features for reference. If I build a specific style I can go through those pics to see how various builders have approached different things.