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With the insane prices being paid for chopped up hot rods I believe there is a trickle-down effect that is hurting us all. We've all seen crazy prices being paid for "rare" parts and accessories on Ebay. Also, the cost of services (such as chrome plating, mechanical work, paint, etc.) has gone sky high as these companies cater to the big-buck crowd.
Who would have thought we wouldn't be able to afford to restore a Chevy? I've got a few remaining parts to get chromed and the prices I've been quoted recently are twice what I thought they should be! Maybe I'll just live with the pits in the original pieces!
Dave
'35 Master Coach

There are some chrome shops that are talked about on Chatter that charge less than most and do quality work, do a Chatter search or check out the Vendors site for the names.

Let me know if you can't find them...

One "trickle down effect" is that I am seeing more and more stock parts available. That's a good thing for us! Those hot rod guys are just aiking to clean out the attic, and they will take any fair price for thier leftovers so they can support thier habit.
We've all seen that one car that has no future. You know the one that even the JYD woundn't turn into a flower box. So I say let the rodders have it. At least another old Chevy is resurected.
When the stockers are all gone, our cars will be worth thier wieght in gold. I just had a rodder friend look at my '32 Coupe and he was floored by it simply 'cause it's all stock. He said "man, you just don't see anything like this anymore!"
So keep smiling guys, the future looks great!

RG, I think the problem is that the solid stock stuff is so cheap when compaired to the price of these rods that it does not pay for them to waste time with the rotted junk.
John

there are basically two groups of street rod builders: the big boys(boyd coddigtion types) and the local gear head. the first group won't hesitate to spend 30K for a nice rust free restored 30 chevy coupe, remove the stock "guts" , and then tweek it into a 100k plus BJ auction critter . the second group(most of us would fall into this category were we street rodders-and some of us are) would find a rusty old derilict 30 chev for 300 bucks, get out the hot wrench, visit the local junk yard for low buck replacement parts then sell the left over, replaced original drivetrain/suspension/guage/ etc pieces.such is the source for good bargins on original early chevy parts. my 2 cents. mike

PS; it pays to cultivate the local gearheads.

True, their junk is our treasure....

I didn't mean to imply that hot-rodders are bad. In fact, I purchased a newly rebuilt engine, trans, horn, wiring harness and more from a hot-rodder who had purchased the car from a restorer who had lost interest in the project. He was happy to get a few hundred clams, and I was thrilled to get many badly needed parts.
I basic idea that there are the high-end guys and the rest of us makes sense. But when the two collide at the chrome plater the "rest of us" pay the high end price.

On the expense of plating issue, there are several reasons why it has risen so much and I believe high end hotrodders are the least of the causes. Much of the cost is in complying with governmental regulations as to the handling and disposal of caustic chemicals and metals that have been proven to be injurious to health and regulations on safety in the workplace. Do not consider this an anti-government tirade, just an explanation.

I agree with George. There sure is a lot of Super Fund projects here in Jersey and most of them are the results of automotive related manufacturing.
I think most of the Rodder's parts are expensive because they are new or perfect. Rarely do you see a Rodder spend the time that we do restoring something, grinding the rust or trying to get a panel straight. They will most likely replace it with a new part that's not stock.
Rodders have a tendancy to build and sell. We on the other hand will hold on to our cars for a much longer time. Some are past down to second generation VCCA family members. (I'm one of them)
All in all, I like Rodders and most are good people. We are all motor heads after all. When a good prospective old car or a restored car gets cut up I think it's a shame, and maybe the Rodder should have had more sense. But, it's his money and he has the right to do whatever with it. In my eyes that dosen't make it right, but to a lot of Rodders it's a business. We are just different.

Let's have some fun here...

You see in your local paper an ad for a "1955 Chevy Belair 2Dr, V8, 3spd. w/factory power pack option. Best offer over $1200.00".

What do you pay for it, and what do you do with it?
Now, what does the rodder pay for it, and what does he do with it.

Several years ago a friend of mine heard about an early 1930's Pontiac five passenger coupe(Vicky) he is a street roder the car was a one owner the old lady bought the car new, and was always garaged here in Southern California in realeity the car looked almost like new. Several vintage Pontiac owner knew about the car but as always they were looking for a DEAL well you know what happened the street roder bought the rare Pontiac, and the car became a streel rod the top was chopped and a Corvette drive train was installed the car was featured in a few magazines and the stock guys most likley still kicking them selves for not stepping up and paying the price whitch was only a few hundred dollars so who is the looser, and who is the winner in the stock car verses the Street rod. We do not have any control over what hapens to our vintage Chevrolets when someone puts down the money and drives the car away
Twenty years ago I sold my 1965 Chevelle 2 door wagon it had a factory 220 horse 283 automatic transmission twelve bolt rear end factory air shocks, factory air, power steering and brakes, tinted windows day and night mirror, and it was Black and silver and was what we would call a restored car Rare that is up to you, well the guy said that they had one just like it when they got married, and now they could afford another one. Well two months later the wagon was in the shop being reworked it was fitted with a big block turbo transmission the rear wheels wells were tubbed. Just maybe someday when all is said and done some one might ask is that car stock? and the owner will not be able to answer because he bought it that way we are having enough of a hard time getting good information that is correct to restore our stock cars. Take care, and enjoy driving your Vintage Chevrolet what ever year it is but I prefer a four cylinder my self.

The comments about chrome plating expenses are dead on. I am well aware of the cost of handling and disposing of hazardous waste. The govt. reg's have driven the cost of business sky high. Note too that I didn't say I wasn't getting parts chromed, I'm just belly-aching because of the price. Also, there are new hexavalent chromium reg's being considered by the EPA that may go into effect next year, so I'd better quit my complaining and get those remaining parts done now!

I am in need of photo's of a rumble seat on a 1938 Chevy Coupe... Anyone out there in cybor space can send me some at albert.williams @sbcglobal.net ... Many thanks

Where is that Dirty Bird with the 35 Chevy Coupe... Are you there Bird