The Sum of its Parts:  What Deems A Custom's Age?

"Nibbles" (nibbles) 04/30/2015 at 11:17 • Filed to: QOTD

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After watching the /DRIVE video of the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Dubai multiple times and mulling over the minutiae of the build, it raised some questions. Questions near and dear to my heart.

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When building a custom vehicle, how do you classify its age? If the Johnny Cash classic is correct, we should list the years of all parts in the build. The 1955 F100 my brother and I built would then be a ‘55 ‘56 ‘87 ‘91 ‘97 F100, owing to the multiple years of vehicles we poached parts from. It would also be a Ford Pontiac F100 F-150 Firebird Windstar, as we stole parts from many donors to make just exactly what we wanted.

Some say you should go by the majority component year. A vehicle that started its life as a 1969 F-100 but built up with parts from a 1972 F-250 would still be considered a 1969 F-100, as long as the majority of original components were there. Some believe that you go with whatever you have on the title. This can be awkward as well as some people will go with a donor vehicle’s title because the dashboard, engine or frame VINs match better that way. Others still are in the “who cares, it’s the bee’s knees anyway” camp; giving very little caution to what they’re looking at.

Personally, I go with the “majority component” aging scheme. Sure this may take some complex maths to figure out where your majority lies, but it seems more honest and up front with build information. What are your thoughts, Oppo? What do you think is the best way to age a custom build?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:22

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You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town...

CalzoneGolem > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:23

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I’ve got a ‘29-30 ‘40-ish ‘87 truck

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:25

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By chassis/frame & body, probably. Engine, transmission, suspension, are all easy enough to change.

Nibbles > CalzoneGolem 04/30/2015 at 11:25

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When someone asks, how do you age it? What are your reasons behind such?

As Du Volant > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:27

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_T…

Nibbles > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 04/30/2015 at 11:27

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There’s a guy up the mountain that has two 3rd gen Camaros sitting on what’s likely Chevy shorty 4x4 frames. I should go ask him about them and see where he ages ‘em

But that does bring another question. What if the chassis and frame are both from markedly different years / makes / etc?

Nibbles > As Du Volant 04/30/2015 at 11:28

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This is exactly what I’m getting at but I want to hear your thoughts on the matter!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:28

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My custom build is an engine from a ‘95 Range Rover, a trans from a ‘79 Chevy, a rear axle from an ‘83 Jag (and will be springs for a ‘65 Jag), throttle bodies from an ~’06 Honda, valve covers from a ~’74 Rover, body from a ‘63 Ford, grill from a ‘60 Ford, taillights from a ~’65 Ford of a different kind, bumpers for a ‘71 Ford of yet another kind, brake parts for a ‘93 Toyota and ‘90 Chevrolet, a hood hinge (and probably latch) from an ‘82 BMW, a rear window winder from a ‘61 Mercury, and a transfer case from an ‘88 Ford.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:29

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I think it should go startpoint, build endpoint.

e.g. you had a 1988 Monte Carlo. The last mod you made was in 2010 when you dropped an LSX in. You have a 1988MC 2010 Custom Build.

Nibbles > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 04/30/2015 at 11:30

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So how do you classify it? When people ask, what do you tell them vis a vis age and make/model?

Nibbles > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/30/2015 at 11:31

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Good thought! Not one I had considered before

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 04/30/2015 at 11:31

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Oh yeah, and there will be connecting rods for an early 70s Chevy and pistons for a ~’98 Rover, too - with a cam sold for use in a TR8 and TBD thermostats.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:32

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“It’s a ‘63 Ford I’m cramming a whole bunch of stuff in” I suppose. When things go that insane, classify by sheet metal.

crowmolly > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:33

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I don’t know if there is a way. PLENTY of people have gotten into trouble for it. Most notably Boyd Coddington.

It’s an ongoing problem with Dynacorn rebodies and kit cars. VIN seems like a slam dunk until you get to those cases.

Nibbles > crowmolly 04/30/2015 at 11:36

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Good point. Is there a scheme you prefer though?

crowmolly > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 11:48

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VIN, original date of title, and body tub production date. VIN must be affixed with original rivets.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 12:01

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It’s a good question - honestly, if it’s that much of a hodge podge, maybe putting any one date on a car like that isn’t the thing to do.

CalzoneGolem > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 12:09

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I go with the ‘29-30 that the cowl is.

Nibbles > CalzoneGolem 04/30/2015 at 12:16

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CalzoneGolem > Nibbles 04/30/2015 at 12:30

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