Why do cars have to be built for a purpose?

[SuperBuickGuy]

The whole pro-street thread got me thinking - why does a car have to be built for a purpose? whether it be a crap rod or a Riddler rod - why all the hate about people building the car they way they want it (or having it built for that matter).... so what it doesn't run a 5s quarter or beat Miatas on the track? whatever happened to "wow, that's pretty cool" instead of the "oh, pro-lawnchair, pro-jackstand, what a waste...."

[Barry Donovan]

not sure.

I just saw a late 60s ford short bed 2wd go by.

3 ice storms, 10f for a high.. he doesn't appear to be slipping off the road. I have had my share, way out in the woods, and still went down the road.

I am going for an unlikely change myself.
ten gear awd in a little wagon is quite unique, purpose not needed to be mentioned where I am.

I found a source of the newer 4.8 and 5.3 from a fleet, 2wd pickups.

purpose? all year round. The opposite of a lawn chair I am.

[pdub]

It's because life without purpose has no meaning. Wait, or is it life without meaning has no purpose?

Wither way, you pose a great question. If I've got the ratty rod because that's what I can afford and enjoy...or if Billy has a blown rocket with chrome....think about the difference of perspective.

It's probably gonna be Billy that thinks "down" on my rat. And I may or may not think or wish "up." It could very well be that I would look at the blown rocket and think that's just insane to put that much money on wheels, Billy's ego trip perhaps.

So, dissent coming and going.

[Deaf Bob]

Don't understand that myself..
I know my 57 isn't a quarter mile bomber..
Turns corners decently..
Makes ME smile..that counts
Don't really care what others think.. As long as I'm happy..
Sure a handful more ponies would be cool... When isnt it?

[Bob Holmes]

Because we are pack animals and lack tolerance.

[DanStokes]

I learned early on to GENUINELY not care about what others think, whether it's about my ride or my woman or my home or whatever. That said I find no advantage to be outright offensive as that intrudes on others rights to not give a flip. So when I say I don't care for this or that car or engine or whatever I realize that I'm an idiot and that my opinion has considerably less weight than that of the guy who laid down his blood, sweat, and tears (or hard-earned dollars) to build or buy the item in question. What it means is just that I'm not hungering for THAT in my shop.

EDIT:

I just realized that I didn't address SBG's question. I don't think they need to be and I suspect that they seldom are. I think that most guys/gals find a look or function that they like and build toward that. If they like big rear tires and some of those cues it turns out to be a "Pro Steet" more or less. If they like cars that hop - we'll, you get the picture.

Dan

[pdub]

EDIT:

I just realized that I didn't address SBG's question. I don't think they need to be and I suspect that they seldom are. I think that most guys/gals find a look or function that they like and build toward that. If they like big rear tires and some of those cues it turns out to be a "Pro Steet" more or less. If they like cars that hop - we'll, you get the picture.

Dan

Good lick Dan, 'cause I was fixing to mess up Aaron's original question even worse-

I've been pointed at by a man I really like who said at the time that I had more money in tires than he had in cars. And I've been at venues where I was amongst guys who had more in a car than I have in a house.

So it's not money. My bad. It's not. Not every time at least. It's about "likes." And if we don't like somebody else's ride, why can't we just go on without harping about it?

I think.

[silver_bullet]

I learned early on to GENUINELY not care about what others think, whether it's about my ride or my woman or my home or whatever. That said I find no advantage to be outright offensive as that intrudes on others rights to not give a flip. So when I say I don't care for this or that car or engine or whatever I realize that I'm an idiot and that my opinion has considerably less weight than that of the guy who laid down his blood, sweat, and tears (or hard-earned dollars) to build or buy the item in question. What it means is just that I'm not hungering for THAT in my shop.

EDIT:

I just realized that I didn't address SBG's question. I don't think they need to be and I suspect that they seldom are. I think that most guys/gals find a look or function that they like and build toward that. If they like big rear tires and some of those cues it turns out to be a "Pro Steet" more or less. If they like cars that hop - we'll, you get the picture.

Dan

I have learned that my visions of what is cool has changed... I really don't care what others think, and tend to build what I often believe is of some practical purpose to us for future needs, but, yet be fun to play with when the need should arise!

[oj]

I've been in a position to watch the 'build' process over and over. What i see often is a guy will build a car to a certain point, thats as far as he can go, get frustrated and sell it. After licking his wounds for a couple years he'll do it again with the same result.
I see it more in the Mustang crowd. A guy will learn a certain combination that'll get him into the 11's and he cannot go further. Thats as far as his talent and means will go. He'll sell it and in 2 years he is doing the exact same thing again.
That follows your point about the 'purpose' built car, most people that do that kind of thing don't have the imagination to go to the next step, they build what others have built becuase the problems have been sorted out and it is a known combination - a street rodder is prime example purchasing a storebought chassis, plastic body and crate sbc w/700R4 - yawn - worse yet is a '69 tubbed chevelle witha blower stcking thru the hood.
That is as far as they can go. They have reached a plateau and cannot go further.

[Monk]

Out of the fifteen plus cars I've built or restored over the years.........I always had a
vision for the final results.
Never really cared about what others think........just loved to drive the final project but
know where you're coming from.

[Hemi Joel]

Out of the fifteen plus cars I've built or restored over the years.........I always had a
vision for the final results.
Never really cared about what others think........just loved to drive the final project but
know where you're coming from.

I agree.

When you build a car, it has to have a purpose, otherwise why bother? The purpose could be any of the various racing venues, show, cruising, investment, general transportation, nostalgia, historic preservation, artistic expression, to showcase your abilities to others, what ever turns your crank.

That doesn't mean that onlookers should, or will approve. Or that the opinions of the peanut gallery influence the build. However, some regard should be given to others, because if you build a car that is the subject of constant ridicule, eventually that will suck the joy out of it.

[BigAL]

Maybe this answers the big question to why my rides aren't done, I'm lacking a Purpose, so there is no rush to complete them, though I wonder when I do complete them if it will be on purpose? Hmmmm.....

[seanm]

I get the OP'S point and can agree to a point. But I think most cars or projects are built with a purpose. Whether it be function or the pleasure of building.

I didn't start the pro street thread to be a pissing contest about what a pro streeter is or why they are built. Only one person actually answered the question. Just goes to show, most of us are way to serious about our own opinions. LOL.

[Deaf Bob]

When building a car.... Do you have a white board that says "PRO STREET"
And lists what you have to do to acheive that goal?

My 57 runs and drives.. Needs front alignment and rewired (have th Painless kit)
Eventually want a different rear under it..
Do I have a vision... YES..
Is it "Pro Street" or "Donk" or something? NO!..
I want it to be "seat of the pants" able.. Kinda wide on all 4 corners.. Corner relatively well... Maybe as good as Aaron's Vette.
I know I will never be fast/quick in the quarter.. But it may seem like it..
What is that called? .. Just my way...
I guess we can strive for a look..
My son and I talked about building a couple "Trophy Trucks". You know with lots suspension, like 18"+.. and drive them on the streets

[Deaf Bob]

For me.. If/when I go to shows/drags/derby... I like to see how the car was put together.. Not chrome everything but how th sway bar, traction bars, suspension and so on was put together.. Mounts, frames etc etc
Workmanship counts to me..

Some derby cars have huge motor mounts built into the frame.. Then I think about " down the line" meaning how it would effect another part.. Like the crush zone at the firewall on the frame.. How does a wheelie effect that part.. See.. You can learn stuff from every form of motorsports.. I know ALL brands of frames come apart at the factory welds.. Thus my road cars get a bead or two at some points..

We in the automotive world need to be tolerant of each other's class/type of "play". I know I will never build a pure drag car, but I like to see how they come together.. I might put together a roundy round car for somebody else to drive.. Lots of classes to pick from... I might have a hand in a couple mud runners.. (mud boggers Man made dragstrip in 4 feet of mud/water. 100 yards long)
Lets not be so critical of other's ways or sport... We all can't help critizizing that Grand Am/Int'l pickup that Monk is so fond of reposting.. I admit..I'm as bad as anybody else..
Whether something is making a comeback or is new.. We as a group need to accept rather than look down.. Who knows.. You might like it!