Ugly Head Rising

Every once in awhile someone raises an issue that has been beaten like a red headed step child caught with its hand in the cookie jar. This is true of what is about to be written here and maybe some will disagree.

I get comments verbally and via E-mail all the time. I only talk about the things I'm familiar with or are comfortable in my knowledge of the Subject. I received a request from a fellow Street Rodder for the definition of Street Rod in the State of Maine or any other organization including the NSRA. I wondered why he needed them, thinking that some Govt. Minion was giving him a hard time. The reason was the following answer to a request for clarification on a Class at an upcoming event. The request as written, "I NOTICED ONE OF YOUR CLASSES SAYS 'KITS/REPRODUCTION'. WHAT WOULD FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY PLEASE?" With this response being forwarded to me. "Hi, After market cars & trucks to look something like it's original production. My definition is a plastic street rod, instead of the real steel."

The reason for the request was a rumor that was going around that composite bodied Street Rods were to be put in the "Kit/Reproduction" class which was verified by the response. This is not what I wanted to hear and really thought this Subject had been put to bed. His Definition? Not Correct.

By Law, in the State of Maine a Street Rod is Defined as ; Title 29A, General Information, Definitions, 76. Street rod. "Street rod" means a replica of or a modified antique auto manufactured prior to 1949 that complies with standards adopted by the Chief of the State Police.[ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF) .]

SEMA the Speciality Equipment Marketing Assoc., who has helped hobbyist in North America get the legislation needed to keep our Cars Safe from outside interference, defines it this way; (a) A "street rod" means a motor vehicle that:(1) Is a 1948 or older vehicle; or the vehicle was manufactured after1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and(2) Has been altered from the manufacturer's original design; or has a body constructed from non-original materials.(b) The model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the certificate of title of a street rod vehicle shall be the model year and year of manufacture that the body of such vehicle resembles.

The organizer who responded this way is also a Street Rodder, who in the past has been beaten in competition by several Composite Bodied Street Rods. This gentleman has displayed that petty jealousy and a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy can Ruin a Good Show and deter his fellow Street Rodders from enjoying his event. The definitions make no differentiation between Steel or Composite bodies. The same can be said for every major Organization that caters to Street Rods including the NSRA, Good Guys, KOA, and the ISCA who puts on the Auto-Rama/World of Wheels Series. Yet this little homespun Show thinks it knows better. I think not.

The bone of Contention with the whole story is whether a Composite Bodied Street Rod should be put in a Kit/Reproduction Class. My argument is this, a Kit Car comes from one Manufacturer with all the components included to complete the project. A Street Rod comes from several manufacturers with a list of extra parts being needed for completion of the project. Which in the end is completed to the owners tastes, not the exacting Standards put forth by the original designers.

The Second part of the argument is the production of the new Steel Kits in the versions of 33-34 Fords from S.A.R. or the World Famous Steel Brookville bodies and turn key cars. The 69-68 Camaro that comes in a crate, or the Newest kid on the Block with complete bodies of the 40 Ford. Most if not all of these are so precise in the steel Stamping that only Henry Ford or Harley Earl could tell if they were fakes.

Kit cars are produced for the gold chain swingers that can't afford to buy the real deal. They are built as replica's of the sports cars of old or the opulent status symbols of years gone by. Street Rods were a Blue collar beginning with a working mans touch. A replica/kit/reproduction is a Copy as close to the original as possible. Henry Ford never approved a 4 inch chop, zeed back half with a 6 inch channel or a "A" Body on Deuce rails.

Kit/Reproduction = Copy
Street Rod = Statement