Remember, these kids are going to keep our sport alive!
RODDING FROM A KIDS VIEW
I have been going to car shows since I was in a stroller. While I am still very young I have learned a lot and made
a lot of new friends.
When a person is small it seems that all they do is go to school. Growing up going to car shows is like going to
school. The first thing I learned was “do not touch the red, OK to touch the black (tires) however, not the red.” I
soon learned that the red meant, do not touch the paint on the car.
My Papa always lets me go up to get the awards when he wins. The first time that we didn’t win, I did not
understand why. Then he made it clear, “Awards are nice Kris,” he said, but they are just stuff. Car shows are
about people who enjoy cars, and like to work on cars, not about awards. That made sense. What fun would it be
without friends to enjoy the cars with and talk about what they are working on?
I had a problem understanding why some cars were so nice while others were not. He said, “Well Kris, why is your
bike nicer than your friends?” I thought for a while and said, that is because I keep it clean and always work on it.
Oh, I see, since I spend more time working on it and taking better care of it, that’s why it is nicer.
Another thing that I noticed was the people at car shows were always teasing each other and laughing all the
time. When I go shopping and other places with my mom, the people do not always seem as happy. I asked my
Papa about this and he said, “ what is your favorite thing to do?” I get it now, when you are doing something you
like, you are happy.
I always wondered why some cars looked like they cost more money that others. Papa said, “ do you have as
much money as your Mom?” I said, “of course I don’t!” I see, when a person builds a car he does the best he can
with the money he has. The cost of a car does not mean that it is built any better. That makes sense.
Some people say us kids are spoiled today because we get everything handed to us. If that’s the case, why do I
have to do chores to get parts for my bike and go kart. If I don’t do something to earn it, I don’t get it.
Well, see what I mean about going to car shows is like going to school. Where else would you learn to respect
others things, learn that you cannot always win, learn that you do the best you can with what you have, learn
sometimes that you cannot always have what you want, learn that friends are important, learn working hard does
pay off and the most important thing, do what you like to do and you will be happy!
So the next time you hear some parent complain that all their kid does is work on his car, remind them that this
could be the one thing that teaches him to grow up into a strong healthy person.
See ya in a couple of years when my Papa and I start building my first car. It may not be much, but I can say for
sure, that I will earn it!
Thanks
Kris (Fury)
Dallas Tx
Editor's Note: Kris is five years old and is quite a kid! He knows about car stuff better than some of us big "kids". Kris'
grandfather, a/k/a "Papa" (and also a/k/a "Billy"), helped him write this story.
© 2004 Hotrodhappenings All Rights Reserved.
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THE LIFE OF A HOT ROD (CAR)
When people first meet me, they say to themselves. Boy, is he lucking to be a Hot Rod. While I may look good now, the process was
long, sometimes painful and disappointing.
Unlike a newborn baby, I was not conceived in nine months. When first brought into this world I was not cute and snuggly. I also did
not let out a scream when I was started; instead I started out with a quiet unassuming bashful whimper.
I first started out as an idea. My builder through looking at numerous cars and magazines developed me. In most cases just thinking
about building me can take as long as twenty years or more. In most cases I was in my builders mind when he was young and growing
up. He was patient in developing me, due to the fact that he had a wife, kids, house and a career to focus on before it was my turn.
Finally it was my turn. He started slowly choosing my frame and suspension. With care he worked on my plumbing and brakes, making
sure that I could stop in time and dodge that dog that was going to run in front of us.
My builder had thoughts of a hemi with a blower when he started this dream. But he soon realized that this was not financially possible
and more importantly not practical. He still gave me 400 strong horses to carry the load. Just choosing my engine was difficult. I was
asked, what colors to you want to be, how much chrome and polished aluminum is required. How to you want to breathe,
electronically or naturally aspirated. Do I require deep long breathes of air or is small amounts OK? What type of bonnet will assist my
breathing, chrome or painted.
How many shock waves of electricity are needed, 140 amps will do just find?
I know I will be cool, but I must keep my builder and his companion cool. I need the max cfms, at least 2750. My nose must be as
wide as possible to allow me to radiate coolest. Great, I think that I got it.
Ok, now I have power and coolest. Now my builder is asking how much to I want to shift and what RPM’s would make me happy. We
agreed on four speed automatic, with 356 gears. Now I can launch with the best of them and also travel at an efficient pace.
Now was the time to see how he would dress me. How many seats and windows would I have? Then what manufacture would be
chosen for my armor? Well, three windows are find and I prefer fenders. Boy was I ugly, I was black and gray with all types of
imperfections. This was a tough time for my builder. He had worked hard and I still looked bad. His friends that did not understand
cars were questioning his sanity and his ability to ever complete me.
At times, he would sit in the garage and look at a picture that he had on his wall, of what I would look like when completed. I felt sad
for him when this happen. I am sure that more than once I saw a tear roll down his cheek. He would get up and go into the house. This
scared me because I was not sure that he would return. I would overhear him talking to his car friends on the phone. He would explain
the troubles that he was having with me. I wanted to grab him and say, be patient, we will make it together.
Then some of his friends would come over and help with the problems he was having. By the time they left, everybody was laughing
and I was again back in my builder’s good graces. After they left he always had a smile on his face and was re energized. He also
would spend hours talking to the people at the local rod shop who tried to help solve some of the problems he had with me. If it wasn’t
for his friends and the rod shop I don’t think that I would ever have made it.
Now it was time to wire me up. More questions were asked of me. What type of harness do I desire? What about Power windows,
door locks, trunk, cruise control, and wire me hot for the best sound system possible. He would always make this weird noise and yell
Wh Wh WH More Power !! That’s what I got, More Power !!!
OK now I was fast, cool and sounded good, but I needed shoes. I want grip, give me grip, but keep me low. I was concerned for my
builder. At this point he was starting to look tired, After all we had been together in the garage for almost 2 ½ years at this time.
Finally he decided, I was deep dished with big shoes in the rear and smaller but matching shoes in front.
Now all that was left was to paint me and cover my insides. Oh, no, he has gone crazy, is he tearing me apart again. What did I do
wrong? I thought I was starting to look better. I am scared, I hope he has not given up.
Then, I noticed that he seem happier and more relaxed that he usually was. Now he was staring at the picture of me on the wall more
and more. He would take a break and sit there and smile. This made me feel better. He loaded me up and took me to the paint shop. He
would visit me during the week to make sure that they were treating me right. He would point out areas that they needed to do better.
Finally just like a newborn baby he was there to take me home. Not only did he come to pick me up; all his friends were there too. I
was excited. They carefully took me home. And again just like a baby they handled me with gloves, making sure not to damage my
skin.
Man, did they put me together fast and off to the upholstery shop I went. Boy, I sure like the feel of ultra leather. Finally I arrived back
home only to be greeted with a party. Food, drinks, laughter, pictures and sounds of excitement. Everyone was looking at me from
bottom to top, pointing, sometimes shaking their heads in amazement.
I felt proud for my builder. It was the happiest that I had seen him in a long time. Finally, everyone was gone and the family was back
in the house again.
Just before it was time to go to bed my builder reappeared again. He walked around me, looked closely. He sat down and just starred
at me. He would look up at the old picture of me on the wall and then look back at me. He did this many times. Then there it was again.
I saw a tear running down his cheek. He stood up, walked over to me, padded me on the hood and said, “Baby, you sure look good,
I am proud of you. We are going to have a lot of good times together.”
That was all I needed to hear. I thought, I am sure lucky to be a hot rod and have him for a builder. I am going to do my best to not let
him down.
Now I am part of the family, now I know how his wife and kids feel. We are all very lucky to have him. Well, the whole family will see
you at the next car show !!! I will be the car with the big smile in my grille !!!
Rod On !!!
Bill
© 2004 Hotrodhappenings All Rights Reserved.
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