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Ted Brown's comments

Ted Brown

Member
I want everyone to have a feel as to where I am coming from, as far as the comments I make here on the forum...
Way back years ago, when I first built my first T Bucket, I thought chrome and polish (bling as they now say) was the trick thing to have, so when I was putting things together for chrome and polish, I grabbed most everything that was small and a bolt on... If I had followed the rule I try and keep now (drive it naked for at least 1000 miles) I would have saved myself a ton of time and money... Why?? well because as it went, after getting the complete car together, chrome and all, and then driving and photographing the car from every considerable angle, I came to the conclusion that all (most all) that chrome did not add to the overall good look of the car... So on the photo's, I started Blacking out the chrome a little bit at a time, things like water pump, oil pan, motor mounts, Alt., fuel pump, header flanges, steering box, and all sorts of brackets and crap that did not add to the Beauty of the overall look that I really wanted to portray... Those things broke up the car and made it look cluttered, and shorter, plus you could not tell where one thing ended and another began, or that was all you did see... I then started either painting things Black (to match my engine) to make all those things disappear, or traded them off to customer's for stock parts...
Not to mention that an old Man that I talked with told me that all the chrome and polish holds heat like crazy, a lot more so than paint... Flat paint holds the least, as there is no insolating properties in flat paint... So I then changed many things that $$glittered$$, to Satin paint :)

SO, Please forgive me if it sounded like I was attacking anyone about how they would like their own car to look... I now believe that what turns one person on, turns another off, like sex, just the smallest thing will do (or kill) the trick for each different person...
I am a real tight wad when it comes to spending money that I do not need to spend while building a car, even though I find myself buying other things that later I regret, as wasted money... So I am as guilty as the next fellow, time tells the tale...
I have always wanted to save people all the time and money (that I wasted)while building the Hotrod of their choice, but forgetting that one big fact, it is the small things that turn people on... and it is "their" car, not mine... :hi: Thanks for the listen, Ted Brown
 
Ted ... We have all bought parts for a build only to find later it was a waste of money. Sometimes the theme changes or maybe the part looks out of place or it just won't work. That's part of the learning curve. I like to think I can look at a car and take it for what it is. Studying even a poorly built car can inspire mew ideas. As for the "Bling", it depends on the theme. A nostalgic car, to me, looks better with the detailing done with paint and small bolt on chrome pieces where a '70 type build needs lots of shinny stuff. Today's cars seem to fall somewhere in the middle.

Since you've joined the site, you've caused some "health" controversy. Speaking for myself, I respect your knowledge and experience. Case in point, my new Jag mounting cross member. It's now mounted in rubber thanks to your input. No one of us knows it all. That's what makes this site so valuable.

I truly hope to continue seeing you posts here. I may not always agree with you but I will always consider your opinion. Ya can be all bad, after all ya did come from Minnesota! LOL

Ron
 
Thanks Ted, well said.
 
Well said Ted .. This has been my first build and you guy's will never fully believe how much you have helped me through this . I dont post anything Technical but read all the Technical stuff. . Now as for Teds postings I like it ,,, It may stir and argument BUT it is in a good way and never gets out of hand or Their is some really big restraint going on you know wait till the blood pressure comes down and then post LOL ..
I think that is why this forum is so healthy . We may not agree with what was posted but can analyze why it was posted and make a suggestion from ""personal experience"" and that is something you cant buy over the counter at the parts store ! That is what has helped me successfully put a safe car on the road ..
Fred
 
Ted..... you're a pain in the butt sometimes, but you're our pain in the butt and we love ya. We're all better off having known you, and if you ever change I'll personally whip your ass even if I have to run over your foot with my wheelchair and beat you with my cane.

Russ
 
Ted..... you're a pain in the butt sometimes, but you're our pain in the butt and we love ya. We're all better off having known you, and if you ever change I'll personally whip your ass even if I have to run over your foot with my wheelchair and beat you with my cane.

Russ

ted
Criticism from a master is worth more than praise from a fool. Never disagreed with anything you have said. I think there are cars that can carry chrome and ones that cant. I have thought many times about painting all my bits in silver or chrome paint rather than going to the expense and trouble of having them chromed, but for me it does nt work. One thing I totally agree with is restricting chrome on the engine. Sump, pump starter etc all BLACK.. just cant bring myself to do the front axle and rear in paint. Ho Hum this is what makes everyone an individual. Long live T buckets. They are expressions of ourselves.
As for the 1000 mile naked - it the way I do it as well. Find the problems ,fix them and then finish the rod. It saves spoiling things BEFORE you commit to the big dollars of finishing and that included interiors
Gerry
 
I personally Thank each of you for the kind words... As far as street Rods and traction goes, I will have to admit, I cheat, let's face it, my chassis was set up by a professional 1/4 mile Drag racing chassis builder... That would be me :) But I just may have a new thing or two to learn from the new age of engines, and the people who build them.. Thanks again and Drive safe
 
Ted your posts are very helpful in all ways. Sometimes people just don't understand how many years you have put into building these and get hurt feelings. but will learn later it was all for the good.I have had some things I have said taken out of context also.
 
I just chalk it up to "That grumpy old guy" HAHAHAHA j/k Always helps to hear things from all sides. I have made adjustments due to comments and suggestions from all sides.

Of course I am using all the brackets you designed, sure did help having someone else sort out all the basics for me.
 
I echo Russ' comment about Ted being some one special in this community. I would really like to see a comprehensive, illustrative history of Ted's contributions and designs. Also would like to see what is up his sleeve as far as his latest T bucket design. Perhaps a long bed, extended bucket with double size doors? Maybe low enough to just hop right in?
Its all good Ted. Nothing like a good argument. Passion is what drives the world.

John

P.S. What was that about driving a 1000 miles naked? Do you use sun block? Hasn't the law ever caught up with you? Or do you mean the CAR being naked?
 
I echo Russ' comment about Ted being some one special in this community. I would really like to see a comprehensive, illustrative history of Ted's contributions and designs. Also would like to see what is up his sleeve as far as his latest T bucket design. Perhaps a long bed, extended bucket with double size doors? Maybe low enough to just hop right in?
Its all good Ted. Nothing like a good argument. Passion is what drives the world.

John

P.S. What was that about driving a 1000 miles naked? Do you use sun block? Hasn't the law ever caught up with you? Or do you mean the CAR being naked?
Yup! anyway you like to drive works for me hehe in the country, you both can be naked, sure is a fun ride that way.. I always drive customer's cars that I finish naked so if needed the changes can be made rather easy, compared to trying to weld on painted and or chrome parts.. Even I have got to fine tune each car chassis, as each is in it;s own way different, even out of the same jig, no two chassis's handle exactly the same for some odd reason.. But there are many reasons... The springs at both ends always need to be finished after driving, same for shock mounts... Most shocks I see here on different cars, are all used up already, and no people in the car yet, you never want a shock to bottom out on the down stroke, that will end up tearing the mount out of the frame in time... not to mention killing the shock :)
 
Like to catch up with you when I drive through Bakersfield on Monday around 3:00 PM. You mentioned being frugal on builds, so would you think an owner to be nuts if his engine needs replacement and he chooses the LS engine route with a new 6 speed double overdrive manual tranny? Serious bucks to be spent on a T, but if your lucky enough to have a T that handles so well that you will be able to enjoy that kind of power safely.
 
Try to imagine how incredibly dull a forum community would be if everyone was of the same opinion on everything. We would have no reason to share anything with one another.

Thank Goodness we're not all cloned robots!

The secret to discussion between individuals with differing opinions is one nearly every member here has mastered. Sometimes, individuals just need to agree to disagree and get onto more important matters in life. We've had one or two bad apples, but they are such an exception they stand out like the wart on my ex-wife's nose. :hoist:
 
Like to catch up with you when I drive through Bakersfield on Monday around 3:00 PM. You mentioned being frugal on builds, so would you think an owner to be nuts if his engine needs replacement and he chooses the LS engine route with a new 6 speed double overdrive manual tranny? Serious bucks to be spent on a T, but if your lucky enough to have a T that handles so well that you will be able to enjoy that kind of power safely.
I was thinking about doing the same thing with my T, and then there is not the oil problem with flat tappet cam and lifters... Monday would be great!
You have my e-mail address right? I can also give you my cell number, so when you are getting close, either I could meet you somewhere, or you could stop by my place, not but 10 minutes off the freeway... are you doing the 99 or the 5 freeway?
 
Ted,

One of your builds you refer to as the "Red Baron", yellow 6 banger with matching machine guns. From the few pictures you had of this ride, I could only see a small piece of the valve cover and what looks like a Rocky Q-jet carb. Question, is the engine a Pontiac OHC 6?
 
Ted,

One of your builds you refer to as the "Red Baron", yellow 6 banger with matching machine guns. From the few pictures you had of this ride, I could only see a small piece of the valve cover and what looks like a Rocky Q-jet carb. Question, is the engine a Pontiac OHC 6?
That Red Baron car was only a show car, I doubt that it was ever run, and it was a Pontiac slant 6... The 99 is only 6 or 7 minutes from my house... Just give me a jingle when you are getting close to Bako...
 

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