[Chevy454]

Yes & no, Pantera...

Being 28, I grew up in (and live) in the same era, so I had the same choices they did. My journey started with a '63 Chevy stepside pickup, that we scored for $100...it had a ragged out 283, had a blue cab with a green bed, and had spent the majority of it's life on the farm and in the deer woods, so you can imagine it's condition. But, I spent all summer pounding and cutting and sanding and bondo'ing the piss out of that truck. Then I upgraded to a gutted '69 Chevelle, and the rest is history. I tend to believe that they lean towards the rice based on what they see on the big screen, be it movies or tv. I mean really, when was the last time you watched My Classic Car or American Musclecar and seen an entire 5 minute segment dedicated to "Women's Jello Wrestling"? You can find that, and more, all there on Tunervision...

I agree that with the abundance of "cheap rice" available, that it can indeed be financially motivated. But doesn't it seem like every other one of these cars sports a $3,000 set of wheels/tires and a dvd player in the dash and a $500 wing? Sure, it's their money and if that's what blows their skirts up then more power to 'em! But it ain't for me...