[tom406]

Great issue of HOT ROD. I love it when it actually takes longer than 5 minutes to blow through an issue. CAR CRAFT and ROD AND CUSTOM have been backsliding lately, though, IMO.

A few points:

1. As for passing one off as a real car, I think BelAir's got it right. Soon people will post the differences. Besides the size of the panels and consolidation of some, the size and stamping performance of the presses is much different between GM 1969 and Taiwan 2005. I'm sure they've tried to hide the differences, but they should be there with some digging.

2. The VIN# and titling issues are going to depend on the state you live in and who you are cozy with at the DMV. It's really not going to be any different than what the street rodders with repop '29/'32/'34/'37/'39/'40 Fords are going through. HOT ROD talks about some of the state to state variations. Some will be done with titles of parts cars. Some will be pulled out of thin air with fresh Alabama titles or the like (could identity theft of cars become a problem?). Some will be titled as 2005 or 2006 homebuilts. It will run the gamut, based upon state laws and peoples creativity.

3. Next time you're at a street rod meet, ask a few guys where their VIN number is. You'll be shocked at how many of those pre-'49 hot rods have NO DISCERNIBLE VIN NUMBER anywhere on them. Some of the Fords only had the VIN on the frame (which is defaced or lost when the new V8 and IFS is put in, or lost entirely when an aftermarket frame is built) Others have tags spot welded to the cowl or door pillar which is lost when the body is dipped or removed for painting and never put back on. I can't tell you how many cars I've appraised, cars with years of work and $30 to 100K invested in them, that have absolutely no ID marks relating them to the title that supposedly binds them to the owner. I gently remind these guys that if the car is stolen and recovered, just how are the police supposed to know its theirs? I also pass on writing anything up for them until they get the issue sorted out.

4. Finally, I'm a big '69 Camaro fan and a general fan of the Pro Touring movement, when executed properly. But that green "HOT ROD 1" car is one of the ugliest '69's I've seen. After all that work I'd be upset with the result. Visually, nothing on that car works for me-the color, the stripes, the green grill surround, the satin wheels-nothing. I know they wanted something that would stand out in the sea of red cars, but man, that just isn't the way.