Ask the Expert
On this page, we hosted a feature whereby hot rodders could ask a personal question of our Expert of the Month via e-mail. The Expert, most often a pioneer, would answer the question over the telephone to us, and we would then post an audio clip on this page (see below). Unfortunately, we have had to end the feature, primarily because most of the pioneers did not want to answer a question “off the cuff”, but wanted instead to think it through, write it out, and then read it. We felt we were asking too much of them. In addition, many questions we received were not about hot rod history or traditional builds, but more about a muscle car or street rod (or even a question better put to Click and Clack!). So we were forever writing e-mails to say, “sorry, we can’t ask them that one.”
At any rate, we now have a nice archive of questions, many answered by the pioneers themselves, and we hope you will find this fun and useful.
Thanks to all rodders who participated in Ask the Expert!
Browse our Q & A Archives
Category: Safety
1
QUESTION
Do older cars, classics, customs, and hot rods (pre 1960) need seat belts?
ANSWER
Audio File Only
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QUESTION
I am restoring a 1934 Chev Master Coupe. I want to retain the stock car look on the outside while updating the running gear to make the car a better safer driver. What rear end could I use to bolt up to the stock frame to allow me to have hydraulic brakes. My questions would also include what front end to use to accomplish the same goal. I am using a 235 chev six cylinder for power?
ANSWER
Audio File Only.
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QUESTION
John, I grew up racing and a lot of times found myself where I felt like I was over my head. I would always fall back on the fact that modern safety precautions were so stringent that the chances of me getting hurt were pretty slim... Confidence through safety. In the late 40s and on through the 60s, you guys didn't have the same kinds of safety equipment that we have now. In fact, early in your career you ran with little more than a seat belt. Was this something you guys were acute to? I'm curious to know the mind set of a race car driver then vs. now. Do you think you guys didn't flirt with the edge as much as some folks do now knowing that your consequences were sooo much more expensive back then?
ANSWER
Audio file only
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