Relicate - A Spark for your Soul

Relicate: to passionately create a work of art linked to the past.

[relicatecraft]

RAT ROD RIDICULE

Rat Rods are loved by some and hated by others. The reason is similar to why the paintings of Jackson Pollack are revered by some, and misunderstood by others.

Rat Rods are somebody's art. Art is open for interpretation and thus, criticism.

There is probably no other form of car craft that so prominently displays personal expression. Rat Rods have become a canvas for creativity on which builders let it all hang out.

Instead of being ridiculed, rat rod builders should be commended for their bravery, for standing up and creating something they know will be criticized, for dancing on the edge.

If you're not a fan of rat rods, that's ok. But the next time you see one, thank the builder for sharing their gift with you.

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[relicatecraft]

THIS ISN'T FOR YOU

There are lots of critics these days.

When it comes to your ride, build it for you. There will people that don't like it. That's ok, it's not for them.

Dare to do something different. When you walk away from the status quo, you will do your best work.

In fact, build something in hopes to be criticized. Then and only then will you know you've built something worth talking about.

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[relicatecraft]

JUGGERNAUT BUILDS

Do you ever stand back and observe what people react to at car shows? One thing I've noticed is that people flock towards the unconventional.

Most shows are largely comprised of factory correct originals, car after car looking like the day they came off the assembly line. The work that goes into these is definitely respectable, but expected.

Unfortunately, people seem to walk right past these cars. Every once in a while though, you'll see a juggernaut, a car that crowds form around.

Why is this? Chances are, it's because the car is a work of art. One way to define art is by something that has never been seen before. The creativity and ingenuity that goes into a car like this is clear as day. They're not just a restoration of what an auto manufacturer already built. They're something newly conceived by craftsmen taking a risk and being vulnerable to criticism.

This reminds me of the recent Ridler winner, the Riviera that got so much flack, but still won. It's very possible that not one of those judges personally liked that car, but because the builder was so damn visionary, he was rewarded.

Creativity will win every time.

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[relicatecraft]

AN OFFER YOU CAN REFUSE

Why is it that people give up on their builds?

The other day I drove by a neighbor's house. I always peak in the garage to see the progress on his '28 Ford pickup. This day it was gone.

I didn't have to ask what happened to it. I was sure he sold it. It wasn't the first time a project disappeared half done.

He seemed so excited to start. "I've always wanted one," I remember him saying. This was even a father/son project. Yet someone made him "an offer he couldn't refuse."

There could be many valid reasons he sold the truck, but chances are, he simply gave up on it. It's a common occurrence. It's much easier to quit than it is to finish.

What usually comes next is sellers remorse, thoughts of "what could have been," or the common phrase "I wish I never sold that one."

Beyond all that, the real unfortunate part is you've lost that incredible sense of achievement and pride that comes once the project is complete.

So take a break, do whatever you need to do, but keep at it, no matter the hurdles that will inevitably come. When you're rolling down the road with one arm out the window, not giving a shit about anything else in the world, you'll be glad you persevered.

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[relicatecraft]

MADE IN USA. WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Yes, it stands for quality, but nowadays, quality can come from any part of the world, not just the USA. There's more to it.

"Made in USA" is an emotional desire to make a personal connection.

We buy American so a story can be told. The story of our next-door neighbor, whether it's a company rich with history, or a craftsman living the American dream out of his home garage.

When somebody asks you where you got a certain part on your vehicle, it's nice to tell a story about the actual person who made it, not a no-name, overseas factory that churns out part after part after part...

There is pride in supporting American companies we know and trust. You feel better laying down your hard earned money when you know its supporting American jobs, American lives.

It's interesting though…the many different allegiances people have to the idea of "Made in USA." On one end of the spectrum is the fanatic who has to have American-Made everything on his car, down to the rubber on the wheels. On the other end is the guy who likes to buy American when it's convenient and the price is right.

Where do you stand?

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[relicatecraft]

HANDCRAFTED FOR DAD

Have you ever given a gift that was hand made?

There always seems to be an increased sense of anticipation as you wait for the receiver to open it.

When you give art, especially your own art, you are sharing the heart and soul that went into the art.

There's special meaning embedded in it that will be cherished for ages.

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[relicatecraft]

"NICE PATINA"

The notion of patina exists because of an intrinsic love of the automobile combined with our craving for authenticity.

A car with perfect patina is a representation of a finely aged machine. The car has survived, remaining in its original skin. Every flaw, every imperfection is evidence of a storied past.

Looking at a patina'd car is like looking at its soul. It's an authentic, unabashed view of a journey through time.

No matter when that time is, there always seems to be a yearning for simplicities of the past. In the case of the automobile, one with patina fulfills that desire beautifully.

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[relicatecraft]

THE TIME IS NOW

As we walk through the gate of a car show, a friends father taps me on the shoulder and says something that has stuck with me. "Look at how old all the car owners are."

Indeed he was right. One could only hope these are not their first cars. The other possibility is that they put off the joys of life in favor of conformity.

The status quo says go to school(s), get a job, and retire so you can start checking off items on that bucket list.

Really? Don't wait until the last minute. Start checking now!

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[relicatecraft]

THE ART OF THE BUILD (AND WHY YOU ARE AN ARTIST)

If you have ever undertaken a custom build, you are an Artist. Artists do two fundamental things, create and share.

Art is creating something that has never been created before. Sure, plenty of people have built the same year/make/model truck as you, but nobody can or will build it the way you are. Yours will be the only one in existence. That is art.

Art has to be shared in order for it to be art. Otherwise, it doesn't exist. The act of sharing is a gift. When you share your car at a show or online, it will undoubtedly touch another person's life. That is the gift of art.

Art is personal. The truck you create with your own two hands becomes part of you. The end result is a reflection of you, and what you stand for. Not everyone will like it, but it wouldn't be art if everybody did. When an Artist creates art, they willingly do it their way, not caring what other people may think.

Art is emotional. The truck may have been your grandfathers. Or maybe you had one like it years ago. Maybe you just want to express creative freedom. Whatever it may be, there's always a personal backstory that you're passionately adding to and are willing to share with others. That is art.

Note: I want to thank a modern day thought leader, Seth Godin, for many of the ideas on art used in this post. Thank you Seth for inspiring us.

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[relicatecraft]

SOMEDAY IS OK

Here's a common scenario: A guy has an old car, or two, or three stashed away, usually surrounded by years of accumulated junk. You ask him if he's interested in selling. Then the inevitable word, 'someday,' wholeheartedly flows out of his mouth. "Someday I'll get to them," he says.

Here's the common reaction: Bullshit. (Thought silently to yourself.)

Here's a not so common point of view: We all know those cars will never see the light of day. Perhaps the "someday guys" prefer to experience the car hobby in a different way.

He WILL restore those cars, but not in a garage with his hands. He'll do it in his mind, with his imagination. He will drive them, but not in the literal sense. Someday to him is right now. He's experiencing all of them at this very moment, with a combination of fond memories and good intent.

That's as far as he'll take them, and that is OK.

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[relicatecraft]

THE CHAMELEON OF PARTS

Good design is a team player, a supporting actor, an unsung hero.

Designing successful vintage automobile parts is a slippery slope. The part must mesh with the car, share its character, and ultimately look like it belongs.

The part should walk a fine line between being tastefully subtle and almost invisible. It should act as a chameleon, blending into its surroundings and not call attention to itself.

In a world where everybody and everything is vying for attention, designing hand crafted parts that are beautifully understated is a pleasure.

Think about these principals with your project. You will thank yourself 20 years down the road when your build has stood the test of time.

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[relicatecraft]

THE JUNKYARD LURE

Why is it that we love junkyards so much? On the surface, they seem to be somber places, a final resting place for abandoned automobiles, a remembrance of what was.

You look past the surface. You see junkyards as a field of endless possibilities, hope for what could be. A junkyard gets your blood flowing and your imagination running wild.

Junkyards are much like an artists' palette. You pick and choose the parts that talk to you, and then bring them home to add to your steel canvas. Again, it all comes down to our desire to make art, to revive something old, or to create something new.

We're all dreamers in the sense that we want to save them all. Crusher stories make you cringe; one more piece of automotive history gone forever.

You don't need to save them all, but starting with one would be honorable for sure.

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[relicatecraft]

SOUL IS

Soul is making a passionate effort, performing your craft with heart, and putting your whole self into what you do.

Your soul is a representation of a story, past or present. An untouched classic car has soul, sure…but the car you're building has tons more.

Soul has distinct character and substance. Your soul is different than the next guys, which is why no two builds are the same.

Soul has flaws. That's a good thing. They contribute to somethings beauty. Perfection does not exist. Perfection is only a perception in one's mind. Anything can be perfect to the right person.

Soul is sitting in your garage. Go feed it.

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[relicatecraft]

A HELPING HAND

I've recently been helping one of my father's friends with his '31 Ford Model A. Being asked to work on somebody else's car is new to me. I'm just now honing certain skills necessary to do so.

The beautiful thing about helping others is that it's a two-way street. Not only is somebody getting the benefit of your service, but you also gain a huge sense of self-worth, a pride that seems to be even stronger than what you get from working on your own project.

Even more important, you are helping somebody with their dream; whether its chasing a nostalgic past or taking a drive to forget about the present.

Henry Ford said it best:

"Time and money spent in helping people to do more for themselves is far better than mere giving."

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[relicatecraft]

A SPARK FOR YOUR SOUL

Inspiration is the foundation of incredible hot rods. Inspiration can be found anywhere, and in anything that interests you. For me, if it’s mechanical and hand built, I love it.

While sources of inspiration can be very different, all share one commonality, and that is an author; a human who is crafting, building, designing, drawing…creating art.

My aim with these entries is to give you a spark of inspiration to carry with you through your day.

I am subscribed to a couple similar such blogs, but none of them car-related. They are delivered directly to my inbox, an email that I actually look forward to reading. They are quick reads, 30-60 seconds, but have a lasting impact.

I hope you feel the same way about these posts. You can subscribe (and unsubscribe anytime) at the top of the page. Email me and let me know if you love ‘em, hate ‘em, or just don’t care! 

Subscribe if you want more of these. Thanks! -Josh