Home Builds and High-End Builds: Striking That Balance

During my time at HOT ROD, I have developed a greater appreciation for really high-end builds, like what you’d see competing for the prestigious awards at the Grand National Roadster Show or the Detroit Autorama. These are awards I had not paid close attention to in the past, and that was a mistake on my part, because I had been ignoring an entire segment of our industry.

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Photo: Andrew Link

I’ll admit to being turned off by big-budget builds, solely due to the big-budget aspect of them. By doing that, I was missing out on all the creative work and expert craftsmanship that comes with it. Case in point is Twelve-Air, the 1953 Corvette built by Kindig-It Designs that won the Ridler Award at the Autorama last year. It was so far out there; it could have been teleported in from another dimension. It is a beautiful work of art, and I’m happy I was able to be there for its debut. That car is an exercise in what’s possible when you pull out all the stops.

Still, the cars I appreciate the most are those built at home on a modest budget. Yes, modest means different things to different people, but I think you get the point. Instead of “no expenses spared,” folks on a modest budget may sacrifice time and labor to repair a part or panel rather than just replacing it. They are more likely to go with the fleet line of enamel paint rather than the $10,000 tri-coat finish, and I think I appreciate that more.

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Photo: Jorge Nunez

Over my career, I’ve seen some incredible work turned out by individuals of modest means working from home, and those are the cars I gravitate toward the most. They are the most relatable to our audience, too. While we can all appreciate a car like the Troy Trepanier’s recent AMBR-winning ’36 Ford or this year’s Ridler-winning ’55 Nomad, most of us are just working to keep our cars on the road, staying ahead of the maintenance and the inevitable wear and tear that time and age presents. Plus, there’s something comforting in having a car that’s not too nice that you’re afraid to drive it anywhere.

That’s the balance we’re all seeking to strike, isn’t it? How nice of a car do we want balanced against our skills, budget, and time. Passion must factor into the equation, also, because passion can help overcome some of the constraints you might be working against. Learning the necessary skills, whether it’s engine building, body work, or paint, you can overcome a lack of budget, for example. Plus, you get the satisfaction of learning valuable skills and the ability to say you’ve had a hand in the construction of your car.

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Of course, you need a place to work on that car, and that’s the beauty and appeal of the home garage. If you have a copy of the Summer 2025 issue of HOT ROD magazine (visit HOT ROD’s digital archive!), I hope you like the section about home garages as much as I enjoyed shooting the pictures and writing about them. Our home garage is a refuge, a place to practice and hone your skills, to be productive, and a place and opportunity to pass on that knowledge to those who will come after us.

HOT ROD Summer 2025 Stories

• A Hand-Built Homage to a Street Racing Icon
• This 1927 Ford Roadster was Built by a 16-Year-Old!
• Garage-Built NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car Defies All Odds
• HOT ROD’s DIY Legacy Still Fuels Garage-Born Greatness

"Starting Line" is HOT ROD editor-in-chief John McGann's quarterly look at life in the hot-rodding world. Shoot an email to McGann and the rest of the HOT ROD editorial team to HOTROD@HotRod.com and let them know what's on your mind. Follow HOT ROD on social media: Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.