2 minute read
The Fun Starts Here
The age old question….what really is a HOT ROD...
I get asked a lot, about using the term “hot rod”, for so many different cars or trucks.
Before World War 2, racing on the dry lakes in California was a big thing! Roadsters were the preferred cars to race with and for more than a while coupes weren’t allowed to race, but that would change. After the war ended and all the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines came back home, racing grew even more.
The common theme is that "hot" related to "hotting up" a car, which means modifying it for greater performance. One theory is that "rod" means roadster, a lightweight 2-door car which was often used as the basis for early hot rods.
For more than a while, hot rod was looked down upon. This was due to street racing and mischief that was being done with cars. Both the police and public heard hot rod and right away the car owner was guilty of something even if nothing was going on.
Organized drag racing came about (you know the history) with the NHRA, National HOT ROD Association. The NHRA helped clean up our hobby and give it a better view by the public and police too.
After the first NATIONALS in Peoria IL in 1970, the new NSRA termed the name STREET ROD. This referred to pre –1948 cars and trucks that were being DRIVEN to events across the USA. The NSRA for more than a while also had a STREET MACHINE division which was specifically for the ’49 & later vehicles.
Not my deal, heard it or read it more than a few years ago (when there was no gray in my hair) but the definition of “hot rod” that I have used many many times and still do is this…”a hot rod is
a persons car or truck, that they have modified from stock to improve its performance or looks or
both.” It’s that simple. No matter what you drive, American made, foreign made, pre-48, post 49...you get the drift, if you changed it to suit your taste...it’s your “hot rod”!
Go listen to Funny Car Legend John Force and his interviews after a race or even before the race, he ALWAYS calls his car his ol’ hot rod!
Now...get driving or working on YOUR “hot rod”! “Drive ’Em Don’t Hide ’Em”
