A fad that began shortly after WWII, Hot Rods were cool, low and modified for speed. See photos and learn more about the Elvis Car, the California Kid, the Silver Bullet and others.
The McGowan Brothers' Roadster was built by teenagers Bobby and Frank McGowan in 1955 with vintage Ford parts. The engine is based on a Ford flathead block and features aluminum heads and a dual-coil ignition system. Learn about this historic hot rod. See more »
As Hot Rod Magazine's 50th anniversary approached, the editorial staff considered building a Deuce roadster as its anniversary car. Illustrator Chip Foose had a better idea: Build a modern version of the tracknose '27 T that appeared on the first cover.
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The Booth '27 T hot rod was built by Bill Booth in the late 1960s. The car originally featured a Chevy 283-cid V-8 engine that was later replaced with a Chevy 350. Learn more about the modifications he made and see photos of this classic hot rod.
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In 1968 the Bud Bryan '29 Roadster was one of the first nostalgia-styled hot rods built on vintage components. The Roadster featured a a 276-cid 1948 Mercury flathead V-8 engine with two carburetors. Learn more about this hot rod.
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The Burk Roadster hot rod illustrates one of the most impressive traits shared by hot rodders: the ability to build their own cars. The Burk Roadster is proof that the self-sufficient rodder is alive and well. Read about this 275-horsepower hot rod.
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The Calori Coupe was one of the most stunning hot rods in history. This car featured a high level of detail and finish which set it apart from other hot rods of the era. Learn about this detailed 1936 Ford custom built by famed lake racer Jack Calori.
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The chopped Mercurys of the 1950s marked the beginning of the custom car phenomenon. Hot rod magazines were the product of the growing trend in chopping and customizing Mercurys of the era. Read about the 1949-1951 Mercs the ultimate customs.
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The 1929 Chrisman Model A Sedan was a drag racer built by Jack Chrisman. The car featured a Hemi engine and LaSalle transmission that gave the Model A a top speed of 129 miles per hour. Learn about this hot rod's speedy engine and beautiful restoration.
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In the 1990s, several corporate automakers recognized that hot rod-inspired show cars could draw attention to their brands. The phenomenon began with the Boyd Coddington-built/Mitsubishi-backed Aluma Coupe, and spread among a number of automakers.
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The Doane Spencer Deuce could reach speeds of 126 mph when raced during the 1940s. The car featured an engine-turned dash and hand-rolled gas-tank cover that helped it win the Best Appearing Roadster award. Learn about this speedy 1932 Ford street roadster hot rod.
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The Eclipse straddled the line between a custom car and a hot rod. This was done as a sort of promotion so that Ray Farhner could demonstrate what his custom shop could do. Learn more about this marvelous award-winning hot rod and builder Ray Farhner.
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The Frank Mack T was a 1927 Model T roadster built to impressive specifications by Frank Mack. One of the unique features of the car is an exposed transmission and driveshaft between the driver and passenger seats. Learn more about this classic hot rod.
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The Grabowski T hot rod set the standard for T-bucket rods and flashy imitable style. The car featured a 1952 Cadillac V-8 engine with a GMC 3-71 supercharger. It was also featured in Life magazine. Learn more about the real star of TV's 77 Sunset Strip.
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Hot rods are built for looks and speed. Hot rod popularity started shortly after World War II and continues to thrive today. Hot rods are customized to fit the personality of the owner. Learn about the history and evolution of these innovative automobiles.
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The Instant T was the first complete hot rod Ted McMullen's U.S. Speed Sport built in the early 1960s. The car featured a powerful Corvette 283-cid V-8 with three two-barrel carburetors and an Offenhauser intake manifold. Learn the rod's history in this article.
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The Isky T was built by legendary cam grinder Ed Iskenderian. Built with parts salvaged from other cars, this hot rod has a unique, but attractive appearance. Learn about the speedy Isky T one of the oldest surviving unrestored hot rods.
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The custom hot rod Ivo T was created by actor/racer "TV" Tommy Ivo in the 1950s. The combination of a light body weight and a powerful engine gave this car many wins on the drag strip. Learn about the hot rod's origin and see photos in this article.
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Because of its great style and craftsmanship, Jake's Coupe is considered one of the best hot rods ever built. It is totally original and features authentic Ford steel. The Coupe is loud and fast and known for drawing attention. Learn more about this 1973 hot rod.
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Jimmy Shine's '34 pickup shows that today's rodders have a reverence for the past, the ability to build great cars, and an eye for unique and inspiring design. The true beauty of this pickup is in the raw metalwork. Check out this unfinished hot rod.
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Little Deuce Coupe is a custom 1932 Ford coupe first owned by a teen from Detroit. The car got its name and popularity when the car was featured on the cover of a Beach Boys album. Learn details about the hot rod behind the famous Beach Boys song.
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The McGee/Scritchfield Deuce is one of the most important cars in hot rod history. The car has made many movie and television appearances and inspired the L.A. Roadsters club logo. Learn about the speedy highboy first featured in Hot Rod in 1948.
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