Car Culture: The 1930's Street Rod

The term "Hot Rod" is often used to describe a modified car. Not exactly a specific description. So, much like other often debated car "Classifications", like Supercar, Muscle Car, Hyper Car, Sports Car, and Street Rod, it's all a matter of opinion and perception.

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So, I'll make an attempt to define what, in my opinion, makes a Hot Rod. Keep in Mind, this is just my own opinion. Comment below if you disagree, like and share if you agree, and read on.

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When I think of the term "Hot Rod", this is what comes to mind. The 1932 Ford Roadsters and coupes. It's a very common thing to see these cars with chopped roofs, Sectioned bodies, and a simple, yet detailed exposed engine bay.

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I asked some of my friends on Facebook what they thought, and I got the general consensus that a Hot Rod is, first and foremost, an interchangeable term used for Street Rods, Street Cars, Rat Rods, or just a modified car.

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It also seemed to be a common opinion that a Hot Rod is a car, no later than 1950, that has been modified to go faster, usually by chopping the roof, lowering the ride height, removing body panels and putting bigger engines in place of the original.

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But, I think the most important thing about Hot Rods is the work that went into it. Hot Rods are built by Car Guys. They put blood, sweat and tears into the project, and make it what it is. So, in the end, it seems that it's all about the build process, and how it's enjoyed after it's completed.

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Hot Rod Magazine and other similar publications aren't specific to any one make, model or decade, but, rather, the Hot Rod culture itself, which is really the whole point.

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Hot Rods are to classic cars what modern Modified Cars / Street cars are to modern car culture, though I really doubt that in 75 years, todays cars will be as saught after, and nicely restored as cars from the 1930's and 1940's are today.

Thanks for reading. Please, comment on this post, share it, follow me here on Blogger, and on my social media pages, and check back often for more content.

-Phil