The story of a passion of American society, which far from being in the past, is getting closer to the present, and even more so, shows a clear projection to the future.
In the 1930s, after the economic depression, major car manufacturers in the US watched carefully as buyers were inclined to the higher-performing cars. So he began an intense competition to put on the street cars recognized for their achievements in the races.
The old saying said, “Win Sunday, sell Monday.” They considered the importance of giving their customers more and more powerful engines. Ford had a number of very successful models manufactured between 1932 and 1940. The interesting thing is that they are more sought after today than in their first stage. By the end of the 1930s interest in these models grew, and there were the first encounters to run stings.
Then came the Second World War. The factories were dedicated exclusively to the construction of ships and military artillery. They employed thousands of people and were trained in mechanics. Thousands of others were soldiers and met Europe, saw their vehicles and their degree of technical advancement.
After the war ended, the lives of American citizens returned to their daily normality, but with some differences. Their purchasing power had grown, but as a result of previously explained changes in the industry during the war, they had an aging fleet of 6 years.
All those who had the ability to save, together with the knowledge incorporated, led to the development of the stingy races. All those who modified their cars not only exhibited it proudly, but also wanted to measure themselves with others who were engaged in the same activity, to see how good the modifications made were.
They were looking for simple mechanics cars so they could practice repairs and improvements on them. In its beginnings, street bites were out of control, causing accidents and very bad reputation to those who prepared Hot Rods. Later, the willingness to keep the races without having problems with the law allowed the creation of the National Hot Rods Association (NHRA), which grouped the runners by category.
The reality is that the Hot Rods go far beyond the bite races. Today hundreds of enthusiasts prepare old Ford and Chevrolet to show off their jewel, their finished vehicle to the liking of the owner. Sometimes, rescuing an old coupe Ford 32 or 34, a Chevy 37 or 39, buying a classic V8 or rectifying the original, sending everything to restore to a specialized workshop and obtaining as a result a car at the “whim” of the user can be worth from 40,000 to 300,000 dollars.
There are special design equipment that manufacture Hot Rods with Corvette or Mustang engines; that is, they are technically quite modern, wearing a beautiful and classic bodywork. Two of the best designers are Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose. The latter designed the 0032 (see photo).
In the nineties, when the idea of making cars reminiscent of past models took the most momentum, Chrysler presented a concept that generated delirium in Car Salons across the USA. The Plymouth Prowler with its immense wheels and barely covered by small fenders, a 1930s silhouette and a V6 engine of over 200 HP was a bestseller — something Chrysler didn't expect.
It is evident that the Hot Rods continue and will continue to be the object of desire of a group more than numerous, it is like the dream one begets since childhood. Lucky them who have the opportunity to cope with the huge cost of filling the fuel tank...
© Adrián Blanco 2004 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —