Thread: The Greatest Rod & Custom Cars!

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53-55 Studebakers!

First I am surprised that these came up so early in this thread, many people have forgotten them. But since you mention them mine is the red one! And of course I have to agree with you

Pat

As the years went on, cars that we never considered "cool" have become popular. As an example four door sedans............back then these we considered Dads car, not something we wanted, but now you see lots of four doors and even station wagons that make nice cars.

If we are talking cars that shaped the hobby, the aforementioned '50 Mercs were right up there, as were '50 Fords. The act of shoving Olds or Caddy engines into these two cars was responsible IMO for the growth of the swap motor mount kits and engine/transmission adapter market.

As for hot rods, no question the '32 Ford is at the top of that list, popularitywise. No other car is so recognizable or associated with hot rods. Next would be cars like the Model A and Model T, plus '40 Fords.

I think if you go back into any of the little books these cars would have been the ones most often featured. Then when the newer cars hit the market ones like '55-'57 Chevy started taking off.

In the mid '60's hot rodding kind of took a rest because you could go down to your local Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, etc dealer and for less than $ 100 a month payment buy a car that outran most hot rods, was dependable, clean, new, and came with a warranty to boot. I think what saved hot rodding were groups like the National Street Rod Association and events like the Street Rod Nationals.


Don

if i had a pic of one i'd throw it into the mix...49 mercs are
so cool!