A "Hot Rod" is what ya build to go fast and go cruizin in. Why does the year matter?? John Force calls his funny car a Hot Rod, Mike Waltrip calls his chebbie a hot rod, if the term fits what these guys drive then it should apply to most everything American built that has 4 wheels and is redesigned by the owner. Just my opinion, people or clubs limiting "Hot Rods" to pre-whatever year is just another form of snobbery. The world of Hot Rodding should be open to all years, and welcome anybody new with open arms.