Well I think like Bob said, it is all a matter of perspective.

As such, I personally really only consider cars made in 1973 or earlier that have since been modified for even more power as "Hot Rods". Furthermore, I feel they only "qualify" (for lack of a better term) if they had power from the factory with performance in mind rather than fuel efficiency.

I feel that OPEC changed things around quite a bit and with the ensuing gas crunch, the culture of the American car changed. It changed from a focus on power to essentially a lower quality economy car. I say lower quality because by that time the Japanese and Germans had the economy car figured out (at least more so than the U.S. auto-makers) and the big three had a lot catching up to do with regards to that.

So in my opinion, for the next 20 years, the focus was not on power so much; but, on fuel efficiency. Again another matter of personal preference here; but, I wouldn't consider an economy car as a "Hot Rod". I've said before that I believe that those that are modifying those cars today, are doing it much for the same reasons as it was done before. I don't have a problem with them doing it because at least they're getting involved with them. But, I guess the big difference for me is what the intention of the car was in it's original design as to whether I consider it a "Hot Rod" or not.....silly way to define it I guess; but, what the hell, I guess it's no more off the mark than anybody else's definition.

Do I have a problem with somebody calling a '79 Grand Prix (I'm really trying not to pick on anyone here ) a hot rod? Absolutely not, but I wouldn't call it that....but what the hell do I know?

So I guess to give an opinion on Pre-48 being "Hot Rods"....sure most of them are; but, I don't think that necessarily should qualify it more than anything else. I wouldn't consider a WWII Jeep a Hot Rod either...even though it is pre '48.

Also, are we sure that we aren't confusing the terms "Hot Rod" and "Street Rod" here?......well I guess that's a discussion for a different time.

Cheers,
Firechicken