Thread: hot rod history ?

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I stayed to the subject.


As for what the cars looked like, there was no ONE look. Some areas (most notably California) seemed to have more "finished" rods. I think it was because of income level and abundance of specialty shops to do custom kind of work. Where I lived (Pittsburgh Pa) most cars were more like the rats in finish (primer finishes with more emphasis on performance than looks) We also were poorer than some other places as far as expendible income.

The first really done car I saw was a '32 coupe out of California that migrated to Pa. Every nut and bolt was chromed and it was really done well. Our cars were not that well done by any means. Maybe some were, but not the majority.

So I think both memories are correct, depending on where you were from.

Don


Dave's post down below reminded me of one of the first "breakthrough" rat rods, if you will. I think it was Jake from Pete and Jakes (or Pete) who built that oxidized red '29 tub that had a blanket interior and generally was a little shabby. Because it was Jake (or Pete) suddenly it was OK to build something less than perfect, and the magazines heralded it as such a big deal.