you need to know the basics first.....than think about hot rod school. you wouldnt walk into carpentry school not knowing what end to hold the hammer right ?
once I had basic knowledge of how a car works & how to work on them, + welding & fabricating skills, maybe some body & paint skills, electrical systems etc., many of these you can get in basic auto classes...than once you have an understanding of the basics, maybe learn more hot rod stuff.
a brain surgeon doesnt become a brain surgeon without being familier with pretty much all aspects of biology & the human body first...baby steps