Thread: What is a Hot Rod?

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I've been avidly following the hobby since '58... but don't remember hearing a real explanation. I know there was a term used in the early years that I seem to remember was similar. Instead of the word "hot"... it was something else.... "_____ job"???? Anyone know?

I do believe a "rail job" was another slang term, for a fenderless car with the frame rails exposed. Obviously thar would tie in with the term that evolved in drag racing to become a "rail"... or "rail dragster".


I'll try googling it since you made me curious.

You have probably memorized the two popular definitions for "hot rod"...

(1) For guys of my generation (63)... it is a 1948 or older car, modified for more power.

(2)For everyone else, seems it's whatever they want it to be.... and can be used for boats, bikes, planes, etc. :-)

...but most commonly it's viewed as "any car modified for some increase in power"

I'll see if I can find the source of the term.


(No luck there) I did find that Gray Baskerville was supposed to be the first to use it in print.