Street Rods

Street rods are special, not only because of their appearance, but also because of the attitude of their owners. It's a proud group that drives these special cars. They know that even though they travel in comfort, there's power under the hood that can perform (if asked) at peak speeds on the drag strip.

 

The culture of hot rodding goes back decades and helped gain respect for the bad-boy image. The essence of this personality continues to gain popularity, pushed by those who still relish the early days of dragging. Newer generations continue to develop enthusiasm for these legal vehicles that make mothers feel safe and dads yearn to leave the competition in the dust.

Discussion and debate abounds when it comes to defining a street rod. Is it truly a hot rod or does it belong in a category of its own? One criterion is it must be powerful like a hot rod. That leaves it out of the custom category, which depends more on good looks than on what's under the hood.

 

In general, however, street rods do look good and most will agree they also provide a comfortable ride. Hard-core rodders insist that a street rod is one that has not received quite the same dose of attitude from its owner. A hot rod, on the other hand, is a vehicle lovingly built and modified, piece by piece, in the home garage. A die-hard street machiner will unwaveringly disagree.

 

Purists define a street rod as any car built in 1948 or earlier. Modification allowances are more liberal with regard to engine types, suspension systems and drive trains. Interiors can be as modern as the owner wishes and exterior paint can be wildly custom or sedately original. The secret lies in a careful balance of being pretty and having power.

 

A typical American street rod is also drivable, whether it's as a "grocery getter" or a cross-country "travel rod." In spite of the fact that many streeters have big engines, they're ultimately safe to operate.

Many major street rod gatherings remain true to the pre-1949 philosophy. However, liberal collectors and those just coming of age to enjoy the genre are filling another gap.

 

In their thinking, which is acceptable in many circles, a street rod can be any vehicle of any make and model that's souped-up and still legally licensed. At local and state meets, more than a handful of show-n-shine categories exist for different decades and types of rods.

 

The line in the sand does appear to be drawn between street rods that are built for show and those for driving. In fact, some meets won't allow rods to enter that are not driven.

 

At a rod run or meet, you are likely to see many original and customized styles, including:

Even better, you won't have to drive far or wait long to attend a street rod gathering as a spectator. All you need is a love for cars to gain acceptance; owners love to talk about their rods.

 

If you're thinking about following that dream of ownership, caution and research will pay off. Start with the local papers and specialty publications that list only used vehicles. Buying locally will give you the advantage of an up-close look and mechanic's inspection.

 

Whether you're looking for a 1932 Chevy street rod or a fabricated Deuce, be sure you're getting what you pay for. The Internet can also be a reliable source, and you just might find listings in your area. Long distance purchases, with proper precautions, can give you the right rod for the price, too.

 

Auctions are also a hot bed of activity when it comes to buying street rods. They feature those that have been trailered as well as solid drivers. Showpiece rods can bring astronomical prices, however, and there appears to be an underlying trend to move back to those nostalgic days of less-than-pristine looks.

When the hot rod and street rod craze began, the only parts and accessories available were in junkyards and at swap meets. Manufacturers eventually realized the profit in specialty parts and accessories, and now you can build a street rod from the ground up or simply add finishing touches, all from new gear. Local and national resources are at your fingertips with complete or specialized online catalogs and reasonable shipping costs.

 

Suggestions for locating gear online include performing a general search under an online search engine, such as "street rod parts accessories." You can also look for specific listings under "street rod cars Ebay motors," to view current offerings on both cars and parts.

 

You'll find shops around the country that will give you a turnkey restoration or rebuild for every type of street rod or custom car. If you still want to go the do-it-yourself route, there's no end to customization options.

 

You can perform your own wiring or windshield replacement. Much more awaits you, of course, including steering wheels and all the interior accessories you could possibly want, including classic street rod magnetic door flames, if that suits your fancy.

 

 

Baskerville, Gray (n.d.). The Street Rod Nats, Past and Present. Retrieved January 1, 2008, from the Rod and Custom Web site: http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/thehistoryof/84344/
index.html.

Brennan, Brian (2007). The Hot Rod Culture is Changing. Retrieved January 1, 2008, from the Street Rodder Web site: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/editorial/
0709sr_for_starters_september/index.html.

Nsra-usa.com (2008). Membership. Retrieved January 1, 2008, from the National Street Rod Association Web site: http://www.nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/section/C7.