What is a Hot Rod
From "The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies" by Jeff Breitenstein.
“hot rod 1.n. Any vintage automobile (most often a 1920s- or 1930s- era passenger car) extensively modified to improve its appearance and, especially, performance. In its strictest and most traditional sense, the term relates to a style of vehicle originally popularized during the 1920s through 1940s but maintaining a constant favor the present day. The quintessential Hot Rod features upgraded suspension and drivetrain as well as body modifications immediately derived form performance or racing applications (e.g., chopped top, fender removal, louvers, nerf bars, etc.). The actual mid-1940s origins of the term HOT ROD are unclear, but many perceive it to be a lyrical contraction of "hot roadster," the most popular performance model of the era. By the late 1940s, the term hot rod was in common but negative use in the Southern California press. As portrayed in print, Hot Rodders were considered reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous to the greater public's welfare. Through the diligent efforts of the National Hot Rod Association (see NHRA). Together with publications like Hot Rod magazine, Hot Rods and Hot Rodders gradually achieved societal acceptance during the 1950s. 2. n. Any vehicle constructed or extensively modified in a non production, "home-built" manner to provide exceptional overall performance, with a particular emphasis on acceleration and/or top end speed. The use of brute horsepower and/or torque (often provided by a large-displacement V8 engine) to dramatically enhance performance is on prevailing characteristic of the American HOT ROD. 3. v. To modify any vehicle in a HOT ROD style or fashion; to improve a vehicle's performance through custom modification.”
Oh yeah!
