So Cal.............hands down.........if you really want to narrow it down then probably Los Angeles..........although a lot of "roots" in Orange County also Santa Ana Drags, Creighton Hunter,Stan Betz,Dick Kraft,and a host of others ,all from the "OC"
Since the FIRST hot rod carclub was formed in Southern California, and it is still active today, I believe it's right here. Bonneville was mentioned, but Speedweek is run by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA)! Indy was also mentioned, and Frank Kurtis fielded probably more cars than anyone in it's history, all built in Southern California, too....
I don't know where it is but is sure as hell is not Hilo Hawaii .IN 1966 I went to so cal for the first time. I grew up in NY and icould not believe how many hot cars were in cali.
Great answers guys, some really funny stuff . Great read first thing in the morning, speaking of which, its off to work for now. Have fun today guys. Later.
Southern California for sure, that's where it all started also. Austin/San Antonio area is right up there tho.
Me too. I was driving down Slauson Ave in Culver City yesterday and spotted the old Isky building. The sign still painted on the wall. Kinda faded but still there.
I think that a lot of hot rodding began right here in southern New England despite the fact that all the big wig magazines were being published in california where they featured california cars. There is A LOT of hot rod history in new england and a lot of cars here.
I'm going to brag here & say that in the towns of Cumberland,RI, lincoln,RI,Pawtucket, RI & Attleboro,Ma theres a ton of hotrods on the road.On a nice warm night you can drive around & see at least 15-20 rods cruising & a few that you don't know or have seen before.And thats in a short cruise!! there all a joining towns so you can cover a lot in 1 nite. we have a honey dew donut shop in cumberland,RI & it looks like "mels drive in" on a friday, sunday or tuesday nite. JimV
How about Marquette, Nebraska??? pop, 280...List of hot rods that live there. 1- 32 Ford roadster 2- 32 Ford 2 dr sedans 1- 50 Merc 1- 64 Chev SS 1- 57 Chev Ht 1- 63 Nova 1- 54 Chev truck w/327 1- 70 Charger 1- 40 Ford 2 dr 1- 37 Ford 2dr flatback 1- 67 Camero 1- 34 Ford 2dr sedan yet to be built, but gathering parts. How that is 13 total and a dam good % of total population
I walked out to my shop and I found the Hot Rod Capitol right here in my back yard so its in Michigan, ya'll can stop wondering now
yep! New England is where its at. Go cruise down to the Berlin Turnpike in CT (known for its retro places, and famous for its cruising hey-days) and you are gauranteed to see quite a few rods and stockers cruising the strip on a saturday night; getting bites to eat and enjoying the night. Its famous for its street racing too. there's a lot of history here and a lot of new england hot rods here. In the summer months we could prob rival california. Back in the day in New England; theyre cars where driven all year in the snow and whatever. The cars where driven no matter what and quite a few of them survived the test of time and the trying climate. New england has a lot to brag about
If yer a hot rodder , its were ever you are for me minn 7days a week in the summer something goin on!!!
for the fun of trying to make some mad and because of the name. Speed KS edit- it would help if i could spell.
Shoot, it's wherever you find yourself behind the wheel of your hot rod, that's the Capital of Hot Rod Land. It's not a place, it's an experience. When I get behind the wheel of a built by hand machine, I don't care who's out there, I don't care where I am, because I am one with the thing that I have created.
Okay, I am going to have some fun. Sorry to tell everyone, but it didn't start in So Cal or Bonneville. Daytona first. Even as early as 1903 they were doing land speed races and hot rodding anything they could get a hold of. Even steam cars they hot rodded! Bonneville and California were about 30 years behind the times of Florida before things really got popular there. Didn't you know that Floridians set the stage for the rest of the country to follow. What about the bootleggers in North Carolina? Hot rodding and customizing, but playing for keeps. Time in the slammer. Playing with their freedom. Is So Cal, everyone was playing for a shot in a magazine! not the same. a little soft, a little weak at best. Remember, because you see it first on TV or magazines, does not make it so. http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/articles/daytona-ormond-beach-speed-trials Have fun there are cars everywhere, and always has been
The Jalopy Journal
