Projects CUSTOM OR HOT ROD

To me, this question went out the door when NSRA and Street Rodder Magazine opened up the dates. It didn't make it easier, it made it muddier.

As others have said, it used to be pre '48 was a hot rod/street rod. Post '48 was a street machine. Customs weren't defined by years but alterations.

Now, I consider a hot rod anything that has been built up for better performance. Forget the year. I still cringe when I see an '82 Camaro with a 305 smog engine called a hot rod but that's the times. Function over form is a hot rod.

I consider a custom anything that has body mods, tail dragger or even a fuzzy interior. They are form over function, even though some perform pretty well.

Just like anything else, you can have both in one car but it seldom works. Some can pull it off but not too many.

JMO,
SPark

 

{ Hot Rods } Fast and Loud. { Kustoms } Slow and Low.

 

custom

Kustom

hot rod


the top 2 look the best to me

than there is this one
a custom hot rod?

 

Pre-49 is hot rod. It'd be a custom and BTW, that's a cool car you've got now. I don't even mind the white exterior.

 

...it's a blurred line, they can be both,..who really cares what you call it, 1/2 the people would get it wrong anyway,...just make it a cool car and enjoy,...don't need labels.

 

Yes sir.

I am going to bring the car home on a rollback,I don't want to crank the car with all the old gas in it,when I get it home I intend to rebuild the carburetor,drop the gas tank and vat it,blow all out the gas lines,check the fluids & make sure the brakes are in good working order.just trying to address everything before they turn into problems.

I'm going to try and pump up the two flat tires this morning before the roll back shows up.

 

I'm not planning a full blown custom although they are beautiful but I study the last car you posted and it is the one that convinced me just how nice a coupe can be,in my mind it checks all the boxes.

Anyone know who owns this coupe,I sure would like to ask him a coupe of questions.HRP

 

Danny, If it were me I'd think about replacing the body side moulding like the car in the picture above. It sure looks good and adds a lot of interest to the side view. The dechromed look doesn't do much for me.

I always remember my Grandpa saying " I don't care what you call me but just don't call me late for Supper".

BTW who cares if people you don't know call it a hot rod or custom. You only have to please yourself and Brenda.
Gary

 

Danny I have been told by Many a guy's that My Merc is a Streetrod
Because its Custom & Chevy. Engine

Just my 3.5 cents


Live Learn & Die a Fool

 

This is what it would mostly resemble if it were mine, and I wish it was.

 

And now for something different. Danny, don't do this! (I know you won't, just messin' with you)
For what it is (old gasser) it's cool, but extremely limited in where it can be driven.

You are going to have sooooo much fun building your 50. If it turns out half as good as the wagon it will be a home run.

 

Man,I love 5 spokes like that. HRP

Don't give it a second thought, a '50 Ford gasser is not in my future and if it's half as nice as Brenda's wagon I will be happy,I hope it's a lot cheaper to build! HRP

 

Make it a custom.
You need one.
It'll make you a better person.

 

O.K., I have read all the posts. I also don't want to ruin this thread but, I'm very near 70, the car is a '57. its Dagoed (an old term, not racially biased), has a '58 hood. Has Stock drive train: 292 Y block, 3 speed on the column (hence, 3 pedals), old Cragars, and that's it. Even the paint is a '57 color.
So the big question: What the hell is it? Custom? hot Rod, just a massive identity crisis?

 

I found this pic in a google search. The pic is from the Hamb. So somewhere here there is s thread on it. I think someone also asked who owns it

I like the color

 

Custom or Hotrod, it's in the eye of the owner. There's a really slick 50 coupe with many custom touches in the for sale section. Under BobinOmaha. Lots of potential for 17,500!

 

"Hot Rod Custom"

 

I call a car that nice perfect. There is no category required for a nicely painted and detailed older car and the wheels are the icing on the cake.

 

It's Beautiful! HRP

 

HOT ROD

 

I say you make everyone happy and build a custom hot rod gasser! Just keep it traditional.

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custom

 

Personally I think they make killer customs.

 

Mine can’t decide what it is.

 

I think "hot rods" focus more on performance and what is under the sheet metal and "customs" are more concerned with the outward appearance and style modifications. I always thought my '51 Fords; a Vic with a Cad and hydro and Vert with a hopped up flathead, were hot rods. Of course this was in the mid-'60s before there were other labels or classifications.

 

I'm going the mild custom route with my 50 Chevy. The bodies of that era are just crying for someone to give them some love.

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Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.

 

Thank you .

 

I certainly wouldn't call it a custom. It's pretty much a lowered stocker but I think the real point is who cares what you call it. It's just a cool car.

 

OK give me hell...but i think a REAL hot rod is a car that looke good with or without fendersn ... so only 1934 and older are REAL HOT RODS.....