Street Rod Definition

I have been told that the term Street Rod only applies to cars made pre-1950 and anything after (musclecars etc) is known as a "street machine", is this correct? If so why is 1949 the cutoff date? Why not pre-war?
Thanks
Wp

 

Ford released a new model 1949.

Most of the Ch***ie/engine/gearbox parts fit 28-48

But he real street rod defintion is


Hot Rod = Gas Welded

Street Rod = Mig Welded

High Tech Rod = Tig Welded

 

In australia as vehicle needs to be pre 48 or a car that started to be produced pre 48such as an anglia/ popular say a 50 but has the same shape, components as the 48, in order to qualify for street rod registration. also49 was when most big american car companys went to the new shape of cars ie fender and bonnet(hood) flowed as one rather than the bonnet sitting on the top of the fenders. compare a picture of a 48 ford and a 49 ford

 

Back in the early seventies when the National Street Rod ***ociation was formed, they had a cut-off date of 1948, due mainly to the fact that through '48, car makers continued to make cars that were carryovers from before WWII (for example, Ford's all new '49 Ford was completely different from what had come before) . Later, they decided they were missing income from newer cars, so they formed a "street machine" division of NSRA for '49 and newer cars.

In Tulsa, OK in 1976 they had back-to-back Street Rod Nats one weekend followed by the Street Machine Nats the next. I had my Model A coupe at the Street Rod Nats and a friend down the street took his '63 Plymouth Sport Fury to the Street Machine Nats the next weekend (His car made several magazines after that, not bad for an 18 yr old who did all the work on his car himself)

On the HAMB, the term "street rod" is looked down upon, due to the fact that most "street rods" are pastel-painted, billetized ****. This is a traditional hot rod site with a cut-off date of '64, unless the next year or two look the same as a '64 (i.e. 65 Chevelle looks very similar to a '64, while a '66 does not)

Likely several HAMB members will get on here jumping all over you for using the term "street rod" on this site, although Henry Gregor Felsen used the term Street Rod as the ***le for a book he wrote in the 50s.

Just be prepared for an onslaught, and ignore it. Enjoy the good here, and don't pay attention to the vocabulary police.

 

Bah! Let 'em jump, I care not a fig nor a farthing.
I am in agreement about the Pimpmobiles that p*** for rods nowadays and I like to see cars in primer or a nice black paint job and chromeshy.
Thanks for the explanation fellers.
Wp

 

It's not so cut and dry, regardless of the welding.

I view traditional hot rods as pre-war cars hopped up with parts from the early 60's and earlier, or if it has some newer parts they don't interfere visually with the overall concept of the car.

I view Street Rods as pre-war cars hopped up with parts from a wider range of years, perhaps AC, billet aluminum, big wheels, IFS, that kind of stuff but not necessarily.

Street rods can be Hot Rods.

Hot Rods can be street rods.

Customs (or Kustoms) include 50's, 40's, and 30's cars.

I have no idea what the hell a street machine is. Probably has to do with tubs and pro-street stuff, so who cares?

But basically enjoy them all

 

It's merely a NSRA definition, club rule. Outside their club/relm, it don't mean anything. Simply means you can't enter their show and compete unless your car meets their difinition. Outside that box, it's sematics, like what is a Cl***ic Car? Ask a member of Cl***ic Car Club of America and you'll find that your Cl***ic Chevy is excluded.

 

I was under the impression that a street rod had to be based on a vehicle that had rear fenders that could be unbolted. That would be '48 and earlier for the most part.

 

If you want the whole truth, it was Tex Smith that came up with it, in 68, and he used that cut off for a rod run because it was 20 years or older cars. From the horses mouth several years ago.

 

In 1973, I was the current secretary of LAR club when one meeting night, Leroy(Tex Smith), **** Wells, Gilbert Bugg, Tom Medley,& other notables showed up to advise us of a new organization being formed for National membership similar to NHRA, but to have cars pleasing to public scrutiny & be street driven.

This new group was formed as NSRA (National Street Rod ***n.) & the founders wanted to know if they could use the LAR cons***ution & by laws to pattern their own rules by, of course there were no real reasons not to oblige them, so months later, when charter memberships were available, I sent my application in, & recieved NSRA card number 1956, & I still am a member.

It was Tom Medley (Stroker McGurk) that coined the phrase "Street is Neat" back in the early 70's, this newly formed organization grew rapidly across the USA, & plans for an annual get together with "driven cars" was formulated, known today as the NSRA "Nats" & many are held at different times, & different states to accomodate just about everyone wanting to attend. I made the trips 5 times starting in 1972 Detroit Nats, where there were about 1300 street rods in attendance.

The whole idea, was to get back into real hot rodding by building a pre 1949 car & taking it out & enjoying all that "Line chasing" along with many other street rodders!
NSRA had a cut off date of 1948, because of the 1949 "slab sided" cars. Not to be left out, NHRA tried a street division, & a street machine division, this went on for a few years & kinda went south I think. So, NHRA moreless stuck with drag racing & muscle cars.

Later, Gary(Goodguys) & Bruce Olsen were putting on West coast NSRA events for a few years, when Gary decided that to only allow 1948 & earlier street rods was, in his view, shuting out the later models, so thats when Gary & NSRA parted & "Goodguys" began with the later model years along with the pre 1949 cars. Now, since last year, NSRA's attention has been to allow later model cars up to 1979 at some prescribed Nats events, the rest are still 1948 & earlier!!-----Hope this answers most questions----See you on the street!!------------Don

 

I think Fred Offenhauser said it best....."A hot rod has a flathead engine with tools in the truck. A street rod has a Chevy engine with wax in the trunk."

 

The cutoff date of 1948 in Australia was chosen because of two major things that happened that year...

Ford went from buggy springs with beam axles, torque tubes, running boards and separate front guards and bonnet to independent front ends, open drive shafts, slab sides and flowing guards with a flat hood.

Holden released the FJ to Australian roads. Genuine hot rodders in the 60's wanted nothing to do with the hot Holden boys!

It may also be of some interest to you to read back through a few US rod magazines from the early 60's, cause back then anything newer than 1934 was considered a 'custom' car.

Cheers, Glen.

 

Perhaps the most concise explanation I've seen to date. Thanks, Don , for the history lesson.

 

I prefer to do things once. I'll take the street rod ***le, please.

 

I always took it to mean a 'Street Rod' was more street driven/oriented than a hot rod which its' roots were into racing. They both share the same body style and many componants.
A 'street machine' has gender confusion, it thinks that it is a drag race car and cannot do either race nor be driven on the street very well.

 

Methinks thou worrieth too much.

Build the car - enjoy that aspect of it.

Drive it - fun too.

What more could a guy ask from an interesting hobby?

 

Look it up

 

Right on!

 

hought of it as...things were done to a hot rod to make them go fast, things done to customs to make them look better/cool. Street rods seem to be a blending of the two. A racing roadster with no interior would have a louvered trunk lid to prevent air from being trapped tn the back of the body. Street rods with full interiors have louvered trunk lids because it looks "cool".

 

My own interpratation is a car that looks better without fenders is a hot rod. A car that would look stupid without fenders is not a hot rod. A street rod to me is a old car built more for comfort than speed. IE a.c. power steering,power seats all the stuff one would need in a brand new car. I know a few drag racers that say if they are accepted into the N.H.R.A. THEN THAY HAVE A HOT ROD. So Im not the only one with an oppinion make up your own mind to what you belive.

 

rat rod= not welded

Hot Rod = Gas Welded

Street Rod = Mig Welded

High Tech Rod = Tig Welded[/QUOTE]