Technical STREETROD or HOTROD?

This is something new.

Another “What is a Hot Rod “ thread but with crossword puzzles....

 

I think I’m going to play Solitaire on my Model T hood.

 

Hello,

I agree with the idea that all modified builds in any stage are considered hot rods. If a year limit is put in place, then those that get built after the time slot allotted are still called hot rods. What it is can be described as hot rod from roadsters to fast sedans. For all of the early show car coverage of old hot rods was the norm. Then some funky writer could not get a catchy title for all of the new hot rod parts added into the latest build. It did take more money than most, to get the parts and adaptations for the change not normally seen on older builds.

So, the term street rods was created and somehow appeased the newer hot rod builders. More money was spent and the upgrades were added to the older hot rod designs. Now, a new format of finished builds was in play. How does a 60 year old hot rod compare to a later 2024 new build with no money spared? Most of the hot rod builds recently aren’t anywhere near what we used to see 60 years ago. That is how stuff progresses.

We can only just sit back and enjoy the latest build techniques, unlimited budgets/mechanics that are involved in the build. America’s Most Beautiful Roadster vs 1960’s version almost is not fair. For those that are considered traditional 50s-60s build style versus no money spared modern builds is an example of hot rods, but it shows the latest stuff that time and money can buy.

Jnaki

The most lasting impression from an old hot rod guy that started back when most weren’t born is that time is changing things in hot rod builds as they have also changed the way we all live. A lot of those entries will never become daily drivers. But, will continue to awe a lot of people. (So, be it.) It is a part of our society’s cultural acceptance that allows us to still be a part of the future. But, “Hot Rod” is the standard… not street rod. YRMV

 

Real hot rodders use a bench grinder to sharpen their ✏️

 

I used to buy two papers every day when I worked for TSA and most of that time one of the gals I worked with always did the crossword puzzle in one of them. I've never been in the habit of doing them. She also always had books of crosswords and word puzzles and my other contribution was coming up with the word that she needed when she couldn't get it on her own which was rare.

Hotrod vs Streetrod. As Billy said, it's sometimes hard to explain but I know them when I see them. It also has somewhat come to have a different meaning than what it did in the late 60's early 70's when it showed up and rodders were wanting to disassociate themselves from what a lot of people saw in the old hotrods to Hell and Hot rod gang movies that still showed up on television at odd hours.

Now it is primarily how the car is equipped and presented.

Hot rod primarily having things that are timeless including engine equipment, wheels tires, interior design and paint colors. The nicely built well done ones usually stay spot on on theme and you don't see things such as headlights or tail lights or seat upholstery design that don't stay exactly with the look and theme. If it was done right and you don't know when or who built it you have a very hard time figuring out exactly when it was built just by looking.

Street rods for the most part having the latest hot lick fads or what the vendors are pushing this year. You can tell the year a street rod was first on the road after it was built by the paint color and often the graphics design, by the billet wheels and tire size it has and the engine and engine equipment it has. A lot of street rods a few years old look tired even though they are in great shape because everything about them tells those in the know what time frame in the past 30 years they were built in.

 

Those in the know being a widely variable term .....