This afternoon while driving around with my 5 year old son, he began looking at a CKD magazine I had in the truck and posed the question. "Who built the 1st Hot Rod?" My only answer was probably the guy who bought the 2nd car ever made. Assuming he instantly wanted to be faster than the 1st guy. It was actually a tough question, and I felt a little stupid. I know he'll learn that sooner or later, but I was hoping it would be later...
Some of the Hot Rods built in the '20s and '30s were called Gow Jobs. No body really knows where the term Hot Rod came from. I think you have a good handle on it when you say the second car ever built. And Henry Ford was not the first to build an automobile.
Spartacus Maximus in 615 BC . He was the first guy to harness TWO horses to his chariot. After that it was all downhill with guys harnessing three or even four horses to their chariots.....
I'd have to say Barney Oldfield. Here he is in 1902 With Henry Ford. Big engine, fenderless, all useless items removed. Looks like a hot rod to me! Anyone else have anything earlier?
You all never cease to amaze me. The knowledge on this site is awesome. Thanks for all answers, and stay cool.
God did of course. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Can't be Henry Ford. He had to build the original that everybody else modified! Can't call a Plymouth Prowler a hot rod right?
I don't think henry ford wouldve... he loved only utility. Thats why he ended up second in line of the big 3 in size. He wouldnt make a new car, rofl. But maybe im wrong, he couldve had a secret wild side.
They used to have charriette races way back in b.c. I think that would be the first hot rod. Some even had 2 horses!! You know, horsepower. HA!
I seem to recall reading that Henry Ford, prior to starting his own production, was working at another company tinkering with engines and performance trying to make things that would go faster. Unfortunately he did it to the extent he spent loads of company money with little to show for it, and had a hard time finding investors when he wanted to start his own production. Ford may not have made the first car or had the first car company, but he was doing a lot of early modifying.
>>>>>,AH ! ,,but when those Chareittes went to FOUR HORSES ,,man ,,that was the Real Deal ,,!!! lol,,lol,, as in the movie Spartigus ???
Henry Ford went broke three times before he suceeded ,,filed bankrupcy twice ,,werked for Mr Chevrolet & Mr Olds on their Indy 500 Race cars and even drove or was the riding mechanic in one ,,the the roles reversed as Mr Chevrolet drove for Henry Ford in the Indy 500 ,, Henry Ford invented mass production ,,not the Hot Rod ,,
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