Ever since cars first came out, there have been people who were trying to modify them in every way. The main reason behind this was obviously improving the car, either in look or to make them faster. Car racing has been part of our history ever since the 19th century. The hot rod history does not fall behind either. Many amateur enthusiasts sometime in the 1930s began building cars and stripping them down to bare metal. In fact, this is exactly how the first hot rods were designed. Throughout history we have witnessed some significant changes to this group of vehicles, so let us take a look at some of the most important ones.
When hot rods first came out in the 30s, there have been bunch of people who organized themselves in car clubs and worked together. This was one of the most important ways to make them popular. But not only that, these people had the knowledge, equipment and parts to design such cars. Year after year, the clubs grew bigger and bigger, thus meaning that the hot rods became more and more powerful. This was the true beginning of a different car era.
Another event that changed, or even halted the production of hot rods, was the WWII. Since young people loved these cars, soon after the WWII started most of them were involved in the war in one way or another. This meant that there were not enough people interested enough to continue the tradition of building the hot rods. It was simply a difficult time to care about cars. However, soon after the was over, everything went back to normal and the youth continued modifying hot rods.
Magazines and hot rod shows also played an important role in their growing popularity. Nothing can become successful and popular if there is not a single news coverage. Magazines began publishing images and stories, hot rod shows began taking place all over the country and before you know, everyone realized how fast and powerful these machines can get. Magazines such as Hot Rod Magazine and Hop Up, Rod and Custom were one of the biggest.
Last but not least, come the drag racing and the Chevy small-block engine. What is the right way to attract many people at an event? Well, the answer is very simple; you have to give them an entertainment that they will never forget. Such event surely has to be the drag racing. There was so much thrill and excitement and everyone wanted to be part of it. Of course, the Chevy small-block engine was absolutely adored by people designing hot rods thus it become so popular! The amazing hot rod history!
This guide shows only the most important events that took place but it does not mean they are the only. Throughout history there have been some other, presumably minor changes that eventually led to the globalization of the hot rod. We can be absolutely sure that in the years to come, hot rods are going to evolve even more!