Free access to all Hot Rod Magazine issues 1948-2021 online!

[ea0863]

For Corvette lovers such as myself, HRM February 1997 also announced the new C5 Corvette. 

As GM nearly mothballed the Corvette program after the C4, the fact that this car came about was nothing short of a monumental triumph of gearhead engineers over administrative bean-counters. For those interested in the full story - including the type of internal politics that goes into many such developments, I highly recommend James Schefter's book "All Corvettes are Red".

Edited December 27, 2022 by ea0863

[ea0863]

Another big development was the appearance of TV programming such as SpeedVision and Hot Rod TV

Edited December 28, 2022 by ea0863

[ea0863]

And finally, in the same issue was a great article on Steve Moal's "California Special". 

I have long been an admirer of Moal Coachworks, particularly since they continue to work in handmade metal bodies. His website shows some gorgeous creations, but IMHO none is better than the "Gatto"

Oh, and if your tastes run strictly toward hot rods, how about his "AeroCoupe"?

Edited December 27, 2022 by ea0863

[Richard Bartrop]

I always get strong Xenia vibes off the Aerocoupe, which is not a bad thing at all.

[ea0863]

Today, we might call the LE-1 Ground Fighter a hypercar. Back in March 1997, HRM called it a "gigabucks car".

[ea0863]

Boydster II - a beautiful sequel. HRM April 1997

[ea0863]

CheZoom part deux - aka RodZoom

[ea0863]

HRM November 1997 had an article on the Jimmy Oddy '37 Chevy Pro Mod. Good info on a cool racer, and a little education on Pro Mods. (Wouldn't it be cool to see a family tree of racing development - what led to what, where they split, etc.?)

[stitchdup]

On 12/27/2022 at 5:16 AM, ea0863 said:

HRM February 1997 highlighted a newfound affinity in Russia toward hot rods. 

A bit of looking, and I found a few samples of such handicraft, such as the GAZ GL-1 racer below which was built in 1938

Or the Toyota Crown rebodied in fiberglass with a GAZ-21 flair 

The Volga V12

And even this cool rendering of a ZIL-130 truck

some nice builds in russia    http://truefitment.com/categories/custom/pickup-master

[Ulf]

On 11/23/2022 at 4:28 AM, ea0863 said:

A short little article in January 1967 referred to Swedish or "Scandinavian Specials". Apparently they have always loved American cars, but have certainly put their own spin on their customs. For instance, check out https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Sweden and https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/regional-car-culture-explained-the-history-of-the-swedish-a-traktor/ for a taste.

Every Swedish model builder's dream project. Google Glowing Coupe if you want to build a model yourself. A clone is built on the original builder about but sold to Norway. 

 

[ea0863]

28 minutes ago, Ulf said:

Every Swedish model builder's dream project. Google Glowing Coupe if you want to build a model yourself. A clone is built on the original builder about but sold to Norway. 

 

So cool! I love the low and wide look, and the roof is so cool!

[PatW]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:40 PM, iamsuperdan said:

 

As an aside, I like looking at these old ads, then Google Mapping the address and seeing what's there now. 

 

I'm guessing EL Rio Bravo will not assist you with a supercharger.

 

Oh is that a Tesla driving by?

[ea0863]

1 hour ago, PatW said:

Oh is that a Tesla driving by?

They are a dime a dozen on the west coast  

[ea0863]

HRM December 1997 and February 1998 had a two-parter on the Chip Foose designed and Troy Trepanier built "Sniper" - a combination of Dodge Viper and '54 Plymouth Savoy. What wasn't said was that Foose and Coddington were parting ways, thus I imagine this solo endeavor by Foose.

 

[Richard Bartrop]

I made it through the '50s, and a few things that caught my attention.

Looking at what was showing up in the Roddin' at Random and the letters page, I wasn't aware just how popular these faux Caddy Lyons hubs were right up to the middle of the decade.  I know they were a thing for customs, but you also saw them on rods as well.

Also popular were these mock wire wheel hubcaps.  Of course now, they're just the complete anithesis of cool.

Even back in '56 some companies were pushing environmental awareness.

Some background on the Ardun heads.  Up to now, I hadn't been aware that they were made in England, or of the Sydney Allard connection.

VW with a Studebaker Hawk nose.  I wonder if it inspired the Rolls-Beetle kits of later years?

And speaking of inspirations, I wonder if George Barris saw this when he was building the Ala Kart?

And in the late '50s, we saw a new take on pinstriping.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Richard Bartrop

[ea0863]

Take a '48 Studebaker Champion convertible, put a '50 bullet nose and rear fenders on it, make about a thousand other changes - and voila, you have this beauty!

HRM April 1998 only had a few photos of the car, so I dredged up a few more - although their quality wasn't great either. 

[Richard Bartrop]

From a meet in '57, showing the state of the dragster's art.  I love the nose art on the coupe in the lower left.

Art Arfons tries something a little different.

By the late '50s real steel was getting scarce, and fiberglass became an option.  From Jun '57, August '58, and May '59.

By the end of the decade, we see the classic FED.

Dec '59, and American introduces their classic five spoke mag.

Ford advertising its compact Falcon, pointing out how the engine is up front where it will protect you, unlike certain competitors **koffkoffchevycorvairkoff**

Edited December 30, 2022 by Richard Bartrop

[ea0863]

HRM May 1998 had something a little different than their usual; a Datsun 260Z with an American V8, but also warmed over to have a more contemporary look. I thought owner Jim Biondo did a great job, and this car would actually still look in place today.

[Richard Bartrop]

The thing with the Zs is the same issue you get with Jag E-types and '53 Studebakers.  They already look so good that it's hard to improve on them, even though so many have tried.

[ea0863]

11 minutes ago, Richard Bartrop said:

The thing with the Zs is the same issue you get with Jag E-types and '53 Studebakers.  They already look so good that it's hard to improve on them, even though so many have tried.

Richard, I love how kindly and politely you just said, "this car wouldn't hold a candle to the original"!  And I totally agree with you. I guess what I was thinking was how car manufacturers keep a lineage alive by capturing the DNA of a certain iconic car, while at the same time making it more contemporary. In this case, we of course see the new Nissan Z as the newest iteration of the 240Z line, but when I look at that car - I would rather see this one in its place as far closer to the family line.

[ea0863]

Article on tire and rim choices. HRM July 1998

[Ulf]

I can’t get access, overseas ??

Is there any one at the forum who can help me and publish the 6-cyl Nova from Hot Rod Automotive Magazine Mar 1982 Vol 35 No 3

I want to build a tribute.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Ulf

[ea0863]

9 hours ago, Ulf said:

I can’t get access, overseas ??

Is there any one at the forum who can help me and publish the 6-cyl Nova from Hot Rod Automotive Magazine Mar 1982 Vol 35 No 3

I want to build a tribute.

Hello Ulf, is this what you had in mind?

Edited December 30, 2022 by ea0863

[Ulf]

11 minutes ago, ea0863 said:

Hello Ulf, is this what you had in mind?Thank you, exactly.

Thank you, exactly.
I bought that magazine april 1982 when we went to my mother's cousin's house for the annual lunch, I could figure out what year and month it was because I remembered it was his 40th birthday. The nova with the 6 has been in my head ever since. 
Many thanks, I am truly grateful.
Hopefully I will return with a build in WIP or UG.

 

[ea0863]

2 hours ago, Ulf said:

Thank you, exactly.
I bought that magazine april 1982 when we went to my mother's cousin's house for the annual lunch, I could figure out what year and month it was because I remembered it was his 40th birthday. The nova with the 6 has been in my head ever since. 
Many thanks, I am truly grateful.
Hopefully I will return with a build in WIP or UG.

 

My pleasure. PM me anytime