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

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How about a Volvo Amazon hot rod from Belgium, or a Renault Espace wheelstander from France? I say, the more the merrier, and fun ideas for builds!

HRM August 1998

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A few drawings from Chip Foose to whet the appetite; a reimagined '53 Chrysler Windsor DeLuxe convertible, a '54 Bel Air, '55 Ford Ranch Wagon, and a '55 Crown Victoria. 

Edited December 30, 2022 by ea0863

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HRM September 1998 seemed to be a lot about diecasts and collectibles. In the article about diecasts, there were some interesting names of manufacturers I had never heard of, and some interesting cars in scale.

 

The "Hurst Hairy Olds" has two engines - now I want it twice as bad!  

Apparently, it can be had had as a Highway 61 diecast, or a Monogram/ Revell 1:24 scale kit.

p.s. HRM December 2002 has a nice article on Hurst Hairy Olds

Edited January 7, 2023 by ea0863

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"Hot Rod" collectibles. 

HRM September 1998

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Ooh, I like both of these - the Snake and the Mongoose. Gotta see if they're available as kits, or if it will be Hot Wheels Legends for me  

HRM September 1998

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Wayne Wood '54 Mercury custom. HRM October 1998

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On 12/24/2022 at 8:33 PM, ea0863 said:

Here is the first article I saw in HRM approaching the topic of "beaters", "rusto rods", or what eventually became "rat rods". Other magazines broached this topic earlier, but as far as I can tell, December 1994 was the first time HRM readers were treated to the topic. I myself love "rat rods" because 1) they tend to be driven, 2) they can be done by folks on a limited budget, and 3) they are counter-culture (which is always fun). The only caveat I make is that the end product have some creativity and/or talent on display. Nothing I like less than some poseur throwing a bucket of paint on a canvass and calling it art. 

So with that having been said, here is the first HRM article putting a shot over the bow of the established hot rod scene:

A follow-up article on upcoming trends the very following month had this little spot on "rusto rides"

 

HRM December 1998 had a couple of articles that made it clear, the "Rat Rod" was a thing all its own.

 

 

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On 11/18/2022 at 7:48 PM, ea0863 said:

I saw one of these Kellison J-6 cars at SEMA 2021. It was quite stylish, in an in-your-face aggressive sort of way. HRM November 1959

Car done by Count's Kustoms in Las Vegas.

I found no scale models of the Kellison, but did find someone on ebay selling clear PETG bodies, so I picked up a couple.

As an update to this post, I recently did find a resin body of the Kellison online, listed as an "Astra Bonneville Coupe 1/25th Resin Body & #88 Decal from Fremont Racing Special". It looks good, although more like a 1:28 scale than a 1:25

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On 11/10/2022 at 7:44 AM, ea0863 said:

Not that I'm able to tell, but I'll keep an eye out for you as I'm going through the entire collection.

@iamsuperdan I'm still keeping an eye out for this one for you, although I am now into 1999, and still nothing...

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On 11/14/2022 at 11:05 PM, ea0863 said:

Nothing like a guy who takes a Cord sedan, drops in a Mercury engine, and goes racing! I'm assuming he did this for the front wheel drive, but it's a wild ride in any case!

Having now gone through 50 years of Hot Rod Magazine issues, I can say what a fascinating experience it has been! To be able to see the ebb and flow of trends, outside influences of economy and politics, technical developments, and just plain dumb luck - so interesting to see it all in a broader perspective. Here for instance was a photo that caught my attention from a 1953 issue of HRM, only to have this car come back up in conversation 50 years later being discussed as a part of the "rat rod" movement! And, it still looks like an interesting topic for a tribute build

Edited January 1, 2023 by ea0863

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Stunning AMC AMX "resto-mod" ala 1999. HRM January 1999

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Beautiful '63 Chevy Biscayne Station Wagon done with perfect taste! HRM January 1999

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Seeing this little photo (here blown up for your pleasure), I have to wonder why more of the '47 Olds 98 Custom Cruisers weren't tricked out. This one looks awesome to my eyes!

HRM January 1999

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Another one of those "trends" seemed to be the revitalization of heretofore largely considered nondescript cars into the new class of "hot rod" - such as the Biscayne and Olds 98 above. This, I'm sure, was owing to the relatively large numbers of these cars in unmolested condition, and their relatively low price to purchase (?). Yet another example is this beautiful '57 Buick Station Wagon (the article mistakenly listed it as a '58). Just look at ALL that chrome!  

HRM March 1999

 

Edited January 1, 2023 by ea0863

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Ah, the desire to recapture the "good old days". It has such appeal. Here, a company named AVX tried to capitalize on this with a 90's Firebird melded with the styling of the '60's Avanti. I really liked the overall look achieved.

HRM March 1999

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This one reminds me a lot of the recently created '68 Charger "Hellacious", but predates it by 20 years; may I present the '68 mid engine Camaro known as "Cam-Aero".

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And, just for giggles, two Pontiac Fieros - both stuffed with Cadillac Northstar V8's!

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What the heck is a "bathtub" Nash? Yet, very kool!

HRM April 1999

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A retrospective article in HRM April 1999 showed this V-12 Allison powered trike by George Barris. It also indicated only Evel Knievel would ride it, which made me wonder why he didn't use this beast to make the jump across the Grand Canyon instead? He might have actually made it!  

Edited January 1, 2023 by ea0863

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Tasty '57 Olds 88

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'41 Outlaw Willys Coupe

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Interesting technical article on the planetary gear transmission. That would be fun to incorporate into a scale model build!

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'27 Model T Lakes Modified

HRM May 1999

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'66 GTO. Nuff said

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'59 El Camino