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- 1932 Ford Roadster - The classic proportions of the 1932 Ford roadster make it a hot rod favorite. Rodders modified these inexpensive vehicles with more modern and powerful engines and parts. Dick Smith of Arizona purchased this hot rod in 1949. From 1954 to 1963, Smith dropped in a 1951 Chrysler V-8 engine and other non-Ford parts making this home-built hot rod his own.
- 1932
- Collections - Artifact
1932 Ford Roadster
The classic proportions of the 1932 Ford roadster make it a hot rod favorite. Rodders modified these inexpensive vehicles with more modern and powerful engines and parts. Dick Smith of Arizona purchased this hot rod in 1949. From 1954 to 1963, Smith dropped in a 1951 Chrysler V-8 engine and other non-Ford parts making this home-built hot rod his own.
- 1933 Willys Drag Racer - When machinist George Montgomery started racing in 1953, all drag racers were amateurs with "real jobs" supporting their hobby. This car helped change all that. Montgomery bought an old Willys in 1958 and built a dragster so successful that promoters started paying him to run at drag strips nationwide. In 1966, Montgomery became one of drag racing's first full-time professional drivers.
- 1933
- Collections - Artifact
1933 Willys Drag Racer
When machinist George Montgomery started racing in 1953, all drag racers were amateurs with "real jobs" supporting their hobby. This car helped change all that. Montgomery bought an old Willys in 1958 and built a dragster so successful that promoters started paying him to run at drag strips nationwide. In 1966, Montgomery became one of drag racing's first full-time professional drivers.
- "Hot Rod" Magazine for May 1952 - This was the first <em>Hot Rod</em> issue to sell over half a million copies. Was it because of the classic teenage scenario being played out on the cover or the true star of the scene -- Dick Flint's red A-V/8 "Hot Rod of the Month"?
- May 01, 1952
- Collections - Artifact
"Hot Rod" Magazine for May 1952
This was the first Hot Rod issue to sell over half a million copies. Was it because of the classic teenage scenario being played out on the cover or the true star of the scene -- Dick Flint's red A-V/8 "Hot Rod of the Month"?
- "Beginnings in Hot Rodding," Clip from Interview with Dan Gurney, August 20, 2008 - Dan Gurney built one of the most versatile and successful careers in racing. His 51 wins as a driver included Grand Prix, Indy car, NASCAR, and sports car events. His achievements as a designer, builder, and team owner with his All American Racers continue to influence the sport. The Henry Ford interviewed Gurney at his AAR facility in 2008.
- August 20, 2008
- Collections - Artifact
"Beginnings in Hot Rodding," Clip from Interview with Dan Gurney, August 20, 2008
Dan Gurney built one of the most versatile and successful careers in racing. His 51 wins as a driver included Grand Prix, Indy car, NASCAR, and sports car events. His achievements as a designer, builder, and team owner with his All American Racers continue to influence the sport. The Henry Ford interviewed Gurney at his AAR facility in 2008.
- "How to Hop Up Ford & Mercury V-8 Engines," 1951 - How do you go fast if you can't purchase a powerful engine? The size and weight of a stock V-8 engine built by Ford and Mercury offered racers an affordable option. And rodders could eke out more horsepower by relying on this book.
- 1951
- Collections - Artifact
"How to Hop Up Ford & Mercury V-8 Engines," 1951
How do you go fast if you can't purchase a powerful engine? The size and weight of a stock V-8 engine built by Ford and Mercury offered racers an affordable option. And rodders could eke out more horsepower by relying on this book.
- "How to Hop-Up Your Engine" Magazine, March 1962 - Specialty magazines, like this March 1962 issue of <em>How to Hop Up Your Engine</em>, helped rodders follow trends, understand technology and learn new techniques.
- March 01, 1962
- Collections - Artifact
"How to Hop-Up Your Engine" Magazine, March 1962
Specialty magazines, like this March 1962 issue of How to Hop Up Your Engine, helped rodders follow trends, understand technology and learn new techniques.
- Ford Mustang Funny Car at NHRA Pre-Season Test Session, January 2000 - This Ford Mustang funny car was photographed while making a pre-season test run in January 2000. NHRA drag racing competitions feature more than 200 classes, but Funny Car is among the most popular. Funny cars use special supercharged engines that burn nitromethane fuel, but their bodies resemble regular production cars.
- January 01, 2000
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Mustang Funny Car at NHRA Pre-Season Test Session, January 2000
This Ford Mustang funny car was photographed while making a pre-season test run in January 2000. NHRA drag racing competitions feature more than 200 classes, but Funny Car is among the most popular. Funny cars use special supercharged engines that burn nitromethane fuel, but their bodies resemble regular production cars.
- "Rod & Custom," September 1963 - "Mysterion," one of several custom cars built by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, appeared on the cover of <em>Rod & Custom</em> magazine in September 1963. The outlandish car was powered by two Ford V-8 engines and featured a hydraulically operated bubbletop canopy. "Mysterion" was a hit on the car show circuit, and the plastic model kit version was a big seller for Revell.
- September 01, 1963
- Collections - Artifact
"Rod & Custom," September 1963
"Mysterion," one of several custom cars built by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, appeared on the cover of Rod & Custom magazine in September 1963. The outlandish car was powered by two Ford V-8 engines and featured a hydraulically operated bubbletop canopy. "Mysterion" was a hit on the car show circuit, and the plastic model kit version was a big seller for Revell.
- Art Arfons and Wally Parks with the Trophy for Top Speed, NHRA Nationals, Detroit Dragway, 1959 - Wally Parks organized some of the first hot rod shows, served as the first editor of <em>Hot Rod</em> magazine, and in 1951 founded the National Hot Rod Association. Illegal street racers gave hot rodding a bad reputation, but Parks's NHRA legitimized drag racing with competition rules, safety regulations, and off-street drag strips. Parks turned hot rod races into family entertainment.
- 1959
- Collections - Artifact
Art Arfons and Wally Parks with the Trophy for Top Speed, NHRA Nationals, Detroit Dragway, 1959
Wally Parks organized some of the first hot rod shows, served as the first editor of Hot Rod magazine, and in 1951 founded the National Hot Rod Association. Illegal street racers gave hot rodding a bad reputation, but Parks's NHRA legitimized drag racing with competition rules, safety regulations, and off-street drag strips. Parks turned hot rod races into family entertainment.
- "Hot Rod Magazine," December 1948 - Specialty magazines helped rodders follow trends, understand technology and learn new techniques. <em>Hot Rod</em> magazine was first published in 1948.
- December 01, 1948
- Collections - Artifact
"Hot Rod Magazine," December 1948
Specialty magazines helped rodders follow trends, understand technology and learn new techniques. Hot Rod magazine was first published in 1948.