Mon, Oct 25, 2010
The dawn of the hot rod. (Auto info). "In America's century long romance with the automobile, the passion has never burned brighter than with hot rods. Be they immaculate show cars... gritty racers... or somewhere in between, hot rods embody the core values that made this country great: innovation, competition, improvisation, good looks, fast cars, and the relentless drive to succeed. As told by the legends both old and new who lived it. This is the incredible true story of an American icon, the hot rod."
The series opens with hot rod designer and builder Chip Foose talking about what is to come over the course of the series.
Hot rodders were the original "bad boys" with slicked back hair and devil may care attitude rebelling against the previous generation. The hot rod had a mean purposeful look. It was mean and lean and sounded like nothing else.
The hot rod affected all aspects of American society from culture to fashion to manufacturing to entertainment. The movement started in Southern California and reached every corner of the U.S.
The episode features interviews with legendary original hot rodders such as Phil Remington, Alex Xydias. Also featured are new era hot rodders and collectors such as Pete Chapouris, Troy Ladd, and Bruce Meyer. Notable journalists and historians such as Ken Gross, Leslie Kendall, Tony Thacker, and Greg Sharp.
The hot rod movement was solidified in the 1930's greatly due to the efforts of Wally Parks in promoting organized drag dry lakes racing through the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA).
The series opens with hot rod designer and builder Chip Foose talking about what is to come over the course of the series.
Hot rodders were the original "bad boys" with slicked back hair and devil may care attitude rebelling against the previous generation. The hot rod had a mean purposeful look. It was mean and lean and sounded like nothing else.
The hot rod affected all aspects of American society from culture to fashion to manufacturing to entertainment. The movement started in Southern California and reached every corner of the U.S.
The episode features interviews with legendary original hot rodders such as Phil Remington, Alex Xydias. Also featured are new era hot rodders and collectors such as Pete Chapouris, Troy Ladd, and Bruce Meyer. Notable journalists and historians such as Ken Gross, Leslie Kendall, Tony Thacker, and Greg Sharp.
The hot rod movement was solidified in the 1930's greatly due to the efforts of Wally Parks in promoting organized drag dry lakes racing through the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA).
Mon, Jan 3, 2011
American Icon - The Hot Rod takes an in-depth look at the history of the hot rod, a uniquely American automotive creation. The origin of the Hot rod is explored through the history of the 1908 Ford Model T and the seminal 1932 Ford V-8, whilst the series also highlights how this cultural phenomenon spurred the creation of Hot Rod magazine in 1948, which became an iconic magazine for American culture.