Hot rod restoration can be a favorite past-time or a rewarding career choice. Often, highly-skilled groups of specialists gather to rebuild vintage cars. The members of teams have areas of specialty, such as upholstery, windows, engines, body work and painting.
The earliest roadsters were modified in the 1930s. These racers were converted to into streamlined speed machines. The earliest racing venues were in Southern California, in some dry lake beds of Los Angeles. Following World War II, the sport's popularity expanded tremendously. Since a large percentage of returning soldiers had received technical training during the war, they were competent mechanics. They converted and customized old Ford cars, such as the Model B, Model T and Model A.
Often, the conversions that were made included the removal of the windshields, bumpers, convertible tops, fenders and hoods. Also, the engines were replaced by more powerful models. Wheels were upgraded to provide more traction and easier handling.
Roadster popularity continued to grow in the years following World War II. The federal government provided support for the past-time by opening sites across the country. It provided civilian access to abandoned military air-fields, where drag racing tracks were set-up. Some were four-lanes wide and one-mile long. These provided ideal venues for exhibitions, collaborations and competitions.
The roadster sub-culture has two sub-categories, the street rodders and the hot rodders. The street rodders are distinguished by their use of new parts in the cars they build. The latter is dedicated to using original equipment. Builders find parts in vehicles abandoned in wreckage yards, or buy replicas of the original parts known as new old stock.
Today, the roadster culture remains strong across the United States, Sweden, Australia and the United Kingdom. The most highly valued roadsters are streamlined, visually appealing and powerful. For 80 years, hot rod restoration has continued to be an exciting, engaging, rewarding activity for many builders and their supporters.
The earliest roadsters were modified in the 1930s. These racers were converted to into streamlined speed machines. The earliest racing venues were in Southern California, in some dry lake beds of Los Angeles. Following World War II, the sport's popularity expanded tremendously. Since a large percentage of returning soldiers had received technical training during the war, they were competent mechanics. They converted and customized old Ford cars, such as the Model B, Model T and Model A.
Often, the conversions that were made included the removal of the windshields, bumpers, convertible tops, fenders and hoods. Also, the engines were replaced by more powerful models. Wheels were upgraded to provide more traction and easier handling.
Roadster popularity continued to grow in the years following World War II. The federal government provided support for the past-time by opening sites across the country. It provided civilian access to abandoned military air-fields, where drag racing tracks were set-up. Some were four-lanes wide and one-mile long. These provided ideal venues for exhibitions, collaborations and competitions.
The roadster sub-culture has two sub-categories, the street rodders and the hot rodders. The street rodders are distinguished by their use of new parts in the cars they build. The latter is dedicated to using original equipment. Builders find parts in vehicles abandoned in wreckage yards, or buy replicas of the original parts known as new old stock.
Today, the roadster culture remains strong across the United States, Sweden, Australia and the United Kingdom. The most highly valued roadsters are streamlined, visually appealing and powerful. For 80 years, hot rod restoration has continued to be an exciting, engaging, rewarding activity for many builders and their supporters.
About the Author:
Vintage and custom cars and trucks are experiencing a huge popularity boom around the nation, especially in southern Cali. There are many places to bring them to for work, but you should be able to trust in the business that works on your car. For the best custom work or chassis dyno testing, take a look at Braun's Automotive in Lomita. They have more than 30 years of experience and will perform any upgrade or repair!
