Hot Rod Milestones: America's Coolest Coupes, Roadsters, & Racers

by Ken Gross, Robert Genat

You've seen these cars before. They're some of the best-known, coolest hot rods ever built. Each represents a clear vision, usually from one talented person. These hot rods set the standards; they were imitated, and when they made show appearances, they were coveted and revered. Hot Rod Milestones covers 25 of the most influential, innovative hot rods ever built from the late 1940s to the mid '60s. Each car's history, technical background, and influence is discussed, along with information on the builders and owners. Photos include contemporary pictures of the cars as they exist now, along with vintage photos of the cars when they were first built and shown.

Genres: Cars

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Hot Rod Milestones, etc. Gross and Genat take 25 of the very best and tell us what made the cars fir into that category. We have cars from folks I haven’t heard of and from several that I have. There are great photos of the cars, events, pistons, engines, dashes. You name it, I’ll bet there is a photo of it in here somewhere!

I will mention a couple just to whet your appetite. #1 The original “Little Deuce Coupe” was purchased for $75 in 1956. It appeared on the cover of Hot Rod magazine in July of 1961 and an album cover for the Beach Boys’ song as well. The buyer, only 15 at the time, had to have someone drive it home for him as he didn’t yet have his license. The story has photos of the car at the Detroit Dragway in 1958 with a supercharger.

#2: Big Daddy Ed Roth’s Outlaw T Excaliber. Name later changed to just Outlaw. Always ahead of the pack, Roth created this fiberglass car to draw attention to his work. It sure did! The smallish top blew off while the car was being trailered and Ed never replaced it. He did offer copies of the body shell for $250 and sold three. This also lead to a contract with Revell models and Ed got royalties on every model kit sold.

All in all, a book every hot rod dude would love to have and Father’s Day in this coming Sunday. Don’t wait!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for any car enthusiast. It is chock full of beautiful color and black & white photos depicting 25 of the coolest coupes, roadsters and racers. We learn the history surrounding each vehicle, information about it's various owners, and information about the inner workings of the car itself. There were two cars I liked the best. First, #21 Tony La Masa's '32 Roadster. Not only was this car featured in the TV show Ozzie & Harriet (driven by David & Ricky Nelson), it looks way cool and the color is to die for (a beautiful metallic green!) Second, #22 Ed Roth's Outlaw "T". The style immediately caught my attention and reminded me of Herman Munster's car in the TV show, The Munster's. The white and blue color look great on it too! This is a well-researched book, informative and fun to read.
I received this book for free through LibraryThings Early Reviewer's Giveaway.