5 hot rods you can totally make your own
What vehicle comes to mind when you imagine a hot rod? Some conjure up an image of a ’32 Ford coupe, others may go to a drag-race-prepped gasser, while others have an entirely different image that’s far from the norm. That’s the beauty of hot rods; they are entirely up to the builder to define. Here are five hot rods from Hagerty’s Marketplace that you could drive as-is or make your own. If one of the following vehicles made its way into your garage, what would you do with it?
1927 Ford Model T Roadster
This track-nosed T roadster is powered by a 2.8-liter V-6 pirated from a Capri. While it doesn’t have is the V-8 soundtrack; there’s not much metal to move around here. We’re sure it more than gets out of its own way. We especially love how the frame and body blend together nearly seamlessly, and the DuVall-style windshield is a great look for such a sleek, low ride. It features some fabulous scallops, but the color choice is a little too subdued in our opinion. Our very own Sajeev Mehta, brown car aficionado that he is, may argue that it’s a lovely rootbeer float of a combination, but we think that a racy roadster needs something a bit bolder.
1929 Ford Model A Roadster
This rather monotone roadster might not be an original Model A, but it is steel. Brookville bodies have a great reputation among hot-rodders, and this one looks fantastic. It has a ’32 grille shell and, hiding under those full fenders, is an independent front suspension. Its Chevy TPI V-8 dates it a bit, as those were the hot swap when those unique-looking engines were new in the ’80s and ’90s, but the overall package is still quite appealing. We’re sure that torquey engine would be a blast in such a small package.
1930 Ford Model A Sedan
A Ford Model A with a flathead V-8 is a quintessential hot rod. While a coupe or roadster would look racier, this sedan has a real Ford steel body, a ’32 grille shell, and a ’53 Ford flathead V-8 with a trio of what look like Holey 94 carbs atop an Edelbrock manifold. That’s not a bad collection of parts at all. It has an interesting look with its swoopy fiberglass front fenders, but it could also be the start of something entirely different. We see lots of potential here.
1956 Chevrolet 210
Tri-five Chevys make fantastic hot rods, and this traditionally flamed two-door certainly looks the part, almost like it rumbled in off the set of American Grafitti. The yellow and orange flames lick down the black body, and there are no emblems, trim pieces, or door handles to distract from the car’s clean lines. Of course, a hot rod needs plenty of performance, and this ’56 delivers there as well. Under the hood, you’ll find a Chevy 454 big-block decked out in chrome and topped with an Edelbrock intake manifold. That’s a lot more engine than any factory ’56 ever had.
1992 Jeep Cherokee
You probably didn’t expect to see a Jeep Cherokee in a list of hot rods, but when we were browsing through the Marketplace and came across this V-8 swapped machine we couldn’t deny that the hot rod label applies. This two-door Cherokee ditched its factory inline-six for a Chevy LS2 V-8 to more than double its power. Considering how light these unibody Jeeps are, 400 hp should be quite fun. The owner notes that the SUV spent most of its life in California and therefore wasn’t subjected to road salt, keeping the undercarriage from rotting away. If you’ve got an itch for a unique off-road plaything, this XJ might be the one for you.
Liked, not loved the ’30A piece. Being a 1930 Ford model A Coach (not a sedan – please!). It brought back memories of my ’27 T Coach with a 57 Ford Y Block. Regretting selling it in 1969 because my new career selling Fords and my 1968 marriage left me no time for my hobby. Still looking for it at every car show I can get to.
Not to toot my own horn, but if you’re looking for a top-quality build that would cost nearly triple to do so today, I’m surprised Hagarty didn’t include my Zipper in this collection. A hot rod in every sense, a long list of high end parts and components, and very affordable given all of the above. Super fun to drive, too, and gets lots of attention at cruise nights and car shows. This actually belongs to a client of mine. Cheers!
https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club/my-garage/manage/be9d91ed-95c8-4cd2-aff2-88a637f6c7b8
The 56 for sure if i could afford it
I’ve always liked the Track T’s every since I saw my first Total Performance ad back in the 80s. Now, all these years later, I’d still like to have one.
I’m a fan of the tri 5’s but the 56 is the one I like the least. So I’d have to pass.
The hot rod stable at home consists of a 1968 Falcon coupe with a 450hp 5.7 Vortec and 700r4, a “new” 1939 Ford Tudor with a 327 and th350 (this is the latest running project), and a 1976 Bradley GT waiting to be worked on.
my pick would be the model a sedan with the tripower flat head .
i have a black 56 belair coupe i bought for $3000 12 years ago, if it was a sedan i would not have even bought it. i prefer a 55 coupe. im building a 55 belair convertible hotrod beater for fun. i dont get into the garage queen dust collector thing . im 66 and still a kid when it comes to my cars.
Not much of a Ford fan, but it would be a real toss up between the 56 Chev and the 30Ford model A just because it has more appeal to my liking. All good, but those would be my choices.
Fabricating some running boards to coincide with the front fenders, never chop it to look lower, and just a bit bigger buns on the back, but not to make it look like a dragster, just a nice Sunday afternoon eye catcher.
1956 Chevy is / was the reason for my car addiction. Dad had a sedan delivery and a buddy had a 2 door post with a big engine.
I get it guys. I got fed up with cookie cutter engines years ago. Could not understand why someone would spend $120,000 on a restoration or custom car, and then go cheap under the hood.
the only time I have used a SBC was to power my wife’s 48 Chevy convert. Brand-new crate motor and it took nearly 20 years to get it dependable. It’s a story for another time. But I do like the idea of an original looking and interesting car with up graded Engine /trans for reliability. I also think there are three exceptions to the engine swap (personal) rule. Any Hemi in anything is impressive. The Buick nail-head is one of the prettiest engine ever, and my personal favorite, the 500 Cu.in. Caddy. All that low end torque is amazing. I have 2. One a stocker with TH400/Gear vendors O.D., in my 46 Olds (at idle it is relaxed but ready for anything) and another but highly modified in a ’55 Studebaker (at idle, it is pissed off and looking for a fight). And to round out the argument, a ’40 Buick Special Pheaton, all original, and the most elegant thing I have ever owned. I wouldn’t’t change that Red Ball straight eight for anything. I’m 81 years old, and the “hot rod” and Custom car thing is in my blood. Used to be “hot rod” was light, with the most engine you could stuff in it, and going fast. Built my first one in 1957. “customs were about being different, and they were. Now there seems to be a sameness to them that I find uninteresting. Driving them is what’s it all about for me, and a big inch caddy or nailhead beats a SBC any day. My rant for the day is over. Liked the article though.