hot rod

Key Points

• Combining retro-style bodies and chassis with newer running gear and other components, as well as customised componentry, both functional and cosmetic.

Key Examples

• Ford 3-window/5-window coupe
• Chev/Dodge/other coupes and sedans
• Ford TBucket roadster
• Ford Tudor and Fordor
• Ford tourer and phaeton
• Rat Rods
• Retro pickup trucks

Typically, a hot rod combines a modified (roof lowered, fenders chopped, panels removed, etc.) vintage-look body with a newer V8 engine and transmission, as well as modern wheels and tyres. Chassis modifications and even complete swaps for a reproduction chassis are also common.

Generally defined by body style, various configurations and subcategories of hot rod exist, including T-buckets, tudors, coupes, pickups, sedans and roadsters.

In terms of hot rods for sale in Australia, Fords are the overwhelming favourite. The 1932-based ‘Deuce’ Ford coupe is the archetypal hot rod and dominates the market here, with Fords both earlier (Model A, Model T) and later (1934, ’35, ’36, etc.) also popular.

But Fords aren’t the only choice for hot rod builds, with similar-era Chevrolet, Dodge, Buick, Plymouth and other brands also available, but less popular than Fords.

While generally using bodies of pre-WWII style and origin, the ‘hot rod’ label can also be applied to some modified cars from the post-WWII era, including English Ford Anglias and Ford Pilots, for example.

When you’re looking to buy a hot rod in Australia, consider your needs and what you plan to do with the car, as the range of hot rods on the market run the gamut from high-end show cars that rarely see the road to machines that are regularly driven to rod runs and other events.

An alternative to buying a finished hot rod is to buy a vintage car or components and either build it yourself or have it built to hot rod spec by a professional.

NOTE: Vehicles must be significantly “rodded” (ie. with a major engine, body and other changes) to be considered suitable for this category. Vintage-era or vintage-look vehicles that retain original or close-to-original running gear are not considered suitable.

To be suitable for listing in this category, vehicles MUST also be in complete or near complete condition, even if disassembled. Groups of random parts and vehicles regarded as being beyond near complete condition will not be listed.