Hot rods don’t conform to anything. They come in every possible shape in every possible size with every possible configuration. Yes, they might be uncomfortable or downright impractical at times, but that’s not the point here. They have the looks, they have the power, and that’s all that matters. Here are 40 of the most iconic hot rods ever built!
1955 Ford ‘Beatnik’ Bubble-Top
The 1955 Ford ‘Beatnik’ is undoubtedly the most iconic bubble-top ever made. Built by famed car customizer Gary ‘Chopit’ Fioto, this rod combines the best of Ford, Chevrolet, Lincoln, Chrysler, and Cadillac.
Fioto mounted the cowl, hood, and doors of a 1955 Ford on the chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car, threw in a Chevy small-block V8 topped with six carburetors, before installing Cadillac bumpers and front grille, Lincoln headlamps, and Chrysler taillamps and fins. The result was a rod that went on to win pretty much every custom show at the time and was auctioned off for $396,000 in 2006.
1922 Ford T-Bucket ‘Kookie’s Kar’
Built by Norm Grabowski with a unique blend of a Ford Model T, a Model A roadster, and a Model A pickup in the early 50s, this chic rod is what started the T-Bucket craze.
Having appeared on the covers of magazines like Hot Rod, Car Craft, LIFE, it was all the craze back then. Its appearance in ABC’s 1958 show ’77 Sunset Strip,’ in particular, made it a household name, earning it the nickname ‘Kookie’s Kar’ after its owner Gerald ‘Kookie’ Kookson III played by Edd Byrnes.
1934 Packard ‘Aquarius’
Nicknamed ‘Aquarius,’ this 1934 Packard was the ride of auto-obsessed Metallica’s star and lead vocalist James Hetfield. An icon of American vintage hot rods, Aquarius was inspired by the 1939 Delahaye Type 165.
This beauty wasn’t all looks though. It was insanely luxurious and was powered by a mighty 376 cu-in LS3 Crate V8 under the hood. The Aquarius is currently on display in the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA along with nine other stunning hot rods from Hetfield’s sick collection.
Ed Roth’s Outlaw
This stunning rod was the brainchild of Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, an icon of the 50s counterculture and an avid hot rodder. It was a fully custom car with most of its drivetrain soured from junkyard and body and frame rails fabricated by hand.
Under the hood, it had a 331 cu-in Cadillac V8 with four Stromberg 2-barrel carbs mated with a 1939 Ford 3-speed transmission. Now a hot rod icon currently on display in the Museum of American Speed, the entire car cost $800 when Roth built it in 1959.
Golden Sahara II
Legendary custom car designer George Barris made history when he remodeled a 1953 Lincoln Capri that got its roof sheared off in an accident into a sick-looking car the world knows today as Golden Sahara II. Besides the stunning looks, the tech used in this custom rod was decades ahead – something that came in handy in the 1960 Hollywood classic ‘Cinderfella.’
This iconic hot rod could be driven remotely, its doors could open automatically, and its braking system could detect obstacles. The best feature, however, was the Goodyear Neothane tires that lit from the inside and created an insanely dramatic effect during night drives.
1957 Chevrolet 3100 ‘Quiksilver’ Custom Pickup
Hand-built by Oklahoma’s Hot Garage in 5 long years, this 1957 Chevy 3100 ‘Quiksilver’ is believed to be one of the most iconic custom-built trucks ever. This ostentatious rod featured chromed parts, ultra-smooth lines, super-cute body panels, and a perfectly lowered stance.
Just like its superb exterior detail, the Quiksilver also had plenty of rod stuff under the hood – most notably a gigantic 540 cu-in big block Chevy V8 that churned out 650 horses at the crank. And as one might expect from a ride of this stature, it fetched $214,500 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in 2016.
1934 Ford ‘Achmedmobile’
Comedian Jeff Dunham owns a number of iconic rods and vintage cars, most notably the Batmobile from the 1992 Batman Returns. However, his 1934 Ford Achmedmobile, based around his fictional character ‘Achmed the Dead Terrorist,’ is probably the most iconic (and hilarious) of all!
One simply can’t miss Dunham when he’s out riding in Achmed’s personal ride. The windshield can be a bit tiny, but you’re good as long as you keep your head out of the open top. The coolest part is that Achmed’s hood-ornament mouth opens up to breathe in fresh air when the tank is gassing up.
1939 Lincoln Zephyr ‘Scrape’
One of the most beautiful rods ever built, the ‘Scrape’ is the brainchild of former Hot Rod editor and auto enthusiast Terry Cook, who spent years just planning the design. With widened fenders, chopped pillars, and a slashed roof, the Scrape was more about looks than it was about performance.
Originally with purple paint, this iconic Lincoln was sold for $250,000 in a 1999 Pebble Beach auction. After that, it remained in LA’s Petersen Automotive Museum till 2013 when it was acquired by ‘Storage Wars’ star Barry Weiss, who changed it to its current state and color.
1957 Studebaker Roadster
This custom roadster is a conglomeration of a number of classics. Its hood is from a 1959 Thunderbird, nose section from a 1960 Pontiac, rear sheet metal from a 1963 Corvair, and the trunk parts from a 1988 Quattro wagon.
To take things further up a notch, it uses headlights from a Harley-Davidson. How cool is that? Built by Paul Jurewicz, this roadster had been a Hot Wheels Legends Tour winner and was one of the featured entries in SEMA’s 2020 ‘virtual’ event, SEMA360.
1931 Ford Model A Pickup
Did you ask for the ultimate rat rod? Well, here it is! This massive thing once used to be a 1931 Ford Model A pickup. To be honest, just the cab, grille surround, and 8″ of the hood were Model A, and everything else came from generations of performance cars!
The mighty engine that move this rod came from a massive 2011 Mustang-sourced 5L Coyote V8, good for 800 BIG horses! And the gigantic wheels came off of a Mazda Le Mans prototype. If it sounds crazy… it is!
So-Cal Belly Tank Racer
This unique rod is built from a $5 belly tank that was used to carry extra fuel under the wings of a WWII plane. Thanks to its, understandably, aerodynamic shape and a Ford Flathead V8, this land missile was able to hit 198.34 mph in 1952.
A genius invention of So-Cal Speed Shop, this rod, however, provided no kind of protection. The driver sat in a thinly upholstered seat with his hips between the frame rails, his feet in the car’s nose, and his back against the fuel tank.
1932 Ford ‘McMullen’ Roadster
Considered the world’s most iconic hot rod, this roadster was built by legendary rod writer Tom McMullen. Insanely popular back in the day, it was everywhere from TV ads to album and magazine covers. It also made headlines when it set speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats and El Mirage.
The McMullen Roadster is particularly known for gracing the cover of Hot Rod magazine in its April 1963 issue. Now valued at over $1 million, this iconic rod crossed the block at Mecum’s 2012 Anaheim auction for a staggering $700,000, becoming the world’s most expensive hot rod ever.
1929 Ford ‘Dick Flint’ Roadster
When Dick Flint’s Roadster graced the cover of May 1952 Hot Rod, it became the first issue to sell over half a million copies. Flint built this fully custom rod in 1949 by melding the best of the bodies of three different 29 roadsters.
Its beefed-up Mercury Flathead V8 and enhanced aerodynamics translated to a top speed of 143.5 mph, that Flint clicked at El Mirage in 1950. This hot rod was sold for $577,500 by RM Auctions (now RM Sotheby’s) in 2013.
1956 Porsche 356A Carrera
The 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera is an incredible car by any standard. So just imagine how big a deal it would be when iconic custom car designer Dean Jeffries turned it into an outright racing machine.
Ironically, the car that started the Porsche Outlaw movement went on to become the ride of one. Jeffries sold this rod to notorious bank robber Albert Nussbaum (one of FBI’s 10 Most Wanted men of the time) while he was at large.
1956 Ford F-100 ‘Str8 Edge’
This 1956 Ford F-100 ‘Str8 Edge’ is another of Hetfield’s hot rod collection currently displayed in LA’s Petersen Automotive Museum. It was already modified when the rock star bought it, not to its present shape though.
For the customization seen here, the Str8 Edge first had to be restored to its original condition. Its stylish 60s look is owed to winged tail lights and ‘ventiports’ sourced from a 1953 Buick while its behemoth 455 cu-in V8 is from an Oldsmobile.
