Falling in Love With the Texas Hot Rod Scene
Hot rods are a unique passion that was born out of the Great Depression. As money became tight, the need and market for cheap transportation grew and the market supplied. Early hot rodders picked up the cheap models, retrofitted them, and then took them to dry lakes and forgotten roads across the country. But it wasn't just the joy of building a Texas hot rod and seeing how fast it went that kept those early enthusiasts invested in the scene, it was the community—and it remains the community—that makes us be in love with this line of work.
Falling in Love With the Texas Hot Rod Scene
Back in the day, most hot rods were built of early Ford models like the Model A and Model T. Thanks to Ford's moving assembly line, these models were cheap, easy to find, and their simple construction made them easy to work with even by those who lacked the hard skills. In fact, if you can find a Model A or Model T today, you still will find it pretty easy to work with and improve. We currently even have a Model A Roadster in our shop that has been going through renovations.
But it isn't just about picking out a vehicle with solid bones upon which you can build your dream racing machine (although that certainly does account for much of our love of the scene). It is also about sharing what you build and seeing what other people have created and restored. Thankfully, here in Texas, we have a lot of opportunities to do so.
For example, take all of the monthly events that happen in Texas where hot rod owners bring out their rides and have fun with others who enjoy all things classic cars. There's the Canyon Lake Hot Rod and Classic Car cruise-in where attendees meet up at a local Canyon Lake grocery store and drive out to a local restaurant that boasts special steak discounts and live patio music. Or, if you prefer the more conversational part of these style events, check out Belton, Texas's Rod Chopperz Cruise Nite.
Or, if what you love about the Texas hot rod is the history and beauty of unique creations, then consider taking a weekend and heading down to Bill's Backyard Classics in Amarillo, Texas. This is a pretty special type of place where not only will you find a few Model As both restored as factory originals and reconstructed as hot rods, but also you'll find a whole mix of both consumer hot rod and classic car favorites and government ones (as in tricked out military jeeps).
Contact Us Today
If you have questions about the Texas hot rod scene, we can give you recommendations and answer questions based on our experience. Or if you have a car project that needs assistance or restoration, contact our team to get started.