Hot Rod Books

[Bobblehat]

This is possible a question that Stev Brown can answer.

I am looking for a picture book about Hot Rods/Kustoms/Lowriders/Dragsters, for Bobblehat jr's 7th Birthday, so somthing without too many words and - unfortunatly - scantly clad ladies. Any suggestions?

The lad has taste decided he will not have a party, he whants to take a couple of his friends to Easter Thunderball at Santa Pod

[Steve Pyro]

What ho Bob.

If you're able to get into London town at any time, have a browse in Motor Books behind Leicester Square tube or they do mail order http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/

Most of the good (mostly American) Drag Racing and Hot Rod books are choc full of good illustrations and (again being American) won't show acres of flesh.  Any book will have pages of text but there will also be lavish full colour spreads of fuel funnies and dragsters.

Having been to the Don Garlits Museum in Florida, I would recommend this book http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/review.asp?bookid=65349 although it may be a hit too 'historic' and not hold the interest of a 7 year old.

This is a good hot rod book with plenty of photos http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/notes.asp?bookid=68841

I would suggest having a browse in Motor Books shop and looking for a large format book full of glossy colour photos, either of dragsters or hot rods.


As regards the Easter Thunderball, hopefully the weather will behave.  There may be one or two Top Fuel cars there, most of the field will be alcohol dragsters / funnies, super gas, sportsman classes, motor cycles and one or two jet cars.
There's usually a full 8+ car eliminations entry of top fuel dragsters at the FIA Euro Championships round 1 'Main Event' on 25th - 28th May.

http://www.santapod.co.uk/calendar.php

[Bobblehat]

Chears for those Steve. It is always hard to tell if a book is any good on the web.

I think the Don Garlits book might have to be purchased and be put on MY bookshelf. The Hot Rod Milestone is the sort of thing I was looking for, that will make a 7yr old (and his dad) happy.

Sombody must of done a studio shot full colour big format "coffee table" book, with likes of "Scrape" Cadzilla" and other great show cars. If not ....ummmm I have an idea

As an aside do you rember Custom Car and Street Machine did a A3, maybe A2, full colour photo magazine in the, in I think the early 80's full of UK, USA Customs and Rods?

Have to say I am rather looking forward to taking 4 x 7yr olds (yes mad) to the Pod at Easter. The look on there faces will be great, if my lads face is anything to go by when he saw the Fireforce Jet car in action for the 1st time! Lets hope the weather holds out.

And as another aside, my lad and I whent along and saw the dragster display at the Autosport Show, well the guys n girls at Santa Pod stand could teach a thing or two to some of the grander race track orginsations I have delt with, polite, frendly and took time with me and my lad.

[Steve Pyro]

Very true Bob, I've been going to Santa Pod since before I could drive (used to live close by) and, although some of the on site facilities leave a bit to be desired, the place is very welcoming and friendly.

You can wander around the pits at your leisure, nosing over the shoulder of most race teams as they prepare / rebuilt / repair their bikes and cars.  Most welcome a chat and an admiring comment.

I think there's been one or two 'coffee table' style hot rod books produced in the past, principally about builders such as Boyd Coddington, Barris, Big Daddy Ed Roth etc.

[Bobblehat]

Ohh forgot about Ed Roth....Rat Fink wasnt he?

Not wrong about the faclities. Whent to the European Door Slammers last year, hardley anybody there - shame - but stood in the "shed" behind the start line, could do with a bit of renovation but great fun! 

If you look very cloesly at the front cover of one of last years Street Machine (Sept I think) with a black Camero SS on the front, thats a very blurred me and the lad in the "shed"...................wow fame!

Will you be at the Pod at Easter.

My lad has rewaked my intrest, now I have an Essex V6 sat doing nothing....and I know were there is an old Moggie Minor.....uummmm

[gab]

Kustom Automobiles by George Barris, and Ed Big Daddy Roth (yea Bobble he did the Rat Fink stuff), grew up with those names. Was hooked on Custom Cars and Show Rods as a young teenager, then got interested in drag racing which led me into sports cars and endurance racing, where I`m still hooked. Sorry for the nostalgia, just got a flashback from the late 60`s.

[Bobblehat]

Whilst at a friends this weekend whatching that new fangled Sky TV thing there was Boyd Connington building a very green Chevy, are we heading to a Hot Rod/custom revivel?

Gab you and me both with the Custom-to-sportscars route, but a vist to a factory in Norfolk and a certain Black and Gold JPS Lotus hooked me into F1.