The 20 Best Hot Rods Of all Time

August 10, 2017

Norm Grabowski’s “Kookie Kar”

Base car: Model A Ford

The Kookie Kar is an icon of the golden age of hot rodding. Featured in Life magazine in 1957 and on the show 77 Sunset Strip, the Kookie Kar is exceptionally far-removed from its Model A beginnings. Purchased in 1952 following Norm’s discharge from the military, the whole list of modifications that were done to it would take far too long to explain in a single list entry. The rear was shortened, while the front was replaced with that from a Model T touring. The frame was Z’d before Z’ing was even a term, the front was stretched, and a ‘37 Ford axle was installed. Later, the body would be channeled and a shorter windshield installed, new interior fitted, and the chassis dramatically altered.

The whole thing was powered by a ‘52 331 Cadillac V8, which would be fitted with a Horne intake in its guise on the show. Allegedly, the original does still exist, but wouldn’t be recognizable as such, thanks to decades of successive work. It did, however, spawn a veritable army of clones, with a huge amount of young men taking inspiration from the Kookie Kar. With that kind of pedigree, it’s no wonder it’s stormed into a place on this list.

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