Well, it’s that time of the week again – the time when we look at another type of restomod. This week, we’re going to tackle street rods.

But before we get there, we need to get something else out of the way. There is an age old debate about the difference between street rods and hot rods. The diehard rodders usually stick well within one camp or the other, and rarely dare to leave.

However, this argument isn’t as relevant as it once was, and the line that separates the two is now blurry. My guess is that a growing number of younger guys, who don’t really care what they’re called, now outnumber the diehard guys. Like me, all they care about is that the car looks cool, is super loud and goes obnoxiously fast.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Or is it obnoxiously loud and super-fast?

Either way, a rod is a cool car no matter which camp it sleeps in. I will settle this argument up with a simple idea that I heard preached by a diehard one day; do with it what you will: A street rod has a can of wax in the trunk, while a hot rod has a tool box in the trunk. Also, a street rod is meant to get you there in style, while a hot rod is meant to get you there in one piece.

Onward, my friends…

Photo Credit: Mecum

A street rod is any type of classic that has been highly modified. However, it isn’t necessarily a muscle car. For example, the Ford Mustang would not be considered (by many) to be a street rod. However, a modified Model A Ford is considered (by most) to be a street rod.

A few different ideals plague those of us who build street rods:

• Reliability: The last thing any street rodder wants is for their ride to break down. Street rods are meant for cruising the streets, and not necessarily racing (though some of them are super-fast). A lot of these folks believe that beating on your car too often, does induce un-needed wear and tear on the mechanics.
• Style: Street rodders take pride in their work. They look at their car as a piece of art. It is who they are with four wheels and an engine. So one of the most important aspects is how the car looks, and trying to be different from the other rods in their area.
• Power: As the old adage goes, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. While most street rodders go easy on their cars, you do tend to see ginormous engines stuffed into teensy-weensy little cars. Why? Well, why not?
• Function: The people who own street rods are all out for comfort. This means that air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, good tires, and electric fans were never an afterthought. Those expensive parts were planned on from the beginning. And with good reason; who wants to be uncomfortable in an ill-functioning car? Not me!

Photo Credit: Mecum

There you have it. That’s it for this edition of “different types of restomods.” Tell me, what’s your take on the street rods vs hot rods debate?