Bargain Books Heroes of Hot Rodding

Author: David Fetherston

Published by: Motorbooks

ISBN: 0-87938-384-4

Price: Pre-owned £9.77, pus p&p, Amazon Marketplace

The next book in my Lockdown n Retrospective series is subtitled Legend and Folklore of the Men and Machines That Sparked the Flame of Hot Rods and Custom Cars. Whew! Nevertheless, that’s exactly what this fascinating, multi-faceted modern history book provides. First published in 1992, the stories it describes about the guys and gals who established hot rodding in all its many forms is as interesting to read nearly three decades later as it was back then. Several of the characters described have passed on and most of the others are quite elderly, but through such accounts their enduring and innovative influence on the hobby lives on.

The 32 chapters are individually devoted to someone whose impact on hot rodding was considered significant. Space restrictions prevent a full list, but to take the first few as examples, painter Joe Bailon, speed king Craig Breedlove, ‘Rodfather’ Andy Brizio, racer Art Chrisman, customiser Bill Cushenberry, speed equipment manufacturer Vic Edelbrock, drag racing legend Don Garlits, cam builder Ed Iskendarian, racer and TV personality Tommy Ivo, stunt driver and custom builder Dean Jeffries, and race track personality Linda Vaughn. This should give you a flavour of what’s in store. It’s a great read! My copy cost me around £16 in the Nineties, so decent copies advertised at under £10 are a bargain!