# Non-Ford-Chevy-Chrysler hot rods? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 28, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980 "2005-08-28T15:11:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/1 "2005-08-28T15:11:19Z")
I like to watch the various car shows on the weekend and the hot rods they feature always seem to be Fords/Chevys/Chryslers (including Dodge & Plymouth). Obviously, this because those three manufacturers made the most/popular cars. How about some cool cars from other manufacturers? Any recommended sites? I’m sick to death of seeing '32-34 Fords, '55-57 Chevys, and late 60s/early 70’s Mopars. Hell, I’d pay to see someone slam a Pacer, Gremlin, or some other car not known for its hot-rodability. ---
**Author:** ![mike1dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mike1dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike1dog)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/2 "2005-08-28T15:25:12Z")
Here’s a [Studebaker](http://www.hotrodders.com/vehicles/151.html) . If you search this site, you’ll find a lot of non big three vehicles. What I’d like to see is a hot rod with something besides(yawn) a 350 chevy motor. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/3 "2005-08-28T16:04:15Z")
I don’t know whether you noticed, but the rodder fraternity is not exactly a hothouse of individual creativity. It’s dominated by grown-up high school boys, Joe Sixpacks who want most of all to Belong. The rods may be different from one another, but they’re alike in all the important ways: shag carpet, bucket seats, flame jobs, mags, yada yada. The innovators in the field, the George Barrises et al, are few and notable. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/4 "2005-08-28T16:12:32Z")
I was watching _American Hot Rod_ (fast forwarding any part where Boyd Coddington is flapping his gums) and a recent program was about the crew building a hot rod for some large corporation (I forget the company) and before the car was announced, I said, “I’ll bet it’s going to be a '32-34 Ford”. I was right. Once in a while, an oddity will pop up. Like this [1936 Airflow](http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp?id=178146). Yes, it’s a Chrysler, but at least it isn’t a Challenger or Charger. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/5 "2005-08-28T16:31:42Z")
I always loved the Stone, Woods & Cook ['41 Willys.](http://www.nhra.com/museum/features/feature8.html) At the same NHRA Museum is a pretty cool [Fiat](http://www.nhra.com/museum/features/feature22.html). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/6 "2005-08-28T18:07:36Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Once in a while, an oddity will pop up. Like this [1936 Airflow](http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp?id=178146). Yes, it’s a Chrysler, but at least it isn’t a Challenger or Charger. Back when I had a subscription ('80s), I saw an Airflow in Hot Rod Magazine. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/7 "2005-08-28T18:13:36Z")
How 'bout [A Pacer 4×4](http://www.vincewylde.com/photo/archives/000129.php#000129)? [Here’s a Pacer at the drag races](http://www.vincewylde.com/photo/archives/000127.php#000127). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/8 "2005-08-28T18:15:39Z")
Come to think of it, that Airflow article I saw in Hot Rod also featured a LaSalle. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/9 "2005-08-28T18:37:12Z")
[Found a Webshots folder with a bunch of unusual ones](http://community.webshots.com/album/378927814lktJSD). Also, try browsing the [My Classic Car photo galleries](http://www.myclassiccar.com/CoolCars/photogallery/archive/index.shtml), [here’s a '31 Buick](http://www.myclassiccar.com/CoolCars/photogallery/archive/2003/2003-12-29/Frank-&-Mike-Toman.jpg). Look for the My Classic Car TV show if you get [The Speed Channel](http://www.speedtv.com/home.php). ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/10 "2005-08-28T22:36:18Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Hell, I’d pay to see someone slam a Pacer, Gremlin, or some other car not known for its hot-rodability. Back in the day there was article in Hot Rod or Car Craft about a guy who put a 400 in a Gremlin. He said it was tricky to handle because the rear end kept trying to pass the front. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/11 "2005-08-29T03:58:44Z")
There are quite a few V8 Datsun 240-Z’s kicking around. You could make a beautiful car out of one of those. ---
**Author:** ![bradministrator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a698b9/32.png) [@bradministrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradministrator)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/12 "2005-08-29T04:51:38Z")
There are some VW Bug “hot rods” around. Fenders removed and the quarter panels smoothed to look hi-boy, chopped top, primer paint jobs with Mooneyes stickers… the whole 9 yards. [![](http://www.socalook.com/gallery/3_4%20Frnt-ACCD.jpg) ](http://www.socalook.com/gallery/3_4%20Frnt-ACCD.jpg) [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rolls.pleats/ContNo7bug.jpg](http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rolls.pleats/ContNo7bug.jpg) I don’t really see the point. It’s the automotive equivalent of mixing metaphors: “It’s a sensible German economy car with the soul of a 50s greaser!” ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/13 "2005-08-29T04:58:58Z")
I once knew a guy (online) who had a Model A body on a mid-70s Jeep 4X4 with a Cadillac 500 engine. Sure, a Model A is a little bellybutton-ish (i.e., everybody has one), but the final product looked as much like a logging truck as a street rod. Besides, how many people go mudding in their hotrod? ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/14 "2005-08-29T05:05:25Z")
> [@bradministrator](#): > > There are some VW Bug “hot rods” around. Fenders removed and the quarter panels smoothed to look hi-boy, chopped top, primer paint jobs with Mooneyes stickers… the whole 9 yards. > > [http://www.socalook.com/gallery/3\_4%20Frnt-ACCD.jpg](http://www.socalook.com/gallery/3_4%20Frnt-ACCD.jpg) > > [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rolls.pleats/ContNo7bug.jpg](http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rolls.pleats/ContNo7bug.jpg) > > I don’t really see the point. It’s the automotive equivalent of mixing metaphors: “It’s a sensible German economy car with the soul of a 50s greaser!” People have put 70s Eldorado drivetrains (500CID, front wheel drive) into the backs of bugs. I think that the focus was on power to weight, definitely not on handling. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/15 "2005-08-29T13:02:00Z")
I used to own (built it myself) a '47 Hudson pickup with a Ford 302. [Like this one](http://www.bluemoongear.com/ArchCarPics/47HudsonPU.jpg) ; mine was blue and gray. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/16 "2005-08-29T13:40:34Z")
You’ll occasionally see Pontiacs (especially older ones like GTOs) tricked out for radical performance but still powered by a Pontiac mill. The 421 high-output (HO) and super-duty (SD) engines were pretty impressive high-compression engines. (Problem with running them nowadays is getting the fuel for them). I remember seeing a 401-powered AMC Pacer that had serious motion to it, too. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/17 "2005-08-29T14:15:33Z")
Modern thing I tend to see a lot is a Neon with a previous-gen Stang GT engine and drivetrain shoehorned in. Failing that, the SRT-4 Neon engine goes a lot of places. Including a Bonneville '32 Ford. How bout a pimped out Isetta? [http://www.mothers.com/powertour/powertour99/PT99\_Txt/PT99\_May19.html](http://www.mothers.com/powertour/powertour99/PT99_Txt/PT99_May19.html) ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ford-chevy-chrysler-hot-rods/318980/18 "2005-08-29T14:18:39Z")
Unless there are available parts for hot rodding the process gets much more complicated. Not a lot of shops have the ability to fabricate a lot of parts from scratch.