From online, email and in person discussions over the past several years it should now be safe to say that the overall class of Hot Rods (HR) breaks down more precisely into the following sub classes:
- Street Rods (SR) – (aka Hot Rod) – Any modified or customized car or truck model from 1948 or earlier with or without fenders in paint or in primer;
- Rat Rods (RR) – Any custom car or truck model with a deliberately worn-down, unfinished appearance, typically lacking paint, showing rust, and made from cheap or cast-off parts;
- Street Machines (SM) – Any modified or customized car or truck model from 1949 or later with fenders in paint or in primer; and
- Gassers (GS) – A vintage drag car that was popularized in the ’50s and ’60s (up to 1968) that ran on gasoline and used a straight axle front suspension which gave the model a very high front end stance. Most gassers also sported Halibrand wheels, no front bumper, and had a front mounted Moon tank. The gasser form was dictated by function and most builders looked to eliminate as much weight as possible. Having their exhaust pipes exit through the front fender to shorten the length of exhaust tubing is another common characteristic of gassers. Builders used 1930s through 1950s production coupes or sedans to create these highly modified racing vehicles, including (but not limited to) the following: 1933 Willys Model 77 Coupe; 1940 Willys; 1941 Willys Americar; 1948 Anglia; 1949 Chevy Fleetline or Styleline; 1951 Henry J; 1955 Ford T-Bird; 1955 Chevy Nomad; 1955 Chevy; 1957 Corvette.
I believe the first three sub classes are easily covered by the current Hot Rod (HR) class criteria. Gassers are another story never meant to be raced around corners. To encourage realism in Gasser models rather than institute some technical requirement (such as a minimum front axle height) a form of bracket (or minimum lap time) [if they are raced] may be a better solution. A minimum weight limit might also be incorporated to help offset the performance disadvantage.
Thank you to everyone for their comments and especially to Belleville Kevin for bringing some much needed clarity to this otherwise vague class.
The Happy Canadian Scale Modeler!
