The Car Chasers

Too hot (rod) to handle: Tricked out cars

Outrageously Tricked-Out Hot Rods

Yvan Dube | E+ | Getty Images

Do you have a classic car that's been modified with a large and powerful engine? If the answer is yes, congratulations. You're the proud owner of a hot rod.

The term "hot rod" doesn't have a strict definition: almost any car — classic or otherwise — can be modified to reach unnaturally high speeds. Regardless, however, a Bucket T with a supercharged V8 engine and no hood remains the time-honored image of the hot rod. It also doesn't hurt to paint some flames on the sides for good measure.

According to Karl Brauer, CEO and editor-in-chief of online car review site TotalCarScore.com, the "hot rod" term refers to any car or truck modified from its original configuration. Still, there's a lot more to it than just that.

"Ideally, the vehicle isn't just more powerful, but also more appealing to the eye," Brauer said in an e-mail. In that spirit, CNBC.com presents ten of the most souped-up, tricked-out, outrageous-looking hot rods of the last 70 years.

Tune in to "The Car Chasers" on CNBC Prime, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET

By Daniel Bukszpan
Posted 22 March 2013

Beatnik Bandit

Source: Nick Ares | Wikipedia

The Beatnik Bandit was created in 1961 by artist and custom car designer Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. He created the "Rat Fink" cartoon character, and is considered a seminal figure in the hot rod movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

This particular hot rod typifies Roth's aesthetic, as well as that of the California "Kustom Kulture" as a whole. "Built on a 1955 Oldsmobile chassis, and featuring a supercharged engine as well as joystick steering control, the Beatnik Bandit epitomizes Roth's take on custom car culture," he said.

Dodge Deora

Source: Interlink Media | Getty Images

The Dodge Deora was an example of a major automobile manufacturer trying to grab a little piece of the hot rod spotlight. It was based on the design of the A100 pickup truck, and added such features as a flip-up windshield and a door that opens in the front of the vehicle.

"It caused quite a stir at its first unveiling at the 1967 Detroit Autorama," Brauer said. "Mattel's Hot Wheels division liked it enough to make the Deora one of the first 16 original Hot Wheels toy cars."

Cadzilla

Source: pistonheads.com

The hot rod era is often associated with the 1950s and 1960s, but valuable contributions to the culture continue up to the present era. One such contribution is Cadzilla, designed by custom car creator Boyd Coddington and built for Billy Gibbons, guitarist for the rock band ZZ Top.

"Coddington produced a number of high-profile hot rods in the 1990s, but Cadzilla was among his most outlandish creations," Brauer said. "He lowered the roof, lowered the ride height and extended the fenders to give Cadzilla an impossibly low-slung and fast profile — even when it's parked."

Munsters Koach

David Keeler | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images

"The Munsters" was a faux-horror sitcom about a family bearing more than a passing resemblance to the vampires and ghouls of 1930's horror films. Whenever the family got tired of being cooped up in their cobweb-strewn house, they would go for a spin in their own hot rod, the Munsters Koach.

"Built from three Ford Model T bodies, the Munsters Koach was 18 feet long and sat on a handmade frame," Brauer said. "It featured a 'blood red' velvet interior and gloss black paint. It's powered by a 289 Ford V-8 hooked to a four-speed manual transmission."

The Impression

Source: chipfoose.com

"Overhaulin'" was a reality show in which an unsuspecting victim would have his or her car taken away under false pretenses, such as a faked theft or towing. In reality, the victim's car would be overhauled by a pair of custom car designers, including hot rod shop owner Chip Foose.

Foose is responsible for many creative hot rod designs, but Brauer said that he was partial to the Impression. "The Impression won multiple awards and features over 4,000 hand-built parts," he said. "It somewhat resembles a 1937 Ford Coupe, but the smooth headlights, slanted grille and low windshield give it a modern and aerodynamic look."

Gold Digger

Source: jalopnik.com

Gold Digger is a custom car that won the Ridler Award at the 2010 Detroit Autorama. This prize is given to the best-looking hot rod making a debut appearance, and its owner, Tammy Ray, became the first woman ever to take it home.

"Gold Digger began life as a 1933 Ford Phaeton before the windshield was shortened. A custom top was fabricated, Foose wheels were mounted and the entire car was dipped in brilliant gold paint," Brauer said. "Gold Digger was built by T & T Customs and is owned by Tammy Ray, who also owns a gold mine in Georgia."

The Revolver

Source: mecum.com

The Revolver is based on the 1932 Ford Roadster, and according to Brauer, it has every important element that a winning hot rod needs to have. These include a chopped windshield, large wheels and a smoothed body with no exterior door handles.

"A Corvette independent rear suspension and double A-arm front suspension let the Revolver handle as well as it looks," Brauer said. "A custom interior features VDO gauges and a billet steering wheel."

Fire Truck

Source: auctionsamerica.com

Chuck Miller is a legend of the 1960s hot rod circuit and winner of the 1968 Ridler Award. He won the award for one of his most famous designs, the Fire Truck.

"The Fire Truck combined a Ford Model T 'C-Cab' truck design with a fire engine theme featuring red paint, ladders and a rotating red light," Brauer said. "A Chevrolet V-8 engine can power this hot rod to fires in record time, but with those short ladders and room for just one driver, it won't do much to put out the blaze."

Radster

Source: hotrodandrestoration.com

When a 1935 Ford Roadster was reborn as the Radster, it won the 2006 Ridler Award. A year later, it went on to score a hot-rod trifecta: America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award, America's Most Beautiful Street Rod Award and the Street Rod d'Elegance Award — all during 2007.

"Owned by Kevin and Karen Alstott, and built by Roger Burman of Lakeside Rods & Rides, this custom hot rod is powered by a 408 cubic inch V-8 engine," Brauer said. "It's wrapped in two-tone copper and platinum paint and rides on Boyd's wheels."

Monkeemobile

Source: Epsko | Wikipedia

People of a certain age have fond memories of "The Monkees," a classic 1960s television show about a fictional rock band. It consisted of the four musicians embarking upon various shenanigans, pausing in between to perform bubblegum pop songs that sent hordes of young women swooning.

These shenanigans were made possible by the Monkeemobile, a 1966 Pontiac GTO modified by custom car designer Dean Jeffries. "Two versions were originally built, one for use in the show's filming and one to tour the U.S. promoting the TV show at car events," Brauer said. "The first vehicle was originally fitted with a supercharger and had extra weight put in the rear end to help the car do wheelies for the camera."

The Car Chasers

Jeff Allen and Perry Barndt are gamblers—their game being classic and exotic cars. They travel the country looking to buy and sell them. Whether it's a rare Shelby Mustang or vintage hot rod, the key is buy low and sell high. That, however, is something that doesn't always happen.

Selling cars is a dangerous business, but perhaps there's no greater risk than negotiating with your own father. Tom Souter, Jeff's dad, runs a classic car dealership around the corner from Jeff's shop in Lubbock, Texas. They are not just regular trading partners; they are trading partners hell-bent on one-upsmanship.

Tom said doing a deal with his son is like being locked in a closet with a porcupine: "It's gonna hurt, but you know it won't kill you."

Tune in to "The Car Chasers" on CNBC Prime, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET