The Hot Rod Way Of Thinking

In the August 1952 issue of Hot Rod Magazine, Peter Siegle explored the psychological component of the hot rodder. Essentially, he compared the people of the world, their traits, and then concluded why and how hot rodding is justified in America.

“In comparing the French, British, and American military and their relationship to machinery, it can be said that: the Frenchman rhapsodizes, the Briton compromises, the American improvises. To maintain this mechanical advantage, any encouragement toward the technical improvisation required in the hot rod movement, while still consistent with the basic American ideals of free enterprise, has its value in American culture.”

Siegle concluded by saying that the continued development of this movement is beneficial to society because the activity surrounding the hot rod culture is: CREATIVE, EDUCATIVE, COMPETITIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE, MASCULINE, all of which are desirable elements in furthering the American standard of life. And yeah, he typed in all caps like that…

I must have read that article (and it’s a long one) on three or four different occasions and while I know it made sense during the period that it was written, I just couldn’t seem to find a parallel with today. What we do has no real effect on the modern American perception… and our qualities as people certainly don’t represent main stream America. Put simply, America changed with the world and as it did so did our little hot rod culture.

Sure, most of us still have all of those qualities that Siegle mentioned, but we have them without motivation. The sense of country is mostly gone… So why in the hell do we still put ourselves through all of the absolute SHIT that comes with messing with old cars? I believe it is because we are all crazy.

A perfect example of this irrational thought process is my recent decision to look for an old wagon as a replacement for my late model truck. Let’s consider my current life situation:

1. 1. I’m a father of a 2-year old with another on the way.
2. 2. Reliable transportation is pretty much essential for me as I make part of my living putting on events throughout the country. A breakdown means late arrival and understanding, yet still pissed customers!
3. 3. I already have two old cars that run well, look great, and get driven regularly.

And I think I’ll stop the list there because although continuing it will never effect my decision, it will help me get closer to the realization of my own insanity. I have no business trading my late model for another old vehicle, but I can’t stop myself. I can’t stop that urge to tinker, explore, and express… And that makes me crazy.

Unfortunately, there is no psychological comparisons with the French or British that will make sense of it all. In fact, “sense” left the building not long after Siegle wrote that article in 1952.