On the move

As the latter part of the August evening sunk into the shadowed tree line, I squinted at the car approaching in the other lane. Two bulbous headlamps, a dropped axle and a chromed grille shell peered back at me. With three twos, bigs’n littles and black lacquer all around, the full-fendered ‘A’ roadster had the look — even if it only flashed by for a few seconds.

No more than 15 minutes later, a familiar sight idled in the turn lane. This time, the rod was based on a black-primered 1932 Ford roadster body featuring door handles, a cowl vent and a rumble seat blended into its louvered decklid. Although the car appeared to be well built, the part that drew my attention was the family of four nestled into the confines of the Deuce. Mr. and Mrs. up front and a pair of kids savoring every moment in the rear.

As I waited at a stoplight, the roar of a hot motor shook the intersection. Seconds after, a rootbeer-brown ’57 ‘Vette — equipped with factory fuel injection — gunned through the turn under heavy acceleration. The pilot grinned like a madman as he hurtled the snarling ‘Vette out of the picture.

Hot rods look best in their natural environment — prowling the streets.

***

While you’re reading this, I’m jamming across a couple states to the H.A.M.B. Drags — where traditional material is far from scarce and rods roam on both street and track.

I’ll see ya there.

-Joey Ukrop