Our 5 Favorite Vintage Cars to Turn into Hot Rods

Making a vintage car into a hot rod is a popular way to preserve the historic appeal of an antique car while also creating something unique. Vintage hot rods have a style and flair, and many car enthusiasts choose to mod their own hot rods to create a custom vehicle that looks and rides exactly the way they envisioned it.

Upgrading cars with high end performance equipment, flashy paint jobs, and various accessories has been popular since the 1950s when it grew popular with street racers. Today, restored hot rods are the highlight of car shows and a fun way to turn heads when you drive around town. With the right vintage car parts, they can also be winning racers too.

Hot rodding a car can be an interesting and challenging project, but it is one that both beginners and professionals alike can enjoy. These are some of the best cars to make into hot rods with options that are ideal for first time hot rodders and more experienced car enthusiasts.

How to Choose a Hot Rod

Any car can theoretically be a hot rod if you are willing to put in the effort and money, but a few decisions when selecting the stock car can make the process simpler. If this will be your first hot rod project, here are some key considerations when searching for a vintage car for sale:

• Style
• Adaptable Chassis
• Availability of Parts
• Car Condition

Vintage cars that meet these criteria are generally going to be easier and more affordable to hot rod while still providing a fantastic looking result. Because these cars fit an array of different parts, you can customize them any way you want.

1932 Ford Coupe or Roadster

The 1932 Ford is one of the ultimate hot rod cars. It became popular as a hot rod car just a few years after its introduction due to the inclusion of the powerful V-8 engine, and the affectionately named “Deuce” was a staple in street racing.

The Deuce is so in demand as a hot rod that there are many aftermarket car parts. New 1932 Ford body parts mimic the look of the original stock, but provide better performance and durability. It is even possible to reconstruct a 1932 Ford from new parts on different chassis. Since original 1932 Ford bodies can be difficult to find in good condition, rebuilding with new parts can give you the authentic look with greater ease.

The 1932 Ford Coupe and the 1932 Ford Roadster both have a sleek and sporty look that makes them more common for hot rods. The other models from that year - the Fordoor, the Sedan, the Victoria, and the Phaeton are rarer options that will really stand out.

1937 Lincoln Zephyr

The Lincoln Zephyr has a significant advantage for a hot rod. Just look at one. The curved front grilles, oversized fenders, raked windshield, and smooth curves give the Zephyr a streamlined look that gives it a hot rod style even before you get started with your own modding. The original Zephyrs also had a powerful 12 cylinder engine, although most modern drivers replace this with the 8 cylinder in their hot rods.

Lincoln Zephyrs are rare cars and tend to run more expensive than other hot rod cars, but the looks alone make them a top choice.

1933-1936 Willys Coupe

This small and sporty little car was a hot rod favorite from the very beginning. A few Willys could be found at almost any street race in the 1940s and 1950s where its lightweight made it a competitive racer.

Today, Willys coupes are still attractive hot rods, and they are less in demand that other models, making them more affordable if you can find one. They are also easy to customize with engine upgrades and other performance improving features.

1938 Chevrolet Master Deluxe

The 1938 Chevy Master Deluxe is a vintage car that provides a great starting point for a hot rod. Stylistically, it is similar to the 1932 Ford. It came in similar builds as well, with options for a two door, four door, and even a pickup truck, which makes for a unique hot rod.

Vintage features that add to this Chevy’s charm are the split windshield and suicide doors. Beyond that, there is plenty of room to get creative and incorporate your own style, from chipping the top and lowering it to swapping out fenders.

Chevy produced over 300,000 Master Deluxes, so they are still relatively easy to find in a variety of conditions to get your project started.

Ford F100 Pickup Truck

When Ford redesigned their pickup truck in the 1950s with the F-series, the F100 became a near instant hit with hot rodders. It has an iconic front grille, hood, and curved windshield. A metallic paint job and a lower suspension is all you need to turn a vintage Ford pickup into a hot rod, and you have endless options for changing out parts to improve performance.

Because these trucks were so popular and built to last, there are thousands of them available today. Vintage pickup trucks are also one of the simplest project cars to repair, work on, and customize with the pickup truck parts you want since they are compatible with parts and accessories made for many other models.

Finding Vintage Car Parts for Your Hot Rod

Because these cars are easy to work on and there are still plenty out there, the vintage car parts you need for Ford, Chevy, Willys, and Lincoln are all readily available. At Vintage Auto Garage, we sell the parts for ignition, wiring, starters, alternators, and more. We also specialize in 6 volt to 12 volt conversion kits so you can easily install all the modern, 12 volt accessories on your hot rod.

Your hot rod project will also need performance parts. In addition to our own brands, we also carry parts for hot rods from leading brands like PerTronix, Top Street Performance, and Powermaster. These keep your hot rod performing whether you are driving it to shows or racing.

And although these car models are our favorite for hot rods, they are far from the only models you can make into a project car. Every vintage car model from coupes to antique postal delivery vans make attractive hot rods with a bit of creativity. Our wide range includes vintage parts for all models of Ford, Chevy, Cadillac, Dodge, Hudson, Mercury, and other makes to fit every antique car and hot rod.