Great site! I've been browsing around on here this morning, and I'm really digging it. I'm an automotive writer, but I'm pretty new to hot rods, especially in the early era.
I'm writing a piece about fenders (of all things) and I was thinking you might be able to answer a question for me: Why did the hot rod pioneers always take their fenders off or build their cars without them? Was it just to save weight, or did they think there was an aerodynamic aspect to it?
I'll be writing the article this afternoon, so if you get back to me, I'd be happy to quote you and include a link to this blog.
G'day Andy, sorry I just saw your comment. The owners/builders of early Gow Jobs (Hot Rods) did indeed take the fenders off to save weight but also headlights and windshields were removed to saved weight and reduced drag. In the early days just doing so could give a 5 mph+ gain to a cars top speed.
Hey Jimmy,
ReplyDeleteGreat site! I've been browsing around on here this morning, and I'm really digging it. I'm an automotive writer, but I'm pretty new to hot rods, especially in the early era.
I'm writing a piece about fenders (of all things) and I was thinking you might be able to answer a question for me: Why did the hot rod pioneers always take their fenders off or build their cars without them? Was it just to save weight, or did they think there was an aerodynamic aspect to it?
I'll be writing the article this afternoon, so if you get back to me, I'd be happy to quote you and include a link to this blog.
Thanks, and again, great site!
-Andy Sheehan
streetsideauto.com/blog
G'day Andy, sorry I just saw your comment. The owners/builders of early Gow Jobs (Hot Rods) did indeed take the fenders off to save weight but also headlights and windshields were removed to saved weight and reduced drag. In the early days just doing so could give a 5 mph+ gain to a cars top speed.
ReplyDelete