Art of the Hot Rod by Ken Gross with photography by Peter Harholdt Published by Motorbooks
Art of the Hot Rod by Ken Gross with photography by Peter Harholdt Published by Motorbooks
Lately I have had several conversations with automotive artists on the subject of car art. They all agree that cars can be art but I haven’t found one description for art which adequately fits cars.
But then I received the “The Art of the Hot Rod” to write a book review and going through the pages I realized 'this is it'. This is art. Each car in this book is built by guys and girls with a drive to create the prefect Hot Rod. A car with perfect proportions, lines that flow, stunning colours perfectly combined with the leather interiors and chrome elements. Their work expresses the respect and admiration for past car designs but with their own signature style.
Steve Moal and his sons David and Michael.
Where I live in The Netherlands, the Hot Rod and customs scene is very small. Mainly because of the regulations requiring crash tests and such like. Not really an option when you are building a unique, one-off custom. My first introduction to this scene was when designer
Alberto Hernandez took me to his studio at
MOAL coach builders. He showed me each step starting from the initial idea, the sketches and the selection of parts and components. Then down to the work floor where a new frame was waiting to become the basis of someone’s dream. To the handmade bodywork and interiors. Then back to the drawing board in his studio where Alberto let me see numerous drawings and options on the headlight configurations for a custom. I was stunned by the level of craftsmanship, creativity and passion the people at MOAL put into their cars. And in their case, it wasn’t just one man but a whole team led by a visionary leader. Author Ken Gross penned down this quote from Steve Moal’s mouth:
I prefer to build from scratch. That’s where you’re challenged to be the most creative. And with that challenge, you have a responsibility. There’s always a chance, a risk, that you might build an ugly car.
This book “The Art of the Hot Rod” is a celebration of the work all these fine people did and the wonderful pieces of art they created. Presenting art through just photos is always a challenge. Trying to capture a 3-dimensional object in a flat photo requires skills and a deep understanding of the subject.
Peter Harholdt really succeeded in that. And not only did he capture the end result, showing the finished cars but the several stages in the creation process are shown.
1948 Custom, Ex-Norman Timbs, owned by Gary Cerveny
Art of the Hot Rod by Ken Gross with photography by Peter Harholdt Published by Motorbooks
Ken Gross did the interviews and stories on the designers who shared their view of what it takes to build a Hot Rod. Their stories really give the reader an appreciation of the craftsmanship, passion and dedication going into these customs.
1932 Ford Board Track Racer Full Speed Ahead owned by Lee Munder
1935 Ford Aeroliner owned by Richard Ullman
The publisher Motorbooks took a lot of effort to turn this book into a 'must have' and a collector’s item. From the nice gimmick on the cover to the fold out pages with the beautiful photos. And as a bonus four full colour prints which we here at the CarArtSpot office will definitely frame and give a dedicated place to on the walls.
