Street Rod ????

Overheard by several folks at a recent show, a couple of individuals were complaining about a certain vehicle that was found in Street Rods. It is a 1938 modified vehicle with a gross weight of under 9000 pounds.

For benefit of those unhappy souls, let us look at the actual definition of STREET ROD.

According to several reliable sources and even several state registration laws, a street rod is "a motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts (i.e. modified) and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds".

And the National Street Rod Association expands on that slightly, but is virtually the same, as "An automobile of 1948 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization, to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. A street rod is to be driven to events under its own power and is to be used as a safe, non-racing vehicle for total family enjoyment." That definition is taken directly from the NSRA website.

It is therefore obvious to even the most unknowledgeable that a 1938 materially altered vehicle under 9000 pounds is a Street Rod, whether they like it or not.

What is particularly strange is that one of the individuals complaining about this also complained last year because this same vehicle, a '38 custom (modified/altered) truck, should not have been in the custom truck class, either. Back then he told HotKarz it should have been in Street Rods. But when it is found in Street Rods, he complains it should not be there.

The vehicle can legitimately be in either class, as it fits the definition of both classes. Yet, some folks complain regardless of what class that vehicle registers in. But to complain when it is in Trucks that it should be in Street Rods, and later complain when it is in Street Rods that it should be in Trucks is not only wrong, but seems to indicate a case of "sour grapes".

If the 1938 truck were to register in Antique Trucks or Stock Trucks, I would find fault with that because it does not fit the definition of either. But when it is registered in a class to which it legitimately fits, I think the only problem lies with those doing the complaining.

And some of them should know better.

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