Although I've never been attracted to hot rods (other than a brief period prior to discovering sports cars), exposure to the custom-designed beauties at the Barrett-Jackson Auction is beginning to make me a fan. An impressive cottage industry has sprung up in the last couple of decades involving designer/builders who create fantasy rods and offer them as kits or completely finished products.

These are ground-up originals in which only the powertrain is out-sourced, vs. traditional rods that begin life as clapped-out old cars. I'm not sure how hot rod fans feel about this but I'm certainly impressed. It will be interesting to see how they fare at auction. One of several to be sold is this striking example, inspired by a late 30's Lincoln Zephyr. (Apologies for the post but such obstacles are unavoidable at this venue.)