Art of the Hot Rod [Hardcover]

Ken Gross (Author), Peter Harholdt (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2008

The best hot rods are art on four wheels, and this book is nothing less than a gallery of the best of American hot rods.  Profiling top builders and featuring studio portraits of their most outstanding custom creations, this book celebrates the uniquely American marriage of mechanical know-how and an inspired sense of style and design.  Built from the ground up, pieced together from salvaged parts, rebuilt with classic looks and futuristic technology--these are automotive works of art, as powerful on the page as they are on the street.

 

See Motorbooks author Ken Gross interviewed by Jay Leno on JayLenosGarage.com: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/art-of-the-hot-rod/1139915/

Editorial Reviews

Review

Motortrend.com  
Oh, you want this book. You'll drool over this book. Get this book. Written by pal Ken Gross, an auto-journalism veteran who can recite chapter and verse on nearly everything that's ever worn wheels, Art of the Hot Rod (240 pages, hardbound) is a gorgeously produced, large-format feast that pays tribute to the work of twenty of today's most inventive and talented hot-rod craftsmen. As your eyes gaze over the lavish images by renowned photographer Peter Harholdt, just try to find a speck of dust on any of the beautiful machines profiled within. This is auto creativity at its zenith, sculpture on rubber. After you've let this weighty tome enhance your coffee table for a while, file it in your library in the section reserved for "Landmarks of Western Art."

 

Legendarycollectorcars.com

The closest thing I can compare it to is when I was a teenager with raging hormones and saw my first copy of Playboy. I knew there were some very intriguing stories inside but I couldn’t stop looking at the pictures! That is the same way I felt about Art of the Hot Rod. I always go to the photos. You could put this book out on your coffee table, open in up to almost any page, invite some none car folks over to your house and I can almost guarantee you that someone will pick it up and start talking about what they see. Photographer Peter Harholdt is an artist. The way you see these cars through his eyes is amazing. I will never look at a car at a car show the same way again.

Review

The closest thing I can compare it to is when I was a teenager with raging hormones and saw my first copy of Playboy. I knew there were some very intriguing stories inside but I couldn't stop looking at the pictures! That is the same way I felt about Art of the Hot Rod. I always go to the photos. You could put this book out on your coffee table, open in up to almost any page, invite some none car folks over to your house and I can almost guarantee you that someone will pick it up and start talking about what they see. Photographer Peter Harholdt is an artist. The way you see these cars through his eyes is amazing. I will never look at a car at a car show the same way again.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (October 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760322821
• ISBN-13: 978-0760322826
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Pictorial
  • #17 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Classic Cars
  • #50 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Customize

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Gotta Have", December 16, 2008

By 

Richard Grosso (Ocala, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art of the Hot Rod (Hardcover)

This book is chock full of great photos and information about hot rod builders and their reason for existance.....those hot rods that cause our jaws to drop wide open in amazement and adoration. This is a "gotta' have" coffee table book for the American hot-blooded hot rod enthusiast!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and incredible photos...perfect for any hot rodder, December 2, 2008

By 

SweePee (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of the Hot Rod (Hardcover)

This book profiles 20 of the most prolific hot rod builders in the country. Ken Gross writes in a fun manner and you can tell that his interviews with each builder really get to the heart of their individual building philosophy. Peter Harholdt photographs each builder's car like it's in a museum display...a real work of art. Lots of detail. It's quite unique. A great book...a great gift too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Holiday read for the car guy, December 8, 2008

By 

Brenda Ellis "Bella" (Palm Beach FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art of the Hot Rod (Hardcover)

This book is stunning visually and there is great information about a wonderful collection of new and restored hot rods that will satisfy the most discerning car guy. I loved the pix and know this is going to be a fun gift that won't be re-gifted.