The State of American Hot Rodding - by David Lawrence Miller (Paperback)

About the Book

"Gearhead and geographer David Miller has crisscrossed America in his custom built 1958 Chevy Apache pickup, interviewing hot rodders about what drives their passions, values and way of life. Their collected stories present a detailed portrait of modern hot rodding--a distinctly American subculture that survives by bucking the trends and attitudes that increasingly shape the transportation landscape"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

As the automotive world looks towards a future of electric vehicles, driverless technology and anonymous styling, what can be learned from the individuals who resist these trends and cling to their love of street rods and muscle cars? The hot rodding world still exists, but will it continue to hold a place in tomorrow's automotive culture?

Gearhead and geographer David Miller has crisscrossed America in his custom built 1958 Chevy Apache pickup, interviewing hot rodders about what drives their passions, values and way of life. Their collected stories present a detailed portrait of modern hot rodding--a distinctly American subculture that survives by bucking the trends and attitudes that increasingly shape the transportation landscape.

Review Quotes

"Miller presents 15 interviews with a group of amazingly talented and successful hot rodders. Readers get personal histories that are interesting and somewhat similar. For any reader who has scraped knuckles and wrestled a motor out of a car, the humble, matter-of-fact nature of these individuals and their accomplishments is almost flabbergasting.... Miller's observations on the future of the hobby are honest, entertaining, and thought provoking.... recommended"-Choice; "fascinating and illuminating personal histories of American hot rodding in all of its many guises. Miller's enthusiasm for hot rods and his reverence for hot rod legends is evident on every page of this book"-SAH Journal.

About the Author

David Lawrence Miller taught at SUNY at Cortland for 30 years. He has completed two Hot Rod Power Tours, participated in Street Rodder Road tours, earned two "Long Distance" awards at National Car Shows and is a member of the 7 Valley Street Rods car club in Cortland, New York.