Here’s a scan of the entire issue number 15, September 1962 magazine How to Hop Up Your Engine. (16 MB download) Long name for a magazine and different than the simpler titled and more popular Hop Up. As an Ohio-based magazine, there’s a letter in this issue complaining about the lack of West coast cars. There was quite a rivalry between West coast and East coast in hot rods and drag racing. Either way, I love this style hot rod, always have. There’s been a huge resurgence in this style, and I wonder if it was started by folks like me in the 1980s finding the old man’s magazines and falling in love with that look. See below for a few highlights and comments.
The first thing I noticed as I was scanning, is how few ads there are. This J.C. Whitney ad from the inside front cover is super cool. Check out the stuff, tiki voodoo head shift knobs, Krazy decals, a cattle caller horn (which I have in my car), a Hollywood wolf whistle, a Hula-hula girl, and more!
Here’s an editorial talking about these new safety devices called seat belts.
That last photo is the cover car. None of the pages are in color. Today I looked at a few recent issues of Rod & Custom and Hot Rod and ALL the pages are in color. Even we retronuts are aware that some things improve.
Autorama and Oakland Roadster Show photos. Autorama is still around, but Oakland, or what should be called the Grand National Roadster Show, is now in LA.
These Motor’s Auto Repair Manuals are indeed great. I’ve got one from 1953 and one from 1966. If you want to know how to work on an old car, forget any other type of manual, get a Motor’s.
These are great! Thanks for posting…love the seat belt article. The hot rods of this era built on 1930s frames are true works of art. And the 60 Chevy at the end is awesome…
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