Recipes

Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term “hot rod” is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of “hot roadster,” meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or replacement of the camshaft(s), sometimes known as a “stick” or “rod”. A camshaft designed to produce more power is sometimes called a “hot stick” or a “hot rod”. Roadsters were the cars of choice because they were light. The term became commonplace in the 1930s or 1940s as the name of a car that had been “hopped up” by modifying the engine in various ways to achieve higher performance.

The term can also apply to other items that are “souped up” for a particular purpose, such as “hot-rodded amplifier”.

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The Audi R8[4] (Typ 42)[6] is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car,[4][7] which uses Audi’s trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.[4][8] It was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG’s high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform.[9] The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame,[4] and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi’s ‘aluminium site’ at Neckarsulm in Germany.[4]

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The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a 2+2 coupe and convertible marketed from 1955 to 1974 by Volkswagen – combining the chassis and mechanics of the Type 1 (Beetle), styling by Luigi Segre of the Italian carrozzeria Ghia, and hand-built bodywork by German coach-builder Karmann.

The Karmann Ghia was internally designated the Type 14. Volkswagen later introduced a variant in 1961, the Type 34 – featuring angular bodywork and based on the newly introduced Type 3 platform.

Production doubled soon after its introduction,[5] becoming the car most-imported into the U.S.[5] American industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague selected the Type 14 for his list of the world’s most beautifully designed products.[6]

Over 445,000[3] Karmann Ghias were produced in Germany over the car’s production life – not including the Type 34 variant. Karmann Brazil produced 41,600 cars locally for South America between 1962 and 1975.

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Ever wonder how some cars are seemingly forgotten, while others are seen on a near-regular basis? We’re not talking about a comparison between a 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS and a 1925 Flint; this is aimed directly at cars from the early Fifties. Bet you a mortgage payment you’ve seen more 1951 Ford Deluxe Fordors than 1951 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe sedans. Perhaps that’s a loaded comparison, especially as the Windsor was aimed directly at Lincoln, Hudson and Packard in 1951 rather than Ford.

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