How to Build Affordable Hot Rods By Tony Thacker Learn how to build an affordable hot rod by following the advice of the masters! In How to Build Affordable Hot Rods, author and lifelong hot rod aficionado Tony Thacker takes readers through the entire process of creating a budget-friendly rod without compromising quality, style, or performance. Drawing on his extensive hands-on experience in both buying and building rods, Thacker shares stories of success and lessons learned — from setting a land speed record at Bonneville to buying a project car that wasn’t quite what it seemed. Alongside the anecdotes, the book delivers practical, step-by-step guidance on every aspect of the build. Detailed sections cover chassis construction for Model A, 1932, and 1936 Fords, including front- and rear-end setups. There’s comprehensive coverage of powertrain selection, bodywork and roof chops, wheels and tires, wiring, and paint. Chapters on interiors and custom details show how to give your build the character and individuality that make it stand out from the crowd. Thacker also explores the roots of hot rodding — from the early days of Henry Ford’s Model T, which democratized speed for everyday people, to the post-war explosion of creativity fueled by returning GIs, the rise of drag racing, and the influence of Hot Rod magazine. More than a century later, hot rodding remains a global passion — alive and well across Australasia, Europe, and its birthplace, the United States. This book is your guide to joining that tradition, learning from the best, and building your own affordable, high-performance hot rod.