This book gives a look at 1940's hot rodding throught the pictures from rodders' own photo albums. Roadsters, couples and sedans are shown on the streets and at the lakes, along with information about the cars, the owners, clubs and speeds.

The Lakes - In the 1940's the lakes were to hot rodding what the Indy 500 is to race cars. They were the most important hot rodding events.

Many photos in this book were taken at the lakes, showing roadsters, coupes, sedans and streamliners. The people and the scenes show what it was like when the lakes were so popular.

In addition to the photos, the SCTA and RTA records and high point winners are listed.

The Streets - Hot rodding was born on the streets. It grew up in the 40's when the hot rod was the only sporty, fast and customized car around. There weren't any Corvettes, Jaguars or Ferraris then, only the family style cars like those made by Ford, Chevy, Chrysler and Studebaker.

In "Hot Rods in the Forties", you'll find many photos of the rods on the streets. Many of the same rods are also shown at the lakes with their lights and windshield removed and the exhaust "uncorked". But the streets were their real home then.

The Clubs - The key ingredient in the popularity of hot rodding in the 40's was the clubs. The main rodding activities - the lakes - were run by the clubs of SCTA and Russetta.

Friendships, enthusiasm, help, education and team or club spirit all were a part of the club activities. Competition between clubs added to the fun and team spirit.

In this book, lists of SCTA and Russetta clubs are included, along with their home areas. The club affiliations are noted with the photos of the rodders and their cars.