Tony Thacker Books

In How to Build Affordable Hot Rods, author and lifelong hot rod aficionado Tony Thacker takes you through the process of building a hot rod on a budget. Drawing on his own extensive experience of both buying and building rods, Thacker explores the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good was setting a land speed record at Bonneville, the bad was buying a rod from which the previous owner had "swapped out" the good engine, and the ugly--well, let's just not go there. How to Build Affordable Hot Rods includes extensive how-to sections that cover step-by-step chassis builds for Model A, 1932, and 1936 Fords, including front- and rear-end setups. The in-depth chassis builds are complimented with sections on powertrain choices, bodywork and roof chops, wheels and tires, and wiring and paint. Also included are chapters on interiors and the all-important details that individualize any project to ensure that it stands out from the rest

Exploring the evolution of hot rodding, this book delves into the history of vintage speed equipment, tracing its roots back to the Model T era. It highlights key manufacturers and innovations that shaped the industry, from early 4-cylinder engines to the iconic flathead V-8 introduced by Henry Ford in 1932. The narrative chronicles the rise of performance parts, detailing advancements like special cylinder heads and superchargers, and showcases how the speed industry adapted and thrived alongside changing automotive technologies, ultimately becoming a corporate powerhouse.