That's Andy Linden about to...
That's Andy Linden about to drive up the backside of Troy Ruttman (the '52 Indy 500 winner) at Bonelli Stadium in Saugus, CA, in 1947. The lakes modified cars of today can draw their lineage from dirt track and dry lakes racers from decades ago.
While some folks in street rodding like to build cars that can haul the family (plus an ice chest, a change of clothes, an umbrella for the wife, and a collapsible tent to sit under), there are others who prefer a more solitary route.
Like their Harley-Davidson brethren, these lone wolfs would rather just be at one with the road in a vehicle that is as low-buck and as basic as you can get; no top, fenders, air conditioning, stereo, or anything larger than a glovebox or door pocket for storage.
It's been said you can discover the difference between a street rod and a hot rod by what is carried in its trunk. If it's a fold-up chair, it's a street rod, and if it's a toolbox, then it's a hot rod.
Jim Stroupe's ride boarders...
Jim Stroupe's ride boarders on being a one-man modified as it really isn't designed to fit more than the driver. Stroupe's modified made the cover of STREET RODDER in Oct. 1999, and it features an Alfa DOHC four-banger with a pair of 45 DCOE sidedraft carbs plus Kinmont brakes and vintage Halibrands on each corner.
But that doesn't mean hot rods can't be nice looking or safe to drive, and a modified falls into this category. Typically made from a '27 Ford roadster (though the '23 bucket and '28 phaeton body styles work too), the vehicle looks like it was designed for dry lakes or dirt oval racing but it can easily be driven on city streets too. Although they weren't always called as such, modifieds (or lakes modifieds when they were built with a dual purpose) have been a favorite of racers and rodders since the '40s and, as long as there are folks out there who want just a plain and simple driver, these hot rods will always be in vogue.
 Bo Jones' one-man (called...  Bo Jones' one-man (called that because that's all that it'll fit) modified was on the cover of Rod & Custom in Oct. 1968 and made such an impact that folks called the style "The Bo Jones Look" for years. The car, made mostly from a T Touring body and powered by a Chevy II four-banger, looks exactly the same today as it appeared then, and is currently owned by Roy Brizio. (Photo by Cam Hutchins) |  Hot Rod Haven's Jamie Johnson...  Hot Rod Haven's Jamie Johnson used a portion of a '28 Ford phaeton to make his traditionally inspired modified, which is equipped with a 327 running out to a quick-change rearend. |  Former Southern California...  Former Southern California Timing Association President Jim Lattin built this exotic modified with Buffalo wire wheels and on alcohol-fed Drake Indy motor. |