Great Cars: Hot Rods, Classics & Vintage Autos

Hot Rods were the phenomenal cars created by back-yard mechanics in the Post-War world of Southern California. The police, newspapers, politicians, and their parents, took a dim view of hot rodders and labeled them, rebels. This is a story of young people who created a sport, while searching for ways to satisfy their need for speed. Features comments by ZZ Top member Billy Gibbons.

It was a time when the finest automobiles in the world were built. Some feel that this 20 year period from 1920 to 1940 was an Olympian Age of automotive design, much like the flourishing of Greek culture in Athens in the 5th Century BC. To car lovers, these cars are simply great works of art. We're going to see how they were built and the people behind these legendary automobiles.

Most people think of them as early relics of an era long past or antiques that are best left in museums. To a special group the earliest motorcars are an integral part of their lives. They are fascinated by the early technology while others are captivated by their importance and history. This special uncovers some of the oldest running cars and the people who've nurtured these noisome relics.

In the summer of 2003, thousands of people made a pilgrimage to Dearborn, Michigan to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Ford Motor Company. It was a remarkable 5 day event that demonstrated the impact this company has had on the world. Of all the cars there, one car stood out above the rest --- The Model T. It's a remarkable story of luck, pluck and desire.

Edsel, Corvair, Hudson, Studebaker, Hupmobile, Crosley, Maxwell and more. These are the Orphan cars. Every summer in Ypsilanti, Michigan car lovers gather for a car show. This group brings out ghost cars that they've nurtured for years. Cars that fizzled and died out. Created by people willing to go out on a limb. Unfortunately, the limb broke. It's simply a salute to the fallen.

Just after World War II, Preston Tucker wanted to be the first automaker to introduce an entirely new car. He set up shop in an old Dodge plant and got financial backing through stock and dealers. The government thought Tucker was a swindler and began to investigate. Tucker and his employees were charged but acquitted of mail fraud and conspiracy. In the end, Tucker's hopes were shattered.

The ultimate, the top, the crème de la crème - the builders of the Duesenberg defied the odds and entered the Depression era with the most costly, powerful and daring auto ever built. If you had money - you had to have a Duesy. It was hands-down the best and fastest car on the road. Over 400 of these desirable autos remain in the collections of lucky owners who still say, "it's a Duesy!"

Henry J. Kaiser. In 1945 partnered with automobile executive Joe Frazer to meet the post War demand for cars. The resulting Kaiser-Frazer autos were the last real challenge to the dominance of the Big Three.

While many have forgotten that it ever existed, and many people weren't even born before the last Packard rolled off the assembly line, it is a car that still excites the passion of car lovers around the world. We'll see how a quiet and confident disdain for typical marketing ballyhoo propelled Packard to the top of the luxury market before its demise in the 1950's.