This is something that I probably need to give a lot of thought to, especially since I will inevitabley piss someone off. My dad had a 57 Bel Air, and while it was a nice car, I never really saw that much too it (and still don't get excited about them). When I was a teenager, where I lived there were virtually no traditional hot rods around, traditional in the sense of the early 30's cars. Nearly everything was 50's cars. Pre-40's cars were what you saw hot rod magazines not on the streets where I lived.

The one car that sticks out in my mind as one of my all time favorites, was never a popular car until about 10 years ago. That was/is the 58 Chevy Impala convertible. Two friends had them, one in maroon with white top and interior and the other yellow with a green top and interior. Both were 348's with 3 deuces. One year models, not really a hotrod, but nice as customs.

I guess when I think of hot rods and customs, the two that really come to mind are the 32 Fords (all models) and the 49/50 Mercurys. Could be because they filled all of the hotrod and custom mags of the early 60's. But I still have a soft sport for the 58 Chevy's and the 57 Ford Skyliner.

Now I guess I have to shut up and think seriously about the question.