If we were to trace the roots of the hot rod scene in America, it has a history that now dates back a century. When Prohibition came into force in 1920, it led to an entire industry in bootlegging. Law enforcement officers stopped many early bootleggers in their tracks, but the ones who evaded the long arm of the law did so by slipping behind the wheel of cars that looked pretty inconspicuous but had received numerous performance upgrades. Once Prohibition was repealed, the trend of modifying cars to improve performance continued and developed into the hot rod scene that we recognize today. This 1937 Chevrolet 2-Door Sedan is an old-school hot rod, and it presents extremely well. The owner has decided to part with it, so he has listed it for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Polk City, Florida, and the sale price has been set at $17,500.

This Chevy features many of the hallmarks that made a hot rod stand out in a crowd. It is finished in an attractive shade of blue that the company didn’t offer in 1937. Its raked stance and aftermarket wheels help to create an appearance that has become iconic. The paint is in good condition, with a nice shine and no signs of any patchiness or other issues. The panels are straight and clean, with gaps that are as tight and consistent as you might expect in what is effectively a handbuilt vehicle where the focus has been on perfect presentation. A life kept stored indoors means that there are no rust problems for the buyer to tackle. The chrome and trim shine richly, while the glass is flawless. Builders utilized a wide variety of wheel types and styles in the construction of these custom classics, and the wire wheels that the builder fitted to this car suit its character perfectly.

One of the defining characteristics of any hot rod is what was found under the hood. Whatever the owner slotted into that space would invariably produce significantly more power than the original motor, and this Chevrolet is no exception. If the decal is accurate, this car features a 400ci Chevrolet small-block V8 backed by an automatic transmission. To make light work of the driving experience, the builder also equipped the vehicle with power steering and front disc brakes. The 400 was renowned more for its enormous torque than it was for high horsepower figures in stock form. The air cleaner indicates that this one produces 300hp, which is possible with the right components. One thing is for sure; This small-block will be pumping out considerably more than the 85hp that was offered by this car’s original six. The news here is mainly positive. The owner noted a fuel leak from one of the lines, requiring further investigation and repair. The Chevy hasn’t had a lot of recent use, so a complete fluid change would also be a wise move. Otherwise, the vehicle is said to run and drive well. The engine is strong, the transmission shifts smoothly, and that small-block produces a healthy and pleasing rumble through its dual exhaust. It seems that it will take very little work to have the car in tip-top mechanical health, ready for some enjoyable weekend motoring.

Builders usually left no stone unturned in creating their hot rod, and this Chevrolet is no exception. When we turn our attention to the car’s interior, we find that custom touches abound. The seats are upholstered in an eye-catching combination of blue velour cloth and vinyl. The material choice and pattern continue onto all of the remaining upholstered surfaces and the headliner. Overall, the upholstery condition is excellent, with only some wear visible on the driver’s seat as an issue that will need to be tackled. The carpet appears to be in good order, as does the dash. The factory instruments have made way for a set of retro-look Dolphin gauges. The retro theme is continued by the aftermarket wheel and the Lokar shifter for the automatic transmission. As well as inviting upholstery, this Chevy offers a few additional comfort features to make life on the road a pleasant experience. These include ice-cold air conditioning and a booming CD stereo with Bluetooth.

The hot rod scene grew out of the 1920s, and by the 1950s, these cars were enormously popular. However, when pony and muscle cars developed into affordable alternatives in the 1960s, it nearly spelled the scene’s death. However, the oil crisis of the early 1970s and tightening emission regulations proved to be their savior. Placing a value on a vehicle like this can be tricky because the modifications mean that the usual rules don’t apply. However, when you look at this Chevy’s overall condition and specifications, it offers potential buyers a lot for their money. I see the asking price as extremely competitive, and if you are searching for an affordable classic where spotless originality is not a priority, this one deserves a closer look.