When we talk about hot rodding, we are almost always talking about what is going on here in the U.S. Sure, other countries may import a hot rod here or a lead sled there, but most of these rad rides stay in the U.S. But the fact of the matter is that there are many hot rodders who make their home outside of the U.S., and their skills are just as refined as their American counterparts.
Over at SpeedHunters, Mike Garrett visited a Japanese hot rod show. Among the many fine custom cars he saw was a Shoebox Ford based out of Yokohama. If you didn’t know this car was built in Japan, would you be able to tell?
This old Ford is a low-riding homage to the custom cars of the late 40’s and early 50’s, and it ticks off all the boxes on any hot rodder’s checklist. Whitewall tires? Check. Matte paint job? Check. Shiny-as-hell chrome trim? Check and check. This custom Shoebox Ford would be at home at any American car show.
Yet there is something even cooler about it being from Japan. True, hot rodding (and cars in general) may not be as popular in the Land of the Rising Sun, but only a fool could fail to appreciate the sheer awesomeness of this automobile. America has exported its culture and cars to every corner of the globe, and even in Japan a large and loud old Ford can be appreciated.
