Hot Rod
by Henry Gregor Felsen
If you enjoy old B movies such as Hot Rod Girl (1956) with its stock footage of early drag racing and Chuck Conners playing the friendly, help-the-kids cop, and Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow (aka Haunted Hot Rod 1959) featuring cameos of both Tommy Ivo’s Buick rail job and George Barris’ Ala Kart, Henry Gregor Felsen’s (1916–1995) beloved Hot Rod is for you. Beloved? Considering that this 1950 book was reprinted yet again in 2022, that various websites devoted to Felsen have mushroomed, and that early editions are selling for hundreds of dollars, “beloved” seems just the word to describe Hot Rod.
There has not yet been a film version of this book, and this is surprising in that the plot would be readily adaptable to the screen. Bud Crayne wears jeans, boots with chains, a hip fedora, and a motorcycle jacket. Orphaned, he has practically raised himself; at seventeen, we find him working at the local garage, a loner, and the best hop-up builder and driver in his rural town of Avondale. We have La Verne, his pretty girlfriend who dreams of movie stardom; Wally, the town bully whose car is all flash—“a lot of noise and not much performance;” Marge the wallflower; and the amiable, good-hearted Chuck, who, if not for Bud’s driving expertise getting him to the hospital on time, would surely not have survived the accident—the accident that killed off half of Avondale’s teenagers. And this is not to mention the previous wreck that killed little Jimmy and little Kenny who stole a car and who had dreamed of driving just like Bud. And although it would be easy to designate these characters as “stock,” Felsen goes beyond stock to flesh them out some, make us care some.
There’s Ted O’Day, the friendly cop, and Mr. Cole, the caring and devoted shop teacher; they make it their mission to save the troubled young Bud. Bud is conscience stricken—wasn’t he the one who had preached to the accident victims that the use of power and speed was the only way to drive? In the aftermath of the carnage, O’Day and Cole initiate the town’s first Roadeo, a test of skill, automotive knowledge, and safety. Bud only comes in second, both killing his chance for an engineering scholarship and ruining his reputation as the speed king of Avondale. But he finally accepts Cole’s help and instruction, gets a second chance—and we can surely guess the ending.
I have yet to mention that Hot Rod is ostensibly a Young Adult novel, but don’t let this put you off. This book is for young adults of any age, a book for gearheads of all ages. It is written by a muscular storyteller who is not condescending to his young readers and who is capable of lyrical prose: “Along the freshening face of the Earth the gentle wind drove little herds of spring scents.”
The various website fan reviews inevitably begin with something like: “I was twelve when I first read Hot Rod, and I remember Bud’s race to Trenton as if it were yesterday.” And with good reason: scenes such as the Trenton run tremble with unbridled speed, police pursuit, gunfire, recklessness, courage, adventure.
The 2011 edition (Iowan Books, left) took things a step further by adding a charming introduction by Felsen’s daughter, Holly Felsen Welch, which gives insight into the genesis of the novel, kind filial reminiscence, and fan appreciation. The seven pages of vintage family photographs and early cover illustrations add to our enjoyment, and Welch’s car photos gracing each chapter are striking.
The newest edition, 2022, reprises the original cover art which fits with the approach publisher Octane Press pursues with their Retro Reads series that aims to introduce new audiences to popular titles. It retains Felsen’s daughter’s Foreword from the 2011 edition (but alas not her family photos nor the selection of early cover illustrations) although the title “60 Years Later” is now oddly out of date. It is now positioned as an Afterword because the new Foreword slot is taken by a fine essay by James (Jim) Volgarino—about whom nothing is said. Wouldn’t a reader want to know what qualifies him to shape the reception of the pages to follow? The title is provocative enough, “The Hot Rod Problem”—in case the words “Speed . . . Danger . . . DEATH!” on the cover escaped your attention. It is reprised from a 1949 Life Magazine article that sought to raise awareness of “cars as a pervasive threat to youth” and in which lies the origin of Felsen getting tapped by the Safety Council to write this very book, which would spawn five more and, really, a whole new genre. So, Volgarino—not only has he been around classic cars for decades as an enthusiast, writer/editor and latterly as an appraiser, he also was a teacher/practitioner in the field of graphic communications, ergo his background does give him a frame a reference you don’t find just anywhere.
I suppose it is a wonder that this review did not start off with “I first read Hot Rod when I was thirteen . . ..” A wonder because it would be truthful: I liked it then, and, upon rereading it as an adult, I like it still. And apparently so do millions.
Copyright 2022, Bill Wolf (speedreaders.info).
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I began writing in junior high when I was invited to join the 7th grade Writer’s Club which turned out to be populated with all girls so this 13-year-old thought only heaven could possibly be better, but probably not by much. Thank you, Mrs. Garlock.
So, the writing began and I found handling words was enjoyable even if a bit geeky, but I was geeky. The fit was appropriate. Not long after I discovered automobiles. I knew what they were and saw them every day, but I didn’t really know automobiles. My grandfather opened the hood of his 1957 Oldsmobile and I was immediately smitten by the Rocket 88 residing there, awaiting my touch and gaze.
I can only imagine the thrill of the characters of Henry Gregor Felsen’s novels when it came to cars. I didn’t discover him until I was well entrenched in automotive collection, modification, resurrection and abuse. But his stories drew me in and still do to this day.
I was honored to be asked to provide an introduction to this newest publication of these books, meant for teens and younger, but completely appropriate for even old gearheads like me. Solid writing, a bit of philosophy and stories with a climax. Felsen captures a time when we were still very innocent to the world around us. Things have changed as all things do. But these books offer a bit of respite we all can enjoy.