<DIV>Hep and hopped up. Ford's original Model T was the first car to undergo "speed modification," a hobby that quickly grew into a $60-million aftermarket industry. Steadily picking up speed ever since, the practice of engine and body customization has become one of America's favorite rites of passage. Hitting its stride in the 1950s, the underground hot rod culture spawned the likes of Rat Fink, Von Dutch, and George Barris-- the King of Kustoms-- while also inspiring a generation of rebels without a cause. Culled from the garages and toolboxes of hot rod enthusiasts, this essential collection of rare photos and ephemera is an essential for anyone who dreams of putting the pedal to the metal.</div>