The Driving Range

Dani Ben-Ari

Hot Rod Stamps

Hot Rod Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled its Hot Rods Forever Stamps, depicting two icon 1932 Ford roadsters; a black “Deuce” adorned with orange flames, and a striking red roadster, representing what many enthusiasts consider to be the “the hottest  hotrods of them all.” .The term “Deuce,” referred to the last number of its model year.

The sport took root in Southern California during the 1920s, a time when young men first began modifying Model T‘s and Model A‘s. They lowered the chassis and chopped up the bodies to reduce excess weight and increase speed. However, the cars were not referred to as ‘hot rods’ until after World War II when returning vets began finding a new outlet for their mechanical skills. A new cultural and social status surrounding the cars was also introduced.

“Driving through the dry lake beds in the Mojave Desert and areas surrounding LA in those days was a one-time experience, never to be forgotten,” wrote Wally Parks, a seminal figure in hot rodding. Parks was integral in helping found the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) in 1937 and organizing races among different classes of hot rods. “It was the nearest thing to it, as I thought then,” said Parks. “Like landing on the moon!”

Designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, the two stamps were digitally created by artist John Mattos of San Francisco, and dedicated by the Postmaster on June 6th at a ceremony at the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Street Rod Nationals East Plus at the York Expo Center in York, PA.

According to the Postmaster, “these Hot Rods stamps mark the beginning of America’s fascination with customizing fast cars. And they’re just as popular today as they were decades ago. Just like the cars they celebrate, these stamps are timeless in that they’re good for mailing First-Class letters anytime in the future.”

Also on hand at the event were Car Crazy TV host Barry Meguiar and NSRA Special Events Director Jerry Kennedy. “With an estimated 12 million hot rodders in America today, I applaud the Postal Service for recognizing that Hot Rods will forever be a symbol of our American culture,” said Meguiar.

Available in booklets of 20 stamps, customers may purchase the stamps at usps.com/stamps, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), at Post Offices nationwide and on eBay at ebay.com/stamps. Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may also purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at usps.com/stamps or by calling 800-STAMP-24.

Stamps should be affixed to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to: Hot Rods Stamps,  Postmaster, 3435 Concord Rd.
York, PA 17402-9998