If you could pick one image to represent hot rodding, what would you choose? To many, the symbol has already been chosen: flames. Just as the skull-and-crossbones symbolizes pirates or poison, everyone associates flames with hot rods -- especially hot rodders themselves. Haven't you noticed that some of the "smoothie" rods of the '80s are being dramatically altered with the simple addition of some wide white sidewalls and a flame job? Such a strong transformation shows how powerful the image of flames has become. Representing both edgy and cool in the '50s, they have become somewhat chic today, and can be found on anything from bikinis to buildings.

É isso aí, I´m a hot-rod man.