Similar to a hot rod, but built for maximum performance and style, sparing no expense. The most popular types are smoothsters and resto rods.
Most street rods are built by baby boomers who are former members of the 50's Kar kulture who got jobs and moved on. However, as the result of a mid-life crisis, they channel their long-accumulated wealth into taking their childhood hobbies a step further, creating a car with the styling of an old hot rod, the performance of detroit's newest sports cars, and the luxury of the biggest land-yachts on the market.
One needs only pay a visit to the local newsstand to see that street rod building is a huge industry in the U.S. Unfortunately, the associated high costs limit the involvement of many young people.