Does South Africa has a hot rod scene? It sure does! 

WHEN it comes to petrolhead mania, South Africa generally doesn’t register as a country that comes first to mind. However, don’t let preconceptions fool you, as the nation whose rugby team can give the All Blacks a walloping now and then are surprisingly well-versed at hot rod building too.

For a closer insight, I recommend checking out the Joe’s RodShop podcast. (https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/joes-rodshop-podcast/)

The Cape Town-based weekly show features renowned hot rod builders, drag racers, parts suppliers, photographers and automotive personalities from across the globe.

Joe van Zyl, whose journalistic talents include SA HotRods magazine and The RodShop television show, is the main frontman for every episode. He brings a spontaneous approach to the world of automotive podcasts and a genuine passion for South African car culture.

In one must-listen episode, Chris Coddington, son of legendary builder Boyd Coddington, joins the show reflecting over the glory days of fabricator freedom. Unfortunately, that past autonomy has rapidly vanished, with the scene now facing ever-stringent emissions standards and government-imposed mandates to vehicle modifications.

The discussion also highlights South Africa’s innovative approach to car customisation. Unlike North America, there is no endless supply of muscle car parts and V8 crate engines, so it’s not uncommon to see project cars using European powertrain and suspension components for the unholiest of hot rod mashups.

So if you’re keen on everything there is to know hot rodding in South Africa, then pull up a chair, flip back that mullet and have a listen.

Joe’s RodShop Podcast Homepage: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/74-chris-coddington-hot-rods-by-boyd/