Norm's Rods 1952 Mug

After leaving the Army on a medical discharge in 1952, a 19-year-old Norm Grabowski built a hot rod based on a shortened 1922 Model T touring car mated to a similarly shortened Model A truck bed. With a powerful OHV engine from his parents' sedan, the vehicle that resulted had a unique appearance and stance, which inspired many hot rods created afterward. The car was first featured on the cover of the October 1955 issue of Hot Rod and then underwent further modifications, including a greater rake, tilted windshield and blue paint with flames. Grabowski's hugely influential hot rod became known as the 'Kookie Kar' after it was used in the television show 77 Sunset Strip, and driven by the character Kookie in just about every episode.