During the period 1919 - 1933 it was illegal to manufacture, transport or consume alcohol in the US. This perion was known as The Prohibition. For bootleggers the most important task was to transport the moonshine to various areas for sale and they needed fast cars with large trunk space to outrun the police. The term "Hot Rod" was coined to mean fast cars and cars used in illegal activities. The practice of outrunning the police is said to be the basis of modern car racing.
The earliest car to be used was the Ford Model T in the first picture. This was manufactured between 1908 to 1928. Incidently Mc Enearney motors in celebrating their 100 year anniversary has one on display at their Port of Spain show room.
Even when prohibition ended, illegal alcohol manufacture continued because of taxes inposed. During the forties the 1940 ford V8 coupe, shown in the second picture was the favourite means of transport. With its powerful V 8 engine it could outrun the police easily, and with a trunk space that could carry between 100 and 130 gallons of moonshine it was ideal for Moonshiners.
The next picture shows a Police Roadblock hoping to catch the Moonshiners.
Pictures taken from Nascar Magazine - Driving with the Devil and the birth of Nascar. Feb 4. 2009 Detroit. US.
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