Eight years ago, HOT ROD wrote about Troy Ladd just as his Hollywood Hot Rods shop was gaining prominence and establishing itself as a thriving business. Now it’s well established, a thriving business and producing cars like its “Mulholland Speedster” practically from scratch. But it’s still in the same old, slightly ramshackle, small building in Burbank, California.
![Take 5 With Troy Ladd](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5690/197454/585cbce583ba7/Take-5-With-Troy-Ladd.jpg)
HRM] What has surprised you most about the hot rod–building business?
TL] I could have never imagined the evolution of what I started then until now. It was year two when I talked with you before, and it was a passion and a hobby that I really wanted to turn into a business—you just hope for survival. I never comprehended growing to the point where we’re known and have actually impacted the industry. On the other side, it’s the evolution of the art. I didn’t realize how my artistic vision would develop over the years.
HRM] How many are working at the shop?
TL] Seven at the shop. Plus me, plus an office guy. So there are nine total.
HRM] Are you making more money selling T-shirts or building cars?
TL] We’re one of the very few shops that makes money building cars— building hot rods. A lot of shops have paint businesses or sell things like front ends. Or they have someone with money backing them. We literally survive and make money just building cars, period. T-shirts and stuff like that are nice little bonuses. That’s how I get paid sometimes with that ancillary money.
HRM] When someone commissions a car, that’s almost like entering into a marriage, isn’t it?
TL] I prioritize the art. I have to make a living, but I don’t do business with people that have personalities I can’t get along with. Just because you have money doesn’t mean you’re going to get a car from us. We have to have a relationship. I’m a partner in the car. There’s a lot of time, energy, and passion that gets invested in a car that doesn’t show up on an invoice. It’s about trying to build the best thing we can build, and that’s what excites me.
この記事は Hot Rod の February 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Hot Rod の February 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
![What Is Pro Street?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/L-h84vAA41715161628123/WHAT-IS-PRO-STREET.jpg)
What Is Pro Street?
You know it when you see it.
![Pro Street in Pure Vision](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/AYzExr_sE1715161256388/PRO-STREET-IN-PURE-VISION.jpg)
Pro Street in Pure Vision
Builder Steve Strope weighs in on the Pro Street look and what he would build today.
![THE GAS ERA LIVES ON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/KPsGKCp5G1715160772450/THE-GAS-ERA-LIVES-ON.jpg)
THE GAS ERA LIVES ON
These vintage race cars chart the evolution of technology in the early days of drag racing.
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MOTOR HEAD FOR LIFE
Scott Sullivan is one of the original Pro Street pioneers. He still builds cars today out of a small shop in Dayton, Ohio.
![BRINGING BACK PRO STREET!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/LrXzeoc4Z1715160174032/BRINGING-BACK-PRO-STREET.jpg)
BRINGING BACK PRO STREET!
David Freiburger and Roadkill Garage built a Pro Street Nova.
![SWEET ASPIRATIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/U4xImWWnE1715159929878/SWEET-ASPIRATIONS.jpg)
SWEET ASPIRATIONS
Jerry and Matthew Sweet added an 800ci Pro Stock mountain motor to chase HOT ROD Drag Week's Pro Street NA Record.
![Making Bad Decisions Badder](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/koI9uf9mv1715159504129/MAKING-BAD-DECISIONS-BADDER.jpg)
Making Bad Decisions Badder
Bradley Gray's 1970 Nova is a Hybrid! It's a streetable Funny Car.
![ART PROJECT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/4XAIAJPFo1715159223571/ART-PROJECT.jpg)
ART PROJECT
This Rad Rides by Troy-built '63 split-window Corvette went from restaurant prop to ripping up the street!
![WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5690/1692362/tT-Wy5qZi1715158724092/WHERE-DO-WE-GO-FROM-HERE.jpg)
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
THE PRO STREET ERA PEAKED IN THE '80S. ARE WE IN THE BEGINNING OF A RESURGENCE?
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Making Connections
Project T-top Coupe: We install a Terminator X Max for big power.