Inspired by the Hot Rod era in the 50’s and 60’s, Toyota showed another concept truck, this time for the full-size Toyota Tundra at the 2009 SEMA Show. Because of the growing interest for the old school hot rod-inspired accessories in the automotive industry, the Japanese automaker thought it would be an interesting idea. Toyota partnered with Phoenix-based Sucker Punch Sally’s this time, to channel the iconic hot rod era to create a truck that can both work hard and play hard at the same time, the Toyota Hot Rod.
Toyota provided the flat back Tundra Regular Cab 4×2 to be made over hot rod style. Sucker Punch Sally’s painted it black with candy red hot rod flames, used Bonneville moon hubcaps, added a custom cherry bomb exhaust and a 1950’s Toyota logo at the grille.
For the interior, they gave it a full custom tuck ‘n’ roll package, a custom headliner, a dash pad and carpet and hand-turned brass dashboard controls. Fender Guitars created custom radio knobs as a finishing touch. Also, SPS added custom aluminum side panels and railing and a custom curly maple wood cargo deck by the Fender Custom Shop topped the bed.
The Tundra Rod could have been a great concept, but it looks like a lot of people still prefer last year’s Ultimate Tundra Sleeper.