[fred cook]

Hot rods that are properly built by those that know the trade are probably as safe as any 1950-1970 factory built automobile, maybe safer as the really good ones have better brakes and suspensions. That said, there are a lot of poorly assembled hot rods running around that are accidents waiting to happen. Another and probably more dangerous are the pickup trucks running around with 12" or more lift kits. In the event of a collision with an un-modified vehicle the high riders tend to not match bumpers but to ride up and over the stock vehicles crush zones. Many states (Georgia is one) have laws on the books that require the bumpers either be lowered or extensions (downward) be added. Unfortunately most cops don't enforce those laws!