Ray Hott’s automotive collecting interests range far and wide. Hott’s amazing fleet, which he keeps in a 24,000-square-foot facility in DeKalb, Ill., runs the gamut from Model T’s and Model A’s, to microcars, to early Corvettes and Thunderbirds, to American muscle, and modern American hi-performance machines. He’s got a row of gorgeous Harley-Davidsons lined up along one wall, and there’s even a boat and tractor or two.
Hott’s collection consists of 80 to 100 cars — it sort of depends on who’s counting (you get the impression from Hott that he may be sandbagging the actual number). But the fleet only includes one full-blown custom, and the affable Hott made sure to make it a good one. With the help of RPM Restorations, a local shop in DeKalb that has restored several dozen of his machines, Hott put together a wicked cool 1957 Chevrolet custom that would be a standout in almost any collection.
Ironically, when selecting a candidate for his super-hot rod, Hott chose a car that typically wouldn’t have stood out from the crowd. Sure, 1957 Chevrolet two-door sedans are popular cars, but “post” cars don’t typically get the same love and attention that their hardtop, convertible and even station wagon siblings often receive.
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