Years ago it was common to refer to someone from Arkansas as "Arkie". Guess where Arkie Shibley (Jesse Lee Shibley) was born? "Hot Rod Race" (George Wilson) could well be the first "car-racing song". It climbed to number five in 1951.

Our second version comes from Charlie Ryan who had one of the most successful versions as "Hot Rod Lincoln" (number 33 in 1960), while country artist Johnny Bond hit number 26 and the third recording here is from Commander Cody and the Lost planet Airmen who took the tune to the top ten in 1972.