This month's feature: Hot Rods & Street Rods

Hot rodding is back with a vengeance, thanks to a new ally: cable TV.

Basic cable has brought a lot of "niche interests" out of their niches, and one area that has drawn viewership is the hot rod world.

The lastes show is TLC's "Hard Shine" in which the manager of the legendary So Cal Speed Shop takes in five interns and gives them hands-on training to potentially reward one with a full-time job at the shop. Much like the long-established "American Hot Rod" (also on TLC), "Hard Shine" deals with personalities more than vechicle overhaul/modification. Similarly, TLC's "Overhaulin" is a personality- dirven show, though all cover modifications and identify brands and products.

At the end of the day, these shows serve to bring a new generation of fans into the world of hot rods. But the shows that best serve the hot rod owner/constructor are the ones carried by Spike and Speed Channel: "Two Guys Garage," "Cut, Chop, Rebuild," "Horsepower TV" and "Muscle Car." With their practical demonstrations and the inspiration of the TLC shows, a "next generation" of hot rodders is assured.