Uploaded November 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
This cover of "Hot Rod Lincoln" by country rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in 1971 became the band's most successful version of the song reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s name was inspired by 1950's film serials featuring the character Commando Cody and from a feature version of an earlier serial, King of the Rocket Men, released under the title Lost Planet Airmen. Originally released by American rockabilly singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers in 1955, the song was an answer to Arkie Shibley's 1951 hit "Hot Rod Race" which describes a race in San Pedro, Los Angeles between two hot rod cars. Both the songs "Hot Rod Lincoln" and "Hot Rod Race" are defining anthems of the hot rod community and 1950's car song culture.
This cover of "Hot Rod Lincoln" by country rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in 1971 became the band's most successful version of the song reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s name was inspired by 1950's film serials featuring the character Commando Cody and from a feature version of an earlier serial, King of the Rocket Men, released under the title Lost Planet Airmen. Originally released by American rockabilly singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers in 1955, the song was an answer to Arkie Shibley's 1951 hit "Hot Rod Race" which describes a race in San Pedro, Los Angeles between two hot rod cars. Both the songs "Hot Rod Lincoln" and "Hot Rod Race" are defining anthems of the hot rod community and 1950's car song culture.
