In automotive usage, a lead sled is a standard production automobile with a body heavily modified in particular ways (see below); especially, though not exclusively, a 1949, 1950 or 1951 model year Ford 'Shoebox' or Mercury Eight car. In the name, "lead" (as in the heavy metal) refers to the use of lead as a bodyfiller in early days, and "sled" refers to the lowering of the vehicle, giving these vehicles the appearance that they were "slip sliding" down the highway. Period auto body repair, by an auto body mechanic used to be achieved through a combination of re-shaping sheet metal using specialist hand tools and the application of molten lead to damaged body panels, fulfilling the role of more modern polyester fillers. The same techniques were also used in high end low volume car production (coachbuilding) and adopted for aftermarket hot rodding body panel modifications. Given that lead is toxic, the effective management of health hazards arising from autobody work with this material must include the exposure realms of fumes and dusts. Automotive usage In order to be classified as a “lead sled”, the vehicle was subjected to most, if not all, of the following body style modifications: Chopped: cutting off the roof, shortening the pillars, and re-welding the roof back onto the car body Channeled: cutting the underside of the body to lower the entire body on the frame Sectioned: cutting a horizontal piece cut out of the body lengthwise, to reduce the beltline height Frenched: recessing headlights, tail lights, license plates, and radio antennae into the body for an exotic look. Emblem removal: all original manufacturer's emblems were removed as these were considered to detract from the vehicle. The thought was "anything that produces a hiccup, a bulge or extrudes from the body is not aerodynamic and detracts from the smooth appearance of the vehicle." The object of the builder is to make the body as smooth, sleek, and sexy as possible. commonly referred to as “nosed” for the hood and “decked” for the trunk. Dechromed: all factory trim was removed as these dressings detracted from the lines of the car. Drip rail removal: rain drip rails were removed from the roof as they detracted from the smoothness of the vehicle. Shaved: door handles and locks were removed, because they detracted from the smoothness of the vehicle. Electric solenoids and switches were installed in inconspicuous places, typically