An improved paint drying oven for vehicles includes a "hold" zone with a radiant energy generating floor. The floor preferably is defined by an inner wall and an outer wall spaced beneath the inner wall. Heated air is passed into the space between the inner and outer walls, and heats the inner wall to a temperature such that it emits radiant energy into the oven. The other walls of the oven do not include any heat generating structure, and thus the vehicle is dried entirely by the radiant energy generating floor. This invention maintains a relatively constant temperature at the vehicle body, thus achieving the main goals of the hold zone.