Modern Rodding is dedicated to early and late hot rodes - from Model Ts to GTOs and everything in-between. It features the latest in custom builds, technical articles, new products, and special features.
Looking for Normal Does life seem like it’s back to normal? I’m not there yet. Life still seems a bit offtrack and the constant reminders that there are more political elections ahead doesn’t make my life any simpler. Probably the bigger question is … “What is normal?” For me, having a house full of cats, dogs, and a few of Nature’s creatures wandering through is normal. My wife, Kimi, has a vegetable garden that would rival any farmer’s market. With that comes lots of lizards, salamanders, worms, little itty-bitty bugs, squirrels, birds, cats, dogs, and the occasional coyote. Never a dull, or should I say quiet, moment in our backyard. When I look up from my keyboard, I see my largest cats, Motor and Bumper, are sleeping in my favorite…
Operative Talent Named Official Charity of the Triple Crown of Rodding … the Premiere Event for Hot Rods & Trucks 2023 The Triple Crown of Rodding is proud to announce Operative Talent as its Official Charity for the 2023 event. Operative Talent is an educational initiative focused on attracting future talent to the thriving automotive industry. The Triple Crown of Rodding is already being recognized as one of the premier events in the automotive industry, showcasing what is sure to be an impressive collection of classic and custom hot rods and trucks. As part of its commitment to supporting the future of automotive enthusiasts and professionals, the show has partnered with Operative Talent to introduce an exciting educational component to the event. Operative Talent brings a wealth of esteemed partners,…
1. KEEP HEAT UNDER WRAPS Design Engineering’s (DEI) proven line of exhaust and pipe wraps are designed to contain heat inside of headers. This assists with increasing exhaust velocity through the exhaust system, while wrapping headers helps reduce underhood temperatures, protecting components while increasing performance. There are three distinct wrap categories: GLASS FIBER EXHAUST WRAP: Offered in various-sized rolls for shorter pipes, headers, turbo downpipes and powersports exhausts, the wrap withstands 1,200 degrees F (649 degrees C) direct/2,000 degrees F (1,093 degreees C) radiant heat. Available in both black and tan. TITANIUM EXHAUST WRAP: Made from pulverized lava rock, stranded into a fiber material, and then woven into a proprietary weave is the original and ultimate high heat-rated wrap. Engineered to be stronger and more durable than most wraps, it…
We are always asking the question, “What is the future of hot rodding?” This question is often raised and seldom fully answered. In our story here we are asking, “What build style?” Early traditional to a ’60s vibe. A great way to look back and forward is to see how this pair, a ’29 Ford highboy coupe and a ’30 Ford highboy coupe, were built. Seeking to preserve our heritage as well as fueling our continual desire to move forward, it’s important to embrace younger talents for their insight and energies to see where their generation will bring us. Such is the case at Gas Axe Garage in St. Johns, Michigan, where first-generation builder Mike Boerema has been crafting traditional hot rods and customs for nearly two decades in the…
Building a successful custom car comes down to knowing when you’re done. It is often an exercise in restraint to achieve that perfect look. Several common approaches include the full radical custom that just screams “look at me” with extreme modifications. The mild custom could be as simple as nosing, decking, lowering, and a taillight swap. And then there is our personal favorite: the restyled car. Rodding and restyling go hand in hand (remember that old magazine?) and the restyled car has modifications that enhance the original lines of the car. Many of these modifications are quite complicated and yet when completed they often appear simple. We may look at a radical custom, but we take the time to study a restyled car. Charlie Matus has been at this rod…
When the first Sacramento Autorama was organized in 1951, the average new car cost just $1,500, I Love Lucy was making its series debut on CBS, and the U.S. government was about to test the first nuclear bombs in Nevada. With the postwar boom in full swing, the custom car scene was also hitting its early apex. Some seven decades later, the 72nd O’Reilly Auto Parts Sacramento Autorama is still going strong, giving car customizers around the globe a place to gather to celebrate the art of sculpting candy-colored masterpieces. Each car has its own unique story of what it took to build and where it came from. More than 500 cars were on the scene at Cal Expo in Sacramento competing for over 400 awards and thousands in prize…
