Tabla de contenidos para Volume 5, Issue 49 - October 2024 en Modern Rodding

The 1959 Chevy Impala, owned by David and Robin Rush from Oklahoma, was teamed up with Steve Cook Creations (SCC) and inspirational art by Alan Childers (also part of SCC). The result is a work of art that captures the essence of what the Al Slonaker Award, presented by ARP, intended. This vehicle characterizes a perfect blend of vintage styling with modern performance and luxury. The distinctive body of the 1959 Impala was the perfect canvas for the Cook crew to work their magic. The raised and lengthened front wheel openings, extended fender body line, smoothed and tucked bumpers (by Childers), and recessed hood inserts all contribute to the sleek and refined look of the vehicle. The hood was modified, and the cowl and rockers were smoothed. Full belly pans…

Troy Gudgel and his company BBT Fabrications have been making quite a name for themselves with their outstanding work. They run a full-service shop in Mahomet, Illinois, doing top-level bodywork, metal fabrication, CNC machining, paint, upholstery, wiring, and final assembly. They have received awards in some top shows nationwide and show no signs of slowing down. They are just wrapping up an outstanding 1959 Chevrolet Impala for Eugene Bothello. They started with a 65-year-old survivor in fair shape but they wound up replacing over half the sheetmetal on the body shell and creating hundreds of custom-fabricated components in their quest for perfection. It will take several installments to do justice to this massive project, and they have set a very high bar for every component of the car, whether it…

The 1932 Ford highboy roadster is considered an iconic hot rod in the automotive world. It is known for its sleek design and powerful performance. Such an example is the ’32 Ford highboy roadster belonging to Bill Currie of Massachusetts, who had Dave Lane of Fastlane Rod Shop build such an iconic look. The “holy cow that’s bright red” complemented by an “in your face” set of bigs ’n’ littles all powered by an injected Ed Pink Racing Engines V-8 gives this hot rod all it needs to “possess the look.” Throw in the drop axle and quick-change and you have a timeless appearance—the quintessential hot rod stance. Initially produced by Ford Motor Company in 1932, the highboy roadster quickly gained popularity in the old days because of the new…

The Khrome Shoppe Special, a 1934 Ford coupe owned by Bob Reed, longtime hot rodder and friend, and restored by Tony Pisano, is an iconic hot rod steeped in history. A winner of the Ridler Award in 1984, this car stands out with its unique design inspired by Vern Luce’s successful 1933 Ford coupe, showcasing innovation and craftsmanship emblematic of the 1980s hot rod era. Working from Thom Tayor’s original design, Greg Fleury of Fleury Hot Rods handled the body- and paintwork. Weisner’s Specialty Cars handled the paintwork. Custom wheels were from One Off Style; Vantage Upholstery handled the stitchwork. Pisano’s unwavering determination to own this vehicle, with its distinctive track nose and captivating red color, reflects his passion for preserving automotive history. Despite facing challenges in locating and acquiring…

Summit Racing Equipment has long been a leading supplier of automotive performance products. They also offer a comprehensive line of premium automotive refinishing products at affordable prices. So, when it came time to paint a long-neglected project, I turned to Summit for what I needed. For years I’ve had a 1956 DeSoto two-door hardtop that has repeatedly been put on the back burner as project cars go. Initially owned by my father, it came to me after his death in 1978. Truth be told, it was a little rough around the edges, but regardless, it was used for daily transportation until 1996. That’s when the Firedome Hemi made it clear with audible internal distress signals that it had gone as far as it would go. Ultimately, the DeSoto was stashed…

The 1965 Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car that has impacted automotive history. Initially designed for the everyday driver, the Mustang’s sleek design and powerful engine made it a popular choice for racing enthusiasts and hot rod builders. Then came the Fastback, such as Denton, Maryland’s Dave Barber’s 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback, which he has owned for 50-plus years, that opened the performance gates. The East Coast Hot Rod Garage (originally owned by Ray Bartlett and this was one of his last projects) in Denton has completely customized and perfectly built this modern-day hot rod Mustang. This may have never happened if it were not for Hurricane Sandy, which came through town and “dropped” a refrigerator on the hood. With meticulous diligence the car features significant bodywork and…

We’ve all heard the old saying, “The devil is in the details.” As we look at some of the last tweaks made by the crew at Creative Rod & Kustom on Gerry Kerna’s Model A sedan, you’ll see how careful attention to small details can make a car stand out. For the dashboard, rather than use a complement of standard round instruments, a decision was made to design a unique bezel that follows the top and bottom contours of the 1932-style dash with three uniquely shaped openings. After the details were worked out in CAD, the bezel was CNC machined from aluminum. Classic Instruments was called on to build custom instruments to fit this panel, and it is the perfect example of modern technology used with a vintage design element.…

1. DUAL A-ARM IRS Schwartz Performance has expanded its line of Independent Rear Suspension options with a new Dual A-arm IRS system designed for its entire line of G-Machine chassis. The Dual A-arm IRS was designed for applications with a narrow track width, and the Schwartz unit measures only 54 inches from flange-to-flange. The Dual A-arm IRS is based around a Currie F9 rearend housing and 35-spline third member and heavy-duty axles rated to handle over 1,000 hp. Heavy-duty FK Heim and uniball joints provide a secure and quiet assembly with zero binds. The CNC-machined billet uprights accept a late-model Mustang or Corvette hub assembly. One important feature is that this system can be optioned with a standard inboard, vertically mounted coilover or cantilever setup. Both systems utilize Ridetech adjustable…

Extremes in either direction are often difficult to appreciate. Most of us find our comfort zone somewhere in the middle, whether with our hot rods or in life’s daily happenings. Not so for Dale DeBurger who has built plenty of hot rods over the years. Dale, with his friend Tom Culbertson, jumped in together and kicked off their latest project. Their combined effort is this 1930 Ford chopped and channeled sedan done in what is often referred to as the “rat rod style,” but this time he has taken it to extreme excellence. The body is a good old Model A. It’s a 1930 Ford vintage that has undergone a 5-inch top chop utilizing a 1957 Ford sedan delivery roof while maintaining an operational windshield. The steel grille shell is…

Rust takes a toll on most vintage vehicles, and when one is resurrected to make a modern street machine, lots of repairs are usually in order. Fortunately, good-quality patch panels are available for most popular cars. In this case, we will follow Paul Gilbert at Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix as he expertly fits panels from Auto Metal Direct (AMD) to a 1969 Camaro. Every donor car is different, but the essential first step in any project is to carefully assess what sheetmetal parts need to be repaired or replaced. While this Camaro was in decent condition, the rust on the quarter-panels and many interior panels was extensive enough to make panel replacement a better option than trying to patch the original panels. This will often save time and…

The 1955 Chevy Nomad is a beloved classic car that has become a favorite among hot rod enthusiasts. The Nomad stands out on the road with its unique two-door station wagon body style and iconic design (one-of-a-kind roof). Its sleek lines, chrome accents, and distinctive grille make it a real head-turner. To the credit of Gerry and Melinda Kennon of Georgia and Will Posey of Big Oak Garage (BOG) of Alabama for recognizing these worthwhile and distinctive features and not trying to change something just because you can! They joined forces and produced a winner. The 1955 Chevy Nomad becomes even more impressive when transformed into a hot rod. Car guys often enhance the Nomad’s performance by adding a powerful engine, such as a Chevy LT5, to give it that…