Tabla de contenidos para Volume 5, Issue 50 - November 2024 en Modern Rodding

C2 Corvettes are always popular. It was a time of potent big-blocks surrounded by all manner of small-blocks. This 1966 Corvette began as a 427 big-block, four-speed coupe driven hard as a drag car from the late 1960s through the late 1970s. Allen Fortner of South Carolina was very familiar with the car as it was owned by his future brother-in-law David Horne who even taught his sister, Pam, how to drive a stick in this C2. Fast-forward, current owner Allen and now his wife Pam have brought this 1966 Corvette back to its former glory … and then some. Well, that was then, and time continued to march. Some 50-plus years later, a seller and Allen’s paths cross while at his used car lot. (He grew up on car…

Regular readers of Modern Rodding will recognize the name Colin Radford. We’ve been following along as he puts together a 1957 Ford Del Rio station wagon. While that Coyote-powered, Art Morrison–suspended twodoor wagon is a perfect example of a contemporary build, Radford is also adept at turning out more traditional rides. Radford is one of those hot rodders with the ability and creativity to turn a pile of cast-off parts into a unique hot rod. We offer his Flathead-powered 1926 T roadster as an example to prove that point. From the firewall back, the frame for the roadster was made from a pair of severed 1932 ’rails donated by the late Tex Smith, while the forward portion was made from 20-plus Buick pieces found at a scrapyard. Fellow Bonneville racer…

The Buick Grand National, particularly the 1987 model, is celebrated for blending classic American muscle with cutting-edge technology (back in the day), resulting in a car that redefined performance in the late 1980s. The 1987 Grand National is best known for its turbocharged 3.8L V-6 engine. However, Scott Floyd of Phoenix, would soon have other ideas for power. The car was initially purchased from the proverbial little old lady from Ohio, with the odometer showing 30,000 original miles, and it still sports its original black paint to this day. Unfortunately, shortly after the purchase, the V-6 “spit” a rod out, and then the decision was made to “go for it.” The story goes that the ashtray had a boost gauge, possibly implying the car’s true ancestry. Scott and A.J. Schwichtenberg…

(Editor’s Note: We couldn’t have identified the photos used in this article if it weren’t for the amazing historical recollections of Greg Sharp. Anytime we want to recall what happened before “last week,” we always turn to our good friend Greg … an amazing hot rodder with an equaly amazing historical recall. —B.B.) There is a major airport right down the street from my house, but more importantly it is also home to the earliest days of drag racing and a place where hot rodders would hang out. The John Wayne Airport (formerly known as the Orange County Airport) was originally the Santa Ana Airport, with its history based in the Army Air Corps before the start of World War II. The original Santa Ana Airport, established in 1928, holds a significant place…

Friendships are meaningful in life. Roger Klick and Arnie Chupp can attest to that. They have been doing car projects for many years and have had quite a list of rides together. This Ford Model A roadster pickup is no exception. Roger has a very nice chopped 1940 Ford coupe but wanted a bare-bones hot rod to run the back roads. He had a 347ci Ford motor in the back corner of his shop, which was the starting point. Roger and Arnie decided to build a primered rod using parts they both had on the shelf. The guys found an old 1929 Ford roadster pickup body up north in Richland, Washington, and the project was off and running. The body was fixable but the bed was well gone. Roger went…

New technology comes and goes in the hot-rodding world, but our attention gets piqued when something shows up and wins the “Best Engineered New Product” at the 2023 SEMA Show. That’s just what happened when Holley released its Easy Level Sender. Featuring LiDAR technology—that’s “laser imaging, detection, and ranging” for us plebes—Holley’s groundbreaking fuel sender replaces that antiquated float-style sending unit with one that uses a laser. Yes, that type of laser. Buck Rogers, be damned, the technology from the future is here, and it’s measuring the amount of fuel left in your 1929 Ford highboy, of all things! But aside from replacing that old float-style sending unit, Holley’s Easy Level Sender is fully programmable for any tank with a depth ranging from 4 to 39 inches and is compatible…

There’s nothing more exciting than looking at the fresh Jet-Age designs rolling out onto the streets in the early 1960s. It was a time when you could reach for the stars in a futuristic-styled model straight from the dealer’s showroom in a car packed with ultra-modern details, throaty V-8 power, and an interior full of innovative controls and style. When it came time to define the look, Ford dreamed up a seductive combination of performance and comfort in the Starliner (only offered in 1960-1961) to lure in buyers and take on the sports cars of the day with the ability to accommodate up to six passengers in an interior cabin lush with fresh color and fabric options. The 1961 Ford Starliner, which is laid out across our pages and owned…

In the last installment, we saw how Hot Rods By Dean (HRBD) installed new floors and wider wheelwells inside this 1969 Camaro. This time, we’ll follow Paul Gilbert of HRBD as he installs the reproduction quarter-panels made by Auto Metal Direct (AMD). After removing the original quarters, each attachment point for the new panels must be meticulously cleaned and reshaped to provide a perfect fit. The cleanliness and tightness of each joint determines the quality of the welds. A band of clean metal at least 1/2-inch wide for TIG welding is required next to all joints. The original sail panel fit into a recess in the roof. This joint was carefully disassembled to preserve the step. This allows the new sail panel to fit flush on the outside, ensuring the…

Latest From Old Anvil Speed Shop Amidst a backdrop of hot rods, the latest masterpiece emerged—a stunning 1962 Impala SS convertible—from Old Anvil Speed Shop in Orange, California. With just 40,000 original miles and an original interior preserved through the years, the team at Old Anvil knew they had something special. The car had only undergone a single re-spray, but it was ready for a rebirth to elevate it from its vintage roots to a modern-day powerhouse. From the ground up, the crew crafted a custom chassis and converted the Impala into a unibody vehicle, enhancing its structural integrity while providing a sleek, contemporary silhouette. Air suspension was installed, giving the car a smooth, adjustable ride height that perfectly complemented the extravagant 24-inch wheels. A Nelson Racing Engines Inter-cooled Kong…

In this article, we’ll look further at the great work being done by Troy Gudgel and his company BBT Fabrications for their customer Eugene Bothello. The intention is to keep the character of an original 1959 Chevrolet but add a host of contemporary touches and ensure the fit and finish are brought to the finest level possible. They started with a decent-looking car, but after stripping everything down to the bare metal, they decided to replace all the lower portions of the quarter-panels due to some previous substandard work. Sections of the decklid and tailfins had to be replaced, too. The original leading on the rear seams was removed, and the joints were releaded to achieve perfect contours. A new rear bumper was made from scratch, and a rolled pan…

The L.A. Roadsters Father’s Day Swap Meet & Show at the Pomona Fairplex is a legendary event in the hot rod world. This year’s show, marking its 58th anniversary, celebrated roadsters, hot rods, and customs, plus it included a swap meet and many vendors. On Friday, June 14th, and Saturday, June 15th, the Fairplex in Pomona, California, was filled with excitement as hot rodders gathered to showcase their prized possessions and hunt for rare finds in the swap meet area. The event has become a Father’s Day tradition for many, offering a unique and memorable way to spend the weekend. One of the show’s main attractions was the display of approximately 300 cars from 1936 and earlier. These open cars, ranging from original to modified, are a sight to behold,…

Dean Livermore, head hot rodder at Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix, has some basic expectations for cars he builds for himself. They have to have lots of horsepower and they have to be driver friendly. So, while one of his latest projects will have an 800hp, 632ci big-block Chevrolet based on a Merlin block with Brodix heads that will set him back in the seat, it will also have a Vintage Air Front Runner drive system to mount an alternator, A/C compressor, and power steering pump so he’ll be comfortable while it’s happening. Vintage Air’s Front Runner drive system uses a strong, streamlined main mounting bracket that attaches to the engine with studs that mount the water pump. The Front Runner kit includes a Stewart water pump, which is…

The NSRA Street Rod Nationals, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Expo Center, is a premier event that brings together car enthusiasts nationwide to celebrate and showcase some of the finest vintage and custom cars on the road. The 2024 edition fulfilled its promise to be memorable, with 8,000-plus hot rods of all years and descriptions in attendance. An array of activities, exhibits, and special features captivated attendees and participants alike. One of the highlights of the NSRA Street Rod Nationals is the opportunity for car owners to showcase their vehicles and compete in various categories for prestigious awards. From classic hot rods and custom builds to meticulously one-off hot rod builds, the show features various cars that cater to various tastes and preferences. The event is a…