Tabla de contenidos para Volume 6, Issue 53 - February 2025 en Modern Rodding

1. LT VALVE & COIL COVERS Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs has introduced its new LT Valve ’n Coil Covers designed to enhance the appearance of LT engines while addressing the unsightly stock coils. Crafted from solid 6061 billet aluminum, these two-piece, precision CNC-machined covers ensure top-quality fit and finish, making your vehicle stand out. They are specifically engineered to accommodate stock GM coils, effectively concealing all wiring and featuring ports for plug wire exits. Available options include a raw cut billet, polished, or black anodized finish, allowing personalization to suit your style. For an additional charge, Scott’s offers custom machining to include your vehicle’s name or company logo. Furthermore, Scott’s can create tailored valve covers to meet your specific needs if you’re building a custom car or truck with a…

When you turn into Arnie Chupp’s driveway in Oregon, which is more of a country road, you are instantly surrounded by gardens and trees. Further on, there are small ponds and a bridge over a creek that would make the Gardens of Versailles jealous. Arnie carries on that artistry in many mediums, from painting to sculpture. His 1932 Ford chopped-and-channeled coupe, Oldsmobile-powered, is just another of his artistic endeavors. Arnie likes the look of channeled hot rods but prefers not to sit on the floor. Starting with repro ASC framerails, he moved the frame into the transmission tunnel like an X-frame. That makes the tunnel higher, but the floor is at its correct height. He ended up with the stock interior space but with the body channeled 3-1/2 inches. This…

From 1949-1951, the Mercury was the premier car to be customized in the post–World War II era. Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs, in Knoxville, Tennessee, has embarked on a project to build a state-of-the-art 1951 Merc convertible in the traditional style. These cars are very difficult to find these days, and after stripping their customer’s car down to bare metal, they uncovered a lot of sub-standard work. Fortunately, the customer had the will and the means to make everything top notch, so the crew at Scott’s cut away the defective work and ensured the project’s foundation was in shipshape before embarking on the modifications. Eric Brockmeyer was called in to make renderings to guide the construction. The car they started with was originally a four-door sedan, and when the previous builder…

We get why Derrick Lyon of Washington wanted to remove the anemic small-block that his 1985 Monte Carlo was delivered with—any self-respecting hot rodder would. This was a time when horsepower wasn’t a popular word. However, Derrick figured out how to have his choice in hot rods from both an aesthetic and performance standpoint. A little background on why Derrick chose the Monte Carlo: “My high school car was a Monte Carlo. The day I sold it, I regretted it! I waited until I was older, could afford to build a hot rod, and found a perfect-condition Monte Carlo with 30,000 original miles. Bone stock! Through this time I managed to obtain a Hellcat, and my love for Dodge grew. That’s when I came up with the idea of making…

The 1961 Chevrolet Corvette is a defining model in the Corvette lineage, emblematic of American muscle and an outstanding example of automotive engineering for its era. Adding to the allure of this C1 is the modern integration of aftermarket components, such as a Chevrolet Performance supercharged LT4 and a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis, which enhance the classic car’s dynamics and driveability. David Garvey of Tennessee had this in mind when he contacted Paul Atkins of Paul Atkins Hot Rods and Interiors. David’s 1961 Corvette retains the pivotal evolution in Corvette aesthetics. The front end features refined styling, with a prominent chrome grille that highlights the elongated, sweeping shape of the body. Dual headlights were integrated into the fenders, adding to their aggressive stance. The rear end was characterized by…

This is the last of our articles on building the BBT Fabrications 1959 Impala, which was featured in (and on the cover of) the Sept. ’24 issue. This time, we’ll focus on the extensive work done on the car’s front end. Like most cars on the road for 65 years, there was some rust damage poorly repaired in the past and a host of nicks and dings. Every square inch of the sheetmetal was gone over carefully, and any defects were either replaced with new metal or straightened to perfection. The hood’s fit was compromised on all sides, so the BBT crew decided the best way to make it perfect was to cut off all the damaged edges and replace them with angles formed from new 18-gauge sheetmetal. This is…

Beneath the shimmering blue and champagne hue lies a project that’s more than just a car; it’s a labor of love, sweat, and an unyielding passion for automotive excellence. Meet David Goodwin’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air, a shining example of Pro Touring ingenuity combined with classic American muscle. At the heart of this automotive masterpiece is David Goodwin of Vancouver, Washington, whose first brush with horsepower began long before the iconic 1955 made its way into his garage. David recalls his college days, balancing studies and a part-time job at a sawmill while cruising in his ordered Chevelle 396. David’s connection with 1955 isn’t just about its glamorous curves or nostalgic charm—it’s about the stance and performance that luxury meets muscle. After owning a more stock-style 1955, he knew it…

Of all the modifications that can be made to any early Mustang, one of the most significant is installing an improved independent front suspension system from Classic Performance Products (CPP). This kit truly resolves two issues simultaneously: It not only improves ride and handling characteristics, it also allows the removal of the spring towers that intrude into the engine compartment and make engine swaps so tricky. Ford’s Mustang, along with the Plymouth Barracuda, was introduced in 1964, creating the genre that would become known as “ponycars;” basically these were compact cars with “sporty” design elements. Mustangs were introduced on April 17, 1964, well before the usual introduction date for new models. As a result, the very early Mustangs are often referred to as 1964-1/2 models. However, Ford identified all the…

At the dawn of hot rodding, there was only one way for a rodder to source a body to build a hot rod from to find a genuine, factory-made, real steel body. The majority of early hot rods, not counting the oddball marques, were built using genuine Ford bodies. However, as the years passed and many old Fords found their demise battered beyond recognition racing on a circle track, the herd thinned out. Thinned out to the point that a “genie” body by itself began commanding top dollar. Hot rodders have always been an imaginative bunch and found inspiration from the Chevrolet Corvette, popping out fiberglass replica bodies ranging from T-buckets to Deuce roadsters to fill the void. The demand for fiberglass bodies proved strong enough to justify the expense…

In the world of hot rodding, every build has a story, but few transformations can match the journey of the 1936 Ford that rolled into Hollywood Hot Rods—a true automotive phoenix rising from the ashes of an “ugly duckling.” When Troy Ladd laid eyes on the donor car, it was buried under a thick coat of black primer, adorned with outdated 17-inch billet wheels that seemed more fitting for a crime scene than a classic hot rod. Skulls, spikes, and other tacky embellishments screamed for attention. At the same time, the interior displayed a seemingly random selection of faux ostrich and alligator vinyl, punctuated by a dashboard that looked more like a toy than a work of art. The dashboard was an outrageously flat piece of red plexiglass housing an…

Technology advances in leaps and bounds these days. With a new smartphone coming out every week, it seems that features so advanced in modern vehicles were unheard of only a few short years ago. So, it should come as no surprise when a company like Holley announces a new system that modernizes what’s been available for over a decade—and that system is the Holley Sniper 2 EFI. Designed as an upgraded replacement for the original Sniper system, the Sniper 2 features upgrades in many of its electronic components with built-in features and factory settings based on 10-plus years of developmental data from the original Sniper system. While the Sniper 2 EFI system features many built-in upgrades, it really shines in the ecosystem of the Sniper family of components. Simple plug-and-play…

The Tommy Foster Roadster If you follow auctions, as I do, much history passes before us. A prime example is the iconic Tommy Foster 1932 Ford roadster, featured on January 7-19, 2025, at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida. This channeled roadster comes from the Richard V. Munz Collection. The event brochure, authored by Chelsey Hinsenkamp and Ken Gross, provides insight into the significant achievements of this unique roadster. Few vehicles inspire as much admiration in American hot rodding as Tommy Foster’s creation. Starting in 1949, Foster meticulously crafted his masterpiece over 15 months, achieving legendary status in the process. This roadster’s journey was remarkable. It won First Place trophies at prestigious venues, including the 1952 and 1953 International Motor Show in New York, the Mid-America Motor Show in Cincinnati, and…