Tabla de contenidos para Volume 6, Issue 61 - October 2025 en Modern Rodding

Yes, this is a brand-new 1932 Ford highboy roadster owned by Scott Lorenzini, but the story behind this hot rod is worth exploring. We spoke with Scott and his dad, Gary, SoCal hot rodders, as well as Justin and Evin from Veazie Bros. Fabrication, at this year’s Grand National Roadster Show, as the roadster debuted in the competition for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster. The Deuce is a striking hot rod with plenty of attitude and craftsmanship, making it suitable for any trip down a strip or boulevard. But in the minds of many hot rodders, the thought is, “I’ve seen this somewhere else.” We asked Scott to share the background, and what follows is a condensed version; however, we believe you will enjoy learning how this 1932 Ford highboy roadster…

We have covered the construction of Ross Myers’ fenderless 1936 roadster, built at Rad Rides by Troy, in eight previous issues. The finished roadster debuted at the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show where it won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. The car is stunning in every way, and this time we’ll take an in-depth look at the construction of the immaculately designed and fitted removable top. Adam Banks hand built the body for this project with some help from other team members, and he also constructed the removable top. He completed the trim work for both the top and the interior of the car. There aren’t many people who excel at both metal and trim work, but Adam is one who does. The top was framed with an aluminum…

For Randy Londagin, the love of automobiles was never just a weekend pastime; it was a lifelong passion ignited during his youth in the heyday of the 1960s muscle car era. Growing up surrounded by the steady rumble of V-8 engines and the bold styling of American classics, Randy was captivated from the very beginning. While other kids dreamed of baseball cards and comic books, Randy memorized engine specs and tailfin designs. Fast-forward to 2019, after years of collecting, restoring, and admiring iconic rides, Randy caught wind of a one-of-a-kind 1956 C1 Corvette project underway at DTAB Customs. The team at DTAB was deep into transforming the already-legendary Vette into a modern monster with timeless style, and Randy was instantly intrigued. After connecting with the shop, what began as an…

Our industry is filled with people who have left their mark, influenced our hobby, and contributed more than we can ever thank them. Angelo Giampetroni was one such friend. Having died this past June, we are all now down one friend, one hot rodder, and one individual who truly made a difference. Angelo will forever be remembered for dedicating his full effort to the “Ford in a Ford” movement that dominated hot rodding throughout the 1990s and into the new century. Angelo’s wide range of experience covered all aspects of our hobby; he was a promoter, a builder, and a passionate enthusiast of drag racing and street rods. As a young kid, he developed his love for hot rods by working at Gratiot Auto Supply in Detroit. While there, he…

When two heavy hitters in modern hot rodding combine forces to modify an iconic car, there’s no doubt that the outcome will be first-rate. Such is the case when MetalWorks Speed Shop and Roadster Shop’s combined talents focused on updating the chassis of a 1967 Pontiac Firebird. Pontiac introduced the Firebird in 1967, five months after Chevrolet debuted the Camaro. Both cars were built on the F-body platform, meaning they shared the same semi-unitized style of construction. They did not use a separate frame; rather, the front framerails attached to the body with rubber bushings, and the rear suspension mounted to supports built into the floor. From a marketing perspective, the Firebird was positioned as more upscale than the Camaro, showcasing a more luxurious interior and several extra standard features.…

This company is best known for its history of designing and manufacturing World War II–era Jeeps. They weren’t the only maker of WWII Jeeps, but they are certainly well known for this. The 1941 and 1942 models were called “Americar” because of the patriotic spirit of the time. The 1941 Americar models, including the pickup, were designated as Model 441. Larry Jacinto from Mentone Beach, California, proudly owns this beautifully built 1941 Willys pickup, which he fondly remembers riding in as a kid. He bought the truck from a friend who has since died and began building one of his most cherished childhood memories. The project was taken to Veazie Bros. Fabrication, where Justin and Evin Veazie work. All hot rods need a signature powerplant, and this 1941 Willy pickup…

We’ve been following along as Colin and Tate Radford of Radford Auto Body resurrect a 1965 Mustang fastback. When they determined that the roof was beyond repair and needed to be replaced, they turned to Golden Star Classic Auto Parts for the sheetmetal and to The Eastwood Company for a lead-free body solder kit to ensure the installation would adhere to the same basic techniques Ford used so many years ago. For decades, auto manufacturers used lead (actually a combination of lead and tin) to fill gaps in various body panels, such as the top of the Mustang where it joined the windshield posts and B-pillars. Although lead was easy to form, adhered well, and was flexible enough to resist cracking, it was also used by customizers, giving rise to…

For most people, their first engine swap doesn’t happen until they’re old enough to drive legally. But for Butch Harness, it happened at the age of 9. Born into a family where customizing cars was a way of life, Butch was destined to shape metal and dreams alike. Under the careful mentorship of his father, Arthol, a gifted hot rodder, and his uncle Hub Harness, a Kustom Hall of Famer, Butch’s love affair with the custom scene began early and it never let go. Over the years, Butch’s garage filled with memories, but one car remained an unchecked item on his lifelong wish list: a 1950 Mercury. He already owned a 1932 Ford roadster that he built with his dad, and the two even drove it to the final Merc-Deuce…

Upgrading a classic muscle car isn’t unfamiliar territory to those who follow what we do here at Modern Rodding. In fact, it’s probably one of the most popular topics of conversation around the watercooler when discussing the various projects in and around the In The Garage Media Tech Center. Recently, we’ve been assisting our buddy Mike Hannah with his 1964 Pontiac GTO project. Hannah had already handled the basics: brakes, steering, suspension, carbs, and ignition, so the old goat was dialed in pretty well. However, it was in need of a new wiring harness, lights, brightwork, gauges, interior, and paint. Long story short, the mechanical side of the car was solid, but comfort and appearance were two areas where the GTO was woefully lacking. To get Hannah’s Poncho up and…

The story of this build centers around a brother who died, as it was reconstructed in his memory as a tribute. Most of Divers Street Rods’ (DSR) customers engage in discussions about their projects. Still, for this build, they made a special effort to listen closely to what their customers were expressing, according to Tim Divers of DSR. This project was not just about a vehicle, it reflected a relationship, cherished memories, and a 1947 Dodge pickup truck. When it came to the paint color, we encountered something unique. The customer brought in a can of Kodiak Chew, a type of smokeless chew, pointed to the green hue, and expressed that it was what they wanted. While disassembling the original bed, we discovered a preserved bug with the same green…