Modern Rodding Volume 6, Issue 63 - December 2025

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR/EDITOR BRIAN BRENNAN bbrennan@inthegaragemedia.com SENIOR EDITORS ROB FORTIER rfortier@inthegaragemedia.com NICK LICATA nlicata@inthegaragemedia.com PUBLISHER TIM FOSS tfoss@inthegaragemedia.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & OPERATIONS MANAGER YASMIN FAJATIN yfajatin@inthegaragemedia.com MANAGING EDITOR & AD COORDINATOR SARAH GONZALES sgonzales@inthegaragemedia.com ART DIRECTOR ROB MUNOZ rmunoz@inthegaragemedia.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PATRICIA LUDI pludi@inthegaragemedia.com EDITORIAL TEAM Gerry Burger, Tommy Lee Byrd, Ron Ceridono, Michael Christensen, Ron Covell, Grant Cox, John Gilbert, Ken Gross, John Jackson, Chadly Johnson, Barry Kluczyk, Scotty Lachenauer, Ryan Manson, Josh Mishler, Dale Moreau, Todd Ryden, Jason Scudellari, Chris Shelton, Tim Sutton, Chuck Vranas — Writers and Photographers ADVERTISING Travis Weeks Advertising Sales Manager Patrick Walsh Sales Representative ads@inthegaragemedia.com…

Proving Once Again, He Has a Sense of Humor I search for humor in every nook and cranny of life. After all, when you metaphorically “live” or “die” by deadlines, having a sense of humor is like carrying a Swiss Army knife—handy, versatile, but with way more punchlines and far fewer sharp edges. One of the first lessons drilled into your head (and probably inked on your palms from frantic note taking) is this: “Deadlines cannot be missed—never, EVER!” You can’t miss them, you can’t change them (unless you’re Sarah Gonzales, our editorial overlord), and you sure as heck can’t say, “Oops, I forgot.” That’s basically the equivalent of feeding your goldfish to a cat and calling it “nature appreciation.” When I hit up an event, my strategy blends “wishful…

In Memoriam: Chris Raschke Several months ago, our industry suffered a significant loss with the tragic death of Chris Raschke, a longtime friend and dedicated enthusiast of the automotive aftermarket. Chris lost his life in an accident at the Bonneville Salt Flats while doing what he loved. His death is a significant blow not only to his family but to everyone who knew him and was influenced by his steadfast dedication to our hobby and industry. Chris joined Automotive Racing Products (ARP) in 1996, bringing with him invaluable experience from his time working alongside master engine builder Kenny Duttweiler. In his role as director of sales and marketing at ARP, Chris connected with engine builders, engineers, designers, and competitors worldwide. His hands-on approach and remarkable ability to evaluate assemblies and…

1. REEVES HOT ROD SIX-GAUGE OVAL Phoenix Machine’s Reeves Hot Rod Six-Gauge Oval is recessed and tipped back in the dash, sold separately, or you can purchase the insert and the gauges as a package. Center gauges are 3-3/8 inches, next set are 2-5/8 inches, and end gauges are 2-1/8 inches. This is CNC-machined from 6061 aluminum bar stock and polished to a mirror finish. It also features a stainless steel, engine-turned insert. For more info, check out Phoenix Machine at (920) 841-0500 or visit phoenixmachinellc.com. 2. 9-INCH HOUSING FOR A-BODIES Ridetech has expanded its Ford 9-inch Rear Axle Housings to include 1964-72 GM A-body applications using current Ridetech four-link systems. Installing a Ridetech four-link into your first-or second-generation A-body has just become easier. These axle housings are perfect for…

When we think of classic American muscle cars, few names spark as much excitement as the Dodge Charger. Among the various models, the 1968 and 1969 Chargers stand out, praised for their bold designs and powerful performance. Each has its own unique character, drawing passionate fans among car enthusiasts. Ron Michels, from the Bay Area in California, is a longtime Mopar fan, owning a very nice 1970 Dart. (To round out his collection, he also owns a 1937 Ford.) Armed with his natural enthusiasm for Mopar, he enlisted the help of a friend and masterful builder, Bill Ganahl, and the crew from South City Rod & Custom. The 1969 Charger gained cult status, primarily due to its appearance on the television show. Culturally, the 1969 Charger gained legendary fame as…

Some projects are more exciting than others. One such tedious project is bodywork leading to primer. While it’s exciting to reach that stage, it isn’t one of the more glamorous efforts. However, Eastwood has developed something that may make this task a bit easier, faster, and, arguably, more enjoyable: roll-on primer. To be accurate, Eastwood refers to this roll-on primer as OptiFlow. According to our fellow hot-rodding friends at Eastwood, this gray primer is a well-suited epoxy primer for frames, single panels, and other small projects. Once finished, you are ready for a basecoat/color. When it comes to painting, whether custom painting a car or a house, I’ve always had a knack for leaving a big mess behind. I have a professional airless setup that I bought new and have…