Modern Rodding Volume 4, Issue 39 - December 2023

“If You Want to Understand Today You Have to Search Yesterday.” Sometimes we forget all the work that goes into our everyday lives’ projects. With our hectic pace it’s no wonder this happens, and maybe this is as it should be. But sometimes, maybe a little more often, we should take a moment and realize what we are enjoying is the result of someone who came before and laid the groundwork. I was reminded of that at this year’s Triple Crown of Rodding event presented by PPG. I found myself wandering around the Nashville Superspeedway before the gates were open to the public. It was then I came across the tribute that was erected by the show staff honoring, “Influential People That Paved the Way in the Hot Rod Industry.”…

Goodguys’ 2023 Chevrolet Performance Builder of the Year Awards Goodguys Rod and Custom Association has announced the winners of the Chevrolet Performance GM Iron and GM Retro Iron Builder of the Year Awards. They were chosen from a group of finalists selected at every 2023 Goodguys national event. What is unique about the Chevrolet Performance Builder of the Year Awards is that the award recognizes the builder of the car. There are two Chevrolet Performance Builder of the Year Awards: The GM Iron title goes to a GM-branded car or truck with a GM powertrain, while the GM Retro Iron title is for a non-GM vehicle that is powered by a GM drivetrain. The winning builders will each receive a Chevrolet Performance Connect & Cruise crate powertrain system. GM Iron…

1. ’73-83 MOPAR BIG BRAKE KIT Wilwood released a modern big brake kit for ’73-83 Mopar models that fit most 15-inch or larger wheels. New aluminum brackets mount Wilwood’s race-proven Dynapro six-piston calipers and performance rotors to ’73-83 Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth A-, B-, E-, F-, and J-body cars with no modification while reducing weight over OE components. High-strength Dynapro DP6A forged aluminum calipers feature a central stiffening bridge to reduce deflection and improve performance and pedal feel. Rotors are more than an inch larger than stock, providing more brake torque and thermal capacity. Choose Ultralite HP plain face 32 straight vane or SRP drilled-and-slotted, 32-curved vane rotors measuring 12.19x0.81 inch. Calipers come finished in high gloss red or black powdercoat or 22 other color options (additional charges may apply).…

When the time comes to sit down and write a car feature the tech sheet pretty much tells the story, coupled with one or two great backstories from the owner. But every now and then we come across a car feature where the owner and the car are stories unto themselves. Tim Strange, of Lewisburg, Tennessee, is both a car builder (Strange Motion Rod & Custom), a personality within our hobby, and a dyed-in-the-wool hot rodder. So where do we begin? Do we talk about Tim or his very cool ’65 Chevy Chevelle with big-block V-8 for power? How about we blend the facts and let the hot rod Chevelle “speak” for the two of them. It’s often said that much of what a son will do is a direct…

Faithful readers of Modern Rodding have already seen this Detroit Speed & Engineering (DSE)–built ’65 Buick Riviera in all its Ferrari crimson glory (Modern Rodding Oct. ’23). But many real hot rodders like to take the full tour to see the artwork that lies below. You see, Jeff Mosing’s Riviera is no showboat; the team at DSE likes to build cars that can haul-the-male on the street, road course, or autocross circuit. Now since Mosing has ample time wheeling Porsches in the IMSA series, he is well in tune with high-performance machinery for the track and the street. This car was destined to be the perfect blend of unmatched ’60s style and ample street performance. Of course, this Riviera is also fully capable of drawing a crowd under the indoor…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6NtpjMle5s Truly, there are many great hot rod events throughout the calendar year. Some are indoor, some outdoor, or a combination of both. Some are famous because of their history, or what they represent, or their industry support. Some of the best are local while others are national in their appeal. Now there is a new event on the calendar that has everyone talking and planning for next year … the Triple Crown of Rodding presented by PPG. Look for this event to happen each year the weekend after Labor Day at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee (30 miles north of Nashville). The 2023 date is September 6-7, 2024. It should be noted that the Triple Crown of Rodding (TCR) presented by PPG as an award has been around since…