Table of contents for Volume 4, Issue 39 - December 2023 in Modern Rodding

“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.”…

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…

It’s been said that ’32 Ford roadsters are plentiful and all that can be done has been done. Well, not so fast and don’t assume … it will get you in trouble. Dave Gray of Michigan is both a longtime hot rodder and shop owner of Gray’s Garage Hot Rods and Customs. He’s seen and owned plenty of early hot rods but the ’32 Ford roadster has always been high on his list as “most desirable.” Dave’s shop consists of one employee, Matt Vanderbush, and between the two of them the build began. As the coming deadline crept closer a good friend, Colton Leigib, helped throughout those rapidly accumulating midnight hours. When building a ’32 Ford roadster there are any number of acceptable powerplants. But there is always one that…

One of the best-known names in the world of hot rodding is Kugel Komponents. Its founder, Jerry Kugel, became well known for installing independent front and rear suspensions under hot rods—that is, when he wasn’t chasing records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Early on Jerry worked with the legendary Ak Miller before opening his own shop, Jerry’s Garage, in 1969. Eventually, no doubt due to the combination of Jerry’s mechanical capabilities, business acumen, numerous magazine articles showcasing his abilities, and his understanding wife Judy, Kugel Komponents opened in 1977. Today Kugel Komponents is a family run business: daughter Jerilyn is the office manager, son Jeff is product manager, and son Joe is the lead fabricator. Along with independent front and rear suspensions and other “komponents” Kugel offers some rather ingenious…

If you’re reading this, chances are you read the first entry of this two-part series in the Nov. ’23 issue. And if you read that, you probably got a little miffed that we cut off smack-dab in the middle of the process required to take a body from straight to perfect. But you know … space limitations and all. Just like the real world of sanding, this month is more of the same. But we’re projecting beyond where most sanding stories end. Instead of closing at paint, we’re following through the post-production phase. With technology available today, it’s possible to create a glassy, wet-look finish right out of a gun. But as good as a gun finish can look, it can be better—a whole lot better. No matter how good…

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…

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://youtu.be/xwRW3fBGoYo A properly charged and maintained battery is a must for any classic car, but especially so when it comes to those equipped with all mod cons like EFI, digital gauges, A/C, and more. The more advanced the component, the more sensitive they seem to be to a steady, reliable 12V signal. Many systems, in fact, will cease to operate properly if provided with anything south of 11 V. That leaves a small margin of error when it comes to the alternator providing steady charge under normal driving conditions or to the battery itself if left to sit idle for too long a period. Leaving a trickle charger attached to that hot rod with an expectant slumber of a period over a week or so has become common practice. But…

During the early ’50s several custom car builders became enamored with the ’49-51 Mercury coupes, a series they deemed ideal for their creative endeavors. A range of factory styling features appealed to these craftsmen, including thick lower body proportions combined with relatively small windows, along with a long roof and short deck. Customizers appreciated the V-shaped windshield, too, as it was much easier to chop than a curved window. In fact, once the roof was sliced, the heavy car, weighing over 3,300 pounds, with thick pillars, suddenly appeared more sinister. We should also point out that the Mercs modified through the same era made do with single colors and, occasionally, two-tone paintjobs. Brian Omatsu is one of these ’49-51 Mercury afficionados, though his own coupe somewhat differs from the project…

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…

Should you find yourself wandering the fairgrounds looking at Willys coupes, especially the ’41 era, you will see a recurring theme. Jacked up front ends, skinny rubber in front and monster rubber in back, protruding hood scoops, most likely a Hemi underhood, and probably a rollbar. Not so fast when looking at Doyle Thomas’ ’41 Willys. (Doyle is no stranger to hot rods and has had some very nice ones that have graced the pages of Modern Rodding in the past.) Make no mistake, this ’41 Willys represents itself well but there is an unmistakably fresh approach to a popular theme. Doyle looked to Mike Rutter of Rutterz Rodz for input and the necessary how-tos to achieve his vision. In turn they looked to Eric Brockmeyer of Eric Brockmeyer Design…

Back in the late ’20s through the ’40s, the Ford models each year featured both a Standard model and a Deluxe one. Some hot rodders liked both, but the Deluxe models seemed to be the most popular, especially for the ’38 Ford coupe. The early Standard models had only one windshield wiper and taillight, and, of course, turn signals were a thing of the future. David Burgard grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California during the ’50s and ’60s. Starting in the ’30s, that was the epicenter of the hot rod revolution. While in high school, there was a guy down the block who had a ’40 Ford coupe with an Oldsmobile OHV V-8 engine that he was sliding underhood. At that time, you could buy all…