Table of contents for Volume 7, Issue 64 - January 2026 in Modern Rodding

It’s always fun to imagine what might have been. That’s especially true for the 1968 Mercury Cougar. Back in the day, the Ford Mustang was a huge success. Interestingly, it may be considered even more popular today with hot rodders. The fastback version of the early Mustangs is currently a favorite among hot rodders. So, what happened to Mercury’s Cougar fastback? Well, it never materialized, but it should have! Released in 1967 and named Motor Trend Car of the Year, the first-generation Cougar, internally known as the T-7, shared its chassis with the 1967 Ford Mustang revision. The first-gen Cougar had a 3-inch-longer wheelbase, bringing its length to 111 inches. Interestingly, both the Mustang and the Cougar were based on the Ford Falcon of that era. The 1968 Cougar included…

Twenty-seven years, that’s how long this roadster project took to complete. Considering it has had two owners and gone through three shops during that time, it has turned out remarkably close to its original design. The project was initially started by SO-CAL Speed Shop, using one of the company’s prototype Step Boxed frames, for Bob Garibay as a clone of “Limefire.” The current owners, Scott and Gary Lorenzini, had Veazie Bros. Fabrication finish it, adding a few tweaks and their own ideas. Evin and Justin Veazie, both former employees of SO-CAL Speed Shop (now own Veazie Bros. Fabrication, located in one of SO-CAL’s former buildings), were the perfect choices to handle the build, as they knew exactly how a SO-CAL–style 1932 comes together, having built several. The roadster debuted at…

Finish Line Speed Shop (FLSS) in Ellensburg, Washington, is a family owned custom hot rod restoration shop that offers a comprehensive service menu and high-quality results. They have a passionate drive to go that extra mile (with a smile) for every customer. FLSS co-owner Lyon McClenahan has been involved in the automotive world his entire life, from racing to building cars, and has enjoyed and learned from every moment of his lifelong journey through this exciting industry. “Later in life, customizing cars became a creative outlet for me to express my ideas, test my skills, and utilize my talents,” Lyon says. “I’ve immersed myself in various aspects of automotive restoration, and I pride myself on being able to extend my expertise to our wonderful customers.” Car enthusiasts searching for the…

When the dog days of summer roll around, you know the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP isn’t too far away. Always held on the second weekend in August, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a vast gathering of Tri-Five Chevys. While heat and humidity are often part of the recipe for this outstanding event, you can always count on a big turnout and a level of excitement that is unrivaled in many national events. Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, offers the perfect setting for this three-day show and easily houses more than 2,700 Tri-Fives on the property, with room to grow. Each day of the event features a large car show with designated feature areas. Thursday’s feature area is for the American Tri-Five Association All…

Art Morrison Enterprises Wins Big … Twice! Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) is having one heck of a year; first they celebrated the shipping of its 2,000th Tri-Five chassis and then the recipient of the 2025 World Trade Center Globe Award. AME, a pioneer of bolt-on chassis technology, has received the esteemed 2025 World Trade Center Globe Award—an honor that celebrates excellence in international trade and fosters global commerce for Washington State. Presented at WTC Tacoma’s premier annual event, the award honors companies that enhance Washington State’s role in global business while making a worldwide impact. AME has transformed the restomod and performance market by designing precision-engineered chassis that improve the driving experience for enthusiasts worldwide. Known for innovation, craftsmanship, and performance, AME continues to set the standard for builders and…

Let’s be honest, vintage Corvettes look much better than they drive. The C2 (1963-67) and C3 (1968-82) generations marked a huge improvement in handling, thanks to their independent rear suspensions, but they certainly weren’t perfect. The transverse leaf springs in the rear suspension had their limits, and although the front suspensions were fine in their day, they’re now as outdated as the Yellow Pages and TV repair shops—with performance and comfort levels to match. Upgrades for the front and rear suspensions have been around for decades, but more recently Detroit Speed (DSE) has introduced coilover conversion systems. They include the SpeedRay front suspension kit and the DECAlink rear suspension setup. Both replace the original systems’ springs and shocks with coilovers as well as other enhancements, including rack-and-pinion steering for the…

This car was Jim Hepner’s “dream car” in Eugene, Oregon. He built this car for his retirement, but not without the help of his buddies. Jim did most of the chassis and mechanics with the help of his friends. Built for him, his way, by him. Elan Davis states that Jim died in December of 2024 at 84 years of age. Elan was born in 1978. “I have always loved traditional cars, hot rods, trucks, customs, anything powered by fuel. When this car rolled into the Eugene AutoRama in 1994, fresh, clean, and gleaming, I was in love! When Jim slid out of this over-the-top Merc and all the ‘old guys’ (Jim and the guys were 45-50) were so excited and giddy to see this new-oldschool custom—the only one around…

Some builds take a weekend. Some take a few years. Greg Zulim’s jaw-dropping 1931 Ford five-window coupe? Try six decades. Greg first got his hands on this steel Model A back in 1964 as a high schooler, driving it daily for five years straight through college. But like any true hot rodder, he never stopped tinkering. After 42 years of blood, sweat, and plenty of late nights in the shop, Greg finally called it “done” in 2006. Greg works with his son, Russell, who is a bodyman, painter, and fabricator, which is the nucleus of Double Z Rods. A well-built hot rod is timeless and ageless—and this Model A proves that. The result? Pure perfection. This year alone, his 1931 Ford coupe earned First Place at the Grand National Roadster…

When Colin and Sue Radford chose an early Ford Mustang fastback for their next project, they were ready to start with a car that was not perfect. While that’s a very kind way of describing the condition of the car they found, Colin saw its potential. Even though the body resembled a gunny sack full of walnuts, it needed a new floor, the engine and transmission were missing, the Radfords, along with their grandson, Tate, took on the challenge. It took many hours in the shop and a long list of replacement sheetmetal parts from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts to restore the body to excellent condition, and all-new front suspension parts from Classic Performance Products (CPP) to replace the worn-out originals. (Previous stories: https://bit.ly/4pVwHii, http://bit.ly/48PvToV, http://bit.ly/4nAVbvy, https://bit.ly/3KVt5g0.) The next…

In the world of classic cars, few stories ignite the spirit of automotive passion as much as that of Kenny Dillon’s 1970 Mustang Mach 1. With a lifetime of experience behind the wheel of a semitruck—racking up nearly 5 million miles—Kenny finally found the time to trade in long hauls for something a bit more exhilarating: his dream project. This isn’t just any Mustang; it’s a stunning Coyote-swapped Mach 1 fueled by an 800hp Ford Performance engine, combining nostalgia with innovation. Kenny first saw this particular 429 Cobra Jet Mach 1 during his youth in Kentucky. After years of searching, he bought the car in 2017, though it was a bit weathered with 130,000 miles. Instead of restoring it to perfect condition, Kenny wanted a high-performance machine that blended modern…