







Every hot rod builder obsesses over horsepower, suspension geometry, and shaving pounds wherever possible.
Every hot rod builder obsesses over horsepower, suspension geometry, and shaving pounds wherever possible. Yet one of the easiest ways to lose dead weight while improving reliability often gets overlooked—the
Extreme weather temperatures and high gasoline prices didn’t keep participants from attending the Street
Extreme weather temperatures and high gasoline prices didn’t keep participants from attending the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, on the weekend of August 3-6, 2006. Street rods from all
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been a gathering place for some of the
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been a gathering place for some of the finest hot rods, muscle cars, and customs in the country. While the event may not be dedicated specifically
The Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit is designed for builders and truck owners who demand more from their
The Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit is designed for builders and truck owners who demand more from their vehicles than a factory cooling system was intended to handle. Instead of piecing together individual
We spent the weekend exploring the newest releases from the companies driving the aftermarket forward.
We spent the weekend exploring the newest releases from the companies driving the aftermarket forward. From Goodguys award winners to a few standout products that caught our attention, here are the parts
What began as a Mini-Nats in Rockville, Maryland in 1973, quickly blossomed into a full-fledged National
What began as a Mini-Nats in Rockville, Maryland in 1973, quickly blossomed into a full-fledged National Street Rod Association Regional Event. If you were an East Coast street rodder, the first weekend
Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was
Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was always interesting. In December of 1998 we received this letter and three photos of one very cool ’38
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STOP, DROP, AND ROLL

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The ProFlex DXI by Advanced Fuel Dynamics

The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion Hits New Heights
The 2025 Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion stormed into Pigeon Forge with record-breaking energy. What began a few years ago in Townsend, Tennessee, with only 165 Jeeps has transformed into a jaw-dropping three-day spectacle at the LeConte Center. This year’s Invasion, held August 21–23, 2025, drew an unbelievable 50,000+ attendees, filling the town with the rumble of engines, the shine of custom builds, and the unmistakable buzz of Jeep® culture at its peak.

BIG BLUE
When Ford introduced the Galaxie nameplate in 1960, the reasoning behind the new name was obvious. At the time, bigger was better, and short of GM introducing a car named the Universe, what could convey a greater sense of size than Galaxie?

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 1973–1979 Ford Truck LED Digital Gauge Panel by Intellitronix
Time to stop staring at that dusty old dash and upgrade your cockpit like a boss. The Intellitronix 1973–1979 Ford Truck LED Digital Gauge Panel isn’t just a swap—it’s a straight-up modern takeover for your classic Ford. Clean, mean, and screaming tech.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Braille Battery – Drop the Weight. Keep the Power.
Every hot rod builder obsesses over horsepower, suspension geometry, and shaving pounds wherever possible. Yet one of the easiest ways to lose dead weight while improving reliability often gets overlooked—the battery. That’s where Braille Battery comes in.

THE BIG ONE
Extreme weather temperatures and high gasoline prices didn’t keep participants from attending the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, on the weekend of August 3-6, 2006. Street rods from all over the country drove to the Street Rod Mecca, and all 11,664 rods and participants were in for a pleasant

The Trucks of Goodguys Columbus 2026
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been a gathering place for some of the finest hot rods, muscle cars, and customs in the country. While the event may not be dedicated specifically to trucks, the pickup presence continues to grow, and the 2026 show proved that

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit Brings Serious Airflow to GM Trucks
The Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit is designed for builders and truck owners who demand more from their vehicles than a factory cooling system was intended to handle. Instead of piecing together individual cooling upgrades, Derale’s kit combines the major components needed for improved thermal management into one complete package. Included

The Best New Products from Goodguys Columbus 2026
We spent the weekend exploring the newest releases from the companies driving the aftermarket forward. From Goodguys award winners to a few standout products that caught our attention, here are the parts and tools we think deserve a closer look from the 2026 Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals.

YORK ‘93
What began as a Mini-Nats in Rockville, Maryland in 1973, quickly blossomed into a full-fledged National Street Rod Association Regional Event. If you were an East Coast street rodder, the first weekend in June every year was (and still is), NSRA York, simply a must-attend event.

HIDING NOT FAR FROM HOME
Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was always interesting. In December of 1998 we received this letter and three photos of one very cool ’38 Ford Standard Coupe. While it is a great hot rod, the history of this coupe

Product Spotlight: Posies SuperSlide Springs
Let’s face it—old leaf springs don’t always deliver the smoothest ride. Between years of wear and the natural friction created as steel leaves slide against one another, it’s no surprise that many traditional hot rods and classic trucks can feel a little rough around the edges. That’s exactly the problem

Rearview Mirror
While AutoBuilder will supply you with all the latest and greatest happenings in the hot rod world, we felt looking back at how we got here would be fun and equally as important. The changes over the past sixty-plus years have been impressive.

The Ultimate Street Machine Showdown: Goodguys Crowns the 2026 Street Machine of the Year
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been the proving ground for some of the finest builds in the country. Each year, the event brings together the builders, designers, and enthusiasts who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with classic American performance.



