ON BORROWED TIME
December 1, 2022
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The Sights of SEMA 2023
Explore the standout rides and jaw-dropping innovations at SEMA 2023! Join us as we revisit the show’s hottest builds, from the iconic 1957 Nash Metropolitan to the cutting-edge Arrington Hydrogen Monster Truck. Get an exclusive look at the custom creations, unique body kits, and powerhouse engines that stole the spotlight at the premier automotive aftermarket event of the year. Don’t miss out on the highlights captured by The Auto Builder Staff and photographers Wendy Miles & Kim Cooley. Feast your eyes on the unforgettable designs and ingenious engineering that left a lasting impression at SEMA 2023!
A Farewell to the ‘Camfather’
Ed “Isky” Iskenderian—engine builder, innovator, mentor, philanthropist, and founding father of the modern aftermarket—passed away on February 4, 2026, at the age of 104. Known around the globe as The Camfather, Isky leaves behind a legacy so deeply woven into hot rodding and motorsports that it is impossible to imagine the industry without his fingerprints on it.
hired gun
Shops such as Barry’s Speed Shop can take a brand-new, stock vehicle and turn it into a rolling showcase, and do it in a short amount of time. Many of our readers are familiar with Barry White’s “Wrecks to Riches” TV show, as well as the many technical stories we have presented on the work he has done. So when the owners of a company contact White they know they’ll get a vehicle that will attract attention, and it will be built by a shop that makes building outstanding custom vehicles its only business (well, that and being TV stars).
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 5
By Thursday, October 8, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 was showing no signs of slowing down. Five days into the 30th anniversary celebration, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was still crawling with hot rods, muscle cars, customs, and classic trucks. But Day 5 brought a different kind of excitement, with smoking tires,
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 4
By Wednesday, October 7, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 had hit its stride, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast was looking more like a rolling automotive museum than a vacation destination. Hot rods, muscle cars, customs, and classic trucks were everywhere, with thousands of enthusiasts making the most of the event’s 30th
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 3
By Tuesday, October 6, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 was firing on all cylinders. With Sunday’s rain in the rearview mirror, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was crawling with hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and classic trucks as the 30th anniversary celebration rolled into its third day. From Gulfport to Moss Point
Ford’s Garage Rolls Into Chattanooga
There’s something about old cars, vintage gas stations, and a good burger that just seems to go together. Now, Chattanooga, Tennessee, has a new destination that brings all three under one roof.
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Ford’s Garage officially opened its doors near Hamilton Place Mall, marking the
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 2
After a soggy start on Sunday, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 shifted into high gear on Monday, October 5. The skies cleared, the crowds rolled in, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast came alive with chrome, horsepower, and enough automotive eye candy to keep your head on a swivel. From the bustling
Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 Day 1 – Gulfport Highlights
Thirty years, thousands of cars, and one heck of a good reason to head south. Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 rolled into Mississippi on Sunday, October 4, kicking off its 30th anniversary celebration with an army of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, classic trucks, and just about everything else with wheels
A Custom With A Past
Ronnie Staples is simply a car guy—been one all his life. From that first Deuce coupe he built in high school to award-winning rods and customs, Ronnie has built a lot of great cars over the years. But beyond that he’s had a ton of fun doing it, and while
He’s Back, and He’s Badder Than Ever
When Joe Samperisi acquired this ’61 Chevrolet Impala, he knew he wanted to make some changes even before the money exchanged hands. Regardless of how much work has been done to a vehicle, a new owner will make changes to suit his or her taste. Sometimes these changes are subtle,
A ROADSTER IS FOREVER
Meet Charles “Charlie” Tunnell, retired racecar driver, industrial engineer, street rod builder and armchair philosopher. Now take a look at Charlie and Lavelle Tunnell’s all-steel, ZZ4-powered 1927 Model T Ford roadster. This machine has more than 45 years’ worth of Tunnell family history tied up in it, and that’s a
The Last Roadster
Whether you’re a newcomer to street rodding or a long timer, the name Andy Brizio is almost certainly familiar, and for good reason. He has, in one way or another, been closely involved with this hobby since he was a youngster growing up in San Francisco. Yet after more years
