The Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion Hits New Heights
September 15, 2025
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FERRAMBO
Every creative endeavor, from fine art to mechanical invention, requires some type of high-wire act—a unique and delicate balance between vision, creativity and capability. When the cogs align, and the elusive look rises to the forefront, there’s no questioning the purity of its origin.
Meet the Legends of Hot Rodding at the Triple Crown of Rodding
This isn’t just a lineup—it’s a living hall of fame. We’re talking the visionaries whose cars dominate the Ridler, the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR), and the Goodguys Top 12. The innovators who set the trends that every other shop follows. The craftsmen whose names carry weight in any serious shop conversation, even if they aren’t on reality TV every week.
Celebrity Picks Shine Bright at the 2025 Triple Crown of Rodding
The 2025 Triple Crown of Rodding delivered a jaw-dropping lineup of cars, and the Celebrity Pick Awards highlighted the rides that captured the eyes of legends. Hand-picked by icons like Chip Foose, Corky Coker, John Jackson, and Kyle Tucker, these awards honor vehicles that combine daring creativity, flawless craftsmanship, and that undeniable “wow” factor.
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.
The Ultimate Street Rod Showdown: Goodguys Crowns the 2026 Street Rod of the Year
There’s no shortage of incredible hot rods rolling through the gates at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. With more than 6,000 of the country’s finest 1999-and-older hot rods, customs, trucks, classics, and muscle cars filling the Ohio Expo Center, the weekend once again delivered a showcase of
JOHNSON & JOHNSON ’CUDA
Say what you will, but function is back! We find more high-profile cars built to be driven, and driven hard. Everywhere you look, car owners and builders are searching out new ways to put the fun back into driving the wheels off the rides they build, and they’re looking to
Great News for Builders: EPA Recognizes SEMA Certified-Emissions
The agency has officially recognized SEMA Certified-Emissions as a legitimate way for manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with federal emissions standards. Translation? Companies now have another legal path to sell emissions-compliant performance parts in 49 states.
