The Old EQUALIZER
April 8, 2024
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Remembering Angelo Giampetroni: The Bridge Between Detroit Speed Shops and Ford Motorsport
The automotive and motorsports world has lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Angelo “Junior” Giampetroni. A pioneer, promoter, and passionate builder, Angelo helped shape the hot rodding and drag racing scenes from the postwar boom through the modern era. His impact can be felt not just in Detroit, but across the globe—from gritty speed shops to high-level factory performance programs. Angelo wasn’t just part of the culture—he connected it all together.
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!
40 Years Later
It happened back in the ’60s, and it still happens today. Hot rods are built, hot rods are sold, and hot rods disappear. We often wonder about hot rods we’ve built or known that have suffered a similar fate. But the good news is that hot rods also resurface. This
BUILD, BUY, SELL OR TRADE…
Bob Van Horn was 17 when he bought a nosed and decked ’53 Olds for $75. That first deal kicked off six decades of building, buying, selling, and trading hot rods. Gerry Burger digs into Van Horn’s photo collection for the stories behind his chopped Deuce coupes, surfboard-hauling Ford Woodies,
2026 SEMA Product Showcase
We walked the SEMA Show in Las Vegas looking for parts and accessories we’d put on our own build lists. Here are the upgrades that earned a spot.
Product Spotlight: Bolt-On Turbo Chevy LS Headers by Stainless Headers MFG
Where do the turbos go once the radiator and accessories are in? Stainless Headers Mfg.’s compact straight-exit manifolds give LS1 and LS6 builders a down-and-forward starting point for laying out the hot side.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Smeding Performance Aftermarket LS Aluminum 6-Bolt Engine Block
Factory LS blocks have their limits. Smeding Performance raises the bar with its Aftermarket LS Aluminum 6-Bolt Engine Block, engineered for serious horsepower with billet steel main caps, six-bolt head clamping, and priority-main oiling.
Foose Design C2/C3 Corvette Chassis Debuts at SEMA 2026
Those Corvette curves already deliver. Now Chip Foose has something for the hardware underneath: a new chassis for 1963–1982 models with C7-inspired geometry, adjustable coilovers, and plenty of attention to detail.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Pro’s Pick FANTOM Tonneau Cover for 1973–87 Chevrolet/GMC Fleetside Trucks
Your squarebody deserves a strong finish. The Pro’s Pick FANTOM aluminum tonneau cover delivers flush styling, a paintable surface, and manual or electric lift options for 1973–87 Chevrolet/GMC Fleetside trucks.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: CFI Enforcer Series Classic
You can teach an old carb new tricks. The CFI Enforcer Series Classic adds electronic fuel control to your existing carburetor, delivering modern driving convenience without a complete fuel-system rebuild.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Gandrud Chevrolet Performance L8P Crate Engine
There’s something satisfying about an engine that brings plenty of cubic inches to the party. Add modern fuel delivery, a performance-focused valvetrain, and some Corvette DNA, and things get interesting fast. The Chevrolet Performance L8P crate engine delivers 523 horsepower and 543 lb.-ft. of torque, combining the L8T’s heavy-duty foundation
Product Spotlight: BMP Aluminum 440 Wedge Engine Block
The Bill Mitchell Products BMP 088550 Aluminum 440 Wedge Engine Block gives your next RB build a fresh foundation with 357-T6 aluminum construction, billet steel main caps, and replaceable cylinder sleeves. Bring the big-block ambition. This is where you start bolting it together.
