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THE AUTO BUILDER
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Product Spotlight: DIESELSITE 17-Row COOLERMAX Transmission Cooler
Rated at a monster 59,000 BTUs, this cooler doesn’t just compete—it sets the bar. Standard factory units limp along at 15k–30k BTU. Even most “heavy-duty” aftermarket coolers top out well below the COOLERMAX’s rating. That extra capacity can mean the difference between cruising safely at 180° or cooking at 240°. In the real world, that translates into drops of 50–60°, longer fluid life, and transmissions that simply last.
Car Spotting at HPX 2025
The inaugural High Performance Expo (HPX) made a powerful first impression, drawing industry professionals, builders, and enthusiasts to Charlotte for a three-day celebration of speed, innovation, and craftsmanship. From the packed show floor to live demos and high-profile panels, HPX delivered a dynamic mix of business and culture that felt more like a high-octane festival than a traditional trade show. With standout vehicles from top shops and legacy names alike—including purpose-built drag cars, pro-touring builds, and one-of-a-kind customs—the event proved to be a visual feast for anyone with a passion for performance.
RIDING ON AIR
Lowering a truck usually involved cutting coils and shaving bump stops. Out back, the rear end was treated to lowering blocks, a few pulled leaf springs or heated coil springs. Over the years, manufacturers began to address these demands, as lowering coils, spring leaf blocks, dropped spindles and flip kits were offered. Times changed with the introduction of airbags, as owners were able to slam their pickups with full ride height adjustability. Air Ride Technologies (ART) is one of those companies offering quality suspension solutions for truck owners, with kits that fit specific applications.
Spotlighter
Patina Power
The Time-Worn Look Is More Popular Than Ever
Author
Garry McWhirter
Words & Photography
Defining Patina in Street Rods
Patina is defined as “a pleasing surface sheen on something that develops with age or frequent handling.” When that definition is applied to street rods, a patina rod can take on any number of variations. The exterior can be close to original, with age showing through the painted surface in the form of primer. Sometimes the faint appearance of rust can also classify a rod as having patina, provided the rust has not taken over the entire car. Many times these patina rods are built from those treasured “barn finds” that seem to be discovered by undaunted rodders scouring the country searching for the Holy Grail of hot rods.
The Art and Trend of Patina
One of the modern trends of the street rodding hobby has been to create that cherished patina look. The art of patina can be tricky. We have seen patina rods crafted in such a fashion that the naked eye cannot tell the difference between real and invented, the real old and the fabricated old.
The Appeal of Patina Rods
As with all aspects of rodding, each of us has a different definition of what makes a patina rod. There does seem to be one theme that runs through each variation, though: the owners have a lot of fun with their cars. For some, it is a chance to get back to the basics. For others, it is a chance to reverse the high-end trophy-hound trend. No matter what the agenda, patina rods always seem to bring about smiles and arouse the curiosity of all observers.
Exploring Variations in Patina
We searched our archives to provide you with different variations on the patina trend. We hope you’ll find them as interesting as we did when we came across the following examples. Patina rods come in many forms. They vary from subtle to “in your face.” One thing is for sure: they have their own distinct style.
This Model A looks as though it may have been converted into a hot rod appearance several decades ago, only to be revived after years of storage. The paint has a certain amount of fading, and there is minimal surface rust around the edges. Jonathan Wheeler carries the theme to the Olds engine, with unpainted headers showing some age.
Dennis Frings has captured the patina theme perfectly with his ’33 Willys. It takes on a certain amount of nostalgia with its Ford Y-block engine, multi-carbed intake and racecar appearance. The red primer spots over the black paint disguise the narrowed fiberglass body.
This ’48 Ford falls under the patina banner with its satin-finish black exterior. Herb Jenkins installed a nice red interior and had all the trim re-plated, yet kept the car looking older than its recent renovation would reveal.
This is a true patina roadster. Bill Akin built his Deuce roadster in 1982 as a tribute to Tom Medley, complete with a Stroker McGuirk logo on the door. The car has been driven from coast to coast many times. It has aged gracefully.
Pebble Puryear has created a nearly perfect faux patina appearance on this ’33 Ford. The green paint on the coupe appears nearly faded, but with still some shine coming out. The red oxide “rub-throughs” look real until you see the buildup photos laid out in the trunk.
It is impossible to tell the difference between the real patina and the created patina with Mike Hood’s ’47 Chevy woody. The wood on the wagon has a few holes showing, and the dented metal shows some solid character. The car is just plain cool.
Ricky Pike’s ’32 Ford is an example of a ground-up patina rod. The black-primered exterior is highlighted with semi-flat flames extended over the roof. The chassis is all modern, with roadworthiness a priority. Oh, yeah, it also has a ’glass body to defy the odds.
Along with the obligatory surface rust, vintage items can add to the patina level. This shoebox four-door uses a sun visor and a rusty roof rack loaded with hunting trophies to make it look as though it was returning from a long trip from the North Country.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
This Willys was created with a nostalgic racecar theme. The authentic gasser stance, along with the name and number graphics, makes it appear to be an older drag car. It may have been, but it now has a ZZ454 with a five-speed for power.
Adding patina to a hot rod can mean more than just applying a coat of primer. Using a variety of parts can accomplish the task. Eli Horst shows his whimsical way of thinking by using a Ford tractor hood and grille on his ’29 Ford roadster pickup. It looks like a ton of fun.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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