PONY RIDES
July 15, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Dare To Be Different
There are a few things you need to know about Sonny Wells. First, Sonny, who is a cabinetmaker in Clearwater, Florida, owns an Elkhart Blue 1967 Corvette with a black stinger hood. Actually, his wife, Jill, lets him share the Corvette with her. Second, Sonny has always had a hankering for an old truck. Third, Jill was tired of sharing the Corvette with Sonny and having to listen to him constantly complain that he wanted an old truck. With that in mind, Sonny began his quest for an old pickup.
GETTING THE BIG BRAKE
It’s springtime and around here activity is definitely flourishing, as guys prep for all the events they plan to attend. Just about everybody is upgrading their cars for the season, adding a few new parts to really make an impact. This month we bring you an upgrade to Underground Motorsports’ demo 240SX. Stillen big brakes are hot items and we are psyched to present this install.
THE OLD AND THE NEW
The relentless progress of technology is a difficult topic for those of us captivated by the cars and lifestyles of a bygone era. As technology advances at an exponential rate, we now find ourselves clamoring to keep up with the latest and greatest products that simultaneously render many of our old favorites obsolete. Just about the time you figure out how to use your new digital camera and multifunction cell phone, you find out that someone decided it was necessary to combine the two. The struggle to balance the conveniences of modern technology with our nostalgia is especially difficult for many street rodders.
Spotlighter
Honoring a Legend
ARP Pays Tribute to George Poteet at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show
The 75th Annual Grand National Roadster Show went down from January 31 to February 2, 2025, and for those who live and breathe speed, this one hit different. ARP Racing Products turned their booth into a full-blown tribute to land speed legend George Poteet, who passed away last year, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Grand National Roadster Show
The Grand National Roadster Show is the indoor car show. The one that’s been setting the bar for 75 years. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, it’s the place where hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and everything cool with wheels come together under one roof. This year, amidst the insane builds and rolling artwork, the tribute to Poteet stood out—not just as a remembrance, but as a reminder of what’s possible when you push the envelope.
Remembering George Poteet
If you know anything about speed, you know George Poteet wasn’t just another guy in the game—he was the guy. A true racer, a visionary, and a flat-out speed freak in the best possible way. The man behind the legendary Speed Demon 715, Poteet wasn’t about the talk—he was about setting records and making history. That car? Fastest piston-engine, wheel-driven land speed car in the world. That’s not just fast—that’s history in motion.
The Speed Demon 715
ARP brought out the big guns for this tribute, giving fans a close-up look at the Speed Demon 715. This isn’t just any car—it’s the pinnacle of land speed engineering. A machine that cracked the 400-mph barrier and shattered more records than any other in its class. Standing next to it, you could almost feel the salt beneath your feet and hear the roar of the turbo V8 screaming across Bonneville. It was a moment for every gearhead who ever dreamed of pushing the limits.
Why It Mattered
George Poteet wasn’t just a racer; he was an inspiration. His dedication, his drive, and his willingness to push beyond what was thought possible made him a legend. The folks at ARP knew it, and that’s why this tribute mattered. It wasn’t just about looking back—it was about celebrating the kind of relentless passion that moves the entire industry forward.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
For those who made it to the ARP booth, it wasn’t just about paying respects—it was about being part of something bigger. Poteet’s legacy isn’t just in the records he set, but in the spirit he embodied. And if this show proved anything, it’s that true speed demons never fade—they just keep inspiring the next wave of racers to go even faster.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Speed Demon
A webpage dedicated to Speed Demon 715, the fastest piston engine/wheel driven car in the world.
