THE AUTO BUILDER

Featured

HPX Emerges as a Must-Watch Tradeshow for the Performance Industry

There’s a new name making waves in the high-performance and motorsports world: HPX. The High Performance Expo, presented by the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), brings fresh energy and forward-thinking focus to the industry. Held at the Charlotte Convention Center, HPX delivers a dynamic experience for automotive professionals, racers, fabricators, and performance enthusiasts alike. Built as a bridge between business and passion, HPX sets out to connect the key players in performance engineering, aftermarket innovation, and motorsports culture—and it’s already making a strong impression.

High Performance Rebuild

The small-block Chevy has enjoyed a long, happy life. Sure, the current LS1/LS6 version is quite far removed from the original, but thousands upon thousands of little mouse motors continue to provide the sole means of motivation to everything from stationary irrigation pumps to Le Mans-winning C5R Corvettes. Naturally, this list also includes all manner of boulevard bruisers, street stompers and resto rockets. Heck, we’ve even seen little Chevys under the hood of “Brand X” machinery. The continued popularity of the small-block Chevy is not surprising. Take a look at the combination of power potential and parts availability and multiply that by the cost quotient, and you have the makings of a real success story. Add to this equation the millions of project motors just sitting around junkyards throughout the world, and it is easy to see why enthusiasts continue to embrace the mighty mouse motor as the performance powerplant of choice.

INSIDIOUS

David Salvaggio at Perfection Autosport says the intent behind its latest project, “Insidious,” was to do as Dodge is about to: rework an original ’70 Dodge Challenger with a range of insightful alterations intended to build on a solid resume.

Spotlighter

History of the The Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame

Celebrating the Visionaries Behind the World’s Greatest Hot Rods

Author

Jamie Dent

Photography by Scott Killeen

Timeline Infographics by Eric Geisert

A Tribute to Hot Rodding Legends

The Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame is where hot rodding’s biggest names get the recognition they deserve. Since 1960, it’s been the ultimate nod to the builders, visionaries, and die-hard gearheads who’ve left their mark on the scene. This isn’t just a list of names—it’s a legacy of the innovators who’ve shaped the custom car world and made the Grand National Roadster Show the powerhouse event it is today.

The Roots of Recognition

Back when the Grand National Roadster Show was still finding its groove, a handful of passionate folks realized that the pioneers of hot rodding deserved more than just a pat on the back. That’s how the Hall of Fame was born. The first inductees? Absolute legends—Al Slonaker, Joe Bailon, George Barris, Wally Parks, and Robert E. Petersen. These guys didn’t just build cars; they built the foundation for everything that came after.

How Induction Works

Getting into the Hall of Fame isn’t just about having a cool build or a flashy name. It’s a serious process. Current members nominate the best of the best, followed by a vote to decide who’s earned their place in history. Each year, the new inductees get their moment in the spotlight at the Hall of Fame dinner during the Grand National Roadster Show. It’s more than just an award ceremony—it’s a gathering of the most passionate people in hot rodding, celebrating where the industry has been and where it’s headed next.

A Rich History on Display

Eric Geisert, inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame this year, put together a killer display on the GNRS Hall of Fame’s history, and we’re making sure it gets the recognition it deserves. If you missed it, here’s your chance to check it out and dive into the rich history of the show! Be sure to follow Eric on Instagram to see more cool stuff!