Whipple Supercharger Install
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Texas Sized Toyota
They say that everything is bigger in Texas. “Everything” applies to belt buckles, women’s hair, and yes, even trucks. Frisco, Texas residents Charles and Vickie Kim’s 1969 FJ-40 Land Cruiser was built using that same “bigger is better” philosophy, in everything from the gearing to the axles to the tires.
Drilled and Thrilled
Rich Oakley is not your average hot rod builder. There is no room for cookie cutter cars in the Retro Rides by Rich shop in Archdale, North Carolina. In fact, he prefers to be one step ahead of the norm when it comes to building his personal rides. Loosely inspired by the Tony Nancy 22 Jr., his Model A highboy comes equipped with an attitude. “The car has a loud, rude nature. That’s what I like about it, the way it shakes, smells, and of course, the noise,” Oakley says. It has an aggressive stance, and those six Holley 94 carburetors are an indication that the roadster might have a chip on its shoulder.
The Other American Musclecar
American Motors was an extremely conservative automobile company, happy with building basic transportation cars and small, economical compacts. When Pontiac stunned the world with the sales success of the ’64 GTO, many of the other car manufacturers also wanted to cash in on the new emerging muscle car movement. If strong-running cars could bring additional cash into the coffers, they were all for it. All except conservative American Motors, which denounced the idea of building fast cars because they wouldn’t be safe in the hands of young buyers. AMC continued on, content with building Ramblers. That idea lasted for about two years, but after seeing the sales success of the other auto manufacturers, AMC finally decided to cash in on the youth movement.
Spotlighter
Brizio Street Rods Shines at GNRS 2025
Brizio Street Rods’ Unmatched Presence at GNRS 2025
The Grand National Roadster Show 2025 was an all-out horsepower spectacle, packed with jaw-dropping rides and elite craftsmanship. But one booth that truly stole the show? Brizio Street Rods. These guys don’t just build cars—they create rolling masterpieces that blend power, style, and history into one breathtaking package.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
A Hot Rodder’s Dream Display
Stepping up to the Brizio booth felt like flipping through the greatest hits of hot rodding. Flawless paint, precision-tuned engines, and stance so perfect it stopped people mid-stride. Every ride was meticulously dialed in, proving once again why Brizio is a household name in the world of street rods.
Crowds, Conversations, and Unmatched Craftsmanship
It wasn’t just the cars drawing a crowd—everywhere you looked, people were pointing out details, snapping pics, and swapping stories about their own builds. The booth buzzed with energy, and we made sure to capture plenty of shots of the insane craftsmanship on display.
Brizio Keeps Raising the Bar
Bottom line? Brizio Street Rods brought the heat to GNRS 2025, once again proving why they’re at the top of the game. If this year’s display is any indication, we can’t wait to see what they roll out next.
Inside the Brizio Booth: A Visual Tour
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Brizio Street Rods booth that had everyone talking. From perfectly executed builds to the smallest custom details, these photos capture the passion, precision, and power that define Brizio’s legacy. Scroll through and experience the artistry that makes their hot rods true showstoppers.
Instant T: The Wild Ride That Shook Hot Rodding and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Andy Brizio’s 1915 Ford Model T C-Cab Panel Truck, better known as “Instant T,” isn’t just a hot rod—it’s a rolling legend. Built by one of Northern California’s biggest hot rod names, this wild machine cemented its place in history from the moment it hit the streets.
Built to Cruise, Destined for Glory
Brizio originally built Instant T to drive cross-country to the 1971 Street Rod Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee—because why trailer a car when you can tear across America in style? But this wasn’t just any road-trip machine. With an iconic ribbon paint job by Art Himsl, the truck turned heads and ended up winning “Best Appearing Car” out of 1,500 entries. Not bad for a street-driven hot rod.
From Hot Rod Hero to Rock Star Ride
As if that wasn’t legendary enough, Instant T took an even crazier turn when John Bonham, the powerhouse drummer for Led Zeppelin, spotted it and had to have it. He shipped the truck to England, where it became a part of rock ‘n’ roll history, even making an appearance in Led Zeppelin’s film The Song Remains the Same.
A Timeless Hot Rod Icon
With Brizio’s masterful craftsmanship, Himsl’s mind-blowing paintwork, and a history that straddles both hot rodding and rock music, Instant T isn’t just a car—it’s a cultural icon. Whether parked or roaring down the road, this machine is pure hot rod perfection.
A Few More From the Brizio Booth
ARTICLE SOURCES
Roy Brizio Street Rods Inc
505 Railroad Ave South San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94080
