CHECKING AND CONTAINING FLUIDS
December 27, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
B-Series Bullseye: Part I
What can we say about VTEC Honda motors that hasn’t already been said thousands of times? Accolades have been bestowed upon the B-series Honda at an almost embarrassing rate—and we might add that all of its praise is well deserved. But we have already begun to turn our attention to the newer K-series motors, which by all accounts are even better motors than the B-series. They are sure to start a revolution of their own, but that is a discussion for a different day.
Golden Anniversary Special
Just about any gearhead would be thrilled by the opportunity to work with legendary automotive collector and all-around funny guy Jay Leno. Dave Killackey, owner of Performance Transmissions in Azusa, California, not only had the opportunity to work on a number of Leno’s projects, but along the way he’s developed a friendship with the late-night TV host. It’s a close enough friendship that Leno teamed with automotive designer Chip Foose and his “Overhaulin’” TV show to completely transform his rusted-out ’56 Chevrolet Nomad. So yes, you did read this correctly; Dave Killackey is indeed one of the luckiest car guys on the planet—he’s friends with Jay Leno, and he owns a ’56 Nomad that has been overhauled by Chip Foose and the rest of his team.
WINDSOR CASTLE
While the small-block Chevy is the popular engine choice for many enthusiasts, many are now relying on a Blue Oval heart for their performance bodies. With its link to Ford, the original body manufacturer for many of the classic cars we see today, the small-block Windsor-style Ford engine offers several advantages. When compared to Chevy, the lack of firewall clearance for a number of Chevy engine swaps is due to the rear distributor position of the engine. The front-mount distributor position is the more logical place to drive the distributor and the oil pump. Not to mention, it’s much more convenient.
Spotlighter
RODS ON THE RIVER
The Strawberry Festival Car Show and Cruise-In
A look back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee, where The Auto Builder hosted the first Rods on the River car show, drawing crowds, classic cars, and community spirit.
Author
Josh Kaylor
Words & Photography
A Look Back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee
Every year in May, the Tennessee Valley is filled with travelers and neighbors from the surrounding areas who come to celebrate the Strawberry Festival. In 2006, the 59th annual Strawberry Festival, called the Strawberry Stampede, was a huge success, with literally thousands of people filling the streets and flocking to the festivities. That year’s festival was particularly important, as it was our second year of attending but the first in which The Auto Builder could actually involve itself. We sponsored the Friday cruise portion of the weeklong festival, which we called the Rods On The River. Every year on the Friday before the Strawberry parade, classic cars, trucks, street rods and hot rods flock to the historic district of Dayton. Come 5:00 p.m. the city closes the main streets so that all the hot rods can park.
The Auto Builder Debuts Rods on the River Car Show
The Auto Builder put a twist on an old tradition with the addition of a car show that started mid-morning. The first annual Rods on the River turned out to be quite a success for a first-time event. Carrie Hassler and Dead Rain provided live music that was enjoyed by all, and The Auto Builder supplied barbecue and beverages for those who registered and were on hand in time for lunch. The Auto Builder’s own Jim Dalton designed custom billet trophies for the show, and John Dianna awarded them to eight lucky participants. The show began in the early morning with beautiful weather that couldn’t have been nicer had we ordered it firsthand. High 60s and low 70s made it absolutely perfect to be by the water, and the beautiful surroundings made it that much more pleasant.
A Diverse Display of Classic and Modern Cars
There was a great turnout with enough diversity for everybody. The Mopar guys came out, as did the street rods and classic trucks. The show had everything from Model As to import tuners. The lake provided the perfect place, and the flawless green lawn was a pleasant place to be for an early morning car show. Starting at around 10:00 a.m. and lasting well into the night, the event went perfectly.
Cruise-In Tradition Highlights a Memorable Weekend
Late that afternoon, everyone cruised over to town where the annual cruise-in took place. Cars lined the streets and fun was had by all. The Auto Builder Big Rig was displayed with a few of Dianna’s cars, which included a ’58 Pontiac wagon, a ’49 Olds fastback, his Lil’ Buck ’32 sedan and his ’34 Vicky. The crew from Coker brought an 18-wheeler, which displayed a few rides of their own, including a totally unrestored ’55 Chevy Bel Air hardtop and Old Indy Racer, which Corky likes to take on the Great American Race, along with a neat old white truck with kerosene-burning headlamps. The weekend went well, and we were already making plans for the following year. It was laid-back, fun, and a memorable chapter in the history of The Auto Builder’s involvement in community events.
BONUS: From the Archives
We’re excited to share a rare glimpse into the 2006 Strawberry Festival with a gallery of never-before-published photos from the event. These images capture the energy, craftsmanship, and community spirit that defined the first-ever Rods on the River car show and the legendary Friday night cruise-in. From classic rides along the waterfront to behind-the-scenes moments with The Auto Builder crew, this visual time capsule brings the day’s unforgettable atmosphere back to life.
