HIGH-SCHOOL HEARTTHROB REVISITED
March 28, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Borgeson’s 14:1 Quick Ratio Power Steering Conversion Kit for 1968-1970 Mustang
For all you classic Mustang enthusiasts out there, if you’re wrestling with manual steering in your 1968-1970 Ford Mustang, it’s time to make a serious upgrade. The Borgeson Mustang P/S Kit is here to save your arms and enhance your driving experience. This power steering conversion kit is a game-changer for those who crave better steering ease, responsiveness, and overall driving comfort. Buckle up as we dive into the killer features, crucial components, and the unbeatable benefits this kit brings.
CIMTEX RODS SUPER CAMEO: PART 8
In part seven of our Cimtex Rods Super Cameo Buildup series, we covered the installation of our Stainless Works four-tube ZR1 headers and Cimtex Rods-fabricated 3-inch custom exhaust system, as well as the fabrication and installation of our Cimtex Rods-constructed 22-gallon fuel tank and the accompanying MagnaFuel fuel system. Now we’re going to cover the mockup of our Powerdyne BD-11A SilentDrive twin supercharger system. But first let’s digress and take a look at the big picture. One of the key criterion in our Cimtex Rods Super Cameo buildup was to elicit that all-important “wow” factor throughout the entire series. When it came to the engine, we didn’t want to install just any old run-of-the-mill, multi-carbureted GM small or big block, much less a late-model GM crate engine straight out of the catalog. Going in we figured that the Cimtex Super Cameo powerplant should be something special.
Coast to Coast Cool
Part of the rarity of this car comes in the fact that this is one of the first 12 original Coast to Coast ’39 Ford Convertible bodies to be built. Since that time, a second-generation body has been developed, and while some changes have been made, the overall look is very much the same, and for good reason. While this design certainly captures the appeal of an original ’39 Ford convertible, it also captures the look of the Chip Foose-designed Smoothster built by Hot Rods By Boyd. It’s sleek, it’s innovative, and, unlike the Smoothster, it’s a truly affordable way for the Millards to arrive in style.
Spotlighter
Red, White, and Chrome: Dayton’s Strawberry Festival Cruise-In Drives Home the Spirit of Community
A Growing Highlight of the Strawberry Festival Draws Crowds and Classics Alike
On Friday, May 9, the streets of downtown Dayton filled with the rumble of engines, the shine of polished chrome, and the unmistakable buzz of community. As part of the 78th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival, the Cruise-In Car Show once again proved to be more than a car show — it was a meeting place for car lovers, families, and locals who know small towns shine brightest when they come together.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Words & Photography
This year’s Cruise-In was the biggest yet. Every corner around the courthouse square had something different to offer — from fresh restorations and spotless muscle cars to weathered rat rods and lifted trucks still wearing the dirt they were built for. The best part? Nobody cared what your car was — they cared about the story behind it.
We love how small-town car shows like this bring everyone together. Young kids, retired gearheads, and everyone in between lined the streets, sharing memories and snapping photos. Some came to show, some just to walk the rows and talk shop. Everyone left with a grin.
Something for Everyone
There’s something special about a show that doesn’t play favorites, and the Cruise-In nailed it. Antique Fords and Chevys rolled in like pieces of living history, while 4x4s and trail rigs stood tall, looking like they’d just come off the mountain. Classic muscle cars brought the unmistakable rumble of V8 power, parked right alongside late-model builds and clean daily drivers. And then there were the custom oddballs — the project cars, the home-built rides — each with its own story and personality. This wasn’t about awards or flawless paint jobs. It was about showing up, sharing what you’ve built (or found), and being part of something real.
No Pretense, Just Passion
The Cruise-In was low-key, welcoming, and buzzing with energy. What stood out wasn’t just the vehicles — it was the people. Locals catching up over fenders. Kids pointing out their favorites. First-time visitors getting pulled into conversations with complete strangers swapping stories like old friends.
This wasn’t just a display — it was a hangout. The kind of event where a guy with a slammed S10 can park next to a ’67 Camaro and both draw a crowd.
More Than a Show
As the sun set and headlights started to glow, the streets of Dayton felt like a scene out of a postcard. It’s not hard to see why this event keeps growing every year. It’s simple, honest, and full of soul — everything that makes small-town America feel like home.
The Cruise-In isn’t just part of the Strawberry Festival — it’s the heartbeat. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s authentic. And in a world where that’s getting harder to find, Dayton proves year after year that it still knows how to do it right.
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