Shade-Tree 1.6.
September 23, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
THE ONE THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY
The story of Terry Beaty’s ’50 Ford F-1 is no whopper of a fishing tale—this is the one that did not get away, a pickup that has been in possession of the Beaty family since the truck was nearly new.
BAD BOWTIE
Some guys love their Chevys so much that they’ll go out of their way to flush out and record every bit of their cars’ histories. Such is the case with Gene Lavine of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Lavine is 65 going on 35. A car guy since he was 16, he served his country as a jet fighter pilot and then went on to fly for the Federal Aviation Administration. He also has a Ph.D. and now is vice president of a company that manages collections for more than 30,000 businesses.
Tuning A Marine Carburetor
There’s no escaping the fact that gasoline prices are out of sight. This has many boat owners wondering how to tune their engines so they can get more hours out of a tank of fuel, while at the same time improving overall efficiency. A properly tuned fuel and ignition system will allow your marine engine to perform at its potential and will be more enjoyable to use because it’s efficient and reliable.
Spotlighter
Gary Sinise Brings Star Power and Patriotic Spirit to Triple Crown of Rodding 2025
The Lt. Dan Band Proves It’s Got Serious Legs at TCOR 2025, All While Helping Heroes
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
A Rally of American Pride
The Triple Crown of Rodding 2025 wasn’t just the biggest hot rod event in the nation — on Saturday, September 6, it became a rally of American pride at the Nashville Superspeedway. Actor, advocate, and true patriot Gary Sinise lit up the night with his Lt. Dan Band, delivering a high-octane rock ’n’ roll concert that saluted our service members, veterans, and first responders.
Red, White, and Blue Energy
From the first guitar riff to the final encore, the show felt more like a red, white, and blue block party than a concert. With more than 3,500 custom vehicles, 190 exhibitors, and thousands of fans waving flags, the crowd embodied everything the Triple Crown stands for: American craftsmanship, unity, and gratitude for our heroes.
A Concert with a Mission
Sinise’s performance wasn’t just entertainment — it was a mission. Funds were raised for the Gary Sinise Foundation
Support America’s Heroes
Want to make a real difference for the men and women who serve our country? The Gary Sinise Foundation provides vital support to veterans, first responders, and their families—building mortgage-free homes for severely wounded heroes, equipping first responders, and honoring the families of fallen service members.
CLICK HERE to donate and help ensure our heroes get the support they deserve.
Gary Sinise Foundation
"While we can never do enough for our nation's heroes, we can always do a little more."
- Gary Sinise
