Nuthin’ Fancy
March 29, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PUMP THE POWER: PART 2
Auto manufacturers are constantly working to develop trucks that safely tow and haul more weight. However, the byproduct of high load capabilities is a rough unloaded ride. On a recent visit to J&D Performance, we found the crew beginning work on an Air Ride system for the owner of a 1999 F-350 two-wheel-drive dually. The owner of the truck was happy with its ability to tow and haul, thanks to Part-1’s addition of a full Banks Power Pack, but extremely unhappy with the truck’s ride when unloaded.
The Crusher
You can’t fault a man for knowing what he likes, and in the case of Chelsea, Alabama’s Mike George, what he likes is the ’69 Camaro. at the age of 41 years old, he’s managed to own no fewer than 15 of these cars over the years, but none was anything like his current Camaro. In fact, we can’t think of any other ’69 Camaro that’s quite like this one.
WHATZIT?
Our first thought was to try to figure out which make and model the custom started out as. Generally, there are enough clues that can enable you to determine the origin of a custom. This one, though, was so radically modified, yet nicely done, that it was particularly difficult to pinpoint exactly what vehicle the customizer started with. The custom had all the right proportions, and it flowed gracefully from front to rear.
Spotlighter
Pyramid Optimized Design: The Builder’s Secret Weapon
The Quiet Partner Behind Custom Automotive’s Biggest Victories
When a build needs to go from “cool idea” to “everyone’s talking about this,” the pros call Pyramid Optimized Design. They’re the team behind some of the most talked-about show cars on the planet — using custom automotive design services to transform raw ideas into fully engineered, show-winning, road-ready components. Pyramid doesn’t just make parts. They bring visions to life, concept to completion.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Images courtesy of Pyramid Optimized Design
Their Work Wins — At the Highest Level
You don’t land in the winner’s circle by accident. Pyramid helped craft the headlights and taillights on the 2025 Ridler Award–winning ’55 Chevy Nomad “Gray Madder.” When the top award in custom car building is on the line, builders choose Pyramid — because their design, engineering, and execution deliver championship-level results.
And it’s not just cars. Pyramid even fabricated the Big Oak Garage Celebrity Pick trophy for the Triple Crown of Rodding, proving their talent scales from precision components to industry icons. If it needs to look incredible and function flawlessly, they’re the ones trusted to build it.
The RMS Camaro goes Commando
On the RMS Customs ‘69 “Commando” Camaro, Pyramid didn’t just contribute—they helped define the car’s identity. Their custom full-housing taillights are engineered with precision: no LED bleed, crisp illumination, and a plug-and-play fit that looks factory-born but unmistakably modern. RMS trusted Pyramid not only for the part, but for how the part integrates into the Camaro’s aggressive redesign. That’s what Pyramid Optimized Design does best: they create harmony between vision, function, and form.
Full-Service Design That Goes Beyond Parts
What sets Pyramid apart is their broad suite of custom automotive design services. They can step into any stage of a build and elevate it. Sketching, scanning, engineering, prototyping, production — everything driven by deep technical chops and creative horsepower.
Whether you need carbon fiber bodywork, intricate lighting, a complete interior redesign, or a one-off component that’s never existed before, Pyramid’s process blends art and engineering in a way few shops can match.
Capabilities That Turn Dreams Into Reality
Pyramid’s capabilities read like a dream wish-list for any serious builder. They leverage industry-leading 3D scanning, advanced reverse engineering, and full CAD development, backed by both 3-axis and 5-axis machining for precision component creation. Their 3D printing arsenal covers FDM, resin, and metal printing, giving them unmatched flexibility in prototyping or producing final parts. When a project calls for production-grade materials, they offer injection molding, plastic casting, sand casting, and investment casting, allowing them to engineer components in whatever medium the build requires. And when things need to be welded, shaped, or handcrafted, their TIG and MIG welding, wheel design and manufacturing, suspension engineering, chassis design, and full in-house fabrication ensure that even the wildest concept can be brought to life with precision and style. This isn’t just a parts shop — it’s an entire innovation ecosystem.
Bring Your Vision to Life
Got something in your head that feels “too crazy” for most shops? Perfect — that’s where Pyramid Optimized Design does their best work. Their blend of 3D scanning, CAD engineering, precision machining, 3D printing, casting, welding, and fabrication gives them everything they need to take napkin sketches all the way to award-winning hardware.
Whether you’re crafting custom lighting, rethinking a chassis, engineering a suspension system, or developing a bespoke part that only exists in your imagination, Pyramid has the technology and the talent to turn it into reality.
Your build deserves more than off-the-shelf solutions. It deserves a partner that can dream with you — and then engineer the dream into metal.
Ready to make your vision real?
CLICK THE BANNER BELOW!
Visit Pyramid Optimized Design to explore their full range of services and get in touch with the team behind some of the biggest builds in the game!
Pyramid Optimized Design
A contract design firm focused on manufacturing custom automotive parts, products, and solutions.
Collaboration beyond the status quo.
