A Southern Tradition
May 12, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
LS Swapping a Classic Jeep CJ
In 1981 this Jeep, that now belongs to Clinton Campbell of Dallas Texas left the factory floor with a straight 6, but he drove it away from Street & Performance with a 5.3 truck LS-1 type engine and a 4L60E transmission. Clinton wanted more performance, drivability and, with the recent enforcement of emission laws in Texas, he needed to be able to pass emissions.
Trucks of the Grand National Roadster Show 2025
Hot rodders used to scoff at the idea of trucks stealing the show. Now? They’re the stars. The 2025 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) proved that trucks aren’t just workhorses anymore—they’re rolling showcases of power, design, and straight-up cool factor. Whether slammed to the pavement or built for full-throttle performance, trucks have carved out their own space in the custom scene, and this year’s GNRS made it clear: the truck takeover is real.
NO MORE POLISHING!
This is an easy-to-apply product that was designed to prevent dulling and oxidation of aluminum, retaining the polished brightness and luster.
Spotlighter
HIDING NOT FAR FROM HOME
The Hot Rod That Disappeared for 32 Years
Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was always interesting. In December of 1998 we received this letter and three photos of one very cool ’38 Ford Standard Coupe. While it is a great hot rod, the history of this coupe makes it even more compelling. Enjoy…
Author
Gerry Burger
Letter & Photos Marv Silverstein
12/17/98
Gerry,
Gerry, can I call you Gerry? Ok! You can call me Marv. Ask Lance about me, we go back a few years. (Marv is referring to our mutual friend Lance Sorchik).
Here goes, I am a 61-year-old hot rodder and I still have to work almost every weekend. I try to get to York and Macungie each year and a weekend event every so often, but somehow my car and I don’t get much press, Duh!
Anyway, it’s about this car of mine, not only is it a 1938 Ford Standard Coupe, but it was customized in 1951, it has to be one of the first chopped ’38 coupes in the country. I bought it in 1954 as a mess, after it had been abused by owner/builder Tommy Carr from West Virginia. It took until 1957, at the hands of Les Cove of Hillside, N.J. for the coupe to be almost refinished in primer with a few new ideas from me and Walla!! a First Place Trophy the first two times out!
To make a very long story shorter, I sold the coupe three times in a year, only to lose the car forever in 1958. “Forever” was until December 1989 when I advertised that I was looking for the coupe. FOUND! In Wilkes-Barre, PA. by a nice man, Sam Barbose. He called, seems the coupe was used only in 1958 and then garaged until my ad in STREET SCENE magazine. The coupe was out of sight for 32-years.
Sam brought the coupe to me in 1990 and I started to disassemble it in a garage down the street from my house. Once more the coupe was a mess. After three-years of chipping away at the project I heard of this great rod shop in Hummelstown, PA. No not Posies, but another great Hummelstown shop, Lang’s Custom Auto. Bill Lang and his wife Kay and their crew finished the coupe for the last time in 1997. What a beautiful job. It’s a 10! and very different and with my input and suggestions and their expertise I have a show winner, all I have to do is show up. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like trophies, but I think this car should have a feature article in at least one of the best magazines, RODDER’S DIGEST. Hint, Hint!
Thanks in advance,
Marv Silverstein
Lambertville, NJ
ARTICLE SOURCES
Gerry Burger
Gerry Burger has been immersed in hot rodding since the early 1960s, building his first hot rods as a teenager after being inspired by local racer Bob Zorn. A chance meeting with Tom Medley in 1972 launched a distinguished career as an automotive photojournalist, leading to freelance work for dozens of magazines, the founding of Rodder's Digest, and editorial leadership roles at Street Rod Builder and American Rodder. Today, Burger continues to write, photograph, and build hot rods, remaining one of the hobby's most respected voices.
