Nuthin’ Fancy
March 29, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
SUBTLE SEDAN
When we were at the NSRA Nationals last year, we came across a nice Pontiac sedan that we just had to photograph. It was different, super clean and it had fantastic detailing that made you come back for a second look.
STAR CARS: A Family and Its Speedstar
Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar street rod and traded it to Dale for his unfinished car. Joe and Dale then went to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and saw a beautiful orange Speedstar that Alan Johnson had just finished. They were impressed with the roadster’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, so Dale decided to take his custom Speedstar build to Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama, to help him finish it. Dale’s intention was to build the roadster for outdoor car events, because the last rod he built was never driven, it was strictly an indoor show car. This time he wanted a rod that was exceptional, and a driver.
CONCEPTUALLY ’40
It was a sketch published in another street rod title, and while it brought many interesting comments, to our knowledge no one acted on the sketch to convert it to a real roadster. Enter Sam Magarino of Sussex, New Jersey. Now, Magarino likes hot rods, and lately he has enjoyed building some pretty outrageous hot rods with the help of Barry Lobeck and his crew at Lobeck’s. This would be a project of great magnitude, and that was the name aptly applied to this car for the show season.
Spotlighter
NEW PRODUCT ROUND-UP AT THE NSRA NATS
The Coolest, Must-Have Products We Spotted at the 2026 NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos by Scott Killeen
There’s always something new to discover at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, and the 57th Annual gathering in Louisville was no exception. From August 6–9, 2026, the Kentucky Exposition Center was packed with thousands of street rods, customs, trucks, muscle cars, and the builders and manufacturers who keep the hobby moving forward. Walking the aisles and checking out the displays, we found plenty of products that caught our attention—not necessarily because they were the biggest or flashiest items in the building, but because they represented smart ideas, quality craftsmanship, and the kinds of details that can make a great build even better.
From modern cooling and climate-control systems to wheels, brakes, steering components, electrical upgrades, detailing products, and the small finishing touches that separate a clean build from an exceptional one, this collection represents some of the products that stood out to us at this year’s Nationals. Some solve a problem. Some add performance. Some simply make a finished car look better. And some manage to do all three. Here’s a look at the products we spotted in Louisville that we think deserve a closer look.
Billet Specialties
Street Trac Serpentine Systems
When you’re walking a car show, some of the best details are the ones hiding in plain sight. The Billet Specialties Street Trac Serpentine System is one of those pieces that immediately cleans up the front of a small-block or big-block Chevy while bringing modern accessory-drive technology to a traditional hot rod. Designed as a complete front-engine accessory drive, Street Trac combines precision-machined billet brackets and pulleys with a proven OE-style tensioner, quality hardware, power steering, A/C, alternator, and water-pump components. It’s available in smooth or aggressive TEC styling and polished or black finishes, making it easy to complement everything from a traditional cruiser to a full-blown show car.
Available for both small-block and big-block Chevrolet applications, Street Trac is more than just a good-looking pulley system. Billet Specialties uses machined standoffs rather than simple spacers to help eliminate flex and fatigue, while the belt-contact pulleys are hard-coat anodized for durability. The system also eliminates the need for crank spacers and cut tubing that can create alignment and shear-point issues. It’s the kind of upgrade that looks right sitting on the engine—and, more importantly, is engineered to work right when the hood comes down and the car hits the road.
Ventura Wheels
Some wheels are designed to fill the wheel opening. Others become part of the car’s personality. The Billet Specialties Ventura falls squarely into the second category, blending classic hot-rodding influence with a thoroughly modern execution. Part of Billet Specialties’ Vintage Series, the Ventura takes styling cues from wheels that have defined hot rodding through the years and reworks them with contemporary proportions, precision machining, and a selection of finishes that let builders put their own spin on the look.
Every Ventura is precision-machined using multi-axis technology and hand-finished, with options ranging from traditional polished aluminum to a huge selection of custom finishes. Builders can also choose between a smooth center cap or step up to the optional spinner cap for an extra dose of vintage attitude. Spotted on a recent show car, the Ventura is exactly the kind of wheel that can make a finished build stand out without looking like it was chasing the latest trend—old-school influence, modern execution, and plenty of attitude.
Billet Specialties
Billet Specialties is proud to be one of the most recognized names in the Hot Rod industry.
Challenger Lifts
Take Your Garage to the Next Level
At the NSRA Nats, there’s no shortage of cool stuff built for people who love cars—and Challenger Lifts brought some serious garage hardware to the show. On display was a 12,000-pound two-post lift, the kind of equipment that makes you start looking at your garage ceiling a little differently. With enough capacity to handle everything from hot rods and muscle cars to full-size trucks, a lift like this isn’t just shop equipment; it’s a serious upgrade for anyone who spends a lot of time building, maintaining, and enjoying their vehicles.
Challenger also had one of its Home Storage Lifts on display, and this is where things get really interesting for the car enthusiast. If your garage is anything like ours, there’s never enough room for all the cars, parts, tools, and projects that somehow find their way home. A storage lift lets you take advantage of that space above the floor, creating room for another vehicle underneath while keeping your cars safely stored and ready to roll. Whether you’re building a hot rod, collecting classics, or simply trying to squeeze one more car into the garage, Challenger Lifts offers a pretty compelling solution: when you run out of floor space, start looking up.
Classic Instruments
Mach 1 Direct-Fit Cluster
If you’re building a ’71–’73 Mustang, keeping the original character of the interior doesn’t mean you have to settle for the limitations of 50-year-old instrumentation. Classic Instruments’ Mach 1 Direct-Fit Cluster gives these iconic Mustangs a serious gauge upgrade while retaining the OE-inspired look that belongs in the dash. The complete set combines a speedometer, tachometer, and quad gauge into one clean package, with OE-style gauge faces designed to mimic the original dash. For builders looking to add a little more personality, additional styling options are available, including a Hybrid Speedometer with a digital readout.
Installation is designed to be just as straightforward as the finished product looks. The cluster includes a premium black-oxide finish trim ring that installs into the customer’s original instrument cluster and bezel, helping maintain that factory appearance. Classic Instruments also includes its Ford no-fuel sending-unit kit, so there’s no hunting down additional components to make the system work. The fuel gauge is programmed for the standard 75–10 ohm sender, making this a smart way to bring modern accuracy and functionality to the cockpit without sacrificing the Mustang’s original spirit. It looks at home in a classic Mach 1—and that’s exactly the point.
Diamond Back Classic Radials
Tru-Street Custom Radials
There’s something about a set of raised white letters that instantly changes the attitude of a car. Diamond Back Classic Radials’ Tru-Street Custom Radials bring that old-school look into the modern era, giving today’s muscle cars and custom builds the kind of tire styling that used to be reserved for the golden age of performance. These tires caught our attention because they deliver genuine raised-white-letter styling without looking like a modern tire with a sticker slapped on the sidewall. Diamond Back builds the Tru-Street with brand-new segmented molds and a modern all-season tread design, combining vintage-inspired appearance with contemporary performance.
And the “Custom” part of the name is more than marketing. The Tru-Street can be produced with raised white letters, redlines, or even a whitewall, giving builders plenty of ways to tailor the tire to the car. The current lineup includes popular 20-inch sizes, with an H speed rating, non-staining white rubber, and a tread designed to look right while providing year-round usability. It’s a great example of how the right tire can completely change a car’s personality—and sometimes, getting the look right means putting some old-school attitude back on the sidewall.
Flaming River Industries
’82–’92 Camaro Steering Solutions
The 1982–’92 Camaro remains a popular platform for builders, but upgrading the steering and keeping the engine bay and interior clean can take some planning. Flaming River makes that job a whole lot easier with its Direct-Fit Power Rack & Pinion Cradle Kit, designed specifically for these third-generation F-bodies. The kit provides a modern power rack-and-pinion steering setup with a purpose-built cradle, giving the Camaro more precise steering response while eliminating the complexity and bulk associated with the original steering arrangement. It’s a smart upgrade for anyone building a car that needs to handle as good as it looks.
To finish the conversion, Flaming River also offers a Direct-Fit Floor-Shift Key Column specifically for the ’82–’92 Camaro. The column is designed to work with floor-shift applications and is available in two finishes: a paintable mill finish for builders who want to customize it to their interior, or a black powdercoat finish for a clean, finished look right out of the box. Together, these components make it possible to modernize the Camaro’s steering system while maintaining a clean, factory-inspired installation—exactly the kind of upgrade that makes a classic performance car more enjoyable to drive without changing its personality.
Flaming River Industries
Quality Steering Products for Hot Rods, Street Rods, Muscle Cars, Performance Vehicles, and Jeeps
Holley
Detailing & Wash Products
You can spend hundreds of hours building a car, but all that work doesn’t mean much if the finished ride isn’t kept looking its best. Holley’s line of detailing and wash products gives enthusiasts the tools to keep that hard-earned finish clean, slick, and ready for the next cruise. The lineup covers the basics with dedicated wash and cleaning products, along with detailers and specialty products designed to handle the different surfaces and materials found on today’s cars. It’s the kind of stuff that belongs on the shelf next to the polish, microfiber towels, and the other tools of the detailing trade.
And for car guys and gals who are particular about their finish, that variety matters. Whether the goal is washing away the road grime after a weekend cruise, giving the paint a quick detail before a show, or putting the final touch on a freshly finished build, Holley has a product for the job. Because the build doesn’t end when the last bolt is tightened—the real payoff is keeping it looking killer every time it rolls out of the garage.
Johnson’s Radiator Works
Fox Body Cooling
The Fox Body Mustang has become one of the hottest platforms in the performance world, but keeping one of these cars cool—especially after adding horsepower—takes more than simply throwing a bigger radiator under the hood. Johnson’s Radiator Works brings old-school radiator craftsmanship together with serious cooling performance in its high-performance 4-row copper-brass radiator for 1979–’93 Ford Mustangs. Designed as a direct-fit stock replacement, the radiator bolts into the factory location with no modifications, while its 4-row, 2.750-inch-thick copper core and ½-inch brass tubes deliver more than 40 percent increased cooling over aluminum. It also features one-piece tanks stamped from .040-inch deep-draw brass and is built using original Walker tooling.
Johnson’s takes the package even further with multiple cooling configurations, including an integrated heat exchanger that bolts into the stock location and can eliminate the need for additional auxiliary coolers and fans. The company also offers an Ultimate Cooling Package combining the radiator and heat exchanger with a Vintage Air A/C condenser, fan, and auxiliary transmission cooler. Everything is manufactured and assembled in-house, with quality control from raw materials through the finished product. For a Fox Body that’s making more power and seeing more road time, this is serious cooling technology wrapped in classic radiator craftsmanship—and it’s proudly Made in the USA.
Johnsons Radiator Works
America’s #1 stock replacement 4-row copper-brass radiator for 1917-07 cars and trucks for over 90 years.
100% Made in the USA.
Old Air Products
Climate Control for Every Build
The Old Air Products booth was a great example of just how many ways there are to bring modern comfort and cooling to a classic vehicle. Rather than focusing on one particular type of build, the display covered everything from complete, vehicle-specific HVAC systems to cooling components and compact under-dash A/C units. Whether you’re restoring a classic, building a serious street machine, or simply making an old truck more enjoyable to drive, Old Air Products has solutions designed to keep the temperature under control without sacrificing the character of the vehicle.
1969–’74 Chevy Nova Hurricane Custom System — The Hurricane Custom System from Old Air Products gives ’69–’74 Nova owners a modern approach to heating and air conditioning without turning the car into a science project. Designed specifically for the Nova, the system provides a complete climate-control solution engineered to work with the car’s interior and existing architecture. It’s a great choice for builders who want the comfort of modern A/C while keeping the installation clean and out of sight.
1967–’72 GM Truck Dual-Fan Shroud Assembly — Keeping an old truck cool is about more than just adding horsepower and hoping for the best. Old Air Products’ dual-fan shroud assembly is designed for ’67–’72 GM trucks and provides a properly fitted shroud and electric-fan setup to improve airflow through the radiator. It’s a clean, practical upgrade that can help manage engine temperatures while giving the front of the engine compartment a much more finished appearance.
Thermotion Electronic Bypass Heater Valve Kit — The Thermotion Electronic Bypass Heater Valve Kit is a small component that can make a big difference in the way a classic car’s HVAC system operates. The electronically controlled valve manages coolant flow through the heater system, providing more precise control over cabin temperature than a traditional mechanical valve. It’s another example of Old Air Products bringing modern technology into classic vehicles without requiring a major overhaul.
Old Air Products Under-Dash A/C Units — Sometimes the best solution is also the simplest. Old Air Products offers a range of under-dash A/C systems for builders who want effective cooling without completely re-engineering the car’s original HVAC system. The compact units deliver modern air-conditioning performance while retaining the unmistakable look and simplicity of a traditional under-dash installation. For a cruiser, driver, or nostalgic build where functionality matters as much as originality, it’s a proven way to keep the cabin comfortable without hiding the fact that you added A/C.
Hurricane A/C, Heat & Defrost Systems — For builders who need a complete climate-control solution but aren’t working with a vehicle-specific kit, Old Air Products’ Hurricane A/C, Heat & Defrost systems offer a flexible approach that can be tailored to a wide range of antique, classic, and custom vehicles. With multiple system configurations and options for electronic or cable-operated controls, builders can put together a setup that fits the car and the installation. The result is modern A/C, heat, and defrost capability without forcing a one-size-fits-all solution into a vehicle that was never designed for it. Because building a cool old car is great—but being comfortable while you drive it is even better.
Old Air Products
Old Air Products builds compact, high-performance A/C, Heat & Defrost systems for stock and custom vehicles. Featuring HURRICANE® & HS2© Series systems, vehicle-specific kits, and factory A/C replacement parts.
Pure Choice Motorsports
Line Clamps, Hose Separators, and Pass Through Grommets
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. Pure Choice Motorsports’ Pure Stealth Black Line Clamps and Hose Separators are designed for builders who refuse to overlook the details when it comes to finishing an engine bay. This convenient assortment features premium black billet aluminum clamps in popular sizes, giving builders and fabricators an easy way to organize fuel, brake, A/C, heater, transmission, and power steering lines while adding a clean, custom-finished appearance.
Machined from billet aluminum and finished in stealthy black, these clamps do more than simply keep lines where they belong—they help turn the often-overlooked plumbing in an engine compartment into part of the overall presentation. They’re designed for performance, durability, and easy installation, and they’re Made in the USA. It’s exactly the kind of finishing touch that might not be the first thing you notice on a beautifully built car, but once you see how clean the details are, you realize just how much they contribute to the finished product. Pure Stealth proves that premium details matter.
Also at the booth, the Pure Stealth Black Aluminum Pass-Through Grommet Set — When A/C and heater hoses pass through the firewall, there’s no reason for the installation to look like an afterthought. Pure Choice Motorsports’ Black Aluminum Pass-Through Grommet Set with Lock Nuts provides a clean, finished solution that looks right at home in a high-end engine compartment. Precision-machined from billet aluminum and proudly Made in the USA, the pass-throughs create a professional transition through the firewall while helping reduce potential leak points. They’re designed for use with E-Z Clip, Reduced Barrier, and Pure Stealth Nylon Braided Hose systems, giving builders another way to turn functional plumbing into part of the finished design. Because even where a hose disappears through the firewall deserves some attention.
Sparkforge Wires
Serious Spark, Built to Perform
Sparkforge Wires takes spark plug wires well beyond the “just get the spark from here to there” approach. Their 8-cylinder custom wire sets are built around an 8.5mm-plus Kevlar core with a nickel-copper alloy conductor wound 124 times per inch, delivering just 40 ohms of resistance per foot for exceptionally strong spark-energy transfer while maintaining high levels of EMI/RFI suppression. The Kevlar core provides impressive tensile strength in a compact diameter, allowing Sparkforge to pack in more premium EPDM insulation. That core is reinforced with braided fiberglass for added resistance to terminal pull-off, while the silicone outer jacket is rated to withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees.
Then Sparkforge adds a serious layer of protection—and some serious attitude. Competition sleeving is available in nine colors and runs the full length of the wire from boot to boot. The silicone-over-fiberglass construction provides up to 1,400 degrees of total heat resistance, adds 22,000 volts of insulation, helps eliminate spark jump, and gives the finished set an 11.5mm outside diameter that looks every bit as serious as it performs. High-quality silicone boots are double-insulated at both ends and use Posi-Snap locking stainless-steel spring terminals, with numbered ends making installation easier. Every set is custom-built for a professional fit, dyno-tested, and individually tested for quality and reliability—with Sparkforge reporting gains of up to 5–20+ horsepower over competing high-performance wires. That’s not just a wire upgrade—it’s a better path for getting every bit of spark energy to the plugs.
Wilwood Disc Brakes
6-Piston Calipers: Serious Stopping Power
When you’re building a car that makes serious power, stopping it should be just as important as making it go. Wilwood’s six-piston calipers bring race-bred braking technology to street machines, muscle cars, pro-touring builds, and high-performance applications, with multiple configurations available to match everything from the intended use to the overall look of the car. Six pistons provide increased clamping force and more even pressure across the brake pad, helping deliver strong, consistent braking performance while maintaining excellent pedal feel and control.
Of course, Wilwood calipers look the part, too. Their compact, high-performance designs are machined from lightweight aluminum and available in a variety of finishes, allowing builders to make the brakes a subtle part of the package—or turn them into a major visual feature behind a set of open-spoke wheels. With different piston sizes, mounting configurations, pad options, and finishes available throughout the six-piston lineup, Wilwood gives builders plenty of ways to tailor the system to the car. Because horsepower gets the attention, but horsepower without the brakes to back it up is just a really fast way to get into trouble.
Wilwood Disc Brakes
Wilwood is the leader in racing, performance aftermarket and OE brake systems.
