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AT ONE WITH THE PAVEMENT
If you’re like many of us, vacillating between the car you’ve always dreamed of owning and what you really can afford, be sure you know what you need before you shell out more money than sense. Check around, ask your friends, read magazines on the subject, surf the Internet, get connected, and you’re likely to find your dream car, even if it is not everything you think it is.
Beyond Restoration
In much the same way that one person prefers chocolate and another vanilla, chicken over steak, college ball versus pro ball, Chevy enthusiasts tend to lean toward particular vintages, models, powertrains and other special Bow Tie features, which may be nothing more than a vehicle loaded with unusual options that make that car more unique, and valuable, than the next. Our love for such things is generally based upon a range of influencing factors.
Cornering Camaro
Chris German knows his way around a Camaro. He currently owns two—the car you see here and a ’69 Pace Car. He’s owned six more of them in the past, and he’s built 10 of them at American Muscle, his shop in Cleveland, Tennessee. When he came across this car, it was in great shape. It had been the focus of a restoration about 20 years ago, and German says he probably could have started and driven the car with almost no effort at all. But the Camaro wasn’t the way he wanted it. He wasn’t after a restoration or a drag-style car. His Camaro would have to be able to handle the corners well, and he wanted to be able to autocross it at Goodguys shows, and autocross it well.
Spotlighter
The Best New Products from Goodguys Columbus 2026
Top Parts & Tools Picks from the Show
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen, Charlie Leach, & Cannin Smith
Every year at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, the industry’s biggest names arrive with more than incredible show cars—they bring the latest parts, tools, and technology shaping the future of hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, and customs.
From innovative suspension systems and engine components to shop equipment, electrical upgrades, and restoration essentials, the new product displays are packed with ideas for every kind of builder. Some products solve long-standing challenges. Others push performance further than ever before. And a few simply make working on your next project easier.
We spent the weekend exploring the newest releases from the companies driving the aftermarket forward. From Goodguys award winners to a few standout products that caught our attention, here are the parts and tools we think deserve a closer look from the 2026 Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals.
Auto Metal Direct: Best Indoor Booth Display
Auto Metal Direct (AMD) is addressing one of the biggest pain points in the booming OBS Chevy and GMC truck market with its new line of OE-style dashboard assemblies and interior components for 1988–1994 GMT400 trucks and SUVs. After more than three decades of sun exposure, heat cycles, and daily use, original OBS dashboards are notorious for cracking, warping, and deteriorating beyond repair. AMD’s all-new dash assemblies give builders and restorers a factory-quality replacement solution, using completely new tooling to replicate the original design, fit, and functionality. The result is a replacement interior foundation that accepts factory-style HVAC controls, vents, instrument clusters, and trim components without forcing owners into custom fabrication or settling for used parts of questionable condition.
The significance of AMD’s OBS dash program goes beyond a single replacement part—it helps preserve one of the fastest-growing segments in the collector truck world. Whether it’s a lowered sport truck, lifted 4×4, LS-swapped street machine, or high-end restoration, the dashboard remains one of the most visible and important elements of the interior. Built with injection-molded construction, UV-resistant materials, factory-style mounting points, and a finish ready for customization, AMD’s new components deliver the durability today’s enthusiasts expect while maintaining the character of the original GMT400 design. The quality of the product and the presentation itself made a strong impression at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, where AMD’s display earned Best Indoor Booth Display honors. It was a fitting recognition for a launch that solves a long-standing problem for OBS owners and gives builders the tools needed to restore these trucks the right way.
Auto Metal Direct
We are your source for Chevy, GMC, Ford and Mopar restoration products including body panels, trim, interior, glass, seals and more.
Roadster Shop: Best Outdoor Booth Display
Roadster Shop made a major impact at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, earning Best Outdoor Booth honors with a display that put the company’s world-class chassis engineering front and center. Instead of relying solely on finished vehicles, Roadster Shop showcased the technology beneath them, giving enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see complete rolling chassis, suspension systems, and fabrication details up close. The award-winning display featured the company’s FAST TRACK platforms, including its classic truck chassis and the new 1964–1972 Chevrolet Chevelle FAST TRACK chassis, along with the signature cutaway Camaro display that demonstrated how modern chassis technology integrates with classic body designs.
The new Chevelle FAST TRACK chassis represents the next evolution of Pro Touring performance, replacing the factory frame with a fully engineered platform designed for increased strength, improved handling, and modern drivability. Featuring boxed frame rails, Roadster Shop’s proprietary suspension geometry, coilovers, integrated sway bars, a parallel four-link rear suspension, and support for modern drivetrain combinations, it transforms a legendary muscle car into a true performance machine. The company’s FAST TRACK truck chassis brings the same philosophy to classic pickups, delivering improved ride quality, sharper handling, and high-horsepower capability while maintaining clean installation and factory-style fitment. Winning Best Outdoor Booth was a fitting recognition of Roadster Shop’s commitment to engineering excellence and presentation, proving once again why their chassis systems have become a benchmark for builders creating the ultimate restomods and Pro Touring machines.
Apex Leather: Best New Interior Components
Apex Leather’s new Day Pointe® Carpet brings a fresh approach to automotive interiors by combining the classic appearance of vintage loop carpet with the refinement and durability expected in today’s high-end builds. Introduced as a Goodguys New Product, Day Pointe is not simply a reproduction carpet—it’s a premium interior material designed for enthusiasts who want every detail of their vehicle to match the quality of the overall build. Using Apex’s exclusive “Legacy Rewoven” concept, the carpet blends the traditional look of Daytona weave with the finer texture of Gross Pointe carpet, creating a material that feels at home in everything from restored classics to high-end restomods.
Available in 25 colors and offered with optional thermo-resilient foam backing, Day Pointe® Carpet gives builders the flexibility to create interiors that are both authentic and personalized. The upgraded backing adds comfort, sound reduction, and improved heat resistance, making it ideal for vehicles that are meant to be driven as much as they are admired. As custom interiors continue to become a major focus in the hobby, materials like Day Pointe prove that the smallest details can have a major impact. Whether finishing a concours restoration, Pro Touring machine, or show-stopping custom, Apex Leather’s latest offering gives builders another tool to create an interior that looks timeless while delivering modern performance and luxury.
Apex Leather
Apex Leathers are built for durability and designed for luxury. Offering high yields, and far exceeding industry standards for UV resistance. These incredibly durable, richly colored hides, exude luxury and elevate any build.
Eddies Rod and Custom: Best New Product Body and Glass Components
Eddie’s Rod & Custom made a strong impression at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, with its ERC Universal Electric Door Handles earning a Goodguys 2026 Best New Product Award in the Exterior category. Voted on by event attendees, the award recognizes products that stand out for innovation, design, and their impact on the custom automotive market. Eddie’s Rod & Custom tackled a common challenge in high-end builds by creating a door handle solution that blends modern electronic convenience with the familiar operation and appearance enthusiasts expect from a traditional exterior handle.
The ERC Universal Electric Door Handles allow builders to incorporate electric door latch systems without relying on hidden push buttons or remote-only operation. A concealed microswitch inside the handle activates the latch when the handle is pulled, preserving the natural feel of opening a factory-equipped vehicle while maintaining a clean, streamlined exterior. With a universal design adaptable to a wide range of hot rods, customs, restomods, and Pro Touring builds, the system offers a smart solution for builders looking to simplify their designs without sacrificing usability or style. Winning a Goodguys Best New Product Award highlights what makes the ERC handles stand out—they solve a real-world problem with a simple, well-executed idea that improves both the function and finish of a custom vehicle.
Forgeline: Best New Product in Tires & Wheels
Forgeline Motorsports continued its impressive run at the Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, bringing two new additions to its growing Heritage Series while once again proving that classic design and modern performance can coexist. The new Turbine (TW-04) and SH3 wheels blend the unmistakable styling cues of legendary factory designs with Forgeline’s signature forged aluminum construction, custom fitment options, and performance-focused engineering. The company’s commitment to combining heritage styling with modern capability was further recognized when Forgeline earned the 2026 Goodguys Best New Product Award in the Tires & Wheels category for its new IR3C Heritage Series wheel—marking the company’s fourth consecutive Goodguys New Product Award win.
The new Turbine wheel pays tribute to the iconic 10th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am wheel, reimagining its aggressive five-spoke design with modern sizing, lightweight forged construction, and fitments available in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch diameters. The SH3 wheel follows a similar path, drawing inspiration from the legendary 1967–1968 Shelby GT350 and GT500 wheels while adding the strength, brake clearance, and customization options required for today’s restomods and Pro Touring builds. Built to order with custom widths, offsets, finishes, and vehicle-specific fitments, Forgeline’s Heritage Series proves that respecting automotive history doesn’t mean sacrificing modern performance. With four straight Goodguys Best New Product Awards, Forgeline continues to set the standard for builders who want wheels that look timeless while delivering the technology needed for today’s high-performance machines.
Pure Chioce: People’s Choice Award
Sometimes the smallest products solve the biggest headaches. That’s exactly what happened at the 2026 Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals, where Pure Choice Motorsports captured the coveted People’s Choice Best New Product Award with its Pure Stealth Black Aluminum Pass Through Grommet Set with Lock Nuts. Voted on by Goodguys participants, the award recognizes the new product enthusiasts found most useful and innovative at the show. While a firewall pass-through grommet may seem like a minor component, anyone who has built a high-end hot rod, custom, or restomod knows that the smallest details can make a major impact.
Machined from billet aluminum and finished with a durable black anodized coating, the Pure Stealth Pass Through Grommet Set provides a clean, professional solution for routing hoses through a firewall or sheetmetal panel while eliminating the unfinished appearance of traditional rubber grommets. The threaded aluminum body secures with matching lock nuts, creating a precise, leak-resistant installation that looks right at home in a show-quality engine compartment. It’s a simple but highly effective upgrade that proves the right details can elevate the fit, finish, and overall presentation of any custom build.
Vintage Air: Best Garage/Shop Product Award
Vintage Air has spent decades helping enthusiasts bring modern comfort to classic vehicles, and its new Hydra-Crimp Pro proves that the right tools can be just as important as the parts they help install. At the 2026 Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals, the portable hydraulic A/C crimping system earned the Best Garage/Shop Product Award, recognizing its ability to give professional-quality hose assembly capability to builders, shops, and home garages. Instead of being limited to large bench-mounted equipment, the Hydra-Crimp Pro brings precision crimping directly to the vehicle, making custom A/C installations faster, cleaner, and more convenient.
Designed specifically for automotive air conditioning hose fittings, the Hydra-Crimp Pro features interchangeable dies for OEM-style eight-segment standard beadlock fittings, reduced-barrier beadlock fittings, and multiple common hose sizes. Its compact design and included storage case make it ideal for street rod builders, restomod shops, engine swap projects, and DIY enthusiasts who want professional results without investing in bulky shop equipment. As custom A/C systems have become a standard feature in today’s high-end builds, the ability to create properly sized hoses on demand can make a major difference in fitment and finish. The Hydra-Crimp Pro earned its Goodguys recognition by solving a real-world challenge—giving builders the ability to perform cleaner, more precise installations wherever the project takes them.
Vintage Air
Owned and operated by experienced street rodders, Vintage Air offers the most comprehensive line of high-performance automotive A/C components available.
Staff Picks from The Auto Builder
These are a few of the products that caught or eye at the show.
PerTronix Braided Ignition Wires
PerTronix Braided Ignition Wires bring together the best of both worlds: the vintage look builders love and the modern performance needed for today’s ignition systems. Designed for traditional hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and restoration builds, these wires feature a woven outer braid that captures the style of early racing and hot rod engines from the 1940s through the 1960s. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, they add a period-correct finishing touch to detailed engine compartments while hiding modern ignition technology beneath the classic appearance.
Behind the nostalgic exterior is a modern spiral-wound suppression core engineered for compatibility with electronic ignition systems, including PerTronix Ignitor, HEI, MSD, and other aftermarket setups. The combination of low resistance, excellent EMI/RFI suppression, and high-temperature silicone insulation delivers reliable spark performance without the interference issues often associated with traditional solid-core wires. For builders chasing the perfect vintage-inspired engine bay, these braided ignition wires provide the visual detail of a bygone era without giving up the reliability of modern ignition performance. Whether paired with a finned Offenhauser valve cover, polished aluminum accessories, or a full nostalgia-style build, they’re the kind of small detail that helps turn a good engine compartment into a standout presentation.
Flaming River: modular steering shaft system
Flaming River’s booth display showcased the company’s complete approach to classic steering solutions, combining multiple components into one integrated system designed for today’s builders and enthusiasts. From paintable steel steering columns available in both floor-shift and column-shift configurations to modular steering shafts, U-joints, and upgraded steering gears, the display highlighted the flexibility needed when building everything from traditional street rods to modernized muscle cars. With direct-fit steering columns available for dozens of classic applications, Flaming River helps builders maintain the correct vintage appearance while upgrading functionality, reliability, and drivability.
The modular steering shaft system is where Flaming River’s experience truly shines, giving builders the ability to route steering around headers, accommodate engine swaps, correct steering angles, and reduce binding with a wide range of stainless steel and billet components. Their upgraded steering gears provide quicker ratios, reduced play, and improved road feel compared to many worn factory units. As more builders incorporate LS, Coyote, Hemi, and even EV powertrains into classic chassis, solutions like Flaming River’s Microsteer EPS system offer a cleaner alternative to traditional hydraulic steering setups, improving modern drivability while preserving the character and style of a classic interior. It’s a complete steering package built to make the entire vehicle feel more refined, responsive, and enjoyable from the driver’s seat.
Flaming River Industries
Quality Steering Products for Hot Rods, Street Rods, Muscle Cars, Performance Vehicles, and Jeeps
Intellitronix’s LED Digital Panel for 1971–1976 Chevrolet Impala & Caprice
Intellitronix’s DP1210 LED Digital Panel brings modern instrumentation to one of Chevrolet’s most iconic full-size platforms—the 1971–1976 Impala and Caprice. Designed as a direct-fit replacement for the factory gauge cluster, this digital dash gives builders the accuracy, visibility, and technology expected in a modern vehicle while maintaining the original dashboard layout and classic interior appearance. The system integrates a digital speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, voltmeter, oil pressure, and water temperature readings into a clean, factory-style package that installs without the need for major modifications or custom fabrication.
As full-size GM B-bodies continue to gain popularity among restomod and Pro Touring builders, upgrades like the DP1210 LED Digital Panel help bridge the gap between classic style and modern performance. With LS and LT engine swaps, upgraded electrical systems, and increased expectations for drivability, accurate electronic instrumentation has become an important part of the build equation. The Intellitronix digital cluster provides improved visibility, modern reliability, and seamless integration while preserving the character of the original interior. For Impala and Caprice owners looking to bring their classic Chevy into the modern era, the DP1210 is a smart upgrade that delivers advanced technology without sacrificing the personality that makes these cars special.
Intellitronix
Industry-leading manufacturer of best-selling designed automotive electronics
