CAMARO MAKEOVER
May 7, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PEDAL PUSHER
In the ’50s, home-delivery baker Helms Bakery went door to door, delivering bread and bakery goods on the streets of Southern California. All you had to do was call and order what you needed, and the next day it was delivered to your door. You could also stop the drivers on their route to buy their goodies, and that’s how we remember the early ’50s Chevy Helms delivery trucks. We figured they must have a rather large fleet of them to cover the L.A. Basin. We aren’t sure exactly when it happened, but no doubt rapidly changing family lifestyles took their toll, and Helms stopped the delivery portion of the business. As a result, there were a lot of early Chevy panel trucks that went somewhere.
Red Rider
Grandma was fond of Bible quotes. Platitudes and homilies were her way of making her virtually unassailable position completely clear. Of course, she never felt that accuracy was a requisite when using quotations as a way of declaring her homespun philosophy. Many of her quotes were edited, but her points were always appropriate and valid, or at least offered a simple instruction that brought resolve to a particular dilemma. Among her favorites were patience is a virtue and all things come to he who waits. While probably not precisely accurate to their biblical roots, these quotes serve to make an excellent point. If you are willing to be patient, success is most likely on the way.
SUBTLY SLICED
Subtle is a term that doesn’t describe many hot rods, as most of them use bright paint and loud engines to stand out in the crowd. The new wave of high-end hot rods, however, often use softer colors and more elegant themes to make an outstanding statement. Doug Hoppe’s ’35 Ford coupe is a fine example of a subtle yet radical rod, and the crew at Lakeside Rods and Rides did an amazing job with the extensive metalwork, paint and final assembly. Lakeside Rods and Rides is notorious for elegant street rods, including this year’s America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, and the guys in the shop know exactly what it takes to build a jaw-dropping car.
Spotlighter
Brizio Street Rods Shines at GNRS 2025
Brizio Street Rods’ Unmatched Presence at GNRS 2025
The Grand National Roadster Show 2025 was an all-out horsepower spectacle, packed with jaw-dropping rides and elite craftsmanship. But one booth that truly stole the show? Brizio Street Rods. These guys don’t just build cars—they create rolling masterpieces that blend power, style, and history into one breathtaking package.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
A Hot Rodder’s Dream Display
Stepping up to the Brizio booth felt like flipping through the greatest hits of hot rodding. Flawless paint, precision-tuned engines, and stance so perfect it stopped people mid-stride. Every ride was meticulously dialed in, proving once again why Brizio is a household name in the world of street rods.
Crowds, Conversations, and Unmatched Craftsmanship
It wasn’t just the cars drawing a crowd—everywhere you looked, people were pointing out details, snapping pics, and swapping stories about their own builds. The booth buzzed with energy, and we made sure to capture plenty of shots of the insane craftsmanship on display.
Brizio Keeps Raising the Bar
Bottom line? Brizio Street Rods brought the heat to GNRS 2025, once again proving why they’re at the top of the game. If this year’s display is any indication, we can’t wait to see what they roll out next.
Inside the Brizio Booth: A Visual Tour
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Brizio Street Rods booth that had everyone talking. From perfectly executed builds to the smallest custom details, these photos capture the passion, precision, and power that define Brizio’s legacy. Scroll through and experience the artistry that makes their hot rods true showstoppers.
Instant T: The Wild Ride That Shook Hot Rodding and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Andy Brizio’s 1915 Ford Model T C-Cab Panel Truck, better known as “Instant T,” isn’t just a hot rod—it’s a rolling legend. Built by one of Northern California’s biggest hot rod names, this wild machine cemented its place in history from the moment it hit the streets.
Built to Cruise, Destined for Glory
Brizio originally built Instant T to drive cross-country to the 1971 Street Rod Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee—because why trailer a car when you can tear across America in style? But this wasn’t just any road-trip machine. With an iconic ribbon paint job by Art Himsl, the truck turned heads and ended up winning “Best Appearing Car” out of 1,500 entries. Not bad for a street-driven hot rod.
From Hot Rod Hero to Rock Star Ride
As if that wasn’t legendary enough, Instant T took an even crazier turn when John Bonham, the powerhouse drummer for Led Zeppelin, spotted it and had to have it. He shipped the truck to England, where it became a part of rock ‘n’ roll history, even making an appearance in Led Zeppelin’s film The Song Remains the Same.
A Timeless Hot Rod Icon
With Brizio’s masterful craftsmanship, Himsl’s mind-blowing paintwork, and a history that straddles both hot rodding and rock music, Instant T isn’t just a car—it’s a cultural icon. Whether parked or roaring down the road, this machine is pure hot rod perfection.
A Few More From the Brizio Booth
ARTICLE SOURCES
Roy Brizio Street Rods Inc
505 Railroad Ave South San Francisco, CA, United States, California 94080
