THE LONG HAUL
April 26, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
The Ugly Duckling
Experience the remarkable metamorphosis of a 1954 Dodge pickup as it evolves from a utilitarian workhorse to an award-winning showstopper. Immerse yourself in the meticulous craftsmanship by Hot Rod Garage, featuring a Mopar 360 crate engine, custom bodywork, and a DuPont Super Jet Black exterior. Marvel at the interior’s camel Ultraleather, Budnik steering wheel, and Vintage Air Gen III system. Discover how Charles Black’s once-overlooked ’54 Dodge became a masterpiece, earning accolades and recognition at events nationwide.
AT LONG LAST
It is very apparent that when Frank Mauro wants something, he has the patience to wait for it. Take this ‘38 Chevy pickup, for example. Mauro had seen it in a storage yard for many years, but couldn’t convince the owner to sell it to him. It seems that the previous owner had a handle on patience himself, as the truck had actually been sitting for 25 years.
Drop It Right
The C10 series of Chevy pickups is generally accepted as being the best-looking early pickups from the land of Bow Ties. But the one problem is that the factory fit them with roughly the same ride height as a 4×4. We suppose the guys who bought and used these trucks as trucks liked them that way, but the rest of us prefer them down in front. Having read nothing but truck magazines all your adult life, you know that there are many ways to lower a truck, from melting the springs with a torch all the way to installing forged aluminum IFS A-arms. We’ve read a couple of magazines ourselves and can tell you the safest, most affordable and simplest way.
Spotlighter
Broncos Storm Pigeon Forge
The 2025 Great Smoky Mountain Bronco® Stampede
The 3rd Annual Great Smoky Mountain Bronco® Stampede thundered into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on August 15–16, 2025, and for two days straight the LeConte Center was wall-to-wall Broncos. Old, new, stock, modified, lifted—if it had a Bronco badge, it had a place in the herd.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
Bronco Nation, United
You could feel it the second you walked through the doors: this wasn’t just a car show, it was a full-blown Bronco family reunion. First-gen survivors with steel wheels and dog-dish caps parked next to shiny new Sasquatch Editions on 37s. There were bone-stock restorations, half-finished projects, and wild customs with more cage than body panels. Every aisle was a reminder of why the Bronco’s legacy runs so deep—and why its comeback has been one of the hottest stories in the off-road world.
More Than Just a Show
What really makes the Stampede different is the mix. Sure, it’s about showing off rigs, but it’s also about swapping stories, finding parts, and learning what works on the trail. The vendor hall was packed, the crowds were buzzing, and more than a few conversations ended with: “See you on the trails.”
The Stampede Keeps Growing
Three years in, the Great Smoky Mountain Bronco® Stampede is already cementing itself as one of the premier Bronco events in the country. This year’s turnout was the biggest yet, and it’s clear the momentum isn’t slowing down. Whether you brought a Bronco, bought parts for your build, or just came to soak in the atmosphere, the Stampede proved why it’s a can’t-miss.
Even More Broncos Inside the Pavilion
If you thought the parking lot was loaded, the pavilion cranked it up a notch. Broncos filled every corner—shiny, muddy, lifted, slammed—like a giant toy box for grown-up gearheads. From uncut first-gens on stock steel wheels to modern rigs with long-travel suspension and oversized tires, it was a rolling catalog of what’s possible with Ford’s iconic off-roader.
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