The HEAR & NOW
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
New-Age ‘Cuda
Upon approach, it stirs the heart much like the sight of an old friend, with the flowing contours that recall memories of great times and fast, simple cars—before we knew much about automotive computers, CDs or the true meaning of lateral acceleration and G-force. Like a favorite teddy bear from childhood, this welcomed image warms our hearts, yet beneath that familiar façade is a grizzly bear of sorts. One that will grab you by the throat, slam you against the seat back and rip heart-pounding sensations throughout your body. This is no ordinary ’70 Plymouth Barracuda—this is a rush!
SECOND TIME’S A CHARM
Longtime classic truck enthusiast Mark Coleman has built countless classic cars and trucks over the years, including a trio of early Mustangs, a ’56 F-100 Ford panel truck and a ’55 Ford SuperCab, which have graced these very pages. When it came time to build another truck, Coleman took a long, hard look in his own backyard and decided that his old ’53 F-100 would be the prime candidate.
Shade-Tree 1.6.
Okay, we weren’t quite that naive about what we read regarding upgrading to 1.6 rockers on our small-block Chevy for the first time, but it was close.
The engine in question was a decent runner with 30,000 miles on the mild-performance rebuild. The rebuilt engine was purchased used, and among its selling points were 0.030-over 9.5:1 pistons, moly rings, 1.5 roller rockers, a Performer RPM intake and a brand-new Holley 750cfm carburetor. The cam wasn’t a perfect match to the torque converter used in the previous installation nor was the final-drive gear ratio. As a result, the owner planned on stepping down on the cam chart to a Comp 286H-10 cam, which came with the engine in its original box. Also included were a brand-new factory Z28 oil pan and a factory timing chain cover to replace the cheap chrome pieces. For $300, the engine package was a deal, and one we couldn’t pass up. We sold the aforementioned chrome pieces and matching valve covers for $50, getting us the engine at the bargain price of $250, and we still had the new cam and lifters on our shelf.
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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