Builders & Shows

Builders & Shows December 5, 2023

The Sights of SEMA 2023

Explore the standout rides and jaw-dropping innovations at SEMA 2023! Join us as we revisit the show’s hottest builds, from the iconic 1957 Nash Metropolitan to the cutting-edge Arrington Hydrogen Monster Truck. Get an exclusive look at the custom creations, unique body kits, and powerhouse engines that stole the spotlight at the premier automotive aftermarket event of the year. Don’t miss out on the highlights captured by The Auto Builder Staff and photographers Wendy Miles & Kim Cooley. Feast your eyes on the unforgettable designs and ingenious engineering that left a lasting impression at SEMA 2023!

Builders & Shows September 20, 2023

20 NEW Product Innovations at the 2023 NSRA “Nats”

Every year, the NSRA Street Rod Nationals hosts an event to showcase the newest and most advanced automotive products. These products compete for the title of “New Products of the Year,” and one exceptional item is awarded the NSRA New Safety-Related Product of the Year. These innovations have played a crucial role in making car construction simpler and improving driving safety, and they have become industry standards over time.

Throughout the years, we’ve seen a wide variety of products gain widespread recognition and become essential tools that greatly aid in building cars and making driving safer. Now, let’s take a look at some of the groundbreaking new products featured at this year’s event.

Builds September 15, 2023

The Triple Crown of Rodding 2023

In both the world of sports and the realm of automotive enthusiasts, there are events that stand out as symbols of excellence. Think of baseball’s All-Star game, golf’s prestigious Masters Tournament, and the excitement of wrestling’s Summer Slam. And now, there’s a new star on the rise in the world of automobiles – The Triple Crown of Rodding (TCOR). This extraordinary event made its debut on September 8-9, in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the Nashville Superspeedway.

Builds September 13, 2023

Truck Triumphs at the Triple Crown of Rodding 2023

In the world of rodding and customization, there are certain moments that stand out as big achievements—proof of how dedicated, creative, and skilled the builders can be. The first Triple Crown of Rodding show in 2023 is one of those moments, a big success that everyone in the car world will remember. It was organized by industry juggernauts, Bobby Alloway and Gary Case, and it brought together some of the best builders in the business, like Roy Brizio, Art Morrison, Troy Trepanier, Chip Foose, and Alan Johnson just to name a few! Car fans from all over the country came to the Nashville Superspeedway to celebrate car craftsmanship and meet the people who made these amazing cars.

Builders & Shows August 2, 2023

Remembering the Life of Andy Brizio

Andy Brizio, the man known as “The Rodfather,” has left an indelible mark on the world of hot rods and custom cars. On August 1, 2023, Brizio’s journey came to an end, leaving behind a legacy of passion, creativity, and innovation that will forever be cherished in the hearts of car enthusiasts around the globe. Let us take a moment to reflect on the incredible life of Andy Brizio and the enduring impact he has made on the automotive industry.

Builders & Shows July 16, 2023

FROM RAW TO REALITY

In the midst of all the wait comes this brand-new and, dare we say, quite revolutionary roadster/convertible, and a whole new wave of “…there’s not a chance.” Opinions surfaced. We took the high ground, as we have sat and listened intently to the plans for HRH, have visited facilities where some of the early work had been done, and are of the opinion that what the company has set out to do is not much different than any of us, only HRH bit off a whole mouthful.

Engine Swaps July 16, 2023

EVEN ’GLASS IS SCARCE

For 1933, Dodge had a full line of automobiles, and the salesmen of the day no doubt touted that there was a Dodge model perfect for you. But of all the sedans, coupes, convertible sedans (of which only 13 four-door convertible sedan eight-cylinder models were built) and station wagons, the convertible coupe was no doubt the most stylish of the bunch. The ’33 Dodge convertible coupe was a rare car in 1933, with only 1,563 units being produced, and, of course, there were 56 more built with the eight-cylinder engine. So, while the convertible coupe was a strikingly good-looking automobile, it was not the best of times, and the practicality and affordability of coupes and sedans far outsold the convertibles of the time. Today, finding a ’33 Dodge convertible coupe is truly a challenge.

Builds July 16, 2023

Slippery Sedan

Greg Harris has been a car enthusiast for years and has built a number of muscle machines and classic trucks. He has had loads of fun with late-model cars, but he couldn’t shake the fact that he really had the yearning to build a street rod some day. His friends knew about his longtime goal, so when one of them found a partially completed early sedan for sale, he told Harris about the car. Harris went to take a look, and as it turned out, the car was a half-finished all-steel ’33 Ford two-door sedan powered by a 427 Chevy engine. He immediately knew he had to buy the sedan—it was just what he was looking for. He made a deal with Clark and Bridgett Short, the folks who started the project, and brought the ’33 home.

Performance Boats July 16, 2023

Hollywood, Bikes and Boats

Ever see those boats on the TV show Fear Factor? Those are Ultra Custom Boats built by John West and his team in El Cajon, California. Ever watch Monster Garage? That is Jesse James from West Coast Choppers, which is based in Long Beach, California. What happens when these two guys get together to build a boat and a bike is what we have here.

Cars July 16, 2023

’07 Cadillac Escalade : Black Beauty

The 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV was one of the most eagerly anticipated SUV releases in recent history. The ESV is spacious, powerful and elegant from the factory, but most owners will choose to add their own touches to personalize this truck, just as they did with the old one. Ryan Friedlinghaus, owner of West Coast Customs in Corona, California, wanted to personalize his own Escalade ESV, but he wanted to do it in a stealthy and subdued sort of way so that he could then offer the WCC package to other Escalade owners.

Builders & Shows

The Sights of SEMA 2023

20 NEW Product Innovations at the 2023 NSRA “Nats”

The Triple Crown of Rodding 2023

Truck Triumphs at the Triple Crown of Rodding 2023

Remembering the Life of Andy Brizio

FROM RAW TO REALITY

EVEN ’GLASS IS SCARCE

Slippery Sedan

Hollywood, Bikes and Boats

’07 Cadillac Escalade : Black Beauty

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