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STAR CARS: A Family and Its Speedstar

Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar street rod and traded it to Dale for his unfinished car. Joe and Dale then went to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and saw a beautiful orange Speedstar that Alan Johnson had just finished. They were impressed with the roadster’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, so Dale decided to take his custom Speedstar build to Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama, to help him finish it. Dale’s intention was to build the roadster for outdoor car events, because the last rod he built was never driven, it was strictly an indoor show car. This time he wanted a rod that was exceptional, and a driver.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies

Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital dash, G-body gauge upgrade, and modern interior—and this thing checks every box.

Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026

Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and adrenaline. Thousands of enthusiasts flood the aisles to see the machines that define the cutting edge of hot rods and muscle cars craftsmanship.

Winter WOW

Just after New Year’s, when the cold really starts settling in, one of the first major indoor car shows of the year rolls into town. The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Custom Auto Show has become a yearly tradition—mixing hot rods, customs, and classics with a dose of pop culture to create a winter event that gives the whole family a reason to get out of the house.

The Trucks of Detroit Autorama 2026

Every winter the custom car world makes a pilgrimage to the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows on the planet: the Detroit Autorama. Held inside the massive Huntington Place, the 2026 edition once again packed the halls with hundreds of wild customs, Ridler contenders, hot rods, and trucks that refuse to blend into the background.

The 2026 Ridler Roundup

For more than 70 years, Detroit Autorama has been the proving ground where the world’s most ambitious custom cars, hot rods, and coachbuilt masterpieces step into the spotlight. What started back in 1953 as a humble fundraiser to build a drag strip has grown into a full-blown celebration of automotive craftsmanship, creativity, and hot rod culture. Today, the show packs the cavernous halls of Huntington Place with hundreds of cars, thousands of enthusiasts, and a level of competition that pushes builders to bring their absolute A-game.

HAMMERHEAD

Of all the cars that have found favor among super rodders and racers alike, few would argue the appeal of ’39-’41 Willys coupes and pickups, which have enjoyed a powerful attraction since first appearing as gas coupe and sedan drag racers back in the ’60s.

The Crusher

You can’t fault a man for knowing what he likes, and in the case of Chelsea, Alabama’s Mike George, what he likes is the ’69 Camaro. at the age of 41 years old, he’s managed to own no fewer than 15 of these cars over the years, but none was anything like his current Camaro. In fact, we can’t think of any other ’69 Camaro that’s quite like this one.

BARRY BULL SESSION

There are so many good-looking ’32 Ford street rods around, one might think that building a really nice one is easy, but it is not that simple. To begin with, the Deuce is an inherently good-looking car, which presents a two-edged sword. First, you have a great-looking piece to start with, and second, you must be extremely careful not to make it look worse.

STORM WATCH

It seems as if only yesterday that the 2003 Ridler award was presented at the Detroit Autorama. Each year’s event is progressively a tougher call to make, because the cars continue to get better and better, and more expensive in their construction and detail. Some of the most beautiful vehicles you can imagine were on hand, and we will be bringing you more of those cars in the year to come. Meanwhile, we are still entranced with some of the cars that make the Great Eight grouping.

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