Builds
With its immaculate details throughout, this ’06 Mustang GT never fails to grab attention, but we’re sure Frank DeFeo isn’t finished modifying his Ford. An aggressive lower valance, smoked headlights and a billet grille lead the way, and the Torch Red finish is complemented by black stripes, painted by McClure Collision of Charlotte.
Doug Schultz of Maple Valley, Washington, is not your typical home builder. Several years ago, he owned Street Works, a shop for hot rod and racecar fabrication. He built a black-and-silver ’62 Impala, which we featured in the December 2002 issue of this magazine, as well as a ’67 Nova that earned Goodguys’ Street Machine of the Year honors a few years back. Today he’s a fabricator and press-brake operator with his local municipal government, but during this time, he never lost his love for cars.
When you’re located far to the North, as in north of the United States border, it isn’t always easy to gain the attention needed to grow a hot rod shop through creative statements alone. Then again, quality workmanship is difficult to miss and is rarely overlooked by knowledgeable people.
Every detail matters when it comes to restoring or customizing a vehicle. Whether you’re smoothing out seams, fine-tuning trim, or upgrading outdated systems, the right techniques can make the difference between a show-stopping build and a project that falls flat. We’ve compiled 34 expert tips to help you refine your restoration skills, sourced directly from the pros at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Dive in and discover actionable advice that will streamline your workflow, enhance your results, and help you achieve the classic car of your dreams.
For the hot rodder who demands usability and performance, Smeding Performance’s 408” LS3 engines are designed to take your project to the next level. These aren’t your typical cookie-cutter kits—they’re full-fledged, turnkey engine packages built to drop into your classic chassis and turn it into a road-ready rocket. Whether you’re chasing street-friendly power or show-stopping performance, Smeding has you covered with engines dialed in for hot rod perfection.
“It looks like a Chevelle, but what’s up with that grille? Why does this Chevelle have a Pontiac dash in it? Where did you get the special side trim?” These are questions often heard by muscle car enthusiast Nick Hedgecoth, shortly after pulling his ’64 Acadian Beaumont into position at a car show or cruise-in. This mixture of components puzzles many enthusiasts, but it makes for a great-looking car that will always get attention because of its unique styling.
Some of it involves learning, but, for the most part, we’re pretty sure it’s something you’re born with, and you either have it or you don’t, and you can’t “fake it ’til ya make it.” We’re talking about vision—not the 20/20 version, but the ability to squint your eyes and see past the ugly duckling and uncover a swan. Tom Flurry has that even more special blend of vision and the ability to perform the work. Before your eyes is colorful proof that below the somewhat homely skin of a stock ’36 Plymouth there is indeed a swan, and Flurry uncovered most of it in his home shop in Mattituck, New York
The Lexus IS300 is not only stylish in its outside appearance, but because of its acceptance as a true sports sedan by most tuner enthusiasts, it’s a desirable starting base for creating a potent street performer. This RWD Lexus is factory-fitted with the rugged 2JZ-GE 3.0L DOHC inline V-6 engine, as used in Toyota Supra models in past years and updated with VVT-i Variable Valve Timing. It also features double wishbone front and rear suspension systems, as equipped from the Toyota factory. A limited-slip differential option helps put the power to the ground, and the edgy Lexus body produces an impressive 0.29 coefficient of drag. This is definitely a slippery package with both good looks and ample performance.
Some of the most interesting conversations around the office usually center on whether a rod built without shiny paint can be considered a finished rod or something else. There are some trendy names floating around that are often associated with these cars, but we don’t particularly think these names are appropriate or accurate for a proper description. Just because a rod has a satin finish doesn’t mean it is lacking any aspect of a finished rod. Rick Nowak’s ’48 Chevy pickup definitely falls into the latter category. As its owner and builder say, “It’s not a ratty rod; not perfect, just a radical-looking driver.”
“If these four walls could only talk, what great stories they could tell” is an old adage that is certainly apropos from a historical perspective. In the context that we Americans have an ongoing love affair with the automobile, it could also be said that if a classic car could only talk, it could tell some pretty great stories as well!”
