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SHOP PROJECT

When you attend a Mustang & Shelby event, especially one the magnitude of the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, it can become kind of a mind-boggling process to pick a “favorite” Mustang among the more than 750 entries. Nonetheless, it’s an assignment we relish. And at the 2006 RMMR, there were plenty of outstanding Mustangs and Shelbys to choose from.

GOOD OL’ BOYS

No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you—you really are seeing a two-door Dodge Charger. A lot of car guys were very upset with DaimlerChrysler for releasing the Charger as a four-door sedan, rather than staying true to tradition with a two-door coupe—so much so that DaimlerChrysler gave production on the two-door Challenger the green light.

Cool as ICE

Gary Brigham bought his 1929 Ford roadster pickup several years ago. There was just something about it that he liked. First and foremost, it was a pickup. Even though he was not planning to haul any building materials, he did need the bed room for transporting the pop-up tent that he and wife, Janice, used at the many shows they attended. Second, it was a roadster, and he wanted an open car. The roadster pickup fulfilled both requirements.

Sweet Patina

We recently had the opportunity to work on a Levi’s Edition AMC Jeep Renegade—a unique piece of off-road history that has undoubtedly seen its fair share of adventures. The exterior still boasts its original paint, complete with bumps, scrapes, and surface rust that showcase the character that comes with many years of use and enjoyment. Rather than opting for a fresh new repaint, our mission was to preserve its tough, battle-worn patina while adding protection and a nice polished matte finish to show it some love. We wanted to enhance its character, highlighting its scars instead of hiding them, and, with the assistance of Sweet Patina’s products, we accomplished this beautifully. This Jeep didn’t spend its life tucked away in a garage; its paint tells a story, with each scratch, chip, and faded patch serving as a badge of honor. We felt that applying a shiny new paint job would be a disservice to this classic Renegade.

Triple Crown of Muscle Cars 2024

The Triple Crown of Rodding isn’t just an event—it’s a battleground where the world’s finest muscle cars and custom rods come to claim their place among legends. In 2024, this showcase of horsepower and craftsmanship cemented itself as a must-hit for anyone who eats, sleeps, and breathes the rumble of a V8. If you’re obsessed with torque and tire smoke, this was the event of the year.

JET-AWESOME

We’ve seen lots of cool, stout VWs over the years, but only a few awesome Jettas have made us do a double- and triple-take, which is just what happened when we first caught a glimpse of Todd Sollar’s awesome wide-body Jetta. Our mindset went from “damn” to “wow” about that quickly.

S.U.V.

For the last ten years or so, SUVs have been the buzz in the world of new cars, soccer Moms, and the general motoring public. As a matter of fact, this trend is so strong that automakers from Kia to Porsche have offered myriad variations on the theme, to the point where most of us can’t even begin to name them all. With names ranging from half of a state name to words that don’t mean much of anything (Dakota, Cayenne, Rainier and on and on) the onslaught of SUVs seems to show no sign of slowing down.

Truck Takeover at the Triple Crown of Rodding

Custom trucks have bulldozed their way into the hot rod world, turning what were once old workhorses from the ’30s through the ’90s into show-stopping, tire-shredding machines. These trucks aren’t just about hauling gear anymore—they’re packing serious muscle under the hood, killer suspension setups, and sleek designs that demand attention at events like the Triple Crown of Rodding.

A/FX-CELLENCE

His name is synonymous with what many believe were the golden days of drag racing. This was a time when factories were devising new engines, and some of the best minds in racing explored new and clever ways of applying these new developments to the dragstrip. The mid-’60s were truly revolutionary times in drag racing, and one of the most feared competitors at the time was “Dyno” Don Nicholson. Always the innovator, Nicholson was all about the details, poring over all aspects of his cars until everything was sorted out.

XTREME LEE

To the uninitiated, this may look like the General Lee ’69 Charger featured in varying numbers on “The Dukes of Hazzard” television show. A closer review tells of an even greater historical connection. Xtreme Lee is as much a statement of intent as it is the car’s moniker, and when you’re pressed into the seats, there’s little question it lives up to its name.

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