Hot Rods
This year marked 70 years since the 1955 Chevy hit the streets, kicking off a three-year run that forever changed the automotive landscape. And judging by the rows of spotless Bel Airs, hardtop sedans, wicked gassers, and full-tilt pro-touring machines, the legend is alive, well, and meaner than ever. Everywhere you turned, there was another masterpiece—whether it was a flawless restoration, a ground-shaking drag car, or a radical custom that pushed the envelope.
The automotive and motorsports world lost one of its most dedicated champions on Sunday, August 3, 2025, when Chris Raschke tragically passed away following a crash at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He was 60 years old.
In 1955, Chevrolet didn’t just redesign a car—they ignited a movement. The Tri-Five Chevys (that’s shorthand for the 1955, 1956, and 1957 models) arrived like a thunderclap and never really left. These machines were leaner, lower, and louder—in both looks and performance—ushering in a new era of V8-powered excitement. The shoebox shape, the tailfins, the grille teeth…every detail had attitude. And the world noticed.
If you’re into big power, insane craftsmanship, and the kind of custom cars that stop people mid-sentence, then Columbus, Ohio in July is the place to be. The Goodguys Nationals isn’t just a show—it’s the showdown. Since ’98, this event has become ground zero for the best in hot rods, muscle cars, and one-off customs that blend tradition with full-throttle insanity.
The automotive and motorsports world has lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Angelo “Junior” Giampetroni. A pioneer, promoter, and passionate builder, Angelo helped shape the hot rodding and drag racing scenes from the postwar boom through the modern era. His impact can be felt not just in Detroit, but across the globe—from gritty speed shops to high-level factory performance programs. Angelo wasn’t just part of the culture—he connected it all together.
If you’re stuffing big power into a classic muscle car, restomod, or street bruiser, don’t let your transmission be the weak link. The SuperMatic 4L75-E REMAN from Chevrolet Performance is the no-nonsense, overbuilt four-speed automatic your LS-powered project has been begging for—and Gandrud Performance Parts has them in stock and moving fast.
Mustang enthusiasts Tony and Tammy Seader of La Salle, Colorado, have always wanted a classic Mustang fastback, and about three years ago Tony found this ’66 Mustang 2+2 sitting on a used car lot.
Nineteen fifty-eight was certainly a year of change for our nation with the formation of NASA and the launching of the United States’ first spacecraft, Explorer I. This was also a year of jet power, as Douglas introduced the DC-8 that year shortly after Boeing’s 707 went into regular service, offering transatlantic flights between New York and Europe. In addition, Elvis began his service in the U.S. Army.
Some of the greatest feelings in life come with a rise in rpm, a dropped clutch and tests of traction stretching the boundaries of our physiology. These are the emotions many of us cherish, and while many factors can evoke such emotions, the single most influential force behind these kinetic kicks is torque (which is then equated into horsepower).
We’ll call Cho’s efforts a modern retro. Much like old heavy-metal bands, classic metal has a timeless appeal, but there’s more—lurking beneath the classic sheetmetal is newfound power that will appeal to both schools of thought; purists will appreciate the clean lines and fastidious restoration, while performance mongers will be delighted to know that the original small block was scrapped in favor of a big block.
