Picking out a car seems so simple, whether it’s at the dealership or sketching lines in the drawing room, or at least that’s the way it looks from the outside. It’s easy to have designs on what’s come before or some version of that, but coming up with something unique that is also appealing continually challenges the imagination of every creative force. Anything but simple, even describing this eclectic process can test the understanding of all but a few gifted visionaries.
George Poteet, a true icon in the world of hot rodding and land speed racing, has left us, but his legacy blazes on like a nitro-fueled firestorm. Poteet wasn’t just another car guy; he was “The Car Guy,” a legend who lived life a quarter-mile at a time and made history on the salt flats. Let’s dive into the life of a man who put the pedal to the metal and never looked back.
For most, street rodding is a celebration of creativity expressed in what they build and drive. Some enjoy it for the visceral pleasure that comes from screaming horsepower and boiling rubber, while others benefit more from the family environment this hobby provides.
If you’ve ever imagined a time when you could simply pick up the phone or send an e-mail to General Motors and order the engine of your dreams, pull it out of a box delivered to your door and plug it into the car of your dreams, then stop dreaming as that time has come. While it’s not new information that GM Performance Parts provides an assortment of engines to choose from, it’s never been easier to select the one that is best for your budget and the intended purpose of your car.
Just about any gearhead would be thrilled by the opportunity to work with legendary automotive collector and all-around funny guy Jay Leno. Dave Killackey, owner of Performance Transmissions in Azusa, California, not only had the opportunity to work on a number of Leno’s projects, but along the way he’s developed a friendship with the late-night TV host. It’s a close enough friendship that Leno teamed with automotive designer Chip Foose and his “Overhaulin’” TV show to completely transform his rusted-out ’56 Chevrolet Nomad. So yes, you did read this correctly; Dave Killackey is indeed one of the luckiest car guys on the planet—he’s friends with Jay Leno, and he owns a ’56 Nomad that has been overhauled by Chip Foose and the rest of his team.
Growing up in a “car family” is always interesting, as many of you reading this can attest. Having raised two kids in a household dedicated to vintage automobiles, this author is an authority on the subject.
Have you ever seen a pictorial like this that tells where the location actually is? We didn’t think so, but don’t you just love a good mystery? Good, because that’s exactly how the owner wanted this incredible story left: unfinished. So we had to make part of it up. But which part? The interesting thing is this: Just when you think there are no old cars left to rebuild, think again!
One day, Ron Jones was walking around a consignment lot looking for his next rodding project. He had gone there with the intention of checking out a particular car, a ’29 Ford, but while there he noticed another vehicle that caught his eye. Tucked in the back of the lot was a ’49 Cadillac sedanette. It was mostly white and in rather poor shape, with dents, body filler and a little rust as evidence of a neglected existence. But Jones saw the car and knew he had to have it.
Roadsters have an appeal that’s hard to beat—especially ’32s. No matter where you go, they’re all the rage. It’s not just the hand-built one-offs we’re talking about either; it’s real street roadsters that scream at the heart of cool. For instance, take a close look at Chris Boutilier’s slick ’32. Chris has managed to blend the past with the present, while adding his own pizzazz. His roadster not only looks right, but it also drives like a dream and easily wins awards when he chooses to show it off.
Low in its architecture and functionally beautiful, the LS2 engine is an ideal replacement for a previous generation of Chevy powerplants. It offers good
performance, greatly improved economy and plenty of support from an industry leaders.
