TheAutoBuilder.com

Street Rods

Drilled and Thrilled

Rich Oakley is not your average hot rod builder. There is no room for cookie cutter cars in the Retro Rides by Rich shop in Archdale, North Carolina. In fact, he prefers to be one step ahead of the norm when it comes to building his personal rides. Loosely inspired by the Tony Nancy 22 Jr., his Model A highboy comes equipped with an attitude. “The car has a loud, rude nature. That’s what I like about it, the way it shakes, smells, and of course, the noise,” Oakley says. It has an aggressive stance, and those six Holley 94 carburetors are an indication that the roadster might have a chip on its shoulder.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Proform’s Lightning-Bolt™ 100 AMP Mini-Alternator

Here’s the deal: If you’re wrenching on your ride and you’re still running an outdated alternator, you’re leaving performance on the table. That’s where the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator comes in to save the day. Built for the gearhead who wants nothing less than peak performance, this beast delivers rock-solid reliability and power when you need it most—whether you’re ripping down the quarter-mile or cruising Main Street on a Saturday night.

HOPPING UP A FIRST- GENERATION 265 V-8

If you have been around Chevys for 40 or 50 years, think of this story as a sort of “reunion.” For oh-so-many of us, that’s just what it is, a good ol’ reunion with Chevy’s very first small-block V-8 engine. Tens of thousands of our readers had one, and many still do.

Product Spotlight: BTR PLATINUM LS DUAL SPRING KIT

Alright, gearheads, if you’ve been chasing that extra performance edge for your LS engine, it’s time to step up your game. The BTR Platinum LS Dual Spring Kit – .660 Lift (SK001) from Brian Tooley Racing is the go-to upgrade when you’re running a high-lift cam and want to keep things dialed in tight. Let me tell you, this kit is more than just parts in a box—it’s the insurance policy your high-performance build demands.

24 PERFECT PARTS AND TIPS

Are you driving an old truck, or perhaps you are driving a newer, modified pickup that is being upgraded as you go? Either way, both present their own set of challenges, which when not addressed, will turn normal operation into a nightmarish chore. No one enjoys breaking down along the side the road, so you do what you can to favorably stack the odds against such breakdowns. Truth is you do this by eliminating the simple oversights and by selecting the right parts that enhance the performance and operation of your daily driver.

RADICALLY DIFFERENT

During the latter part of the 1950s, as America fell into a recession, the American industry machine suffered. The Big Three Detroit automakers felt the hit and quickly began building affordable cars that would appeal to the public.

EXTREMELY SUBTLE

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.

34 Expert Restoration Tips for Classic Car Enthusiasts

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.

Scroll to Top

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

* indicates required
Interests

For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.