Street Rods
Pawl Shanley’s 1985 Dodge D350 dually isn’t your average pickup. This British truck has been transformed into a show-stopping masterpiece with an air suspension that lets it kneel at the pavement, a BMW Montreal Blue paint job with intricate marbleizing, and a custom interior by Aerotrim, a company that usually specializes in aircraft. Despite the challenges of modifying such a large vehicle, Shanley’s vision has resulted in a truly unique and impressive truck that stands out even in a country known for its Minis.
From showstopper murals to Nitrous Express-fueled speed, Darren Pellechia’s 2002 Ford SVT Lightning lives up to its name in every way. Don’t be fooled by the lowered stance and sleek custom bodywork – this truck packs a punch under the hood with a 75hp nitrous system and tuned Eaton-supercharged engine. Inside, Von Otto murals and premium sound complete the package, making this Lightning a true masterpiece on wheels.
The ididit steering column in the 38 Chevy presented a conundrum for the SRRC crew. Its intended path straight through the engine compartment was blocked by the mighty LS1 lurking beneath. Instead of compromising on engine placement or aesthetics, the team got crafty. Inspired by modern car designs, they opted to dramatically shorten the column and snake it around the engine, hugging the underside of the custom aluminum dash. This not only cleared the heads but also resulted in a sleek and streamlined look that complemented the truck’s overall transformation. This excerpt highlights the resourcefulness and ingenuity involved in custom car builds, showcasing how unconventional solutions can lead to stunning results.
Free Jaguar? Don Shirer couldn’t resist the tempting offer, even if it meant just for the prized suspension lurking beneath. This XJ6 boasted the coveted independent rear suspension and A-frame front, perfect for his vision of a smoother-riding ’55 Chevy pickup. Follow along as Shirer masterfully tackles the swap, using readily available tools and his own ingenuity to bridge the gap between classic and modern.
Hot rodders are a picky lot; some want their rides to look as if they stepped out of a time warp, but they also want them to be equipped with the latest of mechanical improvements. Disc brakes, power steering, air conditioning and even full surround-sound stereos and videos are the norm. So it should come as no surprise that the benefits of electronic fuel injection have been fully embraced by those who drive vintage trucks. But with notable exceptions, the look of the fuel injections systems was mostly unpleasing to the eye.
Tired of wimpy brakes on your classic Chevy? Upgrade to Baer Track Plus like we did on our Project ’67 C10! This kit boasts massive 13-inch rotors, two-piston calipers, and increased track width for serious stopping power. See the step-by-step installation and discover how easy it is to give your truck the brakes it deserves.
Ford engines are hot, and everyone—even non-Ford guys—are talking about it. The small-block Ford is an awesome package that is made even more awesome by Ford Racing and aftermarket parts. It has continually gained popularity as a high-performance buildup, as a Ford In A Ford engine transplant and as a replacement performance engine for vehicles that were optioned as such but were less equipped when new. With all of this activity surrounding the small-block Ford engine, it is safe to say that it is quickly becoming the small block of choice.
For many years, multiple-carburetor setups have been a popular choice for rodders who want to add some extra power and visual appeal to their engines. However, these setups have traditionally been difficult to tune and keep in sync. The Barry Grant Six-Shooter solves these problems by using three 250cfm two-barrel carbs that are linked together with a well-designed throttle linkage system. The result is a system that looks great and performs even better.
Richard Larson and his wife, Jane, have owned a number of custom cars and trucks in their time, but they never really thought they would have so much fun building and owning a custom 53 Studebaker pickup. There was no plan to find a Studebaker; the truck simply found him. I lived across the street from a friend who owned a repair shop in town, Larson told us. Over some time, he had collected six or seven cars and trucks that he hoped to restore some day. One weekend morning, his wife informed him that she planned to plant an orchard in the area where the vehicles were being stored…and in one week. He had to get rid of his collection. I asked about the Studebaker pickup and he said if he could get $200 for it, it was gone. Well, it was gone.
Driven Racing Oil developed the original high zinc, petroleum and low detergent break-in oil over twenty years ago. Break in oil is a specialty oil that reduces wear and contaminates when breaking in a new high-performance engine. It provides controlled friction for your piston rings and incredible protection that helps your camshafts break in properly.










