Exterior

When news of the Show Car Buildoff began circulating, the team at DuPont Hot Hues saw it as an excellent opportunity to not only become involved, but also to provide a sound platform to help all of us better understand what is involved in painting a car. The color selection is a process in and of itself, but having a better understanding of the characteristics of the materials used, how to use them and what is involved in using them is helpful as well.

We all know itʼs what lies beneath the paint that really matters—a good chassis, great metalwork, and great design. Yet, having said that, the paint job still remains the single most important element of any rod or custom. After all, even if the groundwork has been laid, your bodywork is straight and great, your design is fine and your mechanicals are flawless, a poor paint job can spoil it all.

If you’re in the planning stages of building your car, or even if you have finished and are driving it, there are lots of free or inexpensive things you can do to make your ride faster and/or more efficient. This month, The Auto Builder gives you 25 of those ideas. Most of these free tips simply involve putting your car on a diet. Every 100 pounds of weight removed from your car equals dropping 1/10th of a second at the strip. Even though you may not be racing, the same theory applies to the street, and also to the extra weight you must lug around.

When starting any project that requires bodywork, rebuilding or even repainting, the first question is always, “What could possibly be lurking under the old paint that could come back and haunt us later?”

Gone are the days of struggling to find restoration chemicals and parts. The article highlights how the availability of reproduction parts and user-friendly chemical solutions has revolutionized car restoration. It introduces popular and effective chemicals like 3M Underseal Undercoating, Eastwood Self-Etching Primer, and OEM Paints React, highlighting their benefits and applications. It even delves into restoring cast-iron parts, suggesting solutions like OEM Paints’ Steering Gear Box Finish. Get ready to be amazed by the latest advancements in car restoration!

Delve into the world of street rodding with a glimpse into the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, where cutting-edge products steal the spotlight. From Lokar’s award-winning lighting solutions to Speedway Motors’ stainless steel exhaust manifolds, find out which new releases are revolutionizing the street rod scene.

The lines of ’55-’57 Chevys are almost sacrosanct. They haven’t been modified or changed over the years with very good results. There have been a couple of exceptions, but by and large, chopped tops, restyled fenders and other modifications that alter their original lines don’t come off looking real good. The problem is in the proportions. We’re not sure if it’s because the factory got them so perfect right out of the gate, or if it’s that most have been left alone over the last 50 years, so a chopped top looks strange. Whatever the reason, the classic “greenhouse” roofline, long fenders and slab sides all work very well together.

Project ’47 All In has undergone an extensive transformation from a worn-out farm truck to a meticulously detailed pickup. The project features a chassis upgrade with C4 Corvette suspension, a robust 383 stroker engine from Blueprint Engines, and premium components. The restoration process includes a focus on sheetmetal work, from disassembly and rust repair to the final paint job, highlighting the skillful blend of classic design and modern performance.

This article dives into the unique modification of a 1967 Chevy Suburban by Mike Dempsey, who reimagined it into a shorter, Tahoe-styled version. It also features Ken Farrell’s Retro Tek company, which has revolutionized the EFI system to combine the aesthetics of classic cars with the efficiency of modern technology. The article covers various aspects of vehicle modification, including chassis adjustment, engine upgrades, and the integration of advanced fuel systems.

In this detailed account, the Cimbanin brothers at Cimtex Rods in Jarrell, Texas, tackle the complex task of chopping and restoring a ’56 Chevrolet Cameo roadster. This article delves into the nuances of custom truck modification, from aligning door frames to adjusting the roof profile, highlighting the meticulous approach and expertise involved in such a project. Learn about the challenges and techniques of customizing classic trucks, as demonstrated by the award-winning craftsmanship of the Cimbanin brothers.