Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was always interesting. In December of 1998 we received this letter and three photos of one very cool ’38 Ford Standard Coupe. While it is a great hot rod, the history of this coupe makes it even more compelling. Enjoy…
The coupe was a seedy, lumpy refugee from the Southern California dry lakes and dusty old dragstrips. It had an ancient Cadillac engine and Plexiglas windows, the frame was butchered, the rollcage was a joke and the floorboards were gone—but he just had to have it. It took a lot of talking, but he finally convinced the owner to sell him the car. Hogue then sold his ʼ40 Ford to raise the cash, and his friends thought he was nuts to trade a finished hot rod for a dog of a project car.
The Southeastern Hot Rod Show once again filled the North Georgia AG Fairgrounds in Dalton, Georgia, with the sights, sounds, and spirit of traditional hot rodding. Drawing enthusiasts from across the Southeast, the annual gathering showcased an impressive collection of pre-1972 hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, and custom-built machines, all brought together by a shared passion for craftsmanship, performance, and automotive history.
The first-ever Goodguys BASF Legends of Hot Rodding event brought the heart and soul of traditional hot rodding straight to downtown Nashville, Tennessee, delivering a premium weekend packed with world-class hot rods, customs, live music, and the unmistakable energy of America’s golden automotive era. Held May 15–16 at the newly renovated Fairgrounds Nashville, the all-new event delivered a fresh experience for hardcore enthusiasts while celebrating the roots of the hobby that built hot rodding culture.
When it comes to building a traditional hot rod that actually drives as good as it looks, the front suspension can make or break the entire project. That’s exactly why Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts has remained one of the most respected names in the industry for decades. Their Complete Front End Packages for Model A through 1934 Ford applications aren’t just suspension kits—they’re fully engineered systems built around quality, craftsmanship, and real-world drivability.
Johnson City, Tennessee didn’t just host a car show—it briefly turned into a rolling museum of American hot rodding. The 51st NSRA Street Rod Nationals South took over the Appalachian Fairgrounds on May 8–9, 2026, delivering two full days of traditional street rods, customs, and classic builds that reflected decades of craftsmanship and culture.
Forty-four years have passed since Musselman teamed with Boyd Coddington in creating one of the most amazing rods of its day, an excetpional car that took its place in history as the Oakland Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” in 1982. This was also due, in part, to the efforts of many top fabricators including Lil’ John Buttera, Dan Fink, Steve Davis, Thom Taylor who designed the car.
When Pigeon Forge hosts the Spring Rod Run, it doesn’t just put on a show—it takes over the entire town.
From April 16–18, the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge was ground zero for some of the cleanest, hardest-hitting builds in the country. Inside, it’s all business—high-end restorations, pro-touring muscle, detailed customs, and serious contenders chasing Top 25, Ultimate 5, and King of the Hill. It’s the polished side of the Rod Run, where the bar is set high and the details matter.
Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar street rod and traded it to Dale for his unfinished car. Joe and Dale then went to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and saw a beautiful orange Speedstar that Alan Johnson had just finished. They were impressed with the roadster’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, so Dale decided to take his custom Speedstar build to Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop in Gadsden, Alabama, to help him finish it. Dale’s intention was to build the roadster for outdoor car events, because the last rod he built was never driven, it was strictly an indoor show car. This time he wanted a rod that was exceptional, and a driver.
In a world obsessed with the latest engines and newest technology, ARP (Automotive Racing Products) just proved something important—progress doesn’t only move forward. It also means going back and applying everything we’ve learned since.
