Manufacturers

Hot Rod/Muscle Car July 18, 2023

Hot Rodding at Its Purest

The T rides on a home-built frame that’s a mixture of round and rectangular boxed tubing. Front suspension parts consist of a polished I-beam axle hanging from a four-bar arrangement and suspended by quarter-elliptic springs and friction shocks. These parts provide the appearance of a genuine vintage track car, and the end of each axle features a Wilwood polished caliper bolted to a ’40 Ford spindle. Steering consists of a Vega box with linkage outside the hood for additional style. Unseen, though, are the twin 8-gallon gas tanks hidden within the frame. The wheels, of course, are painted steel, measuring 15×6 inches and wearing plain hubcaps and beauty rings. Wrapped around each wheel is a 215/75R15 BFGoodrich radial T/A tire.

Builds July 16, 2023

FROM RAW TO REALITY

In the midst of all the wait comes this brand-new and, dare we say, quite revolutionary roadster/convertible, and a whole new wave of “…there’s not a chance.” Opinions surfaced. We took the high ground, as we have sat and listened intently to the plans for HRH, have visited facilities where some of the early work had been done, and are of the opinion that what the company has set out to do is not much different than any of us, only HRH bit off a whole mouthful.

Hot Rod/Muscle Car July 16, 2023

Slippery Sedan

Greg Harris has been a car enthusiast for years and has built a number of muscle machines and classic trucks. He has had loads of fun with late-model cars, but he couldn’t shake the fact that he really had the yearning to build a street rod some day. His friends knew about his longtime goal, so when one of them found a partially completed early sedan for sale, he told Harris about the car. Harris went to take a look, and as it turned out, the car was a half-finished all-steel ’33 Ford two-door sedan powered by a 427 Chevy engine. He immediately knew he had to buy the sedan—it was just what he was looking for. He made a deal with Clark and Bridgett Short, the folks who started the project, and brought the ’33 home.

Builds July 16, 2023

TAKING IT TO HEART

Sometimes building a street rod can be downright exasperating. The amount of money involved and the stress of chasing down parts and coordinating the efforts of multiple shops can lead to a fair bit of tension in any owner. How many times have you heard someone say something along the lines of: “That damn car’s going to give me a heart attack!”? Odds are you’ve heard it or even said it at least once or twice if you’ve been involved in rodding for any length of time.

Builds July 16, 2023

EVEN ’GLASS IS SCARCE

For 1933, Dodge had a full line of automobiles, and the salesmen of the day no doubt touted that there was a Dodge model perfect for you. But of all the sedans, coupes, convertible sedans (of which only 13 four-door convertible sedan eight-cylinder models were built) and station wagons, the convertible coupe was no doubt the most stylish of the bunch. The ’33 Dodge convertible coupe was a rare car in 1933, with only 1,563 units being produced, and, of course, there were 56 more built with the eight-cylinder engine. So, while the convertible coupe was a strikingly good-looking automobile, it was not the best of times, and the practicality and affordability of coupes and sedans far outsold the convertibles of the time. Today, finding a ’33 Dodge convertible coupe is truly a challenge.

Ford July 16, 2023

SUBTLE SEDAN

When we were at the NSRA Nationals last year, we came across a nice Pontiac sedan that we just had to photograph. It was different, super clean and it had fantastic detailing that made you come back for a second look.

Chevrolet July 16, 2023

StreetFighter Trans

Discover the critical role of a properly matched transmission in your truck’s performance and longevity. This article delves into the signs of transmission failure, emphasizing the impact of driving habits on transmission health. Explore an alternative to the common flatbed trip to the dealership by learning about TCI Automotive’s StreetFighter transmission. With its robust build, enhanced performance features, and no-core-charge policy, TCI offers a convenient and reliable solution for truck owners. Follow a detailed account of a 4L60E StreetFighter transmission installation, providing valuable insights for DIY enthusiasts and a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship at TCI Automotive’s Mississippi facility.

Trucks July 16, 2023

HISTORY OF THE SUV

America’s love for the automobile has been evident and strong from day one, ever since the first horseless carriage rolled off the assembly line some 100-plus years ago. The fascination was slow at first for these virtually handmade motorized contraptions, but once they reached production, and Henry Ford made it feasible for anyone to own one, the automobile has helped shape our economy and has influenced the way we live our daily lives. Today, it’s hard to think of life without it.

Cars July 16, 2023

SPECTACULAR SUVS

Since the start of the modern automotive era, shortly following WWII, the SUV has been used for mass transportation, taking people to and from their desired destinations. This began with the early depot hacks, and that has turned into a massive SUV marketplace, complete with blinged-out Tahoes, Suburbans, Explorers and all manner of crossover vehicles made to look more truck-like, and offering two and three-row seating. These larger-than-life automobiles and trucks have made as much of an impact on the truck-buying public as the pickup.

Builds July 16, 2023

STEALTH OPULENCE

Building a cool new truck to show off at SEMA is nothing new for Jim Lewis and his team at ProMotorsports in Edmond, Oklahoma, as that’s what they do. This stunning new ’07 Cadillac Escalade EXT is their most recent creation. Like so many other enthusiasts, Lewis used the latest generation Escalade because it was an immediate hit, especially among the urban lifestyle crowd, so team ProMotorsports thought one would make a great representative demo vehicle for their shop. Billy Lewis came up with the flat black concept, with tons of chrome and polished metal to contrast the flatness of the finish. While the paint may be the first item that attracts you to this truck, the crew at ProMotorsports actually started the build underneath it all by increasing the performance of the Escalade.

Manufacturers

Hot Rodding at Its Purest

FROM RAW TO REALITY

Slippery Sedan

TAKING IT TO HEART

EVEN ’GLASS IS SCARCE

SUBTLE SEDAN

StreetFighter Trans

HISTORY OF THE SUV

SPECTACULAR SUVS

STEALTH OPULENCE

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