FLAMIN’ HELL
August 2, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
- All Post
- 20 High Priority - SR Super Rod
- Builds
- 25 High Priority - FB Ford Builder
- Cars
- 30 High Priority - AR American Rodder
- 01 Post Status
- 35 High Priority - RD Rodders Digest
- 40 High Priority - OTR On the Road
- 45 High Priority - SRB Street Rod Builder
- 50 High Priority - TB Truck Builder
- 55 High Priority - BSCENE Buckaroo Scene
- 60 High Priority - FPB Family Power Boat
- Trucks
- Swaps
- Performance Boats
- _000 Home Sliders
- Builders
- 00 Sidebars
- Manufacturers
- 05 High Priority - HCI Hot Compact Imports
- 05 Publications
- 10 High Priority - CR Chevy Rumble
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Outdrives
- Steering
- Interior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Exterior and Hull
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- Chevrolet
- Cadillac
- Pontiac
- AMC
- Buick
- Jeep
- Lincoln
- Ford
- Honda
- GMC
- BMW
- Mitsubishi
- Dodge
- Nissan
- Chrysler
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Plymouth
- Mercury
- Volvo
- Volkswagen
- Oldsmobile
- Acura
- Back
- 05 Pub HCI Hot Compact Imports
- 15 Pub 4x4 4x4 Builder
- 20 Pub SR Super Rod
- 25 Pub FB Ford Builder
- 30 Pub AR American Rodder
- 35 Pub RD Rodders Digest
- 40 Pub OTR On the Road
- 55 Pub BSCENE Buckaroo Scene
- 10 Pub CR Chevy Rumble
- 50 Pub TB Truck Builder
- 60 Pub FPB Family Power Boat
- 45 Pub SRB Street Rod Builder
- Back
- Chip Foose
- Ring Brothers
- Jack Fuller
- Bob Cullipher
- Jerry Nichols
- Bobby Alloway
- Jesse James
- Carl Casper
- J.F. Launier
- Steve Sellers
- Boyd Coddington
- Rad Rides by Troy
- Cal Auto Creations
- George Barris
- West Coast Customs
- Back
- Street Rods
- Hot Rods
- Late Model
- Drag Race
- Handling
- Compact Cars
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Fuel System
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- 05 Post Imported
- 20 Post Missing Images (All)
- 25 Post Missing Images (Partial)
- 15 Post In Progress
- 30 Post Internal Review
- 40 Post On Hold
- 50 Post Approved
- 10 Post Images Imported
- 17 Post Missing TXT Files
- 18 Post Missing PDF Files
- 27 Post Missing Content
- Back
- Chassis
- Engine Swaps
- Interior Swaps
- Driveline
- Back
- Street Trucks
- OffRoad Trucks
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Chassis
- Engine
- Fuel System
- Electrical
- Exhaust
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels and Tires
- Interior
- Exterior
- Accessories
- Power Adders
- Back
- 01 Sidebar Left
- 01 Sidebar Right
Spotlighter
Celebrity Picks Shine Bright at the 2025 Triple Crown of Rodding
Hot Rod Legends Choose Their Favorites
The 2025 Triple Crown of Rodding delivered a jaw-dropping lineup of cars, and the Celebrity Pick Awards highlighted the rides that captured the eyes of legends. Hand-picked by icons like Chip Foose, Corky Coker, John Jackson, and Kyle Tucker, these awards honor vehicles that combine daring creativity, flawless craftsmanship, and that undeniable “wow” factor.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff
From Classics to Restomods
From sleek classics to modern restomods, each winner has a story, a personality, and details that made the judges take notice. Some pay tribute to family history, others showcase incredible hands-on engineering, and a few are pure, show-stopping artistry.
A Spotlight on Passion and Craftsmanship
The Celebrity Picks aren’t just awards—they’re a spotlight on passion, precision, and personality. Scroll through the galleries below to see the cars that captured the attention of legends and defined TCOR 2025.
1931 Ford Model A Coupe “Flying Jav”
Owner: Ryan Kalil
Builder: Hot Rods and Hobbies, Inc.
Celebrity Pick Awards: Gary “Goodguy” Meadors Memorial Award & Pete & Jake’s Pick
Ryan Kalil’s ’31 Ford Model A Coupe, Flying Jav, honors his wife’s grandfather with a perfect blend of vintage style and modern performance. Built by Hot Rods and Hobbies, it rides on a custom B2 rail frame with triangulated four-link rear, Deuce rails, and Wheelsmith wire wheels wrapped in Coker Excelsior tires. Power comes from a modern LS3 with 4L65E transmission, dressed in classic style with Borla 8-Stack fuel injection and Thunderbird valve covers. The chopped and stretched body is finished in custom Axalta green with Deuce grille, fenders, running boards, and leather-strapped hood, while a brown leather interior, wood-rimmed wheel, and Classic Instruments gauges complete the package. Thoughtful execution earned Flying Jav the Gary “Goodguy” Meadors Memorial Award, Pete & Jake’s Pick, and a spot in the Elite 10 at TCOR 2025.
1932 Ford Three-Window Coupe “Gracie’s Glide”
Owner: Beth Myers
Builder: Iron Hill Hot Rods
Celebrity Pick: Chip Foose Design Achievement Award
Beth Myers’ ’32 Ford three-window coupe, nicknamed Gracie’s Glide, marries classic European elegance with hot rod ingenuity. Inspired by the flowing lines of ’30s Bugattis, every detail—from flawless paint to custom-machined wheels—is meticulously executed by Iron Hill Hot Rods. Under the hood, a 220ci Mercruiser four-cylinder topped with a P51 cylinder head from Jon Kaase Racing Engines and fed by a crank-driven supercharger mounted outside the grille delivers a one-of-a-kind look, sound, and performance. Refined, bold, and endlessly unique, Gracie’s Glide captured the Chip Foose Design Achievement Celebrity Pick, standing out as a coupe that’s both art and attitude.
1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
Owner: Greg Denk Jr.
Award: NSRA Driven Award
Greg Denk Jr.’s 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe rolled into the Triple Crown of Rodding with purpose and drove out with the NSRA Driven Award, selected by Vern Walker Jr. Built with help from his father, Greg Sr., this coupe wasn’t built to sit under the lights—it was built to pound the highway. Denk’s gratitude toward family, friends, and the TCOR team reflects the spirit of the award itself: honoring hot rods that are not just beautifully built, but also truly driven. A surprise win, a heartfelt moment, and a reminder that hot rods are meant to see asphalt, not just polished concrete.
1932 Ford Roadster
Owner: Norm Caetano
Celebrity Pick: Troy Trepanier (Rad Rides by Troy), George Poteet Memorial Award
The 1932 Ford Roadster remains the gold standard of traditional hot rods, and Norm Caetano’s example proves exactly why. Selected as a Celebrity Pick by Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy at the 2025 Triple Crown of Rodding, this Deuce stood tall among a field of world-class builds. While the finer details of the car are still under wraps, earning recognition from one of the industry’s most respected builders is no small feat. With its timeless stance and clean execution, Caetano’s Roadster carries the kind of presence that turns admiration into respect—and in Bowling Green, it made a lasting impression.
1936 Ford Roadster – “Myers Fenderless ’36”
Owners: Ross & Beth Myers
Builder: Rad Rides by Troy
Celebrity Pick: Corky Coker of Coker Tire
Fresh off its Goodguys Columbus Street Rod of the Year win, the Myers Fenderless ’36 Ford Roadster, along with winning the TCOR Street Rod of the Year award (CLICK HERE to see our coverage), made waves at TCOR25 by also claiming the Coker Tire Best Hot Rod Stance Celebrity Pick, chosen by Corky Coker himself. Built by Rad Rides by Troy, this fenderless hot rod strips everything unnecessary to showcase pure old-school craftsmanship. Beneath the Porsche Aventurine Green Metallic skin, a 312ci Ford Y-block with a ’57 McCullough supercharger feeds a Bowler 4R70W automatic and Winters Quick-change rear end, while torsion bar suspension with Ridetech shocks and Wilwood disc brakes hidden behind vintage-style drums keep the stance aggressive yet precise. Inside, the hand-built interior with square-weave carpet and lift-off top matches the mechanical perfection, all sitting tall on custom wide-five wheels wrapped in Excelsior rubber. With its combination of classic soul, show-winning charisma, and perfectly dialed stance, this Fenderless ’36 proves why it captured Corky Coker’s attention.
1952 Ford Pickup “Lit-Up”
Owner/Builder: Jimmy Hervatin
Celebrity Pick: Noah Alexander of Classic Car Studio Speed Shop
Jimmy Hervatin’s ’52 Ford F1 “Lit Up” is more than a custom truck—it’s a one-man masterpiece brought to life from a Keith Weesner illustration of the same name. Built entirely by Jimmy over the course of years, every chop, section, weld, and panel was hand-formed with old-school craftsmanship and relentless dedication. The truck features a wickedly proportioned body with a 5½-inch chop, a scratch-built frame that drops it 10 inches, and a fully reshaped bed. Power comes from a ’54 Olds 324 with tri-power, backed by a T5 5-speed. Finished in pearl blue, pearl white, and red-gold flames—all sprayed by Jimmy himself—the pickup radiates pure ’50s custom attitude. From metalwork to upholstery, Jimmy touched every inch, creating a home-built showstopper that’s already racked up national awards and now commands attention at the Triple Crown of Rodding.
1955 Chevrolet Nomad “RealMad”
Owner: Marshall Chesrown
Builder: Steve’s Auto Restorations
Designer: Chip Foose
Celebrity Pick: POSIES Pick Trophy
Marshall Chesrown’s legendary 1955 Chevrolet Nomad “RealMad”—designed by Chip Foose and built by Steve’s Auto Restorations—made a big return to the spotlight at TCOR25, earning the POSIES Pick Celebrity Trophy. Debuting at the 2000 GNRS, this forward-thinking custom wowed crowds with its seamless blending of wagon character and radical design. Chesrown has owned the car since his youth, and its presence today proves the timelessness of Foose’s design and SAR’s craftsmanship. Sleek, innovative, and still capable of stopping you in your tracks 25 years later, RealMad stands tall as one of the most influential customs of its era.
1955 Chevrolet Nomad “Gray Madder” – 2025 Ridler Winner
Owners: Tom, Christy & Josh Bresnahan
Builder: Southern Comfort Customs
Celebrity Pick: Art Morrison
Fresh off its Ridler Award win at the 2025 Detroit Autorama, the “Gray Madder” ’55 Chevy Nomad rolled into the Triple Crown of Rodding and snagged another honor—Art Morrison’s Celebrity Pick. Built by Southern Comfort Customs of North Carolina, this Tri-Five Chevy Nomad proves how far a classic can be pushed with the right vision and execution. Underneath, an Art Morrison chassis with hydraulic suspension lays the foundation, while a rowdy LS3 backed by a 6L90E six-speed delivers modern muscle. Custom touches abound, from a billet grille and Evod Industries wheels to a one-off billet air cleaner cleverly crafted from vintage small-block parts. Inside, it’s all hand-stitched leather, Dakota Digital gauges, and cool comfort courtesy of Vintage Air. Bold, innovative, and finished to perfection, the Gray Madder Nomad has already secured its place in hot rod history—and continues to rack up the accolades to prove it.
1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible “Inspire”
Owner: Clifford Mattis
Builder: Lucky 7 Customs
Awards: Celebrity Picks from Big Oak Garage, Goolsby Customs, & Johnsons Hot Rod Shop
Clifford Mattis’ ’57 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible, nicknamed “Inspire,” is a stunning blend of classic style and modern custom ingenuity. Transformed by Lucky 7, it rides on a smoothed Roadster Shop chassis with Firestone air bags, Baer six-piston brakes, and Curtis Speed wheels, while a Don Hardy 376ci LS3 V8 masquerades as a vintage dual-four-barrel engine with Chevy orange paint and Batwing air cleaner. Custom touches abound: PPG beige paint, smoothed bumpers, reshaped taillight housings, spotlight/mirror combos, and a cabin by Gabe’s Street Rod Custom Interiors that wraps modified ’65 Impala buckets, side panels, and console in Hydes leather and original ’56 fabric, topped with an EVOD steering wheel and Dakota Digital gauges. From its slammed stance to its award-winning interior and undercarriage, Inspire proves a Bel-Air can be timeless, modern, and absolutely show-stopping all at once.
1957 Ford Thunderbird “Rainmaker”
Owners: Tim & Bonnie Burkey
Builder: Revamped Rides Rod & Custom
Celebrity Pick: John Jackson (NotStock Photography)
When you roll up with a bare-metal ’57 Thunderbird packing a stacked 5.0L Coyote V8, you’re not just showing off a restomod—you’re rewriting the rulebook. Dubbed “Rainmaker”, this Pro Touring T-Bird carries the signature craftsmanship of Revamped Rides Rod & Custom out of Lincoln, Nebraska, with an added personal touch from owner Tim Burkey and his son Brant. The father-and-son duo dove headfirst into machining, teaching themselves how to run a Haas mill and producing custom parts like the jaw-dropping one-off grille. The car’s unfinished metal skin delivers a raw, industrial edge, perfectly offset by black bumpers, light gold Forgeline wheels, and just the right amount of chrome. Already turning heads on the show circuit, Rainmaker took home the Celebrity Pick from John Jackson (NotStock Photography—a fitting honor for a Thunderbird that dares to be different and proves rare metal still makes it rain.
1959 Cadillac – Best Patina Award
Owner: Caroline Hagan
Award Sponsored By: Street Machinery / Patina Plantation
The Best Patina Award at the Triple Crown of Rodding went to Caroline Hagan’s 1959 Cadillac, a massive slab of Detroit steel that wears its age like fine jewelry. Every sun-faded panel, every time-earned oxidation freckle in the finish tells a story, making it the perfect fit for an award that celebrates the beauty of preservation over perfection. Sponsored by Street Machinery/Patina Plantation—the Cleveland-based shop Boris Maryanovsky built into a patina powerhouse—this honor shines a spotlight on rides that embrace their scars as style. Caroline’s ’59 nailed that vibe, proving patina isn’t just a look, it’s an attitude.
1960 Chevrolet Bel Air
Owner: Kevin Bonin
Builder: Popeye’s Rod Shop
Award: Goodguys Pick
Kevin Bonin’s 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air, built by Popeye’s Rod Shop, turns heads with its subtle yet divine green paint and crisp hardtop lines. Riding on a modified X-frame with Ridetech suspension, the stance is low and confident, while an LS3 cleverly dressed as a 409 brings both nostalgia and modern punch. Billet Specialties wheels complete the look, locking in a period-perfect stance. With fewer than 80,000 2-door hardtops produced, this Bel Air’s rarity adds another layer of cool to an already standout build.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
Owner/Builder: Noah Alexander – Classic Car Studio Speed Shop (“Speed is the New Black”)
Award: Kyle Tucker Pick
Noah Alexander’s 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle from Classic Car Studio Speed Shop is a modern muscle icon wrapped in timeless style. The deep black paint with a blue convertible top and body-matched bumpers set the tone, while just enough chrome accents highlight the classic lines without overwhelming them. Under the hood, a supercharged LT4 delivers serious modern power, and the stance is perfectly dialed with Schott Custom SS concave wheels with eXposed lug nuts and Baer brakes. Inside, a modern gray interior balances sophistication with performance-ready functionality. This blend of classic aesthetics, contemporary performance, and flawless execution earned the Chevelle the Kyle Tucker Pick at the Triple Crown of Rodding, making it a showstopper in every sense.
1973 Volkswagen Thing
Builder: Ron Jones Garage
Awards: Jesse Greening Pick, Roadster Shop Pick
It’s not every day you see a Volkswagen Thing transformed into a full-blown rally-bred monster, but that’s exactly what Ron Jones Garage pulled off with this audacious build. Starting with little more than a windshield frame from a ’71 Thing, the team hand-formed and CNC-machined the rest into a Paris-Dakar–inspired machine that had the judges buzzing. Under the skin lies a custom chromoly tube chassis with Fox shocks and a 930 Porsche heart—an air-cooled 3.2L flat-six mated to a 996-era 911 transaxle and all-wheel drive. The result? Over 300 horsepower pushing just 2,600 pounds of purpose-built fury. Porsche cues carry through the cabin with JJ’s Upholstery plaid seats and a 911 RS steering wheel, while Curtis Speed Equipment wheels complete the stance. Equal parts bizarre and brilliant, this Thing is proof that with the right vision, even the oddball of VW’s lineup can become a world-class showstopper.
