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    ONE-WEEKEND WONDER

    Instant gratification. It’s an addicting thing whereby somewhat suddenly, you find compete satisfaction. It’s the opposite of long, laborious projects that linger on for years, doling out their pain and pleasure in measured portions along the way. Sure, it can be fulfilling, but few things are more fun than putting things in fast-forward and doing what should take a long time in a short time. TV shows are based on just such rewards in this ever-accelerating time we live in, and in a reversal, we now find life imitating art as hot rodders do their own versions of Overhaulin’; we like to call it Over-Thrashin’. Generally, there are no cameras whirling, no lights and no scripts. It’s just a bunch of hot rodders, a good garage and maybe stacks of empty pizza and parts boxes in the corner.

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    CONCEPTUALLY ’40

    It was a sketch published in another street rod title, and while it brought many interesting comments, to our knowledge no one acted on the sketch to convert it to a real roadster. Enter Sam Magarino of Sussex, New Jersey. Now, Magarino likes hot rods, and lately he has enjoyed building some pretty outrageous hot rods with the help of Barry Lobeck and his crew at Lobeck’s. This would be a project of great magnitude, and that was the name aptly applied to this car for the show season.

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    Crossing JORDANS

    We met Jeff Jordan at the 2004 Texas Street Machine Nationals, held at Lady Bird Johnson Park outside the city limits of picturesque Fredericksburg, Texas. Jeff and his Torch Red ’56 Chevrolet stepside pickup were attending the event, along with his brother, Rick, who owns a similarly hued Pro Street ’83 Chevrolet Silverado. We quite logically assumed that both Jeff and Rick were from Texas, but the reality was that brother Jeff had towed his ’56 all the way from Gilbert, Arizona, to attend the event and hang out with his brother, who lives in Harlingen, Texas. Not only would both Jeff and Rick’s Chevys win spots on the Texas Nationals Top 10 Truck list, but Jeff’s immaculate ’56 big-window also won the C&C Productions Long Distance award. Now let’s take a look at this beautiful half-ton hauler. “I built this truck with my son, Jeff Jr., as a father-and-son project, and it took 10 years to complete,” says Jeff Sr. Ten years?

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    POPULAR READS

    Competition and Chrome

    at the Holley LS Fest West 2024 Car Show

    Author

    Picture of Jamie Dent

    Jamie Dent

    Photography by Scott Killeen

    The Holley LS Fest West Car Show 2024 just wrapped up. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill car expo, folks – it was a turbocharged celebration of everything automotive, where authenticity and craftsmanship took the driver’s seat. 

    The Holley LS Fest West Car Show is an epic event that pays homage to the legacy and performance of LS and LT-powered machines. Imagine this: a gathering of the sickest LS and current-gen LT rides you’d ever seen, each one a testament to the blood, sweat, and grease poured into its creation. But we’re not just talking about flashy paint jobs and blinged-out rims – we were all about the nitty-gritty details here. From intricate mods to groundbreaking designs, we were on the prowl for rides that screamed individuality.

    And let’s not forget the “Under Construction” category, where works in progress got their chance to shine. Whether you’re elbow-deep in engine guts or just sketching out your dream build, LS Fest West has a spot with your name on it. At LS Fest West, there’s no limit to what you can dream up!

    Held annually at the iconic Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the last week of April, it draws enthusiasts from all corners, offering them a chance to bask in the roar of engines and the gleam of polished chrome. It more than just a car show – it’s a mecca for motorheads, united by their love for automotive greatness.

    Best of Show Winner

    Best of Show went to Michael Cooper of Lancaster, CA with his beautiful 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle. Mike’s vision for the Chevelle was made reality with the help of the experts at Asen Auto Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, CA.  We love the clean look of this car, from the tidy engine bay to the custom black and white interior. This Chevelle really knocks it out of the park. 

    Features include a 600 hp 427 ls7 with a Tremec 6 speed tied to a Moser 12 bolt with a Holley Dominator. Long tube headers with Flowmaster 3″ exhaust give this GM the proper rumble.  The chassis was reinforced and fitted with speed tech suspension with ViKing coil overs, Wilwood brakes, 19 & 20″ Bc forged wheels on 255 and 295 nitto tires with no mini tub and full inner fender. 

    Be sure to head on over and check out Asen Auto Inc. on their Facebook and Instagram pages, to see their latest projects.

    Trucks

    The car show scene has had a profound impact on classic trucks, elevating them from utilitarian vehicles to prized collectibles. Enthusiasts have wholeheartedly embraced customization, transforming these vintage workhorses into individualized expressions of creativity and technical prowess. Classic trucks have become a standout attraction at car shows, revered for their fusion of nostalgic appeal and contemporary advancements. Here’s a a few of our favorite trucks that we spotted at LS Fest West.

    This 1972 GMC truck owned by Jon Blumenthal, perched on a Roadster Shop chassis, marries vintage charm with modern muscle. Under its original paint, it packs a Mast Motorsports LS7 engine, a QuickTime-adapted TREMEC T56 transmission, and AP Racing brakes. Inside, Recaro Expert 5 buckets, Dakota Digital gauges, and a RetroSound audio system offer a blend of comfort and performance. Crafted with care by Hot Rods and Custom Stuff, it’s a striking testament to classic style and contemporary power.

    This C10 by Cuttingedge Hotrods’ is a showstopper that marries vintage charm with high-performance upgrades. Cameron Bishop’s vision turned a 1972 Chevrolet C10 into a standout with a custom chassis and a rear-mounted transaxle. The truck’s LS3 engine sits back for better balance. Inside, a roll cage, aluminum dash, and race-ready seats complete the sleek, race-inspired look.  Keep up with the latest news from Cutting Edge Hot Rods on their Instagram

    Carlos Alexandre’s  No End Customs “Coffee & Donuts” truck is an absolute beast on the track. We love the balance of old school charm and hi-tech  gadgetry and performance. Check out the No End Customs Instagram page to see more about this incredible build and others.
    Josh Wojciechowski’s 1969 LSF100 has gone from cruiser to full-on race truck over the course of the last 6 years. Check out his Instagram page to see the latest news on the LSF100 and other builds.

    Alex Valdez is the owner of this 1966 Chevrolet C-10. This truck is truly a masterpiece, blending influences from street rods, classic trucks, low riders, hot rods, and muscle cars, with engraved details, tasteful airbrush work, polished aluminum, custom paint, and upholstery. Every detail meticulously crafted, earned it the Anderson Composites Top Pick Award! 

    This ’59 Apache Fleetside build byDerek Ekins and his team at Ekins Garage won the “Best Classic Truck” award. This truck has been winning awards since its debut at the Salt Lake Autorama. Check out their Instagram and Facebook pages to see more.

    Clean Builds

    Clean builds are like finely tuned symphonies, each note crafted with the utmost care and precision by automotive artisans. These projects sing praises to sleek lines, obsessive attention to the tiniest of details, and craftsmanship that’s nothing short of sublime. They dance on the delicate balance between personal expression and reverence for tradition, creating a timeless allure that transcends eras. 

    Who needs a flux capacitor? Steven Flanagan’s LS swapped Delorean would make Doc Brown green with envy. We love the custom LED lighting on the engine. See more of this amazing build on Steven’s Instagram.

    This ’57 Chevy, masterfully crafted by the wizards at Kelly & Son Crazy Painters out in sunny California, is a true testament to the transformative power of a killer 8-stage fade paint job. But hold on to your hats, folks, because under that glossy exterior lies a world of intricately detailed metalwork, cutting-edge electronics, and let’s not forget about the beastly BoostDistrict LSA Supercharger 700hp package lurking under the hood. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, folks, and this Chevy’s got the goods to prove it! See more on The Crazy Painters Instagram page.

    Ah, the timeless beauty of this ’55 Chevrolet Nomad, a perennial favorite in our book. Under the ownership of Paul Williams from the shores of Lake Havasu, Arizona, this baby’s got it all. From the flawless execution of its two-toned color scheme to every meticulous detail throughout the build, it’s a true work of automotive art. This Nomad isn’t just a car—it’s a masterpiece on wheels, and we can’t help but tip our hats to the craftsmanship that went into it.

    Unique Builds

    Imagine walking through a car show and spotting these one-of-a-kind custom cars that are totally out there. They’re like the rebels of the car world, breaking all the rules with their unique styles. These cars don’t just catch your eye because they’re different-looking; they make you stop and stare because they’re so bold and daring. They’re all about celebrating the weird and the wonderful. These custom cars aren’t just about looks; they’re also super smart, with cool engineering tricks. They’re not just vehicles; they’re like moving artworks that show off the passion and imagination of their creators.

    Now here’s a project that’s got our engines revving! Duncan Weiss Smith, the mastermind extraordinaire, is the brains behind this wild creation—a jaw-dropping AWD Turbo LS Beetle. Built for one thing and one thing only: speed and the undeniable thrill of it all. This little Beetle that could is a bona fide speed demon, clocking in five back-to-back 10-second passes and a couple of 10.4s for good measure. Want to see more of Smitty’s wild rides? Dive into his YouTube channel @SmittyBuilds and prepare to be blown away by this build and a whole lot more!

    Meet the Bonneville Speedworks LS powered Volvo—a true sleeper in every sense. With a powerful LS engine under its unassuming exterior, this Volvo packs a serious punch. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it leaving everyone else in the dust.

    Here we have “Haulin’ Ash,” the 1993 Buick Roadmaster Hearse powered by a 427ci LS engine with twin 80mm turbos. It’s not your average ride to the afterlife—this beast is likely the fastest hearse on the planet. Keep your eyes peeled for its jaw-dropping  8 second 1/4 mile times. Owned by Jason Pickett, this hearse means serious business.

    More From the Show

    ARTICLE SOURCES

    Picture of Holley LS Fest West

    Holley LS Fest West

    Las Vegas Motor Speedway

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