Billet Hood Strut Installation on Your S197 Mustang
March 18, 2024
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: SHOW YOUR COLORS WITH PROFORM
August 26, 2026
JOHNSON & JOHNSON ’CUDA
July 8, 2026
New-Age ‘Cuda
Upon approach, it stirs the heart much like the sight of an old friend, with the flowing contours that recall memories of great times and fast, simple cars—before we knew much about automotive computers, CDs or the true meaning of lateral acceleration and G-force. Like a favorite teddy bear from childhood, this welcomed image warms our hearts, yet beneath that familiar façade is a grizzly bear of sorts. One that will grab you by the throat, slam you against the seat back and rip heart-pounding sensations throughout your body. This is no ordinary ’70 Plymouth Barracuda—this is a rush!
The Test Car
If you’ve attended a Goodguys event in the past couple of years, chances are you’ve seen this blue ’69 Camaro, owned by Stacy Tucker of Detroit Speed & Engineering. The car rarely sits still at a rod run, especially if there’s an autocross event on the grounds—then it’s time to race.
TOYOTA STEERING SOLUTIONS
While early Toyota trucks are a great foundation, they do require a few modifications to make them capable of serious off-road use. Sure, you’ll need the basics, such as larger tires, lower gears and some kind of traction-aiding device in the differentials, but first there is a more important issue at hand. The steering on these early Toyota trucks was not designed with hardcore off-road use in mind.
Spotlighter
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 5
Burning Rubber, Bidding Wars, and a Whole Lot of Vintage Iron!
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
By Thursday, October 8, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 was showing no signs of slowing down. Five days into the 30th anniversary celebration, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was still crawling with hot rods, muscle cars, customs, and classic trucks. But Day 5 brought a different kind of excitement, with smoking tires, collector cars crossing the auction block, and enough automotive treasures to keep any gearhead digging for hours.
From the burnout contest to the Vicari Collector Car Auction, the action wasn’t just about cruising anymore. There were cars to buy, parts to hunt down, and plenty of horsepower waiting to be unleashed.
Burn ’Em Up in the Pass: Smoke ’Em If You’ve Got ’Em!
Some folks spend hours polishing their tires. Others would rather turn them into smoke. The Cruisin’ The Coast Burnout Contest gave the latter group a chance to do exactly that, trading shiny show cars for screaming engines, spinning rubber, and clouds of tire smoke.
It was loud, smoky, and everything you’d expect from a gathering of horsepower-hungry enthusiasts. With spectators watching the action, drivers put their machines to work in a display that was more about having fun than keeping the tires looking pretty.
Vicari Auction: Going Once, Going Twice!
For anyone with a little extra room in the garage and money burning a hole in their pocket, the Vicari Collector Car Auction offered plenty of temptation. Rows of classics, muscle cars, hot rods, and specialty vehicles gave buyers and spectators a chance to admire some serious automotive machinery.
Of course, looking was only half the fun. With collector cars crossing the auction block, the excitement came down to who was willing to raise a hand and take home their next four-wheeled obsession.
Whether you were shopping for a new project, chasing a dream car, or simply enjoying the spectacle, the Vicari Auction was another reminder that Cruisin’ The Coast offered a lot more than parking-lot car shows.
Swap Meet: One Man’s Junk Is Another Man’s Treasure
If the auction was where the big money changed hands, the Cruisin’ The Coast Swap Meet was where the treasure hunting began. From vintage parts and hard-to-find pieces to automotive memorabilia and assorted garage goodies, there was plenty to keep collectors and builders digging.
You never know what you’ll stumble across at a good swap meet. Maybe it’s that missing trim piece you’ve been searching for, a vintage accessory that would look right at home on your project, or something you didn’t know you needed until you spotted it.
For the hands-on crowd, this was every bit as entertaining as the cars themselves.
Edgewater Mall: Classics Take Over the Parking Lot
Over at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi, another gathering of hot rods, classics, customs, and trucks kept the cruising spirit alive. With a steady parade of vintage iron rolling through the area, the mall became another place to park, stretch your legs, and check out the machinery.
That’s one of the things that makes Cruisin’ The Coast so much fun. You don’t have to be at a major show venue to stumble into an impressive collection of cars. Sometimes all it takes is pulling into a parking lot and seeing what showed up.
Five Days Down, and the Coast Was Still Cooking
Between the smell of burning rubber, the excitement of the auction block, and the hunt for automotive treasures, Day 5 of Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 delivered another healthy dose of horsepower and nostalgia.
With three more days of cruising still ahead, the 30th anniversary celebration had plenty left in the tank.
Stay with The Auto Builder as we continue our look back at Cruisin’ The Coast 2026, bringing you the cars, the people, and the action that made this anniversary celebration one to remember.
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