QUIET DOWN
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
OVER AND UNDER
Our old 350 Chevy-powered ’47 International was running a three-speed 350 Turbo trans with 4.11 gears, which, as you know, is not a great combination for this type of highway cruising. It is fine, however, for those who absolutely love in-town, short-?distance, stop-and-go cruising, as it does prove great low-speed throttle response. On the highway, however, it spins up the engine and uses more fuel. We decided that after having our low-speed fun, we were using too much fuel and weren’t comfortable listening to the whine of the small block as we approached 70 mph. It was time to make a change. We looked around for a number of answers and talked to many classic truck owners who had either installed a new set of gears, an overdrive trans or a Gear Vendors overdrive/underdrive unit. We figured that the new 700R4 trans best fit our application budgetwise, although future plans may call for a Gear Vendors unit, as it represents the best of both worlds. But we first wanted to start with a newer, more modern trans.
’07 Cadillac Escalade : Black Beauty
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV was one of the most eagerly anticipated SUV releases in recent history. The ESV is spacious, powerful and elegant from the factory, but most owners will choose to add their own touches to personalize this truck, just as they did with the old one. Ryan Friedlinghaus, owner of West Coast Customs in Corona, California, wanted to personalize his own Escalade ESV, but he wanted to do it in a stealthy and subdued sort of way so that he could then offer the WCC package to other Escalade owners.
GOODGUYS COLUMBUS 2008
We are continually challenged by what has previously been accomplished within a hobby that has captured the hearts of enthusiastic Americans; and just when it seems automotive imagination has reached its pinnacle, we are once again reminded of an endless flow of accomplishment and creativity that stretches the limits of the cars we build.
Spotlighter
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 6 – Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, & Ocean Springs
Gassers, Classic Cars, and a Roadside Mopar Gold Mine!
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
By Friday, October 9, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 was heading into its final weekend, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast was still overflowing with vintage iron. Six days into the 30th anniversary celebration, hot rods, muscle cars, customs, and classic trucks continued turning the coastal highways into one enormous rolling car show. For The Auto Builder, it was our final day on the Coast, and there was still plenty left to see before pointing the car toward home.
From old-school drag racing and the streets of Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian to a collection of Mopars that practically stopped us in our tracks, Friday proved that some of the best automotive discoveries happen when you least expect them.
Bay St. Louis: Cruising With a Coastal View
Over in Bay St. Louis, the laid-back Gulf Coast atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for another round of classic-car spotting. Hot rods, vintage cruisers, muscle cars, and custom trucks were right at home along the coastal streets, giving enthusiasts plenty of reasons to slow down and take a closer look.
That’s part of what makes Cruisin’ The Coast so special. The cars aren’t confined to a single fairground or parking lot. Entire communities become part of the experience, and you never know what might roll around the next corner.
Pass Christian: More Than Just Passing Through
Just down the Coast, Pass Christian offered another helping of classic cars, coastal scenery, and the laid-back atmosphere that makes this event so appealing. Whether parked along the streets or rolling through town, vintage iron was everywhere, and there was always something worth a second look.
Known to locals as The Pass, this historic coastal community has long been a favorite stop for cruisers. With its waterfront setting and small-town character, it was another reminder that Cruisin’ The Coast isn’t just about the cars. It’s also about the places you discover and the people you meet along the way.
Car Corral: Looking for a New Ride?
For anyone who arrived at Cruisin’ The Coast thinking about adding another set of wheels to the garage, the Car Corral offered plenty of temptation. From vintage cruisers to muscle cars and custom builds, it was a chance to see what was available and perhaps discover the next project or dream car.
Even if you weren’t carrying a checkbook, browsing the cars for sale was entertainment in itself. After all, half the fun of being a car enthusiast is imagining what you’d do if you could take one home.
Roadside Mopar Madness: Now That’s a Yard Sale!
Every now and then, you stumble across something that makes you forget where you were headed. That was certainly the case with an incredible collection of Mopars parked along the roadside in front of a sprawling private residence, each proudly displaying a For Sale sign.
From brightly colored Plymouth muscle to a lineup of vintage Dodge and Chrysler machinery, this wasn’t your average collection of used cars. It was a roadside gathering of serious Detroit iron, with enough purple, blue, chrome, and horsepower to make any Mopar fan weak in the knees.
The cars looked right at home against the impressive property, but make no mistake, they were the real attraction. Sometimes the most memorable sights at Cruisin’ The Coast aren’t on the official schedule. They’re the ones that make you hit the brakes, grab the camera, and start dreaming.
Ocean Springs: More Classic Cars, More Coastal Charm
Our Day 6 travels also took us through Ocean Springs, another Gulf Coast community where Cruisin’ The Coast’s automotive spirit was on full display. With its inviting streets and unmistakable coastal character, the town provided another fitting setting for the hot rods, customs, and classic vehicles that had filled the region all week.
Whether parked along the street or rolling through town, there was no shortage of interesting machinery to admire. And after nearly a week of cruising, it was clear that the variety of vehicles was every bit as impressive as the sheer number of them.
Six Days of Chrome, Horsepower, and Good Times
From the opening-day rain to the packed streets of Biloxi, tire-smoking burnouts, collector car auctions, and old-school cruising, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 delivered six unforgettable days of automotive excitement for The Auto Builder.
As we packed up and headed home, one thing was certain: 30 years hadn’t taken an ounce of attitude out of this Gulf Coast tradition. With thousands of incredible cars, great people, and more automotive action than you could possibly take in, it’s easy to understand why enthusiasts return year after year.
If you’ve never experienced Cruisin’ The Coast, put it on your calendar for 2027. Trust us, it’s worth the trip.
← CLICK HERE TO SEE COVERAGE OF DAY 5 or CLICK HERE TO SEE COVERAGE OF DAY 1 →
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