kickin’ it
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
The Hottest Trucks We Spotted at SEMA 2025
November 24, 2025
VINTAGE ENGINE REBUILDING
September 23, 2022
From Four to More: A Modern Manual for Your Vintage Mustang
Decades ago, Ford made the jump from four-speed manual transmissions to five-speeds. Newer Cobras even feature six-speeds, so it’s natural that those who own earlier Mustangs with four-speed manuals now feel a little gear envy. Many people love the feel of having a manual transmission, but if you’re still using a four-speed, you’re missing out on a lot of performance and economy potential. Adding a transmission with additional gears places your gears closer together for better acceleration and gives you more gears to choose from for easier cruising. But which transmission is right for your Mustang? You need one that’s strong, smooth and capable of bolting to your engine, and it’s not easy to find all three attributes in the same gearbox.
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.
CAMARO MAKEOVER
If you were to check your rearview mirror and find this hunkered-down Camaro behind you, there’s no question it would get your attention. And when it pulled alongside you, the brilliant red paint would certainly require a double-take, although there would be little time for anything more as it speeds toward the horizon. This is what a well-built super rod does to people.
Spotlighter
Engineering Meets Art
Dan Webb's 1926 Panhard Razor Remake Chassis
If you’re into the kind of machinery that makes your heart beat faster and your palms sweat, then Dan Webb’s reimagining of the 1926 Panhard Razor is something you need to see. The original was a marvel of interwar-era aerodynamics—a sleek, teardrop-shaped racing car designed for top-speed competition by Panhard et Levassor. Now, Webb, the man who blends old-school craftsmanship with modern engineering, is breathing new life into this legendary machine with a chassis that’s as much a work of art as it is a feat of engineering.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Spirit of the Razor
The original 1926 Panhard Razor was built for one thing—speed. With its streamlined body, aviation-inspired design, and lightweight construction, it was a rolling science experiment pushing the limits of its time. Dan Webb, a master of reinterpreting historic race cars with a modern twist, has taken up the challenge of recreating the Razor with a level of precision and ingenuity that’s nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Debut at the Grand National Roadster
The excitement reached fever pitch when the new chassis made its public debut at the 2025 Grand National Roadster. For the first time, enthusiasts and industry insiders got a glimpse of Webb’s modern marvel, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most talked-about projects in vintage racing circles. The Roadster show provided the perfect backdrop for unveiling a chassis that honors its storied past while embracing future-forward engineering.
The Chassis: A Masterpiece in Metal
Webb’s build starts with the foundation—an expertly crafted chassis that serves as the backbone for this modernized take on the Razor. Staying true to period aesthetics while incorporating modern machining techniques, Webb and his team have fabricated an exceptional framework engineered for both performance and authenticity.
A key feature of this build is the recreation of the Razor’s unique parallel leaf spring suspension system, running seamlessly within the frame rails. This setup not only maintains the low-slung stance of the original but also enhances its handling characteristics. When it comes to blending history with modern precision, few can execute like Webb.
Engineering a One-of-a-Kind Steering System
Then there’s the steering system—easily the most unique and talked-about element of the build. In the original Razor, the driver placed their legs through the oversized steering wheel, making it one of the most unusual designs ever seen in a race car. Webb, staying true to the spirit of the original, collaborated with experts to develop a steering system that redefines precision and innovation.
A 3D-printed mockup of the steering system was first created in Fusion, allowing for meticulous testing before committing to machined components. The system uses a roller pinion setup instead of a traditional spur geartrain, which minimizes gear lash and delivers ultra-smooth operation. To refine the steering geometry, a custom reducer gearbox was designed to mount the pinion system while directing the steering shaft at the optimal angle. The result? A perfectly engineered system that remains faithful to the original’s unconventional layout while delivering modern reliability.
Machining Perfection: The Details Matter
No project of this caliber would be complete without world-class machining, and Webb’s build is no exception. Starting with a cast Miller 91 center section, Mark Lingua precisely machined all internals and axles. The axle tubes and rear hubs were then crafted by Mike Curtis of Curtis Speed, ensuring both strength and period-correct aesthetics.
The wheels, a defining feature of any vintage race car, were meticulously recreated to match the original Razor’s design. Mike Curtis again stepped up to the challenge, machining custom wheels and hubs that capture the look and feel of the 1926 originals while offering the precision of modern manufacturing.
A Collaboration of Masters
Webb’s projects are never a one-man show, and this Razor remake is no exception. The build has brought together some of the best talents in the industry, each contributing their expertise to bring this legend back to life. Craig Naff has fabricated custom copper tanks to complement a V-shaped, chevron-pattern radiator core by Brassworks. Chris Schlaff, a true artist in his own right, has created bespoke, one-off gauges to perfectly pair with the machined steering system. Every component, down to the smallest detail, has been handcrafted with purpose and precision.
The Future of the Razor
While the build is still in progress, anticipation is high. The debut at the 2025 Grand National Roadster not only marked the first public viewing of this extraordinary chassis but also set the stage for its eventual transformation into a full-scale racing legend. This project isn’t just about recreating a historic car—it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when vintage inspiration meets modern-day craftsmanship.
Once finished, this machine is sure to take the automotive world by storm, just like the original did nearly a century ago. We can’t wait to see it in action.
The Razor’s Edge: Panhard’s Historic Leap Into Speed
The 1926 Panhard Razor Blade—affectionately dubbed the “Lame de Rasoir”—stands as a striking chapter in automotive lore. Crafted by the visionary French automaker Panhard, this machine wasn’t built merely to traverse roads; it was engineered to shatter speed records. Its body, a masterful blend of polished aluminum and steel, hugged the contours of aerodynamic efficiency in a way that was nothing short of revolutionary for its era. Under the hood, a 1500cc engine powered this record-breaker to heights that once existed only in dreams.
Two versions of the Razor Blade were born, each meticulously designed for distinct racing classes. Beyond its raw speed, what truly set this car apart was its innovative engineering; the design itself was a calculated assault on air resistance. Tragically, one of the two cars met its fate in a fatal crash at Brooklands, the legendary racing circuit in England—a stark reminder of the perilous nature of pushing boundaries. Yet, the surviving model carried on, etching its legacy further into the annals of motor racing.
Today, the Razor Blade’s story serves as a powerful testament to the pioneering spirit of early 20th-century automotive engineering. It showcased the potential unleashed when lightweight materials and potent powertrains converged, a formula that not only broke records but also solidified Panhard’s reputation as an innovator. In its sleek lines and daring performances, the Razor Blade continues to inspire, embodying the relentless pursuit of speed and excellence that has propelled the automotive world forward for over a century.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Webb Automotive Art
Follow the build progress of the 1926 Panhard Razor REMAKE on Dan Webb's Instagram Page
