Light at the End of the Camaro
September 24, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Remembering Angelo Giampetroni: The Bridge Between Detroit Speed Shops and Ford Motorsport
The automotive and motorsports world has lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Angelo “Junior” Giampetroni. A pioneer, promoter, and passionate builder, Angelo helped shape the hot rodding and drag racing scenes from the postwar boom through the modern era. His impact can be felt not just in Detroit, but across the globe—from gritty speed shops to high-level factory performance programs. Angelo wasn’t just part of the culture—he connected it all together.
Two-Hour Tech
Improving your S197 Mustang doesn’t have to be an arduous affair. You’re supposed to enjoy working on your car, RATHER than dreading getting off work because you “have” to wrench on the Ford. With that attitude in mind, we recently spoke with Al Kamhi, of Control Freak suspensions, to get his advice on what enthusiasts could do to further the concept of upgrading a Mustang in just an hour or two. But there’s a catch: the upgrade had to make a real difference in the car’s performance.
The Alien
When firefighter Joe Chavez of Irving, Texas, was a senior in high school, he grew up in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and drove a ’66 Chevrolet Nova. “I had a lot of fun with that car. I called it the “Alien,” and everybody in town knew whose car it was,” Chavez says. Unfortunately, when Chavez relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 1985, he couldn’t afford to take his prized Nova along with him. As the years went by, he found himself regretting the decision more and more.
Spotlighter
Goodguys Launches Inaugural BASF Legends of Hot Rodding
Goodguys Comes Out Swinging in Nashville With All-New Members-Only Hot Rod Event
The first-ever Goodguys BASF Legends of Hot Rodding event brought the heart and soul of traditional hot rodding straight to downtown Nashville, Tennessee, delivering a premium weekend packed with world-class hot rods, customs, live music, and the unmistakable energy of America’s golden automotive era. Held May 15–16 at the newly renovated Fairgrounds Nashville, the all-new event delivered a fresh experience for hardcore enthusiasts while celebrating the roots of the hobby that built hot rodding culture.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
Unlike traditional Goodguys gatherings, the Legends of Hot Rodding event was exclusively reserved for vehicles from 1964 and earlier, creating an atmosphere filled with authentic steel, timeless craftsmanship, and legendary style. From chopped coupes and flamed roadsters to beautifully detailed lead sleds and vintage customs, the showgrounds looked like a rolling time machine dedicated to traditional American performance and design.
Nashville Sets the Perfect Stage for Traditional Hot Rod Culture
Pairing classic hot rods with the nightlife and music scene of downtown Nashville proved to be a winning formula. The fairgrounds buzzed with activity throughout the weekend as enthusiasts explored indoor and outdoor show cars, checked out specialty vendors, and connected with fellow builders and collectors who share a passion for traditional hot rodding.
The event also leaned heavily into entertainment, with eight Nashville-based bands and musicians performing live on the Advanced Plating Soundstage presented by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop. As the sun went down, the energy continued with nightly parking lot parties that blended Music City nightlife with old-school car culture.
“Samsononized” Wins the 2026 TANKS Inc. Hot Rod of the Year Title
One of the biggest moments of the weekend came Saturday afternoon when Todd and Marie Samson’s stunning 1932 Ford Roadster, nicknamed “Samsononized,” captured the prestigious 2026 TANKS Inc. Hot Rod of the Year title. Built by Gray’s Garage Hot Rods & Customs in Sanford, Michigan, the award-winning roadster had already earned major recognition after receiving the AMBR Outstanding Detail Award sponsored by Meguiar’s. Powered by an Ardun-headed flathead V8 topped with an S.Co.T. supercharger, the roadster perfectly blended traditional hot rod attitude with refined craftsmanship and serious performance presence. (See more of ‘Samsonized” here in our AMBR26 coverage.)
What truly made “Samsononized” stand out was its obsessive attention to detail and timeless execution. The shape-shifting paint transitions between rich green and deep black-brown tones depending on the lighting, while the handcrafted interior and top by Colton Leigeb complement the build’s clean vintage-inspired styling. Details like Mike Curtis wheels, Stuart Warner gauges, a Tremec TKX transmission, and a Winters Quick Change rear end helped create one of the most talked-about hot rods of the entire event, proving traditional hot rod design can still feel fresh, aggressive, and unforgettable.
Builders, Vendors, Pinstripers & Automotive Legends Fill the Fairgrounds
Beyond the vehicles themselves, the inaugural event packed the fairgrounds with activities that celebrated every layer of traditional hot rod culture. Attendees visited vendor displays featuring leading aftermarket manufacturers, specialty parts companies, and hot rod lifestyle brands while the Pinstripers Brush Bash gave fans a chance to watch talented artists create one-off hand-painted artwork live on-site.
Special autograph sessions with legendary builders and industry personalities gave fans an opportunity to meet some of the most influential names in hot rodding, while unique attractions like the York Speed Shop Speakeasy presented by Ethos Brewing added even more personality to the weekend.
Bobby Alloway Selects Top 10 Builders Choice Awards
Another major attraction during the event was the highly anticipated Top 10 Builders Choice Awards selected by legendary builder Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop. Known for some of the most respected builds in the industry, Alloway personally selected standout cars and trucks from the event field, presenting each winner with a unique custom trophy during Saturday’s awards ceremony.
In total, more than 50 awards were handed out during the parade of hot rods, recognizing excellence in craftsmanship, engineering, design, and traditional hot rod style.
A Strong Debut for Goodguys’ Newest Premier Event
For its first year, the Goodguys BASF Legends of Hot Rodding event delivered exactly what traditional hot rod enthusiasts hoped for — a focused celebration of pre-1964 automotive culture surrounded by great music, passionate enthusiasts, and some of the finest vintage machinery in the country.
With Nashville providing the perfect backdrop and Goodguys bringing together elite builders, historic hot rods, and diehard enthusiasts, the inaugural event already looks destined to become one of the premier traditional hot rod gatherings in the country. And with unforgettable builds like “Samsononized” taking center stage, the inaugural event instantly established itself as a major destination for the traditional hot rod community.
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