WHATZIT?
January 8, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Rear Disc Brakes
If you are driving down the highway in an older car, you are at a major disadvantage if you have to make a quick stop. Many of the high-performance cars being built today have fantastic stopping power, and if you can’t stop as well as the car in front of you, that could certainly be a big problem. The owner of this ’55 Chevy improved it with front disc brakes that work well, but he wanted the Chevy to stop even better, so he decided to add rear disc brakes.
GLORIA
A wave of surreal sweetness swept over Tim Pasillas as he got off the phone. Auto Connection had just informed him that his car was waiting for him at the shop. “It’s actually here,” he thought to himself as he rushed down to the importer’s warehouse to pick up his long-awaited prize.
WHEN 5 EQUALS 8
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Spotlighter
“Gray Madder” Takes Home the 2025 Ridler Award
A '55 Nomad That’s Pure Hot Rod Perfection
If you know anything about hot rodding, you know the Don Ridler Memorial Award is the big one. The best of the best show up to the Detroit Autorama every year, hoping to take home that trophy, and in 2025, it went to a killer ‘55 Chevy Nomad called "Gray Madder." Owned by Tom and Christy Bresnahan and their son Josh, this thing is an absolute showstopper, built with insane attention to detail and packed with killer custom touches.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Julie & John Aschenberg
Built to Win by Southern Comfort Customs
Hailing from North Carolina, the crew at Southern Comfort Customs knocked this build out of the park. The Nomad sits on a rock-solid Art Morrison chassis with a trick hydraulic suspension setup, which means it’s got the stance and the ride to match. And let’s talk about power—because this thing’s got plenty.
LS3 Power with a Nod to the Past
Under the hood, you’ll find a rowdy LS3 pumping out serious power, breathing through Ultimate Headers and managed by a Holley EFI system. A 6L90E six-speed automatic backs it up, making sure all that horsepower gets to the pavement. And in a genius move, they worked in a custom billet air cleaner using pieces from an old-school 265 small-block unit, blending modern tech with classic vibes.
Custom Styling That Nails It
This isn’t just a go-fast machine—it looks insane too. The body is covered in Glasurit 55 paint, and the one-off billet grille sets the tone up front. Chrome and billet details are everywhere, giving it that perfect mix of class and aggression. The wheels? Full custom from Evod Industries—18x10s in the front and 20x12s in the rear, wrapped in Diamond Back Classic rubber. It’s got the stance, it’s got the style, and it just flat-out works.
Inside the Cabin—Modern Comfort Meets Classic Cool
Step inside, and the details keep coming. Dakota Digital gauges sit in a slick custom dash, with a one-off steering column by Kevin Fugate. The leather interior? Hand-stitched perfection by Jeff Shores. And because no hot rod should be a sweaty mess, it’s got Vintage Air to keep things cool.
A Well-Earned Spot in Hot Rod History
The Bresnahan family and the mad scientists at Southern Comfort Customs didn’t just build a car—they built a legend. The “Gray Madder” Nomad is everything a Ridler-winning hot rod should be: wild, innovative, and straight-up badass. Congrats to the team for bringing this one to life and taking home the biggest award in the game!
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