The Test Car
June 7, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
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.
Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026
Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and adrenaline. Thousands of enthusiasts flood the aisles to see the machines that define the cutting edge of hot rods and muscle cars craftsmanship.
COVER YOUR BOTTOM
There are many ways to finish the bottom of any car. Whether you are building new, from the ground up or even detailing a rebuild that is not the off-the-frame type, you have options. And regardless of the extent of the refurbishing, you could even leave the underside in some shade of primer as it is easy to touch up, and the fenderwells and underside often become marked with use.
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!
ARTICLE SOURCES
