CLASSIC RECONSTRUCTION
February 28, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Sweet Patina
We recently had the opportunity to work on a Levi’s Edition AMC Jeep Renegade—a unique piece of off-road history that has undoubtedly seen its fair share of adventures. The exterior still boasts its original paint, complete with bumps, scrapes, and surface rust that showcase the character that comes with many years of use and enjoyment. Rather than opting for a fresh new repaint, our mission was to preserve its tough, battle-worn patina while adding protection and a nice polished matte finish to show it some love. We wanted to enhance its character, highlighting its scars instead of hiding them, and, with the assistance of Sweet Patina’s products, we accomplished this beautifully. This Jeep didn’t spend its life tucked away in a garage; its paint tells a story, with each scratch, chip, and faded patch serving as a badge of honor. We felt that applying a shiny new paint job would be a disservice to this classic Renegade.
Remembering When
When Ricardo Lopez began building this 1955 Chevy he had some help, as well as a plan. In the beginning, this little Chevy pickup was to provide an excellent chance for Ricardo to spend some time with his son, Ricky, and to be able to show the boy some of the tricks that he had learned over the many years he had worked as a customizer, bodyman and painter. As owner of Paint By Lopez in Compton, California, Ricardo had hopes of his boy taking over for him in the years to come, maybe even calling the shop Paint By Lopez & Son. Unfortunately, Ricky was taken from Ricardo and his wife, Monica, in a freak accident. At first Ricardo was going to sell the truck, as the sight of it was almost too much to bear. But upon reflection he changed his mind. Ricardo thought that finishing the project was not only a perfect way to work through his grief, but it would also give him a chance to feel connected to the son he had lost. When the Chevy was completed, it would be a way to honor Ricky’s memory.
TWO WORLDS CONVERGE
Nick Barron is no stranger to building fine performance vehicles. For more than 40 years, he has been the catalyst in handcrafting some of the finest performance machines around, a clockwork of components powered by nasty big-block Chevy engines and outfitted with the finest in custom appointments. The results of his handiwork have been seen racing on the quarter-mile and in other tortuous events. His vehicles have received many recognized awards for product innovation and consumer excellence. With a reputation for quality workmanship, performance, speed and superior handling, the success of Hallett Boats can be attributed directly to Barron. The boats Hallett has produced over the last four decades have afforded him the opportunity to involve himself in a number of new, exciting adventures. Barron is not only the owner of this new, beautiful Jerry Kugel-created full-fendered ’32 Muroc II roadster, he is also the owner of and innovator behind Hallett Boats, a high-end custom performance boat manufacturer located in Southern California.
Spotlighter
Hail to “The King”: Richard Petty’s “Outlawed” Hellcat Unveiled at HPX 2025
This one-of-one, 885HP Charger Hellcat marks the end of an era for Petty’s Garage—and it could be yours.
The crowd at HPX 2025 in Charlotte was already buzzing, but when the cover came off Richard Petty’s “Outlawed” Hellcat, the energy hit a whole new gear. Built by Petty’s Garage to honor the 60th anniversary of the legendary street HEMI, this jaw-dropping Dodge Charger is unlike anything else on the road—or the track.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
Packing 885 horsepower, a supercharged HEMI V-8, and the signature of “The King” himself, this custom creation isn’t just a celebration of Mopar muscle. It’s history in motion—and it could end up in your garage.
One-of-One Performance, NASCAR-Bred Power
Under the hood lives a Direct Connection Stage 2 Performance Kit, bolted to a 6.2L supercharged HEMI capable of over 200 mph. The roar, the rush, and the race-inspired roots are everything you’d expect from a car built in the heart of NASCAR country—just down the road from where Petty made motorsports history.
A Fitting Farewell from Petty’s Garage
This is more than a collector car—it’s a capstone. The “Outlawed” Hellcat is the final custom build from Petty’s Garage, making it a true one-off piece of American automotive heritage. Signed by Richard Petty and crafted with premium components, it represents both the legacy and the future of high-performance HEMI culture.
Crafted for King-Level Performance
This Charger is built to move—and to be seen. Highlights include:
- Fikse F-18 wheels with Continental ExtremeContact performance tires
- JRI Shocks and Magnaflow cat-back exhaust
- Custom Katzkin leather interior with embroidered headrests
- Lighting Trendz LEDs and American Car Craft engine/cabin trim
- Alpine premium sound system
Every inch of this car radiates custom craftsmanship and track-ready authority.
Drive with Purpose: The Dream Giveaway Mission
Since 2007, Dream Giveaway® has raised millions for 501(c)(3) charities through exciting prize-based fundraisers. Proceeds support causes like New Beginning Children’s Homes, Victory Junction, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Building Homes for Heroes, helping veterans, foster children, and families in need. Every donation is tax-deductible—and every donor is automatically entered to win stunning vehicles like the “Outlawed” Hellcat.
Put the “King’s” Hellcat in Your Castle
This is your chance to own a street-legal piece of Petty history. Just one lucky entry will take home this 885-horsepower icon, with $25,000 in federal taxes covered.
So go ahead—hail to the King, and take your shot at driving like one.
ARTICLE SOURCES
