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Interior Design

July 16, 2023 No Comments

When Jorge Torres was young he would help his father around his shop. Named after the senior Torres, Armando’s Custom Upholstery in San Jacinto, California, opened in 1989 when Jorge was still in high school. In 1992, he began working full time with his father and brother, Armando Jr. He stared doing old cars and went to a few shows to promote their work. During this time he mentioned to his dad that he wanted to build a 1969 Chevy pickup. It turned out that his dad had a friend who owned one, but he was told that the truck was in pretty rough shape. All Jorge heard was that the price, at $1,500, was in his range.

Blank Canvas

July 16, 2023 No Comments

The longer we are in this business, the more we are certain that the one skill which is most important to know is how to paint. A custom painter can take nearly anything and turn it into a fine ride. Sure, those who can work on suspension or engines are able to take their specialty and turn it to their advantage, but no one modification makes more impact than a cool paint job. That is why guys such as Sam Spinelli, a custom painter for more than 12 years, can cruise around town in this 1990 Chevrolet C1500. Adorned with a killer basecoat and an amazing set of flames, it would be a show truck for the rest of us, but he simply describes the Chevy as his daily driver.

ALL BUSINESS BUICK

July 16, 2024 No Comments

Keith Samrany was poking around at a swap meet about 25 miles from his home in Grand Island, New York, when he found a ’35 Buick Series 40 business coupe that was just begging for a new owner. The coupe was in remarkably good condition, having been driven until around 1985, when a previous owner began a restoration that was never finished. Samrany, owner of KS Auto Stores in North Tonawanda, New York, had been a car guy for years, so he was very knowledgeable about the myriad of parts needed to build a hot rod. Enlisting the help of Dave Klock and Mark Morer, Samrany started to work on a project that eventually would take eight years to complete.

CANDY LEXUS

November 20, 2024 No Comments

The Lexus IS300 is not only stylish in its outside appearance, but because of its acceptance as a true sports sedan by most tuner enthusiasts, it’s a desirable starting base for creating a potent street performer. This RWD Lexus is factory-fitted with the rugged 2JZ-GE 3.0L DOHC inline V-6 engine, as used in Toyota Supra models in past years and updated with VVT-i Variable Valve Timing. It also features double wishbone front and rear suspension systems, as equipped from the Toyota factory. A limited-slip differential option helps put the power to the ground, and the edgy Lexus body produces an impressive 0.29 coefficient of drag. This is definitely a slippery package with both good looks and ample performance.

150 TUNER TIPS

January 4, 2023 No Comments

Have you ever looked at another enthusiast’s ride and noticed something unique, yet very clever, that made the vehicle stand out or perform better and thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Well, we’ve done some of the homework, legwork and research to provide you with a similar advantage. We scoured the tuning shops and interrogated the pros to find out what tips they have done that our readers could apply to their own vehicles.

THE DEFINITION OF COOL

March 21, 2024 No Comments

This was a time when car manufacturers improved on their cars with much better suspension systems, larger and more efficient V-8 engines, and all the stylish creature comforts new-car customers expected. Chevrolet evolved, too, using more modern technology and a performance parts supply that enabled Chevy enthusiasts to build upon the factory offerings. Chevrolet changed what was once a basic industry, and even though those were simpler times with no computers, cell phones or electronics to speak of, the suspensions were new—but still a long way from what is available now. However, tri-5 Chevys were fast and provided a blast without all those fancy gadgets found in luxury cars at the time—just give them a two-tone Chevy equipped with a V-8 and whitewall tires, and it was all good.