
THE AUTO BUILDER
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THE INTERNET JUNKYARD FIND
It used to be that people took their old stuff to junkyards and swap meets when they didn’t want it anymore. And resourceful bargain hunters would pick through the goods in search of that diamond in the rough—turning over busted fenders, inspecting used fuel tanks—all in the hopes of finding the item that’s actually worth something. Nowadays, in the era of eBay, the search for value is conducted with a keyboard and high-speed connection; kicking the tires happens by way of written descriptions, digital images and email communications. Of course, the opportunistic at heart relish eBay as the best thing since sliced bread, a massive database of the world’s old stuff, neatly organized and categorized. For everyone else, eBay is the Internet’s junkyard, with shady merchants hiding around every corner.

’88 Blown GMC
In Hawaiian, “wiki wiki” can mean “hurry” or “fast,” depending on its use and interpretation.
New Zealand-born transplant Kim Greenwell’s Kahului, Maui-based black-on-black, 1988 GMC Sierra 1500 is definitely “wiki wiki” with its 500-plus-horsepower, Whipple-supercharged 383 small-block stroker. Greenwell’s basic intent was to build a stock-bodied hot rod pickup that he could use to advertise his automotive repair business, Kiwi Car Care. “I was looking for a nice, straight, rust-free truck that I could paint black,” says the Kahului automotive repair shop owner. “This truck was perfect. It was low mileage, and the price was right. But the brown color definitely had to go!” That’s not the only thing that got changed. “I kept the outside of the truck as stock as possible, but under the hood it’s a true sleeper.”

THE LONG HAUL
Around 1993, Bob Marion purchased a ’40 Ford cabover cab, but at the time he didn’t have anything he could do with it. He didn’t worry about it; he just thought of plans here and there, and after a full decade of on-and-off planning he finally decided it was time to do something with the old cab. He took it to Rich Brandl Sr. at Superior Custom Classics Inc.
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Light at the End of the Camaro
The End Seems Brighter With Marquez Taillights
Author
Carrie Fesler
Photography courtesy of Fesler Productions
During its search for what would make for an interesting and much sought-after early Camaro, H&H decided to transform its project Camaro into something you would be proud to own. Previously, we walked you through the suspension fabrication and installation. We went from the stock, well-used suspension to an upgraded Air Ride Technologies air system that enabled a set of 20-inch wheels to neatly tuck under the well-proportioned wheel wells. We then covered the bodywork steps and the paint in another article. A fitting combination, considering that the execution of this Camaro illustrates what can be done to a well-worn car with some careful planning and a lot of straightforward work. So, if you are not the lucky one to win this car, know that you can duplicate it by following the steps that H&H decided would make a great-looking and well-running classic Camaro.
Now we are enticing you with a simple technical install that includes a set of new aftermarket taillights. When you think of Camaro taillights, you don’t generally think of custom approaches or out-of-this-world modifications, as the stock Camaro lights are still quite popular. Let’s face it, if the original lights are there and can be refurbished, they either work or they don’t, and good working rear lights will prove useful when avoiding a rearend mishap. In this context, they are necessary—modified or stock. However, the ’69 taillights can be fine-tuned, and for this upgrade, H&H selected a set of billet rim rings from Marquez Design & Fabrication.
These billet rings replace the stockers and add just the right amount of bling to this ’60s-era muscle car. Read along and follow the 16 simple steps that it takes to give the rear of your ’69 Camaro a “face” lift.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Marquez Design & Fabrication
14190 Sargent Ave.
Galt, CA 95632
209/744-9917





