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Masterclass in Metal: The Battle for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award
The 75th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show, presented by Meguiar’s, went full throttle this year, bringing out some of the most insane custom cars the hot rod world has ever seen. Sure, the AMBR award gets all the press, but the real hardcore builders know that the Al Slonaker Memorial Award is where true engineering battles happen. This isn’t just about looking pretty—this is about pushing the limits of fabrication, design, and flat-out mechanical genius.

SENSUOUS AT SUNSET
It’s a mammoth effort—building world-class street rods, that is, and to accomplish the goal generally means employing the skills of craftsmen from all across the country. Dave Tucci Jr. is one of the “young gun” rod builders on the scene right now, but he has enough experience to know that finding the right people is more important than where you find them, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves a bit here.

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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







