FLAMIN’ HELL
August 2, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
BOSS!
In 1969 and 1970, Ford produced a pair of unique vehicles designed with only one purpose in mind: to take back the SCCA Trans-Am series crown from Chevrolet. After stunning success with the ’65-’67 Mustangs, Ford lost the title to Chevy’s Camaro in 1968, and many felt that the car’s “tunnel port” engine was the culprit. Ford drastically rethought its engine program and came up with a legendary solution.
GOODGUYS COLUMBUS 2007
Over the last several years, the Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has established itself as one of the nation’s premier hot rodding events. This event, along with the Detroit Autorama and a few others, has proven to be one of the main events at which builders choose to debut new cars, and trophies are as hotly contested here as at any show in the country. But Columbus is about more than just trophies—it’s about bringing your own car, no matter what kind of shape it’s in, to hang out with the owners of the other 6,000 vehicles that will be there, and to have fun at Goodguys’ premier event.
Drilled and Thrilled
Rich Oakley is not your average hot rod builder. There is no room for cookie cutter cars in the Retro Rides by Rich shop in Archdale, North Carolina. In fact, he prefers to be one step ahead of the norm when it comes to building his personal rides. Loosely inspired by the Tony Nancy 22 Jr., his Model A highboy comes equipped with an attitude. “The car has a loud, rude nature. That’s what I like about it, the way it shakes, smells, and of course, the noise,” Oakley says. It has an aggressive stance, and those six Holley 94 carburetors are an indication that the roadster might have a chip on its shoulder.
Spotlighter
Meet the Legends of Hot Rodding at the Triple Crown of Rodding
Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, Ringbrothers, Kindig-It, and more unite at Nashville Superspeedway for the ultimate Celebrity Meet & Greet.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff
Everyone’s heard of Chip Foose. His TV presence and instantly recognizable design style made him a household name far beyond the car world. But here’s the truth: while Foose might be the gateway, the Triple Crown Celebrity Meet & Greet—now in its third year—is where you’ll find the full pantheon of builders who define hot rodding at the elite level.
A Living Hall of Fame
This isn’t just a lineup—it’s a living hall of fame. We’re talking the visionaries whose cars dominate the Ridler, the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR), and the Goodguys Top 12. The innovators who set the trends that every other shop follows. The craftsmen whose names carry weight in any serious shop conversation, even if they aren’t on reality TV every week.
Two Days, One Legendary Gathering
For two days only, Nashville Superspeedway’s pit garages will bring all of them together. It’s not just a chance to score autographs or selfies—it’s an insider’s guide to the most influential names in the business. If you only know Foose, this event will open your eyes to the builders who’ve quietly (and not so quietly) shaped the sport into what it is today.
Meet the Legends
Here’s your primer on the legends you could meet:
Jim & Will Posey – Big Oak Garage
This father-son duo combines traditional hot rod passion with modern execution. Their shop has produced Ridler Great 8 finalists and award-winning customs, proving that Big Oak Garage belongs in any conversation about top-tier builders. Their builds blend classic proportions with contemporary engineering.
Ken Fenical – Posies Rods & Customs
Known for pushing boundaries with unique designs and innovative suspension setups, Fenical (aka “Posies”) has been a force in the hot rod world for decades. His cars are rolling statements of individuality and forward thinking, blending creativity with masterful fabrication.
Chip Foose – Foose Design
The most recognizable name in custom cars. With AMBR and Ridler wins under his belt and a massive mainstream following thanks to Overhaulin’, Foose is the face of hot rodding for millions. Beyond TV fame, his design language continues to inspire generations of builders, and his shop has produced many iconic vehicles.
Troy Trepanier – Rad Rides by Troy
If Foose is the showman, Troy is the surgeon. His cars—clean, innovative, and brutally engineered—have racked up Ridlers, AMBRs, and countless magazine covers. Rad Rides sets the bar for modern hot rodding craftsmanship, with projects like the Ridler-winning 1936 Ford “First Love” cementing Troy’s status as a master builder.
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Dave Kindig – Kindig-It Design
Star of Bitchin’ Rides, Kindig turned his Salt Lake City shop into a household name. His signature design cues, dramatic paintwork, and flawless fabrication make his cars instantly recognizable, while his TV presence has expanded hot rodding’s reach to an entirely new audience. Kindig-It Design specializes in high-end restoration and custom builds that set industry standards.
Jason & Jerry Slover – Pete & Jakes
Legends in the street rod community, Pete & Jakes is synonymous with traditional hot rod suspension. The Slover family has kept the brand at the forefront for decades, ensuring the DNA of classic hot rodding lives on in today’s builds.
Kyle Tucker – Detroit Speed
The man who made Pro-Touring a household term. Detroit Speed parts are on thousands of muscle cars across the country, and Kyle’s in-house builds have been Ridler finalists and Goodguys winners. His company bridges high-performance engineering with show-quality craftsmanship.
Alan Johnson – Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop
A perfectionist’s perfectionist. Johnson’s builds are a masterclass in subtle refinement—every line, every curve reimagined until it’s perfect. His cars consistently earn elite honors, blending modern technology with true hot rod attitude, cementing his place as one of the most respected names in the field.
Jesse Greening – Greening Auto Company
Builder, designer, fabricator—Greening does it all. Known for Ridler and Goodguys accolades, his work is technical, refined, and forward-thinking. He represents the new guard of elite builders, with a focus on innovation, machining, and custom craftsmanship that pushes the industry forward.
Mike & Jim Ring – Ringbrothers
Kings of carbon fiber, masters of modern muscle. Mike and Jim Ring have built a reputation for taking classic American steel and reimagining it with futuristic detail, exotic materials, and jaw-dropping innovation. Their SEMA cars consistently dominate magazine covers and award lists, setting trends in the custom car world.
Roy Brizio – Brizio Street Rods
A pillar of West Coast hot rodding, Brizio has built cars for everyone from rock stars to corporate legends. His sleek, traditional street rods are instantly recognizable, and his influence continues to ripple through the custom scene, inspiring builders nationwide.
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Phil & Jeremy Gerber – Roadster Shop
From one-off Ridler contenders to production chassis under thousands of pro-touring builds, the Gerber brothers are shaping the industry’s foundation. After taking over the Roadster Shop in 2004, Phil and Jeremy transformed it into a hub where high-end meets high-performance, creating award-winning rods that influence the industry globally.
Jonathan Goolsby – Goolsby Customs
A Goodguys champion and Ridler contender, Goolsby blends Southern style with cutting-edge precision. His builds are approachable yet award-winning, demonstrating technical mastery and creativity. Jonathan’s career spans over twenty years of customizing everything he can get his hands on, from home garage projects to full Ridler-caliber vehicles.
