THE BIG ONE
August 6, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Naked Ambition: Bare Metal Builds at GNRS 2025
March 13, 2025
A Tale of Two Tensioners
March 6, 2024
IDIDIT in a Nova
As 40-somethings ourselves, we know how it is to get, shall we say, tired and worn out. And when the owner of this ’64 Nova figured that age had done its worst to the steering system of his car, it was time to replace it.
DINNER WITH BARRY
Originally published in the November 2000 issue of Street Rod Builder, this candid conversation with legendary hot rod builder Barry Lobeck captures the humor, honesty and unmistakable personality behind some of the industry’s most influential creations. More than 25 years later, Lobeck’s thoughts on traditional styling, proper stance and the future of hot rodding remain every bit as relevant—and entertaining—as they were when Gerry Burger first sat down with him over dinner.
AMERICAN BEAUTY
From a distance, this roadster appears to be from another place, far from American shores, as much as from another era. On closer approach, the Borrani wire wheels conjure thoughts of European heritage, although the shape borrows as much from past Indy roadsters and Sprinters as it does from the great design houses of Italy. Then there’s the engine, a flat giveaway to the true nature of this amazing crossbreed.
Spotlighter
Old-School Cool Lives On at the 2025 GNRS Suede Palace
The Heart of Traditional Hot-Rodding
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Suede Palace at the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show was, as always, the ultimate hotspot for anyone who lives and breathes traditional hot-rodding. Tucked into Building 10 of the Pomona Fairplex, this gathering wasn’t about high-dollar billet builds or over-polished show queens—it was a raw, authentic tribute to the early days of hot-rodding, where creativity, attitude, and a little grease under the fingernails mattered more than a six-figure paint job.
A Step Back in Time
Step inside, and you were instantly transported back to a time when young gearheads wrenched on their rides in backyard garages, piecing together speed machines from whatever they could scrounge. The show was packed wall-to-wall with era-perfect customs, from hammered ’32 Fords and channeled Model A coupes to tail-dragging Mercs and stripped-down roadsters, all oozing vintage style. Every car had a story—whether it was a survivor from the ’50s with decades of history in its paint or a fresh build that looked like it rolled straight out of a smoky dry-lakes pit in 1949.
More Than Just the Cars
But it wasn’t just about the cars. The Suede Palace had a vibe all its own—rockabilly tunes playing, vintage-clad showgoers swapping stories, and the unmistakable scent of oil, leather, and just a hint of exhaust in the air. This was more than just an exhibit; it was a full-throttle celebration of the roots of hot-rodding, a place where tradition ruled, and old-school cool was alive and well.
Standout Builds of GNRS 2025
Now, check out this killer selection of builds that made the Suede Palace the standout scene of GNRS 2025.
