SUPERCHARGING FOR BIG POWER
May 22, 2025
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PONY RIDES
Growing up in a “car family” is always interesting, as many of you reading this can attest. Having raised two kids in a household dedicated to vintage automobiles, this author is an authority on the subject.
Product Spotlight: Sequential 8-1 Headers by HDR Industries & Stainless Headers MFG. INC.
Let’s cut to the chase, because this definitely isn’t your grandpa’s set of rusty old manifolds. The HDR Sequential 8-1 Headers from Stainless Headers are a next-level, hand-crafted performance weapon for big-inch V-8s — purpose-built for jet boat and high-output marine applications — and they were one of the most talked-about exhaust systems as seen at PRI 2025.
Dialed In
When it comes to performance, the devil really is in the details. Ever wonder why one engine makes more power than another, when both are seemingly identical? The answer to this very common performance question lies in the attention to detail. Basic performance elements such as engine tuning, spark timing curves, and, yes, even oil selection all come into play when you attempt to extract the maximum amount of power from your existing combination.
The 2026 Ridler Roundup
For more than 70 years, Detroit Autorama has been the proving ground where the world’s most ambitious custom cars, hot rods, and coachbuilt masterpieces step into the spotlight. What started back in 1953 as a humble fundraiser to build a drag strip has grown into a full-blown celebration of automotive
HAMMERHEAD
Of all the cars that have found favor among super rodders and racers alike, few would argue the appeal of ’39-’41 Willys coupes and pickups, which have enjoyed a powerful attraction since first appearing as gas coupe and sedan drag racers back in the ’60s.
The Crusher
You can’t fault a man for knowing what he likes, and in the case of Chelsea, Alabama’s Mike George, what he likes is the ’69 Camaro. at the age of 41 years old, he’s managed to own no fewer than 15 of these cars over the years, but none was
BARRY BULL SESSION
There are so many good-looking ’32 Ford street rods around, one might think that building a really nice one is easy, but it is not that simple. To begin with, the Deuce is an inherently good-looking car, which presents a two-edged sword. First, you have a great-looking piece to start
STORM WATCH
It seems as if only yesterday that the 2003 Ridler award was presented at the Detroit Autorama. Each year’s event is progressively a tougher call to make, because the cars continue to get better and better, and more expensive in their construction and detail. Some of the most beautiful vehicles
THE 2004 GREAT EIGHT
It was once said, “To aspire to perfection is the goal of all who create, as anything less confines us to conformity,” and never has this been more apparent than in the numerous rodding creations being shaped today. Never before has so much time, effort and expense been lavished on
River Rod Royalty
Inside the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show, the thunder didn’t stop at the hot rods. Tucked among the country’s finest customs and street machines was a killer lineup of vintage ski hydros, circle boats, and heirloom river runners that brought serious waterborne attitude to the show floor. Blown big-blocks, hand-laid
GNRS 2026 Truck Showcase
Hot rodders used to scoff at the idea of trucks stealing the show. Not anymore. The 2026 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) proved that custom trucks aren’t just workhorses—they’re rolling showcases of power, design, and pure cool. From slammed classics to full-throttle modern bruisers, trucks dominated the floor, making it
Detroit Riddles
Why is it we build top-end hot rods? We all have many different reasons, but the underlying one will always be to get a little attention. Even though it may not be your sole intent, there is a part of you that wants people to tell you “nice car” or,
Curves, Chrome, and Legacy: Fat Attack 2026
The Fat Attack exhibit at GNRS 2026 rolled in with curves, chrome, and attitude, and at the heart of it all was the undeniable legacy of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts. Pete Chapouris and Jim Jacobs didn’t just make parts — they made a movement, showing the world that
