A NEW HEMI FOR AN OLD MOPAR
August 1, 2024
Spotlighter
Featured
Light at the End of the Camaro
There are many reasons why the icon cars have achieved the lofty status they now enjoy, but one of the more obvious reasons is the simple fact that they were finished. Their existence and subsequent high-level exposure have inspired many a young lad to undertake similar projects, and for every famous car built in the early years, probably two others were started in an attempt to either copy or outdo it, but they never saw the light of day.
’07 Cadillac Escalade : Black Beauty
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV was one of the most eagerly anticipated SUV releases in recent history. The ESV is spacious, powerful and elegant from the factory, but most owners will choose to add their own touches to personalize this truck, just as they did with the old one. Ryan Friedlinghaus, owner of West Coast Customs in Corona, California, wanted to personalize his own Escalade ESV, but he wanted to do it in a stealthy and subdued sort of way so that he could then offer the WCC package to other Escalade owners.
Pyramid Optimized Design: The Builder’s Secret Weapon
When a build needs to go from “cool idea” to “everyone’s talking about this,” the pros call Pyramid Optimized Design. They’re the team behind some of the most talked-about show cars on the planet — using custom automotive design services to transform raw ideas into fully engineered, show-winning, road-ready components. Pyramid doesn’t just make parts. They bring visions to life, concept to completion.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Braille Battery – Drop the Weight. Keep the Power.
Every hot rod builder obsesses over horsepower, suspension geometry, and shaving pounds wherever possible. Yet one of the easiest ways to lose dead weight while improving reliability often gets overlooked—the battery. That’s where Braille Battery comes in.
THE BIG ONE
Extreme weather temperatures and high gasoline prices didn’t keep participants from attending the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, on the weekend of August 3-6, 2006. Street rods from all over the country drove to the Street Rod Mecca, and all 11,664 rods and participants were in for a pleasant
The Trucks of Goodguys Columbus 2026
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been a gathering place for some of the finest hot rods, muscle cars, and customs in the country. While the event may not be dedicated specifically to trucks, the pickup presence continues to grow, and the 2026 show proved that
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit Brings Serious Airflow to GM Trucks
The Derale Severe-Duty Cooling Kit is designed for builders and truck owners who demand more from their vehicles than a factory cooling system was intended to handle. Instead of piecing together individual cooling upgrades, Derale’s kit combines the major components needed for improved thermal management into one complete package. Included
The Best New Products from Goodguys Columbus 2026
We spent the weekend exploring the newest releases from the companies driving the aftermarket forward. From Goodguys award winners to a few standout products that caught our attention, here are the parts and tools we think deserve a closer look from the 2026 Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals.
YORK ‘93
What began as a Mini-Nats in Rockville, Maryland in 1973, quickly blossomed into a full-fledged National Street Rod Association Regional Event. If you were an East Coast street rodder, the first weekend in June every year was (and still is), NSRA York, simply a must-attend event.
HIDING NOT FAR FROM HOME
Back in the days of hand-writing letters and lickin’ stamps, opening the mail at RODDER’S DIGEST was always interesting. In December of 1998 we received this letter and three photos of one very cool ’38 Ford Standard Coupe. While it is a great hot rod, the history of this coupe
Product Spotlight: Posies SuperSlide Springs
Let’s face it—old leaf springs don’t always deliver the smoothest ride. Between years of wear and the natural friction created as steel leaves slide against one another, it’s no surprise that many traditional hot rods and classic trucks can feel a little rough around the edges. That’s exactly the problem
Rearview Mirror
While AutoBuilder will supply you with all the latest and greatest happenings in the hot rod world, we felt looking back at how we got here would be fun and equally as important. The changes over the past sixty-plus years have been impressive.
The Ultimate Street Machine Showdown: Goodguys Crowns the 2026 Street Machine of the Year
The Goodguys Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, has long been the proving ground for some of the finest builds in the country. Each year, the event brings together the builders, designers, and enthusiasts who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with classic American performance.
