F(AST)-150
July 16, 2023
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CLASSIC HOT ROD CRUISER
The pictured F-100 is a 1954 model, and it was purchased by Carl and Marianne Lewis from Milwaukie, Oregon, in 1992. The truck had seen better days, as it had been sitting out in the elements under an awning next to a storage shed. In primer, and with a transplanted 289 small block, the truck was partially disassembled as it sat on four flat tires. It had not been moved for some 10 years. Mel Nichols was hired for the much needed makeover, which took 3-1/2 years to complete.
Ridler Award: THE GREAT EIGHT
In 2002, we rushed to print “first-look” coverage of the cars in contention for the 2002 Ridler Award. Since the number of finalists totaled eight, we elected to call them “The Great Eight.” The folks in Detroit liked the term so well that, beginning this year, the “official” name for the chosen finalists has become The Ridler Award “Great 8.”
SUREFOOTED MUSTANG
As much as it rankles Blue Oval fans, the early Mustangs used the same suspension as the Falcon and the Comet. It brings to mind cars powered by little six-bangers, dubbed “economy cars,” and not meant for the performance-minded-like a ’60s version of a Geo Metro or Yugo. Those who drove them loved and abused them, and quickly determined the limits of the factory suspension—especially with any power under the hood.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix LED Digital Gauge Panel for ’73–’87 Chevy/GMC Trucks
Upgrade your square-body dash game with the ultimate blend of modern precision and classic truck aesthetics. If your ride is a ’73-’87 Chevy or GMC and you’re ready to swap out that outdated cluster, this digital panel means business.
Honoring Steve Frisbie: A Legend in Metal and Vision
The custom car world has lost one of its true visionaries. Steve Frisbie, founder of Steve’s Auto Restorations in Portland, Oregon, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, surrounded by loved ones in his home. His departure leaves a profound void in the restoration and hot-rod community, yet the imprint
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel for Squarebody GM Trucks (1973–1987)
Bring your Squarebody’s dash into the modern era with the Intellitronix Analog Replacement Gauge Panel (AP6004) — a killer upgrade that blends classic analog style with next-gen performance and precision.
C10 Nationals 2025: Nashville Sets Record-Breaking Truck Celebration
The 5th annual Classic Parts of America C10 Nationals® presented by Chevrolet Performance roared into Nashville last weekend, and 2025 set new all-time records! With 1,400 trucks on display, this was two days of pure, non-stop excitement for C10 fans from across the country. From garage-built classics to jaw-dropping pro-level
Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products Aluminum LS Engine Block
If you’re building an LS engine meant to dominate the strip, carve canyon roads, or simply crush the scales on any dyno, the BMP‑086515 Aluminum LS Engine Block is your ticket. Built from high-strength 357T6 aluminum alloy, it weighs a mere 135 lbs with caps and sleeves, giving you a
Product Spotlight: Pyramid Optimized Design Sequential Aurora Taillight for 1964½–1966 Mustang
If you’ve ever followed a classic Mustang at night, you know the taillights were never its strong suit. Pyramid Optimized Design decided to fix that—with style. The Sequential Aurora Taillight is a modern LED retrofit that finally gives your early Mustang the bright, even illumination it always deserved—no hot spots,
Product Spotlight: DIESELSITE 17-Row COOLERMAX Transmission Cooler
Rated at a monster 59,000 BTUs, this cooler doesn’t just compete—it sets the bar. Standard factory units limp along at 15k–30k BTU. Even most “heavy-duty” aftermarket coolers top out well below the COOLERMAX’s rating. That extra capacity can mean the difference between cruising safely at 180° or cooking at 240°.
Ford Fever in the Smokies
Every September, the Smoky Mountains turn Ford blue when the F-100 Supernationals takes over Sevierville, Tennessee. This isn’t just a truck show—it’s the largest gathering of classic Ford haulers on the planet, and it’s been pulling fans in for decades. If you’ve never been, imagine rows of F-series as far
Product Spotlight: Dieselsite’s 4WD ESOF Stainless Lines Kit for 1999–2010 Ford Superduties
Picture this: you’re cruising down a muddy backroad, ready to switch into 4WD, and nothing happens. You check your ESOF switch, slam it again… still nothing. The culprit? Not your transfer case, not your drive shafts—it’s the OEM vacuum hoses and steel fittings at your hubs, silently failing after years
The Epic Corvettes of the Triple Crown of Rodding
When it comes to America’s sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette has always been a blank canvas for creativity, speed, and style. From factory-pure survivors to wild, one-off customs, the Triple Crown of Rodding 2025 proved once again that no other nameplate captures the imagination of builders and fans quite like
