PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Dynamat ProXTM Sound Deadening Mat
April 23, 2026
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Firewall Mayhem
Crankshaft trigger mechanisms have been used in racing applications for a considerable length of time. In truth, they’ve actually been in service for decades. It’s a simple known fact that one of the best ways to improve engine performance is to ensure that the ignition timing is stable. That’s the whole purpose behind such a system, and that’s why racers regularly use them.
CREATIVE CABRIOLET
Cabriolets have become popular over the past few years, and the ’37 is an enthusiast favorite. They have become so popular that numerous reproductions have been made. Because of the original’s low production figures—only 10,184 were built—most, but not all, of the ’37 cabriolets attending rod events are fiberglass. The problem with the originals is that for years they were only marginally desirable and many were junked. The ones that weren’t were parked outside where the weather had taken its toll. When the tops rotted, the cabriolets would begin to rust from the inside out. That means that finding a nice, solid, rust-free cabriolet can be difficult.
BALLISTIC B-SERIES
The next level we refer to is the kind of sick power found only on the racetrack. Make no mistake, stuffing a 475hp turbo motor in the engine bay of any Civic will make for one wild ride, but we’re talking about crazy turbo power now. If 475 hp isn’t enough to get the party started, how about 500 hp? Still not enough—what about 550? Now things are starting to get serious, don’t you think? But we think we can do even better than 550 hp. Thinking that 600 hp had a nice ring to it, we decided to see what it took to produce over 600 hp from a turbo B-series.
Spotlighter
Patina Power
The Time-Worn Look Is More Popular Than Ever
Author
Garry McWhirter
Words & Photography
Defining Patina in Street Rods
Patina is defined as “a pleasing surface sheen on something that develops with age or frequent handling.” When that definition is applied to street rods, a patina rod can take on any number of variations. The exterior can be close to original, with age showing through the painted surface in the form of primer. Sometimes the faint appearance of rust can also classify a rod as having patina, provided the rust has not taken over the entire car. Many times these patina rods are built from those treasured “barn finds” that seem to be discovered by undaunted rodders scouring the country searching for the Holy Grail of hot rods.
The Art and Trend of Patina
One of the modern trends of the street rodding hobby has been to create that cherished patina look. The art of patina can be tricky. We have seen patina rods crafted in such a fashion that the naked eye cannot tell the difference between real and invented, the real old and the fabricated old.
The Appeal of Patina Rods
As with all aspects of rodding, each of us has a different definition of what makes a patina rod. There does seem to be one theme that runs through each variation, though: the owners have a lot of fun with their cars. For some, it is a chance to get back to the basics. For others, it is a chance to reverse the high-end trophy-hound trend. No matter what the agenda, patina rods always seem to bring about smiles and arouse the curiosity of all observers.
Exploring Variations in Patina
We searched our archives to provide you with different variations on the patina trend. We hope you’ll find them as interesting as we did when we came across the following examples. Patina rods come in many forms. They vary from subtle to “in your face.” One thing is for sure: they have their own distinct style.
This Model A looks as though it may have been converted into a hot rod appearance several decades ago, only to be revived after years of storage. The paint has a certain amount of fading, and there is minimal surface rust around the edges. Jonathan Wheeler carries the theme to the Olds engine, with unpainted headers showing some age.
Dennis Frings has captured the patina theme perfectly with his ’33 Willys. It takes on a certain amount of nostalgia with its Ford Y-block engine, multi-carbed intake and racecar appearance. The red primer spots over the black paint disguise the narrowed fiberglass body.
This ’48 Ford falls under the patina banner with its satin-finish black exterior. Herb Jenkins installed a nice red interior and had all the trim re-plated, yet kept the car looking older than its recent renovation would reveal.
This is a true patina roadster. Bill Akin built his Deuce roadster in 1982 as a tribute to Tom Medley, complete with a Stroker McGuirk logo on the door. The car has been driven from coast to coast many times. It has aged gracefully.
Pebble Puryear has created a nearly perfect faux patina appearance on this ’33 Ford. The green paint on the coupe appears nearly faded, but with still some shine coming out. The red oxide “rub-throughs” look real until you see the buildup photos laid out in the trunk.
It is impossible to tell the difference between the real patina and the created patina with Mike Hood’s ’47 Chevy woody. The wood on the wagon has a few holes showing, and the dented metal shows some solid character. The car is just plain cool.
Ricky Pike’s ’32 Ford is an example of a ground-up patina rod. The black-primered exterior is highlighted with semi-flat flames extended over the roof. The chassis is all modern, with roadworthiness a priority. Oh, yeah, it also has a ’glass body to defy the odds.
Along with the obligatory surface rust, vintage items can add to the patina level. This shoebox four-door uses a sun visor and a rusty roof rack loaded with hunting trophies to make it look as though it was returning from a long trip from the North Country.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
There are times when patina can be applied and removed, depending upon the weather. Scott Ulerick’s chopped A Model already had a certain period look to it. After some obvious mud-bogging in Charlotte, the coupe took on a down-and-dirty attitude.
This Willys was created with a nostalgic racecar theme. The authentic gasser stance, along with the name and number graphics, makes it appear to be an older drag car. It may have been, but it now has a ZZ454 with a five-speed for power.
Adding patina to a hot rod can mean more than just applying a coat of primer. Using a variety of parts can accomplish the task. Eli Horst shows his whimsical way of thinking by using a Ford tractor hood and grille on his ’29 Ford roadster pickup. It looks like a ton of fun.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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Madison Manufacturing
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