THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Buxtosaurus Rex
When the owner brought this truck to Buxton in late 04, it was an old farm truck with a straight-six engine, three on the tree and studded snow tires. Buxton began by boxing the frame and adding an IFS unit. With Air Ride Technologies airbags and 2-inch dropped spindles, the front end of the Chevy was able to go very low. In the rear, a Currie Enterprises 9-inch rearend was suspended with ART airbags on a four-link system. Speaking of the rearend, it has been equipped with Strange Engineering 3.73 gears. As the Chevy would obviously come across a few bumps, aluminum QA1 adjustable shocks are used on all four corners. Speaking of the corners, a set of Wheelsmith smoothie wheels adorns this Chevy, giving it a very cool retro look.
SUPERBIRD
When we look back over the past decades and all the cars that have benefited from the creative mastery of super rodding, we should consider ourselves lucky. After all, just about every car we’ve ever dreamed about has found new life through the vision of today’s enthusiastic owners and builders. It’s like being a kid in a candy store and having a pocketful of money—it’s all within reach and we just can’t get enough. Still, there are a few favorites that are often overlooked, which has many of us asking—why?
Totally Awesome Elky
“I started building this car a little over 15 years ago after completing a Pro Street ’70 Camaro RS for my then-16-year-old son, Brad,” says overhead door installation specialist Jim Meltzer of Ventura, California. “I always had the urge to build a ’59 Pro Street Chevrolet El Camino (hence the nickname “U.S. Pro-1”), having owned one of those cars when I was just 21 years old,” he says. “Forty years later, the ’60 came along, and I figured that was close enough. The El Camino project was a joint collaboration with my sons Brad and Rod, and it got off to a great start. We made plans for a big motor and even built a full rollcage for that huge hunk of steel with the intentions of actually racing it.”
Spotlighter
Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products HARDCORE Manowar Valve Covers for Small Block Ford
Perfect Finishing Touch for Your High-Performance Small Block Ford
If you’re building a serious Small Block Ford, the details matter — and nothing finishes off an engine bay like a killer set of valve covers. Enter Bill Mitchell Products BMP D70870 Valve Covers, branded with the unmistakable HARDCORE Manowar logo. Originally part of BMP’s 600hp street engine crate program, these covers are now available individually — and at a can’t-miss closeout price.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Bill Mitchell Products
Hardcore Style Meets Hardcore Performance
These tall-style, die-cast aluminum valve covers aren’t just for looks. The taller profile offers plenty of rocker arm clearance, making them perfect for performance builds running aftermarket valvetrain components. Each cover is highly polished to a mirror-like shine, then CNC-machined with the HARDCORE Manowar logo in blue — a subtle but unmistakable statement that your Ford isn’t just another small block.
Built to Last
Made from heavy-duty die-cast aluminum, these covers are more rigid than typical stamped steel versions, meaning fewer leaks and a better seal over time. The polished finish resists corrosion and makes cleanup easier after a hard run. Whether you’re chasing show points or horsepower, these covers can hang in both worlds.
Limited Quantity, Big Savings
Because these valve covers are from BMP’s discontinued crate engine program, stock is limited — and so is the price. Normally $274, they’re now only $75. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Tech Specs at a Glance
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Fitment: Small Block Ford
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Style: Tall, for extra rocker clearance
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Material: Die-Cast Aluminum
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Finish: Polished with CNC-etched HARDCORE Manowar logo in blue
Was $274.00
CLOSEOUT PRICE $75.00
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of hardcore performance and show-ready style, these BMP valve covers are a no-brainer. Snap them up while you still can — because deals like this don’t idle for long. CLICK HERE to order yours now
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