A Century of Kustom Cool: The GNRS Tribute to George Barris
February 18, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Winter WOW
Just after New Year’s, when the cold really starts settling in, one of the first major indoor car shows of the year rolls into town. The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Custom Auto Show has become a yearly tradition—mixing hot rods, customs, and classics with a dose of pop culture to create a winter event that gives the whole family a reason to get out of the house.
HOT & HAMMERED
When Bob Naudascher hauled home his self-described rust bucket, it was far from show quality. The typical oxidation process had taken its toll on the car with the floors and lower extremities of the body requiring replacement. After repairing the considerable rust and getting the body structurally sound with all panel gaps fitting perfectly, Naudascher had Jack Consonza and Carl Chuppa drop the top on the sedan two inches. In the process, the front vent windows were eliminated. While the sheetmetal was being moved, front fenders were molded, the headlights frenched and the hood was filled and shaved of all trim. The stock grille remains but has been relieved of all stainless steel in favor of a monochromatic approach.
S.U.V.
For the last ten years or so, SUVs have been the buzz in the world of new cars, soccer Moms, and the general motoring public. As a matter of fact, this trend is so strong that automakers from Kia to Porsche have offered myriad variations on the theme, to the point where most of us can’t even begin to name them all. With names ranging from half of a state name to words that don’t mean much of anything (Dakota, Cayenne, Rainier and on and on) the onslaught of SUVs seems to show no sign of slowing down.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Motorsports’ Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for Slammed Squarebodies
Say Goodbye to Hood Bends with High-Strength Billet Aluminum
If you're a Squarebody owner, you know the heartbreak of watching your factory hood hinges kink up your truck's sheet metal like a bad day in the junkyard. Those OEM stamped-steel hinges might have gotten the job done back in the 1970s, but these days, they’re better at mangling your hood than holding it. Enter Eddie Motorsports’ latest product release: Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for 1973-80 Chevy Truck - Slammed. Specifically designed for slammed trucks, this innovation is the hero your Squarebody has been waiting for.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Images Courtesy of Eddie Motorsports
Built Specifically for Slammed Trucks
These hinges aren’t your grandpa’s stamped-out hardware; these are CNC-machined, 6061-T6 billet aluminum works of art, crafted for modern trucks with slammed setups. They’re engineered to clear modified wheel tubs that accommodate larger wheel diameters, giving your low-riding Squarebody the functionality it needs without sacrificing style.
High-Strength Precision
Made from high-strength billet aluminum, these hinges are built to last. Eddie Motorsports didn’t just slap something together—they engineered these hinges with the kind of precision that’d make a Swiss watchmaker jealous. Utilizing sealed bearings and stainless steel nitrogen gas struts, they guarantee smooth, reliable operation every time you pop your hood.
Bolt-On Simplicity
These hinges bolt right into the factory mounting holes, with elongated slots for easy alignment. Translation? No mods, no headaches, just buttery-smooth hood action. Whether your truck’s hood is steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, these hinges are a direct bolt-on application. Just specify your hood type when ordering, and Eddie Motorsports will deliver the perfect fit.
Why Go Billet?
You’re not just swapping hinges; you’re swapping problems for solutions. Stock hinges dry up, bind, and leave you with a hood that’s bent like a pretzel. The Eddie Motorsports hinges ditch those garbage compression springs for stainless steel, nitrogen-filled gas struts. Translation? Smooth operation, every time. And let’s talk about style—these things are available in eight different finishes hotter than a big block on a dyno pull:
- Polished like chrome
- Matte or gloss black
- Clear anodized for that stealthy silver
- Bronze, because why not?
Quality You Can Count On
Proudly made in the USA, these hinges are sold in pairs and represent the pinnacle of American engineering and craftsmanship.
Say Goodbye to Hood Bends
We’ve all seen it—Squarebody hoods buckled in the middle because those OEM hinges went on strike. Dry, crusty, and unlubricated, they lock up and turn your hood into a seesaw. Eddie Motorsports’ hinges eliminate this nightmare with smooth ball bearings and top-tier engineering.
Smooth, Tough, Reliable
At every pivot point, you’ll find sealed ball bearings that ensure flawless operation. Couple that with stainless steel gas struts, and you’ve got a setup so slick, you’ll pop your hood just for the fun of it.
Why Wait?
Eddie Motorsports’ Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for 1973-80 Chevy Truck – Slammed are the ultimate upgrade for your Squarebody. Specifically designed for slammed trucks, these hinges are tough enough to handle daily abuse, stylish enough to steal the show, and functional enough to give your hood the support it deserves. Don’t just fix your hood problems—obliterate them.
CLICK HERE to learn more an upgrade your ride, save your hood, and level up your truck game with Eddie Motorsports. Trust us—your Squarebody deserves it.
ARTICLE SOURCES
