THE AUTO BUILDER
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Remembering When
When Ricardo Lopez began building this 1955 Chevy he had some help, as well as a plan. In the beginning, this little Chevy pickup was to provide an excellent chance for Ricardo to spend some time with his son, Ricky, and to be able to show the boy some of the tricks that he had learned over the many years he had worked as a customizer, bodyman and painter. As owner of Paint By Lopez in Compton, California, Ricardo had hopes of his boy taking over for him in the years to come, maybe even calling the shop Paint By Lopez & Son. Unfortunately, Ricky was taken from Ricardo and his wife, Monica, in a freak accident. At first Ricardo was going to sell the truck, as the sight of it was almost too much to bear. But upon reflection he changed his mind. Ricardo thought that finishing the project was not only a perfect way to work through his grief, but it would also give him a chance to feel connected to the son he had lost. When the Chevy was completed, it would be a way to honor Ricky’s memory.
MOOSETANG
Lots of people know what they want, at least generally—as in, “I want a car” or, more specifically, a performance car. A slightly more motivated person might narrow it down to a late-model car, as opposed to an old car, or even refine his goal further to a Ford car. The ability to thoroughly define your goals is generally the province of the mature individual who, with the wisdom of a few years under his belt, has come to truly know what winds his clock.
BUILT TO WIN: The Battle for the Al Slonaker Memorial Award 2026
The 2026 Al Slonaker Memorial Award wasn’t just about who won—it was about twelve extraordinary contenders, each showcasing craftsmanship, vision, and execution. From paint and stance to metalwork and mechanical finesse, every build pushed the limits and demanded attention.
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.
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