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Ponies in the Smokies 2026

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Smeding Performance’s 408″ LS3

Drilled and Thrilled
Rich Oakley is not your average hot rod builder. There is no room for cookie cutter cars in the Retro Rides by Rich shop in Archdale, North Carolina. In fact, he prefers to be one step ahead of the norm when it comes to building his personal rides. Loosely inspired by the Tony Nancy 22 Jr., his Model A highboy comes equipped with an attitude. “The car has a loud, rude nature. That’s what I like about it, the way it shakes, smells, and of course, the noise,” Oakley says. It has an aggressive stance, and those six Holley 94 carburetors are an indication that the roadster might have a chip on its shoulder.

TRUCKS OF THE 2007 GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW
The 2007 Grand National Roadster Show was a huge hit, as the celebration of the ’32 Ford kicked off in great style. Various builders, writers and hot rod industry figures throughout the country voted on hundreds of candidates for the 75th anniversary of the ’32 Ford. Though no pickups made the Significant 75 list it was still a sight to see, as some of the most famous ’32 Fords ever built were present. From the 75th anniversary to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum located next to the Fairplex, there was a lot to see and do.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies
A Direct-Fit Digital Dash for 1978–1988 Monte Carlo and El Camino
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Intellitronix
Modern Upgrade for Your G-Body Dashboard
There’s no excuse for a tired factory cluster when the rest of your build is throwing punches. You can bolt on horsepower, dial in suspension, and lay down flawless paint—but if you’re still staring at a faded, slow-reacting stock dash, the whole interior loses credibility. That’s where Intellitronix steps in with a fix that hits both style and function: the DP9002 Digital Dash.
Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital dash, G-body gauge upgrade, and modern interior—and this thing checks every box.
Real Data for Real Builds
This isn’t just about looking sharp—it’s about keeping up with how these cars are actually built today. Whether you’re running a traditional small-block or a full LS-swapped Monte Carlo or El Camino, the DP9002 delivers clear, high-visibility data without clutter or confusion. Bright LED readouts, bar-graph styling, and clean layout mean you’re not hunting for information—you’re reading it instantly.
- 255 MPH speedometer with easy calibration
- 9,900 RPM tachometer for high-rev setups
- Oil pressure, water temp, volts, and fuel level monitoring
- Built-in odometer, trip meter, and performance timers (0–60 & ¼-mile)
Call it what it is: a performance digital dash that actually matches the capability of your build.
Builder-Friendly Without the Headache
Here’s where this setup really earns respect—it doesn’t fight you during install. The DP9002 comes ready with the essentials, works with multiple speed input options (including GPS speedometer capability), and plays nice with modern swaps. That means less time buried in wiring diagrams and more time getting the car on the road.
It’s exactly what you want in a plug-and-play gauge cluster upgrade—clean install, clear instructions, and compatibility that doesn’t make you second-guess your combo.
The Look: Clean, Aggressive, Intentional
When it’s off, the smoked lens keeps things understated. Flip the switch, and the dash lights up with that unmistakable high-tech LED glow—the kind of look that tells people this car isn’t stuck in the past. It’s not overdone, not gimmicky—just sharp, modern, and built with purpose.
This is how you update a classic G-body interior without losing its identity.
What’s in the Box
The Intellitronix DP9002 Digital Gauge Cluster brings a fully modernized readout to classic GM A-body interiors without losing factory fitment or function. Designed for 1978–1988 Monte Carlo and El Camino applications, it delivers a high-contrast LED display packed into a direct-fit layout.
- Direct-fit LED digital instrument panel (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil pressure, water temp, voltage)
- Smoked acrylic lens cover with protective film
- Speedometer sending unit
- Oil pressure sending unit
- Water temperature sending unit with 1/2″ NPT adapter bushing
- Complete mounting hardware kit (screws, nuts, spacers)
- Pre-wired provisions for turn signal and high beam indicators
- Optional upgrade path: GPS speed sender (sold separately) for non-mechanical speed input setups
Everything needed for installation and setup comes included so you can move from stock cluster to digital readout with minimal hassle.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about your build, the stock cluster isn’t even part of the conversation anymore. The Intellitronix DP9002 digital dash brings your interior up to the next level—clean, functional, and ready to perform.
Bottom line: this is a G-body digital dash upgrade that delivers where it counts—modern styling, real performance data, and a straightforward install. No fluff. No compromises. Just a cockpit that finally matches what’s under the hood.
Ready to Buy?
Don’t let outdated gauges hold you back—step up to a digital gauge upgrade that finally matches the power under the hood. Click the link below to learn more and upgrade your G-Body today!











