Too Cool
January 16, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
FALKEN TIRE DRIFT SHOWOFF
THE FALKEN Tire Drift Showoff was a hit, to say the least. The event was held at Irwindale Motor Speedway on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Thousands of people attended, which goes to show the outstanding marketing job that Falken Tire is doing to help make a difference in the tuner car movement. The company took it upon itself to give us a taste of what the Japanese market has been enjoying for so many years. Among the thousands of spectators, a healthy number of show cars showed up as well—and why wouldn’t they? This was an Import Showoff event, but this car show was a bit different from the norm. It was a JDM versus DTM show. In other words, Japanese against Euro. The cars that came out were very hot, with enough JDM and DTM on hand to kill you. All the heavy hitters and the big crews such as Team Hybrid, Flux, Tuningwerks Competition and Art-N-Motion came out to show their stuff. While this was a huge attraction, it was far from the main one.
HISTORY RECOVERED
Having already gathered a number of special Fords in his collection, Tennessee’s Kayo Erwin was more than pleased when he first located a ’63 Ford Galaxie lightweight. It was in relatively good condition and certainly ready for a complete restoration, although not all was as it seemed. What Erwin didn’t realize was that beneath the numerous layers of paint were the remnants of true history, and if not for the vision of Erwin’s wife, Brenda, the dramatic finding could have been wiped away forever. Ready to chemically strip the body of its outer layers, Brenda’s concern over what might be hidden beneath led Erwin’s restoration team to take a more involved path that would eventually uncover a truly amazing discovery. Slowly but surely, with each pass of the dual-action sander, a little more evidence came to light, first with one word, then another, and then three words that would prove to be very informative: “South Bend, Indiana.”
HIGH-SCHOOL HEARTTHROB REVISITED
At first, it appeared as though the bright red Mustang didn’t have an engine in it, but once the seller, Eric Rizner, opened the hood, Holden and Wunsch could plainly see that the engine had been set back in the chassis. Was this the elusive Mustang “racecar” that Holden had been looking for?
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Proform’s Lightning-Bolt™ 100 AMP Mini-Alternator
Lightning in a Bottle Performance for Street and Strip
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Proform Specialty Auto Parts U.S.A.
Unleash the Power of the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator
Here’s the deal: If you’re wrenching on your ride and you’re still running an outdated alternator, you’re leaving performance on the table. That’s where the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator comes in to save the day. Built for the gearhead who wants nothing less than peak performance, this beast delivers rock-solid reliability and power when you need it most—whether you’re ripping down the quarter-mile or cruising Main Street on a Saturday night.
Power That’ll Make Your Head Spin
Let’s talk numbers. The Lightning-Bolt cranks out over 80 amps at idle and a whopping 100+ amps when you’re giving it the beans. Translation? This alternator laughs at high-demand setups, keeping your lights bright, your stereo thumping, and your ignition firing hot even when your rig’s electrical system is pushed to the limit.
Key Features
- PROFORM Quality: PROFORM Alternators are made with 100% NEW components, not re-man or refurbished parts.
- BIG AMPS: Over 80 amps at idle and 100+ amps at top end, delivering exceptional performance for demanding setups.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Weighing only 7 pounds, it’s 40% (4.6 lbs.) lighter than a full-size 10SI alternator.
- SMALL SIZE: Compact 98mm stator size makes it ideal for tight engine bays.
Built Tough for Real-World Abuse
You’re not the type to baby your car, and the Lightning-Bolt isn’t the type to back down. It’s built with high-quality components designed to handle the abuse of real-world driving—from stop-and-go traffic to full-throttle blasts. Plus, with its unique aluminum housing, this alternator doesn’t just perform; it’ll look killer under your hood.
Perfect for Street and Strip
Whether your ride is a daily driver, weekend warrior, or dragstrip dominator, the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator fits the bill. It’s the perfect upgrade for anyone looking to ditch their factory unit and step up to serious performance. Easy installation? Check. Reliable power delivery? Double-check. What more could you ask for?
Bottom Line
The Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a no-brainer for anyone serious about their car. So, what are you waiting for? Swap out that tired old alternator and let the Lightning-Bolt bring your electrical system to life. Trust us, your ride will thank you for it.
CLICK HERE to check out the Proform Lightning-Bolt Alternator on Proform’s website
