’65-’66 MARK IV
September 23, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
The Old EQUALIZER
To say that the Fox-body Mustangs have been among the favorites of Ford performance enthusiasts since they began production in 1979 is like saying Henry Ford did okay. Even those without an eye for the obvious know that, by sheer numbers alone, these highly effective, as well as affordable, machines rule the streets of America. And while ’79-’93 Mustangs may lack some of the technological advancements found in Ford showrooms today, there’s an abundance of components available through the aftermarket that will make up for that shortcoming, and lots more.
The Injection Connection
In 1999, Stotts decided to replace the carbureted 350, which was installed in 1991, with a Corvette TPI motor. Stotts wanted to bring the car into the new millennium with style, adding the extra convenience of electronic fuel injection. A resident of Mena, Arkansas, Stotts visited nearby Street & Performance to get started on his project. The S&P guys are well-known for being wizards when it comes to figuring out how to stuff an EFI motor in an older car and actually making it work.
R-CODE Refined
Neal Hensl is a true muscle car enthusiast. Over the years he’s owned plenty of them, including Novas, Chevelles, Corvettes and a Fairlane. Not long ago, he picked up a ’68 Mustang fastback, and it wasn’t just any fastback—it was a rare R-code.
Spotlighter
Red, White, and Chrome: Dayton’s Strawberry Festival Cruise-In Drives Home the Spirit of Community
A Growing Highlight of the Strawberry Festival Draws Crowds and Classics Alike
On Friday, May 9, the streets of downtown Dayton filled with the rumble of engines, the shine of polished chrome, and the unmistakable buzz of community. As part of the 78th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival, the Cruise-In Car Show once again proved to be more than a car show — it was a meeting place for car lovers, families, and locals who know small towns shine brightest when they come together.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Words & Photography
This year’s Cruise-In was the biggest yet. Every corner around the courthouse square had something different to offer — from fresh restorations and spotless muscle cars to weathered rat rods and lifted trucks still wearing the dirt they were built for. The best part? Nobody cared what your car was — they cared about the story behind it.
We love how small-town car shows like this bring everyone together. Young kids, retired gearheads, and everyone in between lined the streets, sharing memories and snapping photos. Some came to show, some just to walk the rows and talk shop. Everyone left with a grin.
Something for Everyone
There’s something special about a show that doesn’t play favorites, and the Cruise-In nailed it. Antique Fords and Chevys rolled in like pieces of living history, while 4x4s and trail rigs stood tall, looking like they’d just come off the mountain. Classic muscle cars brought the unmistakable rumble of V8 power, parked right alongside late-model builds and clean daily drivers. And then there were the custom oddballs — the project cars, the home-built rides — each with its own story and personality. This wasn’t about awards or flawless paint jobs. It was about showing up, sharing what you’ve built (or found), and being part of something real.
No Pretense, Just Passion
The Cruise-In was low-key, welcoming, and buzzing with energy. What stood out wasn’t just the vehicles — it was the people. Locals catching up over fenders. Kids pointing out their favorites. First-time visitors getting pulled into conversations with complete strangers swapping stories like old friends.
This wasn’t just a display — it was a hangout. The kind of event where a guy with a slammed S10 can park next to a ’67 Camaro and both draw a crowd.
More Than a Show
As the sun set and headlights started to glow, the streets of Dayton felt like a scene out of a postcard. It’s not hard to see why this event keeps growing every year. It’s simple, honest, and full of soul — everything that makes small-town America feel like home.
The Cruise-In isn’t just part of the Strawberry Festival — it’s the heartbeat. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s authentic. And in a world where that’s getting harder to find, Dayton proves year after year that it still knows how to do it right.
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