Slippery Sedan
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
A Tale of Two Tensioners
This is a story about two tensioners, one fabricated with machine tools and the second fabricated in a garage with a minimum of tools. In fact, the only power tool you will need is a drill motor, yet the finished products will be almost identical.
Your first response to fabricating something may be, “I don’t have the necessary tools; I don’t have any way to get the materials I will need.” If you have a door number so the UPS man can find you, you have everything you need. The materials list at the end of this story contains everything you will need. The rod-end bearings and lock nuts were purchased from AFCO Hot Rod Parts. The aluminum round stock and cutting tools were purchased from MSC.
Bonneville: The Final Frontier
Bonneville is that final frontier, a place where a man or a woman with a better idea isn’t punished with a bunch of extra weight or politically ruled out of racing. It’s a place where a person with a better idea gets in the record book until someone with a better idea takes it away. It’s that simple, and it’s speed racing at its purest.
Orange Squeeze
When you do a lot of work, as Juan Navedo has on this hot vintage 55 Chevy, it tends to turn a lot of heads on the street and on the show circuit. This is not Juan’s first time down the custom road. As an electronics technician by trade and an automotive hobbyist by choice, he has owned 15 customized vehicles over the years, and his 55 Chevy pickup is the culmination of all those years of experience. It ranks at the top of his list.
Spotlighter
RODS ON THE RIVER
The Strawberry Festival Car Show and Cruise-In
A look back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee, where The Auto Builder hosted the first Rods on the River car show, drawing crowds, classic cars, and community spirit.
Author
Josh Kaylor
Words & Photography
A Look Back at the 2006 Strawberry Festival in Dayton, Tennessee
Every year in May, the Tennessee Valley is filled with travelers and neighbors from the surrounding areas who come to celebrate the Strawberry Festival. In 2006, the 59th annual Strawberry Festival, called the Strawberry Stampede, was a huge success, with literally thousands of people filling the streets and flocking to the festivities. That year’s festival was particularly important, as it was our second year of attending but the first in which The Auto Builder could actually involve itself. We sponsored the Friday cruise portion of the weeklong festival, which we called the Rods On The River. Every year on the Friday before the Strawberry parade, classic cars, trucks, street rods and hot rods flock to the historic district of Dayton. Come 5:00 p.m. the city closes the main streets so that all the hot rods can park.
The Auto Builder Debuts Rods on the River Car Show
The Auto Builder put a twist on an old tradition with the addition of a car show that started mid-morning. The first annual Rods on the River turned out to be quite a success for a first-time event. Carrie Hassler and Dead Rain provided live music that was enjoyed by all, and The Auto Builder supplied barbecue and beverages for those who registered and were on hand in time for lunch. The Auto Builder’s own Jim Dalton designed custom billet trophies for the show, and John Dianna awarded them to eight lucky participants. The show began in the early morning with beautiful weather that couldn’t have been nicer had we ordered it firsthand. High 60s and low 70s made it absolutely perfect to be by the water, and the beautiful surroundings made it that much more pleasant.
A Diverse Display of Classic and Modern Cars
There was a great turnout with enough diversity for everybody. The Mopar guys came out, as did the street rods and classic trucks. The show had everything from Model As to import tuners. The lake provided the perfect place, and the flawless green lawn was a pleasant place to be for an early morning car show. Starting at around 10:00 a.m. and lasting well into the night, the event went perfectly.
Cruise-In Tradition Highlights a Memorable Weekend
Late that afternoon, everyone cruised over to town where the annual cruise-in took place. Cars lined the streets and fun was had by all. The Auto Builder Big Rig was displayed with a few of Dianna’s cars, which included a ’58 Pontiac wagon, a ’49 Olds fastback, his Lil’ Buck ’32 sedan and his ’34 Vicky. The crew from Coker brought an 18-wheeler, which displayed a few rides of their own, including a totally unrestored ’55 Chevy Bel Air hardtop and Old Indy Racer, which Corky likes to take on the Great American Race, along with a neat old white truck with kerosene-burning headlamps. The weekend went well, and we were already making plans for the following year. It was laid-back, fun, and a memorable chapter in the history of The Auto Builder’s involvement in community events.
BONUS: From the Archives
We’re excited to share a rare glimpse into the 2006 Strawberry Festival with a gallery of never-before-published photos from the event. These images capture the energy, craftsmanship, and community spirit that defined the first-ever Rods on the River car show and the legendary Friday night cruise-in. From classic rides along the waterfront to behind-the-scenes moments with The Auto Builder crew, this visual time capsule brings the day’s unforgettable atmosphere back to life.
