2025 GNRS Pinstriping Charity Auction
February 27, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
34 Expert Restoration Tips for Classic Car Enthusiasts
Every detail matters when it comes to restoring or customizing a vehicle. Whether you’re smoothing out seams, fine-tuning trim, or upgrading outdated systems, the right techniques can make the difference between a show-stopping build and a project that falls flat. We’ve compiled 34 expert tips to help you refine your restoration skills, sourced directly from the pros at Jeff Lilly Restorations. Dive in and discover actionable advice that will streamline your workflow, enhance your results, and help you achieve the classic car of your dreams.
Homebuilt Hauler With An Attitude
It often takes a serious challenge to test a person’s capabilities. After years of driving a string of performance cars, Terry Short wanted something different sitting in his North Tonawanda, New York, garage. So, he set out and found this ’55 Chevy big-window pickup in an apple orchard. He just knew he had met his challenge.
Terry Short’s ’55 Chevy pickup has a just-right rake, a monochromatic finish on a super-smooth body and a potent big-block Chevy. All these elements combine to make this Hot Rod Red truck a perfect cruising machine. Short’s goal was to build a truck that if you couldn’t see it, then you could certainly hear it coming. Though the roof went unchopped, the remainder of the body was extensively reworked and is devoid of chrome accessories.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Dieselsite’s 1992-2000 6.5L Chevy/GMC All-Aluminum Radiator
If you have a 1992-2000 Chevrolet or GMC with a 6.5L and you’re worried about overheating issues, there’s no reason to sweat it. Our friends at Dieselsite have the solution.
Spotlighter
SALEEN SSC
ULTRA-RARE, ULTRA-VALUABLE
Unless there’s a collector’s car that was purchased and directly put into someone’s collection, you’re probably looking at the lowest-mileage Saleen SSC in the world, and it belongs to Jack Redeker from Redeker Ford in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Author
Bob McClurg
Story & Photography
Saleen SSC: A Celebration of Milestones
Of course, there were 161 Saleen Autosport-built SSCs assembled in 1989 to celebrate not only the fifth anniversary of the company but also the 25th anniversary of the Mustang.
The Journey of SSC 89-0012
This car (serial number 89-0012) was built on April 26, 1989, and shipped to Bob Allen Ford in Overland Park, Kansas, on May 21, 1989. It was originally sold to John Ponak (Metro Motors) from Kansas City, and the condition of SSC 89-0012 indicates it was stored most of the ensuing years. Everything on this car is pristine, almost as if it were driven off the dealer’s showroom floor only yesterday.
From Kansas to Florida: The Auction Story
Jack Redeker purchased SSC 89-0012 at the Third Annual Kruse Auction held in Ft. Myers, Florida, on March 25, 2000. The consignee (or seller) is listed as one J. Jervorsek from a company called Vehicle Ventures, which is presumably a muscle car dealer broker.
A Pristine Piece of Mustang History
SSC 89-0012 is now the centerpiece of Redeker’s modest collection of early- and late-model Mustangs, and he says he plans to keep this one forever! Works for us! We thought you would enjoy a look back. We sure enjoyed our time with the car.
