PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Gearstar 4L65E Transmissions
May 30, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
HARD CHARGER
We were talking to Devin Meucci when the topic came up about how difficult it is to find a ’69 Dodge Charger in Southern California, because most were gobbled up by the studio when “The Dukes of Hazzard” show was on television. I also mentioned that two of my friends were in charge of the transportation department of the show when the cars were being scrapped out, and described how they made the 383 and 440 engines available to members of my car club. Meucci said he and his brother watched the show religiously, and that’s when their love for Chargers began. Fortunately, in Washington state, Chargers were plentiful, so, in 1990 his brother bought a matching-numbers ’69 RT/SE. Two years later, Meucci purchased his own Charger and drove it in high school during his senior year, and to college after that.
Remembering Angelo Giampetroni: The Bridge Between Detroit Speed Shops and Ford Motorsport
The automotive and motorsports world has lost one of its most influential figures with the passing of Angelo “Junior” Giampetroni. A pioneer, promoter, and passionate builder, Angelo helped shape the hot rodding and drag racing scenes from the postwar boom through the modern era. His impact can be felt not just in Detroit, but across the globe—from gritty speed shops to high-level factory performance programs. Angelo wasn’t just part of the culture—he connected it all together.
AN AMERICAN TRADITION
Here in the United States, we have been conditioned to find vintage tin in many places. The availability of good cars to build into street rods has become more limited as the years have passed, but depending upon your choice of bodies, there are still quite a few options. Of course, the advent of reproduction bodies has added to the choices. Now put yourself in a foreign land and think about how hard it would be to find a good 70-plus-year-old imported American car to build. That is what Wayne Streams faced as a native of the United Kingdom. Building street rods has grown in both popularity and participation in the UK. There are many vintage English vehicles available, but American cars are the most cherished among British rodders.
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.
