THE AUTO BUILDER

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Spraying flake isn’t a black art; it’s simply a slightly different medium. It’s no tougher to spray than anything else, although you do have to be meticulous, pay attention to the details and resist the urge to rush. Plus, unless you have a spray booth, it doesn’t matter how well you seal off your chosen spraying area: This stuff will escape and get everywhere.

Too Cool

When Billy Durant approached Louis Chevrolet about designing a new automobile, Chevrolet was a famous race car driver whose exploits in the Indianapolis 500 were legendary. The year was 1911 and Durant, who could see the writing on the wall for his horse-drawn buggy business, figured who better to design an all-new, high-performance vehicle than a successful driver. Chevrolet, a company that was founded by racers and has produced some of the best high-performance vehicles ever to hit the pavement, has once again gone where no other manufacturer has dared to venture. With truck sales making up nearly 50 percent of their sales volume each year, Chevy wanted to create a Flagship vehicle for their pickup line. It had to be a totally new idea in pickups. But what was to be the angle? Luckily, someone at Chevy figured that since the Corvette holds that title for the autos, maybe the new truck should be equally as high performance. With that, the new Chevrolet Silverado Coolside II was born.

Bright Idea

Keith Bright was driving through tiny Basin, Wyoming (population just over 1,000), when he saw a ’58 Buick station wagon drive by in the opposite direction. “That’s strange,” he remembers thinking to himself. He could remember seeing only two other examples in his entire life. He had to have that car, but there was no time to follow the driver or flag him down. Bright returned to his home in Salina, Kansas, where he heads Bright Built Street Rods & Restoration, and occupied his time working on other people’s super rods. But he couldn’t get that ’58 wagon out of his mind.

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Southeastern Hot Rod Show 2026

Dalton, Georgia’s Premier Traditional Hot Rod Gathering is Puttin’ The Hot Back in Hot Rod!

The Southeastern Hot Rod Show once again filled the North Georgia AG Fairgrounds in Dalton, Georgia, with the sights, sounds, and spirit of traditional hot rodding. Drawing enthusiasts from across the Southeast, the annual gathering showcased an impressive collection of pre-1972 hot rods, muscle cars, trucks, and custom-built machines, all brought together by a shared passion for craftsmanship, performance, and automotive history.

Author

Jamie Dent

Photography by Scott Killeen

A Showcase of Traditional Hot Rod Excellence

More than just a car show, the event delivered a full weekend experience with a swap meet, food vendors, live music, specialty displays, and plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts to connect with fellow builders and collectors. From meticulously restored classics to innovative custom creations, every corner of the fairgrounds offered something worth stopping to admire.

Whether attendees were searching for inspiration for their next build, hunting for rare parts, or simply enjoying the company of fellow gearheads, the Southeastern Hot Rod Show provided the perfect setting to celebrate automotive creativity and craftsmanship.

Prestigious Awards Recognize Outstanding Builds

The Southeastern Hot Rod Show is widely known for presenting some of the most respected specialty awards in the region. Honors such as Best of Show presented by J&B Microfinish, the Southeast Outstanding Roadster Award, the Best ’32 Award from Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome Plating, and the Vintage Air “Just Too Cool” Award highlighted the exceptional quality of vehicles on display.

Additional awards recognized excellence in engineering, fabrication, authenticity, and overall craftsmanship, ensuring that builders from every corner of the hobby had an opportunity to be recognized for their dedication and hard work.

More Than a Car Show

Beyond the vehicles and awards, the event showcased the generosity and camaraderie that define the hot rod community. A silent auction was held throughout the weekend with proceeds benefiting the ReClif Center for families with children with autism. Thanks to the support of sponsors, vendors, and attendees, the auction provided an opportunity for enthusiasts to give back while enjoying the event.

The combination of outstanding vehicles, quality vendors, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere helped make the weekend memorable for participants and spectators alike.

Keeping the Hot Rod Tradition Alive

As the final awards were presented and the fairgrounds began to empty, one thing remained clear: the Southeastern Hot Rod Show continues to be one of the Southeast’s premier gatherings for traditional hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, and custom trucks. With exceptional vehicles, passionate builders, and a strong sense of community, the event remains a must-attend destination for anyone who appreciates the artistry and heritage of American hot rodding.

BEST OF SHOW AWARD WINNER
1932 Ford Roadster

Owners: Ann & Andrew Bowen
Builder: Dan Kerbo

AMBR 2019 finalist and now a winner! The coveted Best of Show Award, presented by J&B Microfinish at the Southeastern Hot Rod Show, went to this stunning 1932 Roadster. Pictured are Andrew Bowen and the builder of the award-winning hot rod, a project that represents an incredible 12 years and more than 8,000 hours of craftsmanship. Along with the top honor, the team also took home a $500 award from Summit Racing Equipment. A well-deserved recognition for an extraordinary build.

BEST ENGINEERED AWARD WINNER
1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe

Owner/Builder: JD Keith

Congratulations to JD Keith for winning the prestigious Hank Young Best Engineered Award at the Southeastern Hot Rod Show! This beautifully executed ’32 Ford 5-Window Coupe showcases the perfect blend of traditional hot rod style and modern craftsmanship. From its aggressive stance to the tasteful black-and-white houndstooth interior accents, every detail reflects careful planning and exceptional execution. It’s easy to see why this outstanding build earned one of the event’s most respected honors.

“BEST ’32” AWARD WINNER
1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe

Owner: Bob Waters
Builder: Greening Auto Company

Congratulations to Bob Waters for capturing the prestigious Best ’32 Award, presented by Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome Plating, with this exceptional Jesse Greening-built 1932 Ford Woody. From its flawless fit and finish to the remarkable attention to detail throughout, this Woody represents hot rodding craftsmanship at its highest level.

The details are simply incredible—even every screw on the vehicle was clocked in the same direction, reflecting the dedication and precision poured into every aspect of the build. Special thanks to Jon and Janet Wright for sponsoring one of the most coveted awards in the hobby. For any 1932 Ford owner, this honor is about as prestigious as it gets, and this stunning Woody is a deserving recipient.

“SORA” AWARD WINNER
1969 Ford MUSTANG

Owner: Tammy and Tony Ray
Builder: Tallant’s Rod Shop

Congratulations to Tammy and Tony Ray on earning the inaugural Southeast Outstanding Roadster Award (SORA) with their exceptional 1969 Ford Mustang at the Southeastern Hot Rod Show in Dalton, Georgia. As a brand-new award created to recognize outstanding craftsmanship, design, engineering, and overall style among the Southeast’s finest custom vehicles, SORA immediately establishes itself as one of the region’s most prestigious honors.

Built by Tallant’s Rod Shop, the Lightning Blue Mustang combines classic muscle car styling with modern performance, featuring a 525-horsepower 427 Dart engine, Tremec Magnum six-speed transmission, custom interior by Don Kite Customs, and an impeccable level of fit and finish throughout. The Rays’ Mustang embodies everything the SORA award was created to celebrate—quality, creativity, functionality, and attention to detail—making it a fitting first recipient of what is sure to become a coveted annual tradition.