THE AUTO BUILDER

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Not your ordinary Hemi Challenger, this low-slung, force-fed, Hemi-powered G-Machine has more going for it than meets the eye, although what you see initially ain’t all that bad. The R/T hood and subtle R/T markings don’t begin to tell the whole story. Designed by Jason Rushforth, this E-body Mopar has some serious long and fat legs.

BLOWN AWAY

In 1994, Denny and Dawn Johns picked up a ’55 Chevy two-door sedan. Along with Dale Johns, the couple runs Van Buren, Arkansas’ D&D Specialty Cars (479/414-2654), so it was no huge deal to think they would quickly rebuild the ’55 into something very special; after all, they had sold the car and its rebuild to Ed Johns, Denny’s father.

But about a year later, a major tornado tore through Van Buren, and along with most everything else, it left the ’55 demolished from bumper to bumper. Since the car wasn’t the only thing destroyed in the tornado’s path, it took a back seat as the Johns family rebuilt their homes and their business. Then in 2003, Ed sold the ’55 back to Denny and Dawn, and the couple decided to rebuild the car for themselves. Apparently the original plan was to build a nice driver, but once under way, Denny says, “We couldn’t find a good stopping point.” So they didn’t—stop, that is—until three years later.

Custom Meets Prefab

If you have spent any amount of time working on street machines, you are well aware that “bolt-on” parts do not always bolt right on. Still, it’s often a lot easier to modify those parts than to fabricate your own. The same holds true for such items as rollcages. Nobody pretends that a prefab cage is going to drop right into place without having to trim a single tube. That’s mainly because the economies of scale dictate that manufacturers make a single design fit as many cars as possible. Unfortunately, a cage that fits many cars probably fits no car perfectly.

Spotlighter

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.