Winter WOW
March 17, 2026
THE AUTO BUILDER
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MAINTAINING YOUR BATTERY
There is nothing more aggravating than having a dead battery, and it always occurs at the least opportune times. Our street rods are often stored or sit for periods of time. How many times have you decided the weather was perfect for an afternoon cruise and had a problem cranking the car?
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
After purchasing this ’02 Silverado, the owner was looking to gain some additional horsepower and torque through a few small bolt-on performance parts. While the truck is still under warranty, there is a large variety of performance parts that not only meet certain warranty requirements, but also do not cause any problems at the dealership. After looking at all the available options for this Silverado, it was decided that the first modification to the engine was going to be the addition of a new AEM Brute Force air intake. AEM offers a vast array of dyno-proven intakes for specific applications, including trucks such as this Silverado.
MORE IS BETTER
Delve into the power principle of better breathing in engines, focusing on the intake side and how Airaid’s intake system improves airflow to increase rear wheel horsepower by up to 18 in late-model GM trucks.
STAR CARS: A Family and Its Speedstar
Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar
STEP IT UP
The legacy of the Ford Bronco is stronger than ever, thanks to the versatility and customization options of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco. This platform is built for off-road performance and on-road comfort and there are a multitude of custom factory packages that build upon that platform. Because of the factory
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies
Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital
Ponies in the Smokies 2026
Winter doesn’t fade quietly in Tennessee—it gets drowned out by horsepower. And once again, Ponies in the Smokies 2026 lit the fuse. The Sevierville Convention Center became ground zero for Ford performance, as thousands of enthusiasts rolled in, filling every inch with Mustangs, trucks, and Blue Oval builds that showed
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ARP’s Head Stud Kit for 1927–31 Ford Model A 4-Cylinder Engines
In a world obsessed with the latest engines and newest technology, ARP (Automotive Racing Products) just proved something important—progress doesn’t only move forward. It also means going back and applying everything we’ve learned since.
Corvette Expo 2026 & Chevys in the Smokies Take Over Pigeon Forge
The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for the blue haze that gives the range its name—but during the 49th Annual Corvette Expo 2026 and Chevys in the Smokies, the mountains were a little smokier than usual. Some of that haze came from cammed-up V8s, hot rubber, and thousands of horsepower
Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026
Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and
Winter WOW
Just after New Year’s, when the cold really starts settling in, one of the first major indoor car shows of the year rolls into town. The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Custom Auto Show has become a yearly tradition—mixing hot rods, customs, and classics with a dose of pop
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Analog Gauge Panel for 1965–1966 Ford Mustang by Intellitronix
There’s a real beauty in upgrading a classic without masking its character—and the Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel AP7001 delivers exactly that for the 1965–1966 Ford Mustang. Designed to drop directly into the heart of your Pony’s cockpit, this panel brings modern instrumentation to the dash while still working with the
The Trucks of Detroit Autorama 2026
Every winter the custom car world makes a pilgrimage to the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows on the planet: the Detroit Autorama. Held inside the massive Huntington Place, the 2026 edition once again packed the halls with hundreds of wild customs, Ridler contenders, hot rods,
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
CUSTOM STOPPING POWER
If you own a Ford or Chevy, most of the parts you will need to build a street rod are readily available, and from a variety of suppliers. We have written numerous stories about kits for these cars in our family of rodding magazines, and some of them were a direct replacement for the original. By and large, they worked perfectly and bolted right in, as designed. These types of kits are convenient for many street rod builders, as well as street rod shops, and they are part of what has helped grow our hobby into such a broad special-interest group. But in addition to the “normal” and most popular rods, there were many other great cars made in the pre-war era, and some of them can be a real challenge to street rodders because there are no pre-manufactured parts, and no kits that make them easy to build. Sounds like the old days, right? Well, that’s the modern world for you–even our hobbies have become targets of convenience.
CIMTEX SUPER CAMEO: PART 9
After 1-1/2 years of preparing a rock-solid foundation for our Cimtex Rods-constructed ’56 Chevrolet Super Cameo pickup, the time finally came to hang sheetmetal, but not without experiencing a few major disappointments. “All I can say is, before you buy a truck cab or any kind of old car body, look before you leap,” commented Darrell Cimbanin of Cimtex Rods after picking up our ’56 Chevy big-?window cab from True Grit Sandblasting in Hutto, Texas. This cab was in worse condition than we originally thought. It’s easy to disguise what appears to be a good-looking truck cab with plastic filler and a nice paint job. Sometimes even the experts can be fooled.
445HP GM TARGETMASTER
Some Years Ago, Chevrolet Began Lowering Engine Compression (To 8.50:1) In An Effort To Meet Tailpipe Emissions Numbers. It Also Retarded Camshaft Timing In An Effort To Lower NOX (Nitrides Of Oxygen/Unburned Particulates). By 1974, Horsepower, Torque And Overall Engine Efficiency Had Dropped Some 30 Percent To 50 Percent. Chevy’s RPO L48 And LM1 350 Small-Block V-8s Then Got A Flow-Restrictive Catalytic Converter In 1975, And Finally In 1985, A New Monolith Catalytic Converter, As Well As Direct-Port Fuel Injection And Improved Camshaft Timing, Boosted Horsepower, Torque And Engine Efficiency.
Spotlighter
STAR CARS: A Family and Its Speedstar
April 16, 2026
No Comments
Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar
STEP IT UP
April 15, 2026
No Comments
The legacy of the Ford Bronco is stronger than ever, thanks to the versatility and customization options of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco. This platform is built for off-road performance and on-road comfort and there are a multitude of custom factory packages that build upon that platform. Because of the factory
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies
April 10, 2026
No Comments
Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital
Ponies in the Smokies 2026
April 6, 2026
No Comments
Winter doesn’t fade quietly in Tennessee—it gets drowned out by horsepower. And once again, Ponies in the Smokies 2026 lit the fuse. The Sevierville Convention Center became ground zero for Ford performance, as thousands of enthusiasts rolled in, filling every inch with Mustangs, trucks, and Blue Oval builds that showed
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ARP’s Head Stud Kit for 1927–31 Ford Model A 4-Cylinder Engines
March 31, 2026
No Comments
In a world obsessed with the latest engines and newest technology, ARP (Automotive Racing Products) just proved something important—progress doesn’t only move forward. It also means going back and applying everything we’ve learned since.
Corvette Expo 2026 & Chevys in the Smokies Take Over Pigeon Forge
March 26, 2026
No Comments
The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for the blue haze that gives the range its name—but during the 49th Annual Corvette Expo 2026 and Chevys in the Smokies, the mountains were a little smokier than usual. Some of that haze came from cammed-up V8s, hot rubber, and thousands of horsepower
Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026
March 23, 2026
No Comments
Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and
Winter WOW
March 17, 2026
No Comments
Just after New Year’s, when the cold really starts settling in, one of the first major indoor car shows of the year rolls into town. The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Custom Auto Show has become a yearly tradition—mixing hot rods, customs, and classics with a dose of pop
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Analog Gauge Panel for 1965–1966 Ford Mustang by Intellitronix
March 13, 2026
No Comments
There’s a real beauty in upgrading a classic without masking its character—and the Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel AP7001 delivers exactly that for the 1965–1966 Ford Mustang. Designed to drop directly into the heart of your Pony’s cockpit, this panel brings modern instrumentation to the dash while still working with the
The Trucks of Detroit Autorama 2026
March 12, 2026
No Comments
Every winter the custom car world makes a pilgrimage to the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows on the planet: the Detroit Autorama. Held inside the massive Huntington Place, the 2026 edition once again packed the halls with hundreds of wild customs, Ridler contenders, hot rods,
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Superior Braking
September 24, 2022
LIKE A ROLLING STONE
July 16, 2023
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Accusump by Canton Racing Products
December 31, 2024
TWO WORLDS CONVERGE
Nick Barron is no stranger to building fine performance vehicles. For more than 40 years, he has been the catalyst in handcrafting some of the finest performance machines around, a clockwork of components powered by nasty big-block Chevy engines and outfitted with the finest in custom appointments. The results of his handiwork have been seen racing on the quarter-mile and in other tortuous events. His vehicles have received many recognized awards for product innovation and consumer excellence. With a reputation for quality workmanship, performance, speed and superior handling, the success of Hallett Boats can be attributed directly to Barron. The boats Hallett has produced over the last four decades have afforded him the opportunity to involve himself in a number of new, exciting adventures. Barron is not only the owner of this new, beautiful Jerry Kugel-created full-fendered ’32 Muroc II roadster, he is also the owner of and innovator behind Hallett Boats, a high-end custom performance boat manufacturer located in Southern California.
The Sights of SEMA 2023
Explore the standout rides and jaw-dropping innovations at SEMA 2023! Join us as we revisit the show’s hottest builds, from the iconic 1957 Nash Metropolitan to the cutting-edge Arrington Hydrogen Monster Truck. Get an exclusive look at the custom creations, unique body kits, and powerhouse engines that stole the spotlight at the premier automotive aftermarket event of the year. Don’t miss out on the highlights captured by The Auto Builder Staff and photographers Wendy Miles & Kim Cooley. Feast your eyes on the unforgettable designs and ingenious engineering that left a lasting impression at SEMA 2023!
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: AirSafe Emergency Support Kit TM by R.S. Restorations
Protect your 1963-1987 C10 truck with RS Restorations’ AirSafe Emergency Support Kit™. A must-have for air ride suspensions, this patent-pending solution keeps your truck safe and functional during air system failures. Learn more and get yours today.
Spotlighter
STAR CARS: A Family and Its Speedstar
April 16, 2026
No Comments
Dale was working on a unique rod project when his father went to a Goodguys event and saw Bobby Alloway Speedstar’s new Rat’s Glass Speedstar body and Alloway frame package. Joe knew it was the look Dale was trying to accomplish, so he purchased the makings of a Alloway Speedstar
STEP IT UP
April 15, 2026
No Comments
The legacy of the Ford Bronco is stronger than ever, thanks to the versatility and customization options of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco. This platform is built for off-road performance and on-road comfort and there are a multitude of custom factory packages that build upon that platform. Because of the factory
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Intellitronix Digital Dash for GM G-Bodies
April 10, 2026
No Comments
Designed specifically for 1978–1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and El Camino, this is a true direct-fit digital gauge panel—not some universal compromise. It drops into the factory location, cleans up the entire dash, and instantly shifts the vibe from dated cruiser to pro-touring G-body with purpose. Key terms here? LED digital
Ponies in the Smokies 2026
April 6, 2026
No Comments
Winter doesn’t fade quietly in Tennessee—it gets drowned out by horsepower. And once again, Ponies in the Smokies 2026 lit the fuse. The Sevierville Convention Center became ground zero for Ford performance, as thousands of enthusiasts rolled in, filling every inch with Mustangs, trucks, and Blue Oval builds that showed
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ARP’s Head Stud Kit for 1927–31 Ford Model A 4-Cylinder Engines
March 31, 2026
No Comments
In a world obsessed with the latest engines and newest technology, ARP (Automotive Racing Products) just proved something important—progress doesn’t only move forward. It also means going back and applying everything we’ve learned since.
Corvette Expo 2026 & Chevys in the Smokies Take Over Pigeon Forge
March 26, 2026
No Comments
The Great Smoky Mountains are famous for the blue haze that gives the range its name—but during the 49th Annual Corvette Expo 2026 and Chevys in the Smokies, the mountains were a little smokier than usual. Some of that haze came from cammed-up V8s, hot rubber, and thousands of horsepower
Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026
March 23, 2026
No Comments
Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and
Winter WOW
March 17, 2026
No Comments
Just after New Year’s, when the cold really starts settling in, one of the first major indoor car shows of the year rolls into town. The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Custom Auto Show has become a yearly tradition—mixing hot rods, customs, and classics with a dose of pop
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Analog Gauge Panel for 1965–1966 Ford Mustang by Intellitronix
March 13, 2026
No Comments
There’s a real beauty in upgrading a classic without masking its character—and the Intellitronix Analog Gauge Panel AP7001 delivers exactly that for the 1965–1966 Ford Mustang. Designed to drop directly into the heart of your Pony’s cockpit, this panel brings modern instrumentation to the dash while still working with the
The Trucks of Detroit Autorama 2026
March 12, 2026
No Comments
Every winter the custom car world makes a pilgrimage to the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows on the planet: the Detroit Autorama. Held inside the massive Huntington Place, the 2026 edition once again packed the halls with hundreds of wild customs, Ridler contenders, hot rods,
