Shade-Tree 1.6.
September 23, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
An Overview of Restoration Products
Gone are the days of struggling to find restoration chemicals and parts. The article highlights how the availability of reproduction parts and user-friendly chemical solutions has revolutionized car restoration. It introduces popular and effective chemicals like 3M Underseal Undercoating, Eastwood Self-Etching Primer, and OEM Paints React, highlighting their benefits and applications. It even delves into restoring cast-iron parts, suggesting solutions like OEM Paints’ Steering Gear Box Finish. Get ready to be amazed by the latest advancements in car restoration!
A Long Time Coming
How many times have you heard the following: I sold my first truck for $1,000 and wish I had never gotten rid of it. If you have, then you understand the mental grief generally associated with selling your first truck. What can make matters worse is to find out the new owner wrecked it, sold it or that it was eventually parted out or scraped. Perhaps you have succumbed to one of these unfortunate circumstances, leaving you to long for that first ride. Longtime classic truck enthusiast Eddie Rudd of Knoxville, Tennessee, knows that empty feeling, as Rudd drove a not-so-flashy 66 Chevy 1/2-ton to and from work during his teens, and even into his 20s, it served as his daily driver. Times changed, Rudd became a father and soon learned the uncomfortable truth that the truck no longer allowed the entire family to ride comfortably. Rudd knew the truck had to go, so in March of 1982, he sold it to a friend.
HISTORY RECOVERED
Having already gathered a number of special Fords in his collection, Tennessee’s Kayo Erwin was more than pleased when he first located a ’63 Ford Galaxie lightweight. It was in relatively good condition and certainly ready for a complete restoration, although not all was as it seemed. What Erwin didn’t realize was that beneath the numerous layers of paint were the remnants of true history, and if not for the vision of Erwin’s wife, Brenda, the dramatic finding could have been wiped away forever. Ready to chemically strip the body of its outer layers, Brenda’s concern over what might be hidden beneath led Erwin’s restoration team to take a more involved path that would eventually uncover a truly amazing discovery. Slowly but surely, with each pass of the dual-action sander, a little more evidence came to light, first with one word, then another, and then three words that would prove to be very informative: “South Bend, Indiana.”
Spotlighter
The Heart of GNRS 2026: Highlights from the ARP Booth
Celebrating Legacy, Innovation, and Hot Rod Craftsmanship
At GNRS 2026, the ARP Booth was a centerpiece of precision, passion, and performance. Automotive Racing Products (ARP Fasteners) has long been a cornerstone of the Grand National Roadster Show, sponsoring iconic awards like the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) Award and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Each award offers $12,500 in prize money, and during the show, the Al Slonaker Memorial Trophy is proudly displayed at the ARP Booth, symbolizing ARP’s commitment to hot rod craftsmanship, innovation, and community.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
ARP: Craftsmanship, Legacy, and Community
Throughout the weekend, the ARP Booth became a hub for builders, racers, and enthusiasts alike. Conversations happened shoulder to shoulder. Old friends reconnected. New projects were dissected in detail. From a moving tribute to Chris Raschke to the presence of the Horan Racing Funny Car and the Martin Indy Special, the booth showcased the intersection of engineering discipline and creative vision. Decades of steady support have positioned ARP as more than a sponsor—it’s part of the foundation that keeps this culture moving forward.
Honoring Chris Raschke: A Life in the Fast Lane
This year’s display carried added meaning as ARP honored Chris Raschke, longtime Director of Sales and Marketing. Joining ARP in 1996, Chris spent nearly three decades representing the brand with unmatched knowledge of high-performance fasteners and a genuine passion for the industry. He mentored builders, supported racers, and helped shape conversations that influenced the global hot rod community.
Chris was also a driving force behind The Auto Builder’s Fab’d Four of Auto Shows coverage, helping us deliver comprehensive, high-energy reporting from the nation’s top events. His generosity and insight elevated our storytelling and strengthened connections throughout the industry. His passing in 2025 left a deep void, and the tribute at GNRS reflected the respect and admiration he earned over a lifetime in the sport.
Tribute on Wheels: The Horan Racing Funny Car
Displayed proudly in the ARP Booth, the Horan Racing Funny Car paid tribute to Chris while competing in the #NHRA Heritage Series at the California Hot Rod Reunion. Built on a McKinney chassis, the car represents the kind of precise engineering and relentless performance Chris championed. Ryan and Dan Horan’s tribute ensures his influence continues to echo through tire smoke, throttle hits, and quarter-mile passes.
Modern Engineering Meets Classic Inspiration: The Martin Indy Special
Also featured was the Martin Indy Special, a contemporary roadster inspired by the legendary Miller and Kurtis Indy 500 cars of the 1940s and ’50s. At its heart is the last 1966 Drake Engineering “Offenhauser” engine—a 168ci supercharged DOHC powerhouse producing 525 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. Beneath its vintage silhouette lies a 106-inch wheelbase chromoly tube frame, double A-arm suspension, and race-developed components engineered for modern performance.
From hand sketches to 3D modeling and finite element analysis, the Martin Indy Special bridges eras seamlessly—proof that tradition and innovation can coexist when executed with intent and precision.
Holding It All Together
The ARP Booth at GNRS 2026 wasn’t simply a showcase of parts or projects—it was a statement. A reminder that behind every award-winning roadster and championship-caliber race car is a network of support, partnership, and shared commitment.
From honoring Chris Raschke’s enduring legacy to celebrating machines like the Horan Racing Funny Car and the Martin Indy Special, ARP demonstrated what it has stood for from the beginning: integrity, engineering excellence, and steadfast support of the automotive aftermarket.
In a building packed with polished aluminum and big horsepower, ARP proved that sometimes the most important component isn’t what draws the eye—it’s what holds everything together.
Chris Raschke Legacy Scholarship
Chris Raschke lived and breathed the automotive world, leaving a mark on everyone who knew him. To honor his legacy, SEMA is establishing the Chris Raschke Legacy Scholarship, supporting students chasing their dreams in the automotive aftermarket. This scholarship ensures Chris’ passion, mentorship, and love for the industry continue to ignite the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Keep Chris’ spirit alive—donate to the scholarship. CLICK HERE to learn more and to contribute.
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