CANDY LEXUS
November 20, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Flaming River’s 88-98 Chevy/GMC 1500 Series Power Rack & Pinion Cradle Kit
If you’re looking to take your 1988-1998 Chevy/GMC C1500 truck’s steering to the next level, you need to check out the Flaming River Power Rack and Pinion Cradle Kit for 88-98 Chevy/GMC 1500 series pickups. This power rack and pinion cradle kit is a total game-changer, designed for a direct bolt-in installation. Ditch that outdated steering and get ready for the precision and modern handling you’ve been dreaming of.
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.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: McLeod’s RST Twin Disc Clutch Kit for the 2015-23 2.3L Ecoboost Mustang
Once your build starts making real power, the factory clutch becomes a liability. The McLeod RST Twin Disc Clutch Kit is engineered for high-horsepower street cars that need serious torque capacity without sacrificing drivability. This is a street-focused twin disc clutch that delivers smooth engagement, consistent bite, and the confidence to put power to the pavement every time.
Spotlighter
The Hottest Trucks We Spotted at SEMA 2025
Jaw-dropping builds, wild styling, and show-stopping craftsmanship lighting up the ultimate automotive playground.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photography by Scott Killeen
The Hottest Trucks Stealing the Show
If there’s one thing SEMA delivers every year, it’s jaw-dropping builds—and the hottest trucks at SEMA 2025 didn’t disappoint. From slammed classics to high-flying off-road monsters, each build brought massive personality, insane attention to detail, and a presence that made the show floor buzz. These weren’t just trucks—they were rolling works of art that had enthusiasts stopping in their tracks.
Standout Builds You Can’t Look Away From
Everywhere you turned, there was another show-stopping SEMA truck build commanding attention. Vintage Chevys with flawless patina, pro-touring pickups built for corner-carving, modern trucks pushed to the extremes with lift kits, custom paint, and billet accessories—they all told a story of craftsmanship and imagination. Each truck was a conversation starter, a social media magnet, and proof that SEMA is the ultimate stage for bold, creative builds.
Trucks That Turn Heads and Set Trends
What makes these trucks so magnetic isn’t just their looks—it’s the energy they bring. SEMA 2025 proved once again that the truck scene is alive, thriving, and full of surprises. From retro classics to next-level modern machines, the hottest trucks at SEMA 2025 weren’t just vehicles—they were the stars, pushing boundaries and setting the bar for every build to come.
1976 Chevrolet K10 “Spirit of ’76”
By Rockford Smith of Rockford Custom Paint & Body
The Auto Metal Direct “Spirit of ’76” squarebody was one of the undeniable showstoppers at SEMA 2025. Built by Rockford Smith, owner of Rockford Custom Paint & Body, and featured proudly in the AMD booth, this truck isn’t a restoration—it’s a ground-up rebirth. Every piece of visible sheetmetal from cab to bed is brand-new AMD reproduction metal, making it the first fully AMD-built ’76 squarebody ever assembled into a complete, running truck with near-OEM precision.
Underneath the fresh bodywork sits a revived junkyard 6.0L LS built with new internals, LS1 heads, ARP hardware, and a Brian Tooley Stage 3 truck cam, all fed by FiTech EFI and dressed in a CVF front-drive kit. A BDS 4-inch lift, Quick Performance axles, Detroit Steel wheels, and BFGoodrich KO2s complete the stance—classic squarebody attitude with modern drivability. The only original component is the donor K10 frame, which Smith blasted, restored, and transformed into the project’s foundation.
Inside, the Spirit of ’76 goes full custom with a modern, ultra-clean interior wrapped in Dixon flannel’s new “Harry” pattern. A Spark steering wheel with European-style stitching and a 3D-printed center console with wireless charging give the cabin a clever, personal touch—even the window cranks wear AMD logos. Built from a simple idea pitched in February to a fully functional squarebody unveiled at SEMA, the Spirit of ’76 proves exactly what’s possible when you pair a complete AMD catalog with a builder who refuses to slow down.
1971 Chevy Blazer K5
by AMZ Classics & Custom Restorations
This 1971 Chevy Blazer K5 isn’t just a truck—it’s a rolling masterpiece. Sitting low on airbags and powered by a supercharged engine, this K5 fuses modern performance with classic muscle. Its bright orange paint pops off the custom bodywork, while the bespoke chassis and wheels give it a commanding stance that demands attention.
Inside, AMZ went all out with a bespoke brown leather, wood, and orange plaid interior that redefines vintage luxury. The original instrument cluster is gone, replaced entirely by a Holley EFI screen, bringing modern functionality front and center while keeping the cabin clean and tech-forward. Every detail, from the interior to the rolling stance, proves this Blazer is more than a restoration—it’s a bold, living work of art.
53 Chevy Pickup “Mjolnir”
by Garret’s Rod Shop
Step aside, mortals—“Mjolnir” has arrived. This ’53 Chevy pickup isn’t just a truck; it’s a pro-touring beast that blends raw muscle with jaw-dropping craftsmanship. Built by Garret’s Rod Shop, the gray exterior pops against a brown leather interior, while a custom 3D-printed shifter adds a futuristic, one-of-a-kind touch. Inspired by Thor’s hammer, every angle of this build commands attention.
From a one-piece flush-mount windshield and rear glass to a 3/4 roll cage with an aggressive rear wing, custom taillights, and countless 3D-printed details, Mjolnir is stacked with high-end touches. Its interior snagged the 2025 TMI Trim Award for Best Custom Truck Interior, proving this truck isn’t just about flash—it’s about precision. And with Hushmat soundproofing keeping the cabin quiet while the engine rumbles like a god, Mjolnir is a street-ready powerhouse that turns heads at every corner. This is SEMA-level artistry you can drive.
1968 Chevrolet “Skyfall C10”
by Arizona High Test
Arizona High Test’s 1968 “Skyfall” C10 rolled into SEMA 2025 looking like a factory dream truck Chevrolet never built—sleek, modern, and impossibly dialed-in. Its slammed stance comes courtesy of a REVB chassis, AccuAir air management, and those massive 22-inch Velos 3-piece wheels hiding color-matched Baer brakes. Power comes from a 495hp LS3 paired with a 6L80 and Holley EFI, fed by a stainless-hardlined Aeromotive fuel system and cooled by a Ron Davis/SPAL combo. From the Ultimate Headers to the immaculate stainless exhaust, Skyfall is engineered with precision and an unmistakable premium feel.
Inside, the build leans into an OE+ luxury vibe—Buddy bucket seats, Classic Instruments, Restomod Air, a full custom leather interior by Bryan Cline Interiors, and a Garmin/JL Audio stereo that keeps things modern without breaking the truck’s classic soul. The subtle touches steal the show: tucked drip rails, flush-mounted marker lights, a custom fuel cell, and countless one-off details that blur the line between craftsmanship and OEM magic. Wrapped in flawless paint by American Built Customs, Skyfall C10 is Arizona High Test at its finest—clean, refined, and built to dominate the SEMA spotlight.
Jeep J6 Honcho – 2025 Concept
by Jeep Performance Parts
The Jeep J6 Honcho concept stole the show at SEMA 2025, turning heads with a bold mix of retro styling and modern off-road capability. Its short cab sits atop a six-foot bed, a full foot longer than the standard Gladiator, riding on a Wrangler Unlimited wheelbase that perfectly balances classic proportions with functional design. The truck’s blue and bronze color palette, high-clearance fenders, and bronze wheels wrapped in white-letter mud tires give it a rugged yet refined presence, while subtle hood and side stripes add a vintage touch that feels intentional, not kitschy.
Inside, the two-door cabin surprises with space and comfort, showing that Jeep can keep the classic feel without sacrificing usability. With a two-inch Mopar lift, off-road-ready suspension, and thoughtful detailing, the J6 Honcho looks every bit ready for adventure. The concept is polished, purposeful, and downright tantalizing—seriously, Jeep, this is the one fans have been dreaming about. With its blend of retro charm, modern capability, and unmistakable Jeep personality, it’s begging to be built for the streets and trails alike. If there’s any justice, this truck isn’t staying a concept for long.
