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Product Spotlight: Granatelli Motor Sports^® 12v Electric Vacuum Pump Kit

May 8, 2024

Fox-body cars changed over the years, usually for the better. So, while everyone can spot a Fox Mustang, we decided to take the time to compile photos of some of the more popular Fox variations so that you can tell just what you’re looking at the next time you head to a car show or dragstrip. Sadly, we can’t provide an absolutely comprehensive guide to spotting every Fox-body model produced. Some of these cars, such as the Mercury Marquis, are just too rare in enthusiast circles for us to have a single example of one in our photo library. We’ve also included a few pictures of historic Fox-platform racecars, for no other reason than we like them, and thought you would, too. So, if you don’t know an SVO from a Turbo Coupe from an XR7, study this guide so that you, too, can become a true Fox fan.

Totally Awesome Elky

“I started building this car a little over 15 years ago after completing a Pro Street ’70 Camaro RS for my then-16-year-old son, Brad,” says overhead door installation specialist Jim Meltzer of Ventura, California. “I always had the urge to build a ’59 Pro Street Chevrolet El Camino (hence the nickname “U.S. Pro-1”), having owned one of those cars when I was just 21 years old,” he says. “Forty years later, the ’60 came along, and I figured that was close enough. The El Camino project was a joint collaboration with my sons Brad and Rod, and it got off to a great start. We made plans for a big motor and even built a full rollcage for that huge hunk of steel with the intentions of actually racing it.”

COVER YOUR BOTTOM

There are many ways to finish the bottom of any car. Whether you are building new, from the ground up or even detailing a rebuild that is not the off-the-frame type, you have options. And regardless of the extent of the refurbishing, you could even leave the underside in some shade of primer as it is easy to touch up, and the fenderwells and underside often become marked with use.

Spotlighter

Triple Crown of Rodding 2025: Top 30 Review

Bold, badass, and built to wow—these are the Top 30 Winners that made Triple Crown 2025 unforgettable.

In its third year, the Triple Crown of Rodding keeps getting smoother, stronger, and more refined—like a finely aged bourbon, each year’s competition distills the craft down to its boldest, most balanced builds. The 2025 event brought a level of intensity and talent that proved just how far the hobby has come. Builders came prepared, and the competition was fierce, with every entry pushing boundaries in creativity, engineering, and execution. This wasn’t just a show—it was a proving ground where only the most exceptional rides could shine.

Author

Jamie Dent

Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff

Distilled Excellence on Display

In its third year, the Triple Crown of Rodding keeps getting smoother, stronger, and more refined—like a finely aged bourbon, each year’s competition distills the craft down to its boldest, most complex flavors. The 2025 event brought a level of intensity and talent that proved just how far the hobby has come. Builders came prepared, and the competition was fierce, with every entry pushing boundaries in creativity, engineering, and execution. This wasn’t just a show—it was a proving ground where only the most exceptional rides could rise to the top.

Introducing the Top 30 Builds

We’re proud to introduce the Top 30 builds from this year’s Triple Crown—a photo feature showcasing the cream of the crop. From jaw-dropping custom finishes to meticulously engineered powertrains, each build represents the pinnacle of rodding craftsmanship, the distilled essence of what makes this hobby so thrilling.

Spotlight on Winners and Celebrity Picks

For an up-close look at the winners who took home top honors, check out our Top 6 Winners article for a deeper dive. And don’t miss the builds that caught celebrity attention in our Celebrity Pick Awards feature—these standout rides get the full in-depth treatment, showing why they captured the spotlight and everyone’s imagination.