
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured

B-Series Bullseye: Part I
What can we say about VTEC Honda motors that hasn’t already been said thousands of times? Accolades have been bestowed upon the B-series Honda at an almost embarrassing rate—and we might add that all of its praise is well deserved. But we have already begun to turn our attention to the newer K-series motors, which by all accounts are even better motors than the B-series. They are sure to start a revolution of their own, but that is a discussion for a different day.

Goodguys 2025: Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year Bring the Heat to Columbus
If you’re into big power, insane craftsmanship, and the kind of custom cars that stop people mid-sentence, then Columbus, Ohio in July is the place to be. The Goodguys Nationals isn’t just a show—it’s the showdown. Since ’98, this event has become ground zero for the best in hot rods, muscle cars, and one-off customs that blend tradition with full-throttle insanity.

A Century of Kustom Cool: The GNRS Tribute to George Barris
The mastermind who turned wild ideas into rolling legends. At the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show, organizers pulled out all the stops to honor what would have been his 100th birthday, showcasing some of his most legendary and jaw-dropping creations.
Spotlighter
POPULAR READS
-
Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products Aluminum LS Engine Block
-
The Auto Builder’s Hottest Product Picks from The Triple Crown of Rodding 2026
-
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 60-66 Chevy C10 Fresh Air Vent Block Off Plate
-
Product Spotlight: Pyramid Optimized Design Sequential Aurora Taillight for 1964½–1966 Mustang
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.
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.
The Top 30
The Myers Fenderless ’36 Ford Roadster
Owners: Ross & Beth Myers
Builder: Rad Rides by Troy
Celebrity Pick Award: Corky Coker of Coker Tire
1970 Dodge Challenger “Relentless”
Owner: Steve Nettleingham
Builder: Hot Rod Garage
1960 Cadillac Eldorado “Ruby Slippers”
Owner: Mark Fuqua
Builder: Jason Graham Hot Rods, LLC
1955 Chevrolet Cameo “Fine Whine”
Owner: Curt Wittman
Builders: Curt Wittman & McLin Paint Works
1975 Chevrolet C10 “Lucille 10”
Owner: Frank Walsh
Builder: Lakeside Speed & Shine
1995 Chevrolet C1500 “Big Papa”
Owner: Brian Wojcik
Builder: Scott’s Hotrods ‘N Customs
1932 Ford Roadster
Owner: Norm Caetano
Celebrity Pick Awards: Troy Trepanier (Rad Rides by Troy) & George Poteet Memorial Award
1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible “Inspire”
Owner: Clifford Mattis
Builder: Lucky 7 Customs
Celebrity Pick Awards: Big Oak Garage, Goolsby Customs, & Johnsons Hot Rod Shop
1966 Chevrolet C10 “Shorty”
Owner: Kenny Frederic
Builder: Goolsby Customs
1968 Dodge Charger
Owner: Ron Michels
Builder: South City Rod and Custom
1927 Ford "X27 Roadster"
Owner: Joe Steinmetz
Builder: Greening Auto Company
1931 Ford Model A Coupe “Flying Jav”
Owner: Ryan Kalil
Builder: Hot Rods and Hobbies, Inc.
Celebrity Pick Awards: Gary “Goodguy” Meadors Memorial Award & Pete & Jake’s Pick
1932 Ford Three-Window Coupe “Gracie’s Glide”
Owner: Beth Myers
Builder: Iron Hill Hot Rods
Celebrity Pick Award: Chip Foose Design Achievement Award
1932 Ford Roadster Pickup “Ella Gante”
Owner: Ella Selbert
Builder: Johnsons Hot Rod Shop
1933 Ford Cabriolet
Owner: Jon Hall
Builder: Shadow Rods
1933 Ford Roadster Pickup
Owner: Danny Shaffer
Builder: Detroit Metal Shaping Co.
1955 Chevrolet
Owner/Builder: Kelly Clark
1955 Chevrolet Nomad “Gray Madder”
Owners: Tom, Christy & Josh Bresnahan
Builder: Southern Comfort Customs
Celebrity Pick Award: Art Morrison
1955 Chevrolet Stepside Pickup
Owners: Kevin & Lynn Kirby
Builder: Pete’s Fabrications
1956 Volkswagen Beetle
Owner/Builder: Scott Hopkins
1959 Chevrolet Apache "Thunder Chief"
Owners: Chris & Morgan Stafford
Builder: Stafford's Garage
1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner "Bossliner"
Owner: Ed Ganzinotti
Builder: American Speed Company
1961 Oldsmobile F-85
Owner: David Foutch
Builder: Greening Auto Company
1964 Ford Galaxie 500
Owner: Rick Ritchie
1965 Corvette
Owner: Jared Hamilton
Builder: Hamilton's Garage, LLC
1969 Ford Bronco
Owner: Steven Bailey
Builder: Vini's Hot Rods
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
Owner/Builder: Noah Alexander – Classic Car Studio Speed Shop
Celebrity Pick Award: Kyle Tucker Pick
1970 Chevrolet El Camino "RelentleSS"
Owners: Scott & Sherrie Cooper
Builder: HS Customs
1971 Plymouth Duster
Owner: Jordan Costello
Builder: BBT Fabrications
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
Owner: Jason Hill
Builder: Hills Hot Rods





