AFTER-CAT INSTALL
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
OVER AND UNDER
Our old 350 Chevy-powered ’47 International was running a three-speed 350 Turbo trans with 4.11 gears, which, as you know, is not a great combination for this type of highway cruising. It is fine, however, for those who absolutely love in-town, short-?distance, stop-and-go cruising, as it does prove great low-speed throttle response. On the highway, however, it spins up the engine and uses more fuel. We decided that after having our low-speed fun, we were using too much fuel and weren’t comfortable listening to the whine of the small block as we approached 70 mph. It was time to make a change. We looked around for a number of answers and talked to many classic truck owners who had either installed a new set of gears, an overdrive trans or a Gear Vendors overdrive/underdrive unit. We figured that the new 700R4 trans best fit our application budgetwise, although future plans may call for a Gear Vendors unit, as it represents the best of both worlds. But we first wanted to start with a newer, more modern trans.
SAFETY FIRST
One of the most important safety features of your vehicle is the neutral safety switch, which is the mechanism that keeps your car from cranking in any gear other than park or neutral.
I will admit that this was not one of my better moments, but it did teach me a valuable lesson. While innocently sitting around one afternoon in my ’60 wagon, I accidentally hit the starter while the car was in gear. To my surprise, the engine fired, and the wagon lunged forward. Luckily, I was able to hit the brake prior to doing any damage. When I was able to breath again, I tried starting the engine again, only to find that the car would start in not only park or neutral, but in drive as well. This was an obvious surprise because when the shifter was installed, it worked properly by starting in only the park or neutral position.
CRUISIN’ THE COAST 2026: DAY 4
By Wednesday, October 7, Cruisin’ The Coast 2026 had hit its stride, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast was looking more like a rolling automotive museum than a vacation destination. Hot rods, muscle cars, customs, and classic trucks were everywhere, with thousands of enthusiasts making the most of the event’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Day 4 brought one of the week’s biggest attractions, the Biloxi Block Party, along with autocross competition, tire-smoking drifting, and an evening of celebrity appearances and live entertainment. If you couldn’t find something to get your motor running, you probably weren’t looking hard enough.
Spotlighter
TRUCKS OF THE 2007 GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW
Hot Haulers Fill the Buildings of the Pomona Fairplex
Author
Josh Kaylor
Story & Photography
The 2007 Grand National Roadster Show
The 2007 Grand National Roadster Show was a huge hit, as the celebration of the ’32 Ford kicked off in great style. Various builders, writers and hot rod industry figures throughout the country voted on hundreds of candidates for the 75th anniversary of the ’32 Ford. Though no pickups made the Significant 75 list it was still a sight to see, as some of the most famous ’32 Fords ever built were present. From the 75th anniversary to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum located next to the Fairplex, there was a lot to see and do this year.
A Gathering of Spectacular Classic Cars and Trucks
This year the GNRS brought some of the most spectacular classic cars, trucks and customs to the Pomona Fairplex for the weekend. Everything from the original Batmobile to the 2006 Ridler winner was there. Classic trucks and a few late-model pickups filled various Fairplex buildings for the roadster show. There were many early pickups such as Model As, ’32 Fords and a lot of ’40s and ’50s models. As we mentioned, nearly 60 of the 75 Most Significant ’32 Fords were there for all to see, and many of the original builders made guest appearances throughout the weekend.
Legendary Hot Rod Builders and Influential Figures
Famous builders from all over the country and some of the most influential hot rodders, including Wally Parks, founder of the NHRA, and Alex Xydias, founder of So-Cal Speed Shop, joined in the festivities, signing autographs and posing for snapshots.
Edsel Ford Jr. Joins the Celebration
Henry Ford’s grandson, Edsel Ford Jr., came to the event to help kick off the celebration of the ’32 Ford. The weather was wonderful, as temperatures stayed in the 70s without a cloud in the sky. There was live music playing in the courtyard and vendors offered hot dogs, hamburgers and cold beer.
Vendors, Manufacturers, and a Scenic Cruise
Manufacturers such as Edelbrock, Toyo Tire, Meguiar’s and a variety of others were there to help answer tech questions and sell products. The great weather helped the Saturday and Sunday cruise, since trucks came from all over Southern California to the beautiful Pomona Fairplex.
Don’t Miss Next Year’s Show!
The 2007 Grand National Roadster Show was great, so if you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for the ’08 show.
1. Bill Bourke owns this sweet red Morris Minor pick-’em-up truck that is powered by a 350 Chevy and backed by a five-speed trans. Beneath the flawless sheetmetal rests a complete tube chassis with a Mustang II IFS and an 8-inch Ford rear.
2. David Gongora brought his beautiful ’56 Chevy panel to this year’s Grand National Roadster Show. The ’56 panel rolls on large diameter billet wheels and features a flawless bronze paint job.
3. Pete Paulson owns this early custom ’40 Ford pickup truck. The ’40 Ford rolls on reverse chrome steel wheels, wide whites and features NorCal pinstriping.
4. In the mild compact pickup class, we find Antonia Villaenos ’63 Ford Econoline pickup. The early Econoline is slammed and features a beautiful blue pearl paint job and cool wide whites and steelies.
5a. How about Tom Pagano’s radically re-worked ’56 F-100? This ’56 F-100 has more modifications than we can count including a pancaked hood, pinched nose and chopped top.
5b. Beneath the hood of Pagano’s ’56 is a Ford Mod Motor fitted with Sullivan Performance valve covers, intake and throttle body. The polished Mod Motor looks great beneath the hood of the classic truck.
6. This historic ’34 Ford pickup stopped us every time we walked past the deep green hauler. Built in early ‘60s by owner Angelo Mazzei, this pickup was featured in both “Rod & Custom” and “Hot Rod” in the mid-’60s. Talk about some cool history!
7. This ’40 Ford ramp truck made the trip to the GNRS complete with an early street rod chassis. The Ford cab-over features some nice metalwork and the two-tone paint looked great.
8a. Matt Beckdolt’s ’56 Chevy pickup truck was built by Roseville Rod & Custom, and is powered by a 300hp 235ci in-line six. The suede paint and steel wheels wrapped in wide whites complete the look of the truck.
8b. We wanted to show you the taillights that we walked by half a dozen times before finally noticing them. The cool beehives, which are shaped like the classic ’37 Ford, look great on this classic truck.
9. Outside the Suede Hall, we found another tri-5 Chevy sitting low on the ground in red primer. Cool pinstriping and an in-the-weeds stance look great!
10. Ivan Leatherman brought this wild ’48 Chevy pickup to the show for everyone to see. Powered by a massive 454 and backed by a 400 turbo and 9-inch Ford, the classic Chevy pickup is pumping out more power than the 235 in-line six ever could dream of.
11. This ’57 Chevy Cameo displayed flawless bodywork and mile-deep black paint atop the 50-year-old steel. Randy Marston owns the 427 ZL-1 powered pickup, which produces over 700 hp and 690 lb-ft of torque.
12. This ’50s Ford truck had editor Will Smith drooling over the expertly detailed Y-block Ford sitting beneath the hood of this beautiful black truck.
13. Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation had its all-new ’67 Chevy pickup at the event. The pearl white hauler looks great with pewter racing stripes and features SSBC’s all-new Force 10 SuperTwin kit for ’63-’72 Chevy trucks.
14. Dave and Pachi Bengochea built this beautiful early style ’32 Ford truck as a father and son project. The Deuce pickup is powered by a stroker motor, and features red leather interior and wide whites on red steelies with chrome caps.
15. We found Chip Foose’s spectacular ’56 F-100 in the Mother’s booth. The bad ’56 has overhauled for Foose without him ever knowing. What a truck!
16. Sam Teresa fitted his ’38 Ford pickup with the more popular and pleasing ’40 front sheetmetal. The flamed hauler looks just right sitting on polished American five-spokes.
17. Tom’s ’48 Ford pickup had one righteous wheel and tire combination, and stance. The F-1 is powered by a small-block Chevy topped by a blower and Holley 750cfm carb.
18. This two-tone ’50 Chevrolet pickup looked great. The hot hauler features a custom interior which includes a Dakota Digital dash, leather interior and Vintage Air.
