Auto Restoration (2024)

15/11/2024

This 1968 Chevrolet C10 is one of Jason's go-to show trucks when he's displaying a New Creations build. It was built a few years ago, and has been shown all over. The truck was a finalist for Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Truck of the Year in 2022! It's powered by a built LS V-8 engine, and has been lowered with QA1 Coilovers on the front. Jason and his team couldn't get the front suspension just right, so they fabricated custom control arms to get it just right. New Creations put some really trick custom features into this build. The gear selector has been relocated to the front of the bench seat, the fuel filler is behind the tail light, and the truck bed has been raised four inches! These subtle touches make this a truly one-of-a-kind build. Find out all about it in this clip from Classic Auto Insurance. https://bit.ly/4fPrSBf

14/11/2024

Chevrolet 1973-’87 C-series two-wheel drive pickup—nicknamed “square body”—is among the hottest collector cars in the market these days...and, yes, it’s a truck!

Hemmings Creative Director Dan Stoner and Lead Mechanic Junior Nevison pull the last year of the square body trucks, a bone-stock 1987 R10 Silverado, out from mothballs in the back of Hemmings Garage and give it the REHAB treatment.

With a lowering kit, dual exhaust, upgrading the throttle-body injection, a new limited-slip differential and some dress-up tricks, the boys make their plans to turn a sleeper into a pickup with attitude. https://bit.ly/4fHhRWT

14/11/2024

3M and BASF's coatings division announced a collaboration to co-develop and deliver new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training content to the collision repair industry, according to a news release.

The new SOPs will help body shops achieve greater sustainability and productivity within the automotive refinish process.

3M and BASF Coatings highlighted their co-developed SOPs on the SEMA Show Collision Repair and Refinish Stage which could be viewed during an I-CAR broadcast. The SOPs and training content were set to be introduced in early Q1 2025.

As sustainability becomes increasingly important within the industry and to the next generation of talent, 3M and BASF coatings saw an opportunity to drive efficiencies in the refinishing process to enable more sustainable repairs. Enhancing the sustainability of refinishing processes can help shops reduce material waste and emissions while also driving toward the foundational objectives that shops have always valued: more productive processes that deliver better quality in a more profitable way.

3M and BASF coatings recognized that the path for the industry to widely embrace more sustainable repairs required a clearly defined vision on what sustainability can mean for shops and how it can easily be harnessed. This shared commitment to provide training solutions for the collision repair industry, coupled with 3M and BASF coatings’ innovative products that support body shop sustainability goals, enables both global companies to join forces and produce SOPs that can help enhance sustainability in the shop. The co-created SOPs can reduce unnecessary material waste, overspray, rework, non-productivity time, and volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs).

12/11/2024

Discover the ultimate solution for automotive paint repair with the Turtle Wax Premium Scratch Repair Pen. Quickly addressing clear coat scratches and paint chips, this user-friendly pen guarantees expert results in mere seconds. Its dual-action tip empowers you with unmatched precision and control for seamless repairs. Elevate your car care regimen and enjoy a renewed vehicle appearance, backed by the pen's rust prevention formula for long-lasting protection. https://bit.ly/3YyGMow

12/11/2024

Keep your anodized aluminum AN hose ends and fittings looking new with Russell AN Hose End Wrenches. They are made from 7075 aluminum alloy so they won’t scratch or mar fittings during assembly like steel wrenches can. The wrenches are machined to a precise fit and have a durable black anodized finish.

Russell AN Hose End Wrenches are available individually or as a complete set to fit -4 AN to -20 AN fittings. Available through Summit Racing Equipment

10/11/2024

Holley RetroBright LED Headlights offer a number of advantages over traditional sealed beam headlights such as plug and play compatibility, better visibility, and over 6 times longer life. Not only that, but because they are LED they take up less space, create far less heat, and use less power than other headlights. The low-profile housing design fits most shallow headlight buckets found on classic cars without the hassle of cutting or drilling. Holley worked closely with Morimoto, a leader in lighting design, to develop a line-up of lighting solutions that boast a classic look with modern lighting technology. A special PWM LED driver resides inside of the headlight to keep the LEDs running at their peak intensity, even during prolonged periods of use. For example, the 7-inch Round LED produces 32,000 Candela for low beam, and 53,000 Candela for high beam, which is nearly three times more light output than your original headlights.

RetroBright has offerings to fit most classic and modern vehicles that utilize the popular 5.75-inch round, 7-inch round, 4x6-inch rectangular, and 5x7-inch rectangular headlight housings. They're available in 3000 Kelvin and 5700 Kelvin color temperatures depending on whether you're looking for that classic lighting hue or want an even brighter, more modern look. And if your vehicle feels more at home across the pond, they also offer headlights with yellow lenses for that European flair. https://bit.ly/3ChJRSp

10/11/2024

Hemmings marked a memorable SEMA Association 2024, showcasing stunning craftsmanship and exclusive experiences for car enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. From the unveiling of the 1970 Dodge Charger Sangria to an appearance by the legendary The Official Chip Foose, Hemmings delivered standout moments that captured the spirit of the collector car community.

The Sangria Charger is powered by a rare 1500 HP DSR motor—one of only two in existence—paired with a Pure Stage 2 transmission and a Roadster Shop 9” third-member rear end. Sangria is equipped with a Driveline Pro carbon fiber drive shaft, delivering exhilarating speed and responsiveness. The high-octane performance is complemented by a cutting-edge carbon-ceramic Brembo braking system for optimal stopping power.
Along with its incredible power, Sangria’s stunning looks are designed to captivate. The exterior, painted in House of Kolor’s vibrant “Wild Cherry,” commands attention with its deep, glossy finish. Custom Kompression wheels—a 20 x 9 front and a striking 21 x 14 rear—are wrapped in Pirelli tires, combining classic muscle car lines with a modern stance. A Classic Industries taillight lens adds a touch of vintage detail, completing the look of this show-stopping vehicle.
Inside, Sangria boasts a fully custom interior that merges luxury with performance. Sparco seats, Avant Garde Design door panels, and Motec gauges create a cockpit tailored for comfort and control. The advanced entertainment system, featuring a Pioneer head unit, Tru amplifier, and Morell speakers, brings concert-quality sound to the ride, while a Vintage Air A/C system keeps the interior cool and comfortable.

“Our unveiling of Sangria at SEMA highlights Hemmings' commitment to connecting car collectors with all types of vehicles, including exceptional custom builds,” said Jonathan Shaw, President of Hemmings. “This Dodge Charger showcases the design capabilities and craftsmanship of Blazin' Rodz as they have made this iconic car worthy to compete in the SEMA Battle of the Builders.”

Beyond its extraordinary build, Sangria is designed to perform efficiently. Fueled by 91 octane, the Charger utilizes an Aeromotive fuel pump and Roadster Shop fuel cell to ensure power and reliability. The Roadster Shop’s Fastrak Elite Series chassis, paired with its advanced suspension system, delivers stability and a smooth ride on or off the track.

After its SEMA debut, the Sangria Charger was listed for sale on Hemmings Make Offer platform at $875,000. Interested buyers can view the complete listing and details at https://bit.ly/4hD4clj.

08/11/2024

The pushrod Ford 5.0L is alive and well—so much so that companies are developing new parts to make the engine perform better. Case in point is COMP Cams GT40 Drop-In Valve Spring Kit. Designed for use with factory cast iron GT40 and GT40P cylinder heads, the drop-in valve springs allow the use of flat tappet camshafts with aggressive lobe profiles rated up to .570-inch valve lift. No machining is required.

The GT40 Drop-In Valve Spring Kit comes with 1.486-inch single valve springs, valve spring retainers, metal body Viton valve stem seals, and eight standard and eight +.050-inch valve locks to achieve the correct installed height with factory valves. Available through Summit Racing Equipment

08/11/2024

In this clip, Classic Auto Insurance brings us a 1978 Chevrolet C10 "Big 10" pickup that was built by Jason Mode, owner of New Creations out of Lattimore, NC. His friend owns the truck, and wanted a super clean build with some mild modifications. Jason kept a lot of the truck stock, but put air suspension on it from AccuAir and Ridetech, and with the lower look, he filled the wheel wells with US Mags wheels. He spent a lot of time getting the paint right. The bed was by far the hardest part of the build, but after a couple of months stripping, sanding and spraying, it has turned out really nice. From the factory, the hood stripes were a vinyl sticker kit. Jason decided it would be much better painted on, so he took the time to get everything just right. The interior has had a few upgrades as well, replacing the vinyl seats with leather, and giving it some updated carpet. The engine is a stock big-block with air conditioning, and it drives incredibly well. https://bit.ly/3UJQtPJ

07/11/2024

Looking to enhance your airbag chassis setup? Watch along as Garrett shows you Aldan American universal shocks that the company has perfected for over four decades. With options for adjustability and customization, these shocks are engineered for performance and longevity. https://bit.ly/3Uuy7Cs

07/11/2024

SEMA Association announced its Best New Products Award winners at the 2024 SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast. The awards are given to the most innovative and cutting-edge automotive aftermarket products that will be consumable in 2025.

More than 1,600 products were entered into the 18 different Showcase categories to be considered for a SEMA New Product Award this year. Winners were selected based on a variety of factors that included superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability, and more.

The New Product Award Winners are:
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Product
WINNER: Revv ADAS Plus (Revv ADAS)
Runner Up: Revv ADAS Mechanical (Revv ADAS)
Runner Up: Solar Wireless Driving Assistant (Vision Automobile Electronics Industrial)

Collision Repair & Refinish Product
WINNER: I-CAR Academy (I-CAR)
Runner Up: SagolaSPRAY (Sagola by Elcometer)
Runner Up: RTS App (I-CAR)

Electric Vehicle Product
WINNER: Formosa VCU (Formosa EV)
Runner Up: Papp Plastics & Distributing Ltd.
Runner Up: Dakota Digital

Engineered New Product
WINNER: Velocity Commander Cruise Control (Dakota Digital)
Runner Up: E-LINK Electronic Sway Bar Links (Suspension Direct Inc.)
Runner Up: GM LT Engine Air to Water Intercooler Integrated Intake Manifold (ProCharger Superchargers)

Exterior Accessory Product
WINNER: CURT Helux 5th Wheel Pin Box (Lippert Curt Luverne Aries Ranch Hand UWS)
Runner Up: Boundry TrailBreaker Truck Bed Rack System (Boundry)
Runner Up: Arma-Lock (Arma-Lock)

Interior Accessory Product
WINNER: Dodge Durango Dual Stripes Shift K**b and Automatic Dial Selector Shift K**b Adapter Set (Speed Dawg Shift K**bs)
Runner Up: GRFX-3100 Universal Competition Gauge System (Dakota Digital)
Runner Up: WOLFBOX X5 3-Channel Dash Cam (TANLINK TECH)

Merchandising Display
WINNER: Interactive Modular P.O.P. Showroom Display System (ORACLE Lighting)
Runner Up: Warn Truck Winch Display (Warn Industries)
Runner Up: Factor 55 Truck Hardware Display (Warn Industries)

Mobile Electronics Product
WINNER: USA-850 (Custom Autosound Manufacturing)
Runner Up: Tire & Vehicle Load Monitoring System (Cerebrum Intelligent Tire Technology)
Runner Up: Guardian 360 Digital Dash Cam (Auto Meter)

Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product
WINNER: ZEON XD 14-S (Warn Industries)
Runner Up: Paper Towel Holder (SeaSucker)
Runner Up: Toyota Tacoma 05-24 Extreme Duty Tie Rod Assembly (Apex Chassis)

Packaging Design
WINNER: Cobra TrailBlazer 500 GMRS Two-Way Radio (Cedar Electronics)
Runner Up: Professional Bi-Directional Diagnostic Scan Tool (GEARWRENCH)
Runner Up: UltraBright Switch - 9005 / 9006 (Type S)

Performance-Racing Product
WINNER: JE Pistons - Patented Dual Gas Ports (Race Winning Brands)
Runner Up: Universal Pro-Fab Racing Steering Column (IDIDIT)
Runner Up: ORANGETOP H6 Lithium Auto Battery (OPTIMA Batteries)

Performance-Street Product
WINNER: Forge Motorsport E-DV (Milltek)
Runner Up: Dinan S58 PCU (Holley Performance Brands)
Runner Up: 2020-2025 GM 3.0L Duramax LM2, LZ0 Crankcase Ventilation Oil/Water Separation Kit (Pacific Performance Engineering)

Powersports Product
WINNER: MLX-5000 Universal Motorcycle Gauge System (Dakota Digital)
Runner Up: Front NDPR Brake Kit for Polaris Pro R (Wilwood Disc Brakes)
Runner Up: Caliber Rover 360 dollies (Caliber Inc.)

Street Rod/Custom Car Product
WINNER: Bolt-In Under-Dash Hydraulic Clutch & Pedal System C1 Corvette (Malwood USA / Under Dash Hydraulics)
Runner Up: Tap Shift Switch Module – Part # TSSB0317 (Holley Performance Brands)
Runner Up: Gen 5 Magnum Builder Series Plenum Assortment Kit (Vintage Air Inc.)

Tire and Related Product
WINNER: TrackAttack Pro (Hoosier Racing Tire)
Runner Up: Solus 4S HA32 (Kumho Tire USA)
Runner Up: JK Tyre #1 (JK Tyre)

Tools & Equipment Product
WINNER: GarageMax 3T Long Reach Electric Floor Jack (ROADTEK)
Runner Up: Slimline Billet Jack (Eddie Motorsports)
Runner Up: Hunter University (Hunter Engineering)

Van/Pickup/Sport-Utility Product
WINNER: Gen 7 2017+ Ford Crew Cab, Short Bed Power Stroke Diesel XXL Fuel Tank (Titan Fuel Tanks)
Runner Up: Truck Bed Organization Kit (Tmat Products)
Runner Up: Manager Alpha (REDARC)

Wheel and Related Product
WINNER: 2024+ Mustang R1 Wheel Kit -Bright Machined Matte Black DecoTech – 19”x10.5” – Front & 19”x11” - Rear (Ford Performance Parts & Accessories)
Runner Up: Ridler 681GGP (The Wheel Group)
Runner Up: MT Open 5 (Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels)

You can see all the New Product Award winners in the New Product Showcase, a must-see destination for any SEMA Show attendee. Located in North Hall, the Showcase is the most popular exhibit at the Show and the epicenter of innovation in the specialty-equipment industry.

05/11/2024

Don’t let the outside of the ’59 Patina Apache fool you! Mother Nature helped Nostalgia Hot Rods LLC. shape this insane build, with thousands of man hours invested this beauty is going to be a show stopper. https://bit.ly/48yLjfp

05/11/2024

American Autowire has made original replacement harnesses as part of their Factory Fit catalog since 1987. Their console gauge conversion kits for 67, 68 and 69 Camaros provide the components and wires not found in vehicles without a factory gauge package. When used in combination with a stock console harness, these conversion kits make adding gauges to a non-console vehicle a snap. https://bit.ly/3NPRou9

03/11/2024

This stunning Custom Corvette—a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe crafted by Dustin Hacker and his team at Nostalgia Hot Rods LLC.—turned heads at the Mecum Auctions Las Vegas 2024 auction, selling for an impressive $302,500 and landing in the event's Top 10 sales. This third-highest sale of the auction showcases the incredible craftsmanship and design that went into making this one-of-a-kind build.

Featured in All Chevy Performance magazine, this Custom Corvette boasts a widened body—14 inches in the front and 16 inches in the rear—mounted on an Art Morrison Sport GT chassis. Powering this masterpiece is a 427 CI V-8 engine with FiTech custom stacked injection, paired with a Tremec T5 5-speed manual transmission, making this classic both visually striking and performance-driven. https://bit.ly/4fvn03Y

03/11/2024

Bill's 1963 Pontiac Tempest is a completely custom creation with inspiration from the "Tameless Tiger" drag car of Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick. As fate would have it, Arnie checked out Bill's Tempest and even wrote a nice note on the dashboard. The Tempest started out as a doner car for a restoration project for Bill's wife. Once all of the useful parts had been stripped, he couldn't bring himself to get rid of the car, so he started building it into a pro-street monster. Today, the car makes over 800hp on pump gas with a fully-built supercharged Butler 421 V-8 and a Rossler Transmission. Watch the video from Classic Auto Insurance for the full story. https://bit.ly/4fc2Igq

03/11/2024

The “Square Body” generation of the Chevrolet pickup truck is one of the hottest collector car badges you can find right now. And Hemmings has an ‘87 Silverado that needs a few things to make it the coolest, latest, 2-wheelinest Square Body you’ve seen all week!

Creative Director Dan Stoner and Hemmings Shop Manager Junior Nevison dig into some of the common issues these trucks bring with them, some 40 years after they were rolling off the showroom floor.

With a wiring kit from American Autowire that cleans up the butchered harness and makes the taillights functional and a killer short box bed floor dress-up kit from Bedwood, the REHAB guys get this Silverado to start running. https://bit.ly/4f84Mpt

01/11/2024

Meguiar's currently makes two ceramic coatings, Meguiar's 888 Beyond Ceramic Paint Coating and Meguiar's Ultimate Ceramic Coating.Meguiar's M888

Beyond Ceramic Paint Coating is an exciting professional ceramic paint coating that utilizes proprietary chemistry built on prior technology that we've continued to improve upon. M888 is a multi-year paint protection* that delivers excellent durability and chemical resistance wrapped up in one amazing professional ceramic coating that's extremely user-friendly. With M888, you get a professional long-lasting coating but don't have to worry about being a certified or a trained installer to apply; anyone can purchase and use Beyond Ceramic Paint Coating. *Multi-year durability based on water contact angle measurements, requires washing, decontamination, paint correction, and surface prep before application. Includes maintenance by regular washing and application of ceramic-based boosting spray.

Meguiar's Ultimate Ceramic Coating is a cutting-edge formula that allows you to get the benefits of ultra-durable protection that increases gloss and slickness with unbelievable water beading but doesn't require a complicated process to apply or remove. One of the benefits of this coating is that it will conceal light paint defects. However, to obtain the longest-lasting results, we recommend that your paint is in excellent condition before applying. Doing a full paint correction process (clay bar, compound, and polish) beforehand will ensure you get the best bond and performance. The process is easy. Simply spray this coating directly onto the surface in a section. Then, spread with a premium microfiber towel. Once you see it "flash" off, wipe it with a separate premium microfiber. With Ultimate Ceramic Coating, you get a premium ceramic car coating but don't have to worry about being a certified or a trained installer to apply it properly. Anyone can use this easy to apply ceramic coating. https://bit.ly/4hwdX4H

01/11/2024

Mopar puts a serious charge into the 2024 SEMA Association Show, Nov. 5 – Nov. 8 in Las Vegas, with new, head-turning concept vehicles – combined to showcase a wide range of distinctly different appearance and performance modifications to enthusiasts.

The 1967 Plymouth GTX Electromod Concept offers a peek into the future of possible battery-electric vehicle (BEV) conversion kit applications by showing a potential future Mopar e-Crate propulsion system for enthusiasts to build or convert classic and current cars and trucks into BEVs.

At first glance, the striking Frostbite Blue exterior paint and lowered stance begin to show what makes this zero-emission muscle car concept so special. The Mopar design team widened the rear-wheel openings for an aggressive and modern look. Like any proper restomod, the custom-shaved, body-color bumpers are tucked in and trimmed to the fenders. To keep the sneaky modern appearance,
the exterior trim (grille, window trim, dual-side mirrors and tail panel) is painted Satin Black.

The GTX Electromod Concept has a one-off, custom carbon-fiber hood with dual functional air extractors, accented with dual Satin Black stripes, tipping its hat to the original Plymouth GTX.

Noticeable exterior enhancements include a carbon-fiber front splitter and custom low-profile rear spoiler. No classic Mopar restomod would be complete without paying homage to the flip-top fuel caps of the 1960s-70s, which has been updated to function as a charge-port door.

The GTX Electromod Concept rides on a lowered three-link suspension with 18-by-9-inch BTG Vintage Bronze forged magnesium wheels and Pirelli P-ZERO (PZ4) tires. Stopping power comes from Wilwood disc brakes at all four corners.

The carbon-fiber hood covers a scalable 400-volt, 250-kilowatt electric drive module (EDM) that attaches to the frame with custom-designed isolated motor mounts. All mounts are designed with ease of manufacturing in mind, with each brace or bracket designed to be water-jet cut from 6061 aluminum alloy.

Atop the Mopar Blue EDM sits the integrated dual-charging module (IDCM), carrying a custom styled cover to honor the Hellcat supercharger from the world’s quickest, fastest and most powerful muscle cars. This EDM mounting kit application has the potential to work between both E- and B- body vehicles.

Surrounding the e-Crate kit concept is a custom designed set of carbon-fiber fender aprons, firewall and radiator plenum closeout. Unique access panels allow for easy reach to the auxiliary battery and coolant pumps for service. In front of the Power Distribution block is a pair of aluminum coolant overflow reservoirs. Other ancillary components are corporate service parts, including power steering pump, vacuum pump and coolant pump.

Output is approximately 335 horsepower and torque to the rear wheels runs through a 3:1 gear reducer. Driving range is an estimated 250 miles.

Four battery packs carry a total of 384 lithium-ion battery cells. Three packs are enclosed in a custom-built, cartridge-style aluminum frame securely mounted in the trunk designed for easy removal during service or replacement. The battery cartridge features unique closeouts to emphasize the tailored look that restomod owners would expect. The fourth battery pack is mounted below a set of low-profile radiators under the hood and behind the grille for better weight distribution and to improve engine bay appearance. The entire battery system is rated at 73 kilowatt-hours, with each battery weighing approximately 230 pounds.

The original low-back seats have been replaced with more supportive front seats modified from the Jeep Wrangler. Ideal for two-door classic car fitment, the seats quickly fold forward for easy access to the rear. Both front and rear seats are covered in IndiGo Blue premium leather with Gunmetal suede inner bolsters, finished with Vintage Bronze and bright orange accent stitching that matches the high voltage wiring under the hood. Eliminating the rear center seating position creates a custom 2 + 2 layout. Unlike the original Plymouth GTX, the Mopar design team installed IndiGo Blue 3-point front seat belts, and matching IndiGo Blue lap belts for the rear passengers.

The newly designed center console adds creature comforts. Drive control goes through a skillfully integrated rotary shift k**b from the Dodge Durango. One certainly can’t go to Cars and Coffee Shows without having a proper cupholder, so a production cupholder from the Jeep Grand Cherokee sits in a unique design that anyone could appreciate. Unlike the original Plymouth GTX, a large functional center arm rest provides comfort while cruising and sits in front of the repurposed diecast console end cap that is finished in Vintage Bronze and Satin Black.