News: 18

From the first time I saw Two Lane Blacktop, I’ve wanted a primered up raw ‘55 Belair. Finally at 30 years old, I decided it was time to build one of my dream cars. I found this car on marketplace and sent a friend of mine to pick it up for me. I bought it sight unseen other than photos. It needed more work than anticipated but came with new rockers and a half quarter panel.

My project car is a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Resto-Mod that I purchased online from a dealer on the East Coast in 2011.

This is a Mecham Racing Motorsports Edition Trans Am. Mecham backed the Pontiac Trans Am that won the SCCA Trans Am Championship in 1982. The winning car was driven by Elliot Forbes-Robinson. The other team car was driven by a guy named Steve Saleen. Ever heard of him? Yep, THAT Steve Saleen. Look at the "MSE" rear spoiler. These Trans Ams had it long before a Saleen Mustang. You could order one of these special "MSE" Trans Ams through any participating Pontiac dealer. I bought this car in original condition 20 years ago from the second owner.

This 1972 Demon had been sitting in my buddy Fletcher’s garage here in Gary, IN for 20 years. The owner of the Demon promised me that if he ever came to sell it, he would sell it to me. We call each other Mopar brothers. It used to be a drag car. After his wife became ill and bedridden, he dedicated all his time to her. So, over a year ago I got a phone call from him. And he simply asked me, “you want this old car, huh?” I told him yes most definitely. So, 3 days later I took my trailer over to his garage and we dug it out.

I'm the Automotive Instructor at Elgin High School in Illinois. My goal is to keep students interested in autos, but working on our lab vehicles (minivans, Saturns, etc.) gets boring. So, I started building project vehicles with my upperclassmen to keep student interest high. Our project vehicle this year is a 1988 Chevy S10. We want to turn it into an autocross/road race truck.

Since high school in the ‘60s I've been a hot rod enthusiast. I particularly had a fascination with racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2013, I began building a Bonneville Salt Flats Racer. After nine years I completed this project pictured here for your consideration. It is powered by a mostly stock 1948 Ford flathead with electronic ignition, crab style distributor and dual carbs, three-speed manual transmission and a tall-geared Ford non-posi rear end.

This is a 1952 M38 JEEP that I purchased in September 2022. I found it on Classic Autotrader. According to the seller it belonged to his grandfather who had purchased at an auction in the 80's. The JEEP was passed down to him in the 90's and has been stored since. The JEEP was totally intact and unmolested. In December 2021 after serving 38 years in the US Army I decided to finally retire. So, I bought a 30-acre chicken farm in Alabama to settle down on. I started looking for a project vehicle, specifically an older Jeep.

I retired from the insurance industry and needed a vehicle that could pull a trailer with my ‘68 Alfa Romeo on it. It was 2022 and difficult to get a new truck. Plus, the new truck prices were getting ridiculous. I found a 1965 Tempest Custom Wagon online. It was already restomodded with upgraded suspension, disc brakes, aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, aftermarket A/C, electronic ignition, one of the first MSD fuel injection units, a Pontiac 428 that needed some work, and a TREMEC 5-speed. We had to yank the motor to redo it. It’s a 428 with a stroker kit that brings it up to 461.

I am a 4th generation retired military vet. I come from a long line of motor heads, and I am passing it on to all 5 of my kids. I was in the throes of a divorce and needed something to occupy my mind and give my hands something to do. So, I picked up a 1968 Datsun 520. (it’s a 1-ton mini truck) Plus, it was something great to do with my 18-year-old son Jesse and it has taken time, and I am now able to work on it with my 10-year-old daughter Lily.

I towed this one home from a car dealership in 1980 for $300. I had a ‘65 GTO in my high school days, did a little ¼-mile nighttime adrenaline rushing, and fell in love with the power of the Pontiac engines. After I made it home from the car lot, I tore it down to the frame in the front, replacing all the suspension, brakes, bushings, etc. I found a '66 389 with Tri-power for $100 from a neighbor who was moving and didn't want to take it. I went through the engine with a bore enlargement, Stainless Valve Seats, and a 068 cam.

My Hot Rod project is customizing a 1984 Corvette. This car was bought new by my late 2nd cousin, Ronnie Smith, when he worked for GM in North Alabama. Ronnie was a serious car collector, enthusiast, and NASCAR fan throughout his life. He got all the ‘goody’ out of this Corvette, 165K miles, numerous tickets, and a few body repairs. I even found a pair of Gargoyles under the seat with old Bristol Speedway ticket stubs. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago after a long struggle with various illnesses for over 10 years.

My project car is a 1985 Ford LTD that was a former Washington State Police car. It came with a factory 5.0L H.O. engine with an AOD transmission and a Trac-Lok 7.5” rear end - pretty good from the factory. The reason why I chose this project was kind of weird. I worked for a company that sold C3 Corvette parts and drove a 1985 Pontiac Trans Am. One day on the way to work I blew the engine just as I pulled into the driveway at work. Perfect timing.

The Muntz was to be my oldest brother John’s first car he was 15 in 1978. Our neighbor was moving out of state and sold the car to my father. I was 5 and can still remember the Wheelhorse tractor pulling it down the driveway. The Muntz only drove once with its 331 Hemi - up and down the driveway with no brakes. It turned out to be too big of an undertaking at that time so many VWs and hot rods came and went over the years, but the Muntz remained. Sadly, my brother passed away about 8 years ago and at that time my father asked me and my two other brothers to finish the Muntz.