Modern Rodding Volume 3, Issue 16 - January 2022

By now I’m sure every hot rodder is aware of harnessing the sun’s natural power through the use of solar panels. Solar panels on homes are no longer the sole idea of the Jetsons. Nowadays we see homes, businesses, and schools all over the country showing off their own solar panels capturing this “free” energy from the sun. While nothing is free, the end result is a better way to harness energy. It’s the Jan. ’22 issue and a new year has begun, a new rodding season is upon us, and Modern Rodding is growing—literally. Starting with this month, you may (we hope you do) have noticed that your current issue, the 16th in our youthful history, has an enlarged format. Why? Good question. Well, it’s not only Modern Rodding but also…

NSRA 2021 Street Rodding Achievement Award At this year’s SEMA Show during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) banquet the National Street Rod Association’s own Jim Rowlette presented Jerry Kugel of Kugel Komponents its own award, which is presented yearly to an individual “in recognition of outstanding service of the street rod industry.” This year Jerry (in photo with his wife Judy) was recognized for a lifetime of support to our industry and hobby. Jerry is well known for Kugel Komponents (should you call, you will most likely be greeted by Jerilyn Kugel and her “smiling voice”) that has championed the independent suspension for virtually all types of hot rods. Numerous award-winning street and competitive hot rods have featured Kugel Komponents chassis, suspensions, and numerous other individual products that make our industry…

1. AT HOME ON THE WORKBENCH OR ON YOUR DESK Third in our series of Collectible Car Guy Knives: the Hotrod (PN 12-BKG-A005HR). Another unique offering from the grease monkeys here at Busted Knuckle Garage, the Hotrod is a limited-edition, free-standing, two-sided, folding pocketknife in vintage hot rod style. Designed to “free stand” on your workbench, desk, dresser, tabletop, and so on with form, function, and style all in one. Satin finish, drop point blade, anodized aluminum handle, spring-assisted, finger-flip liner lock, blade length (3-3/4 inches), handle length (4-3/4 inches), weighs a hefty 5 ounces, and includes a gift box. For more info, check out Busted Knuckle Garage by visiting bustedknucklegarage.com. 2. BRIGHT LIGHTS! The new headlight bezels (PN HL05-64P) for the ’64 Pontiac GTO from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts adds a touch of…

All of us have our favorite hot rods, whether it’s marque, build style, color, or power we are all partial. Larry Olson of South Dakota is no different. He seems to be partial to black-painted hot rods with flames and lots of big-block Chevy power. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that his latest ride is a ’33 Ford Victoria (Vicky) painted black and flamed and stuffed with 454 inches of big-block Chevy. (Make sure to take a look at his ’56 Chevy Nomad on page 28.) He came about this ride through another well-known hot rodder, Dale Boesch from Nebraska, who has been known to build a pretty mean-looking hot rod himself. Boesch had this Vicky lying around for nearly 20 years when he and Larry, while both were…

It feels good to be back “on the road” attending our favorite rod runs. One of our very favorites is the Hot Rod Roundup (HRR), this year the 38th, hosted by Shades of the Past Street Rod Association at Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For as long as we can remember the Top 25 was, is, and most likely will always be one of the coveted awards handed out at any regional event. Why? The quality of the cars in attendance is truly second to none and with 2,269 registered participants this event should be on everyone’s list to see. It’s always held on the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day, making the 2022 event to be held on September 9-10. Taken from the Top 25 is the Magnificent…

FEATURE OF THE MONTH There was a time when the Tri-Five Chevy really meant the ’55 or the ’57 Chevy. There are lots of ’56 Chevy cars and wagons out there and rodders have always built them but it was the ’55 and the ’57 that were deemed “most desirable.” Not so anymore. The ’56 has really come on strong within the past 10 years or so; couple this with the already-desirable Nomad wagon and you are looking at one of the hottest properties in the mid - ’50s buildable cars, like Larry Olson’s ’56 Chevy Nomad. Larry hails from South Dakota and is our featured car owner this month as we have two of his cars before you as well as featured on the cover. As far as pre-’49 cars go…