Table of contents for Volume 7, Issue 67 - April 2026 in Modern Rodding

Back in the 70's we got the crazy idea that everyone should enjoy their hot rods and classics year 'round. How hard could it be to build climate control for all kinds of one-off custom cars and hot rods? Turns out, it was very hard. It wasn't enough to just blow cold air, we wanted to engineer super-compact, simple-to-install, and truly reliable component packages that the average enthusiast could install and forget. The proof is 50 years of cool! Today, Vintage Air continues to evolve and improve every system, product, and manufacturing process because we have always believed, driving your classic or hot rod should be a pleasure. Check out our all-new Gen 5 Mini, Compac, and Super evaporator kits!…

1. BOOST FUEL CONTROLLER The Aeromotive VaporWorx 66136 BoostWorx Controller is a smart, modern way to operate an electric fuel pump using the same technology found in today’s high-performance factory cars. It works with popular OEM-style fuel pump modules—such as the ZL1 Camaro, C7 Corvette, Cadillac CTS-V, and Aeromotive Super ZL1—and aftermarket brushed pumps, including their Phantom series. It maintains steady fuel pressure whether your engine is stock, modified, or supercharged. The system uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and an included MAP sensor to adjust the pump speed based on engine load. It also cuts electrical load by up to two-thirds during normal driving, helping pumps run cooler and last longer. Built-in safety features, high-quality wiring, and OEM-grade connectors make it reliable and easy to integrate with your vehicle’s existing…

Gassers will pull youinto their orbit like no other car on the planet. With their extreme proportions and tall, commanding front ends, these rides might look funny to someone who doesn't understand them, but they serve a purpose the casual observer might not see. Originally built out of necessity, Gassers were designed to do one thing and do it very well: put pavement behind them at shockingly fast speeds. Yet, their bold styles and aggressive features kept them alive into the 21st century, celebrated today as some of the fastestaccelerating classic "Eye Candy" on the planet. Brandon Good Lays it Down on the Street in a Race-Bred Deuce These straight-axle monsters certainly caught the eye of many young hot rod enthusiasts dreaming of someday owning one of these rides. One…

For 62 years, the SEMA Show has been the heart of the hot rodding community where the aftermarket charts its course, builders experiment with new ideas, and the industry determines the future. In a world mainly shaped hot rodding community where the aftermarket charts its course, builders experiment with new ideas, and the industry determines the future. In a world mainly shaped by Chevrolet and Ford, Mopars have always been the scrappy outsiders, fewer in number but impossible to overlook. The 2025 SEMA show highlighted that contrast even more. An Australianmade ute, two radically reimagined Chargers, a junkyard-rescued Warlock, a luxury-themed Road Runner, and a reigning Battle of the Builders champion formed a five-car lineup that stood out for attitude, ingenuity, and unapologetic originality. These weren’t just Mopars on display,…

Larry Watson Would Be Proud BY DALEMOREAU PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE AUTHOR&ANTHONY SCALES Lonnie Gilbertson is widely recognized in the hot rod and custom car community. His debut project, a red 1923 Ford roadster pickup from 1971, earned him America's Most Beautiful Roadster award. He elevated his craftsmanship, and the same vehicle won the AMBR trophy again in 1975. Today, it's on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. As a young boy building model cars, he saw Larry Watson's T-bird in Hot Rod magazine. He always liked the car. After a lifetime of working on cars, it was finally time to build that car. Starting with an original but rust-free 1960 Ford Thunderbird, Lonnie and his bodyman and painter, Tony Wilson, had some custom ideas to make his…

We Wrap Up Our Mustang’s Four-Wheel Disc Brake Installation Colin and Sue Radford have been around performance ars since they were old enough to drive. From street ods with hopped-up flatheads to drag racing a smallblock Chevy-powered 1936 Ford five-window coupe, up to and including setting a G/GMR record at Bonneville, the Radfords know about all aspects of performance—and that not only means knowing how to make cars go fast but how to make them stop quickly as well. A case in point is their latest project, a 1965 Mustang fastback that will be equipped with a built FE Ford V-8 and has already been equipped with four-wheel disc brakes from Classic Performance Products (CPP). In the Mar. ’25 issue of Modern Rodding we covered replacing the factory drum brakes…

BY RON COVELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY BBT FABRICATIONS Project 1971 Duster Gets an Interior Makeover we previously reviewed several stages of fabrication on this outstanding 1971 Duster being built at BBT Fabrications. This time around, we’re stepping inside to see the interior—where thoughtful details come together to elevate a classic design. One of the first priorities was controlling noise. Generous amounts of Boom Mat sound-deadening material were applied to the interior surfaces, helping keep the cabin quiet and comfortable and making the car much more enjoyable to drive. The door panels are all new and made from sheet aluminum, which holds its shape far better over time than the composite panels often used in custom interiors. To keep the upholstery perfectly smooth, a special die was used to create small recesses…

The Automotive Version of a Better Mousetrap The saying “Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door” is often attributed to poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. While his original wording was more eloquent, the modern version still conveys the idea. The challenge is to find ways to improve existing products, and enhancing hot rod parts is exactly what Vintage Air achieved with the Front Runner accessory drive system. Mounting engine-driven accessories in a hot rod has always been a challenge, both in size and strength. Getting components tightly packed against the engine to fit into a small engine bay was tough. Designing brackets that were sturdy enough to prevent vibration, look clean, and properly align all the pulleys was also difficult. All those…

A new Chevy Silverado pickup valued at $70,000, supplied by Dave Kirk Chevrolet, is the grand prize at the 2026 Triple Crown o Rodding event. The excitement is building as the well-known 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding Presented by Summit Racing Products announces its highly anticipated return to Nashville Superspeedway, scheduled for September 11-12. Back again is Automotive Racing Products (ARP) as the Presenting Sponsor of the awards for the cars, as well as sponsoring the vintage dragster exhibit and cacklefest; LMC Truck is the Presenting Sponsor of the truck awards; and Classic Performance Products (CPP) is the Presenting Sponsor for the Top 30 and the Elite 10. Once again, the very popular Builder’s Picks, where the trophies are made and presented by some of the most respected industry builders. They…

Adding “Go” to Our 7.3L Ford V-8 PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FOSS & BRIAN BRENNAN VIDEOGRAPHY BY RYAN FOSS PRODUCTIONS Remember the fuel-injected 5.0L Foxody Mustang days from 1986-93? Of ourse you do; so you’ll recall that while he car struck a nerve with enthusiasts, what made it extra special was the attention paid by aftermarket performance manufacturers. Unlike generic items available for most engines, such as carburetors, headers, cams, and exhaust systems, companies produced cold-air kits, intake manifolds, camshafts, exhaust systems, and even forcedinduction and nitrous kits specifically for the 5.0L engines and the LX and GT models. 1. Holley wasted little time developing parts for the Ford 7.3L Godzilla. We leveraged Holley’s extensive experience and installed a Holley intake, timing cover, and oil pan (PN 20-340) on our project…

BY BRIAN BRENNAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY NOTSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY The 1958 Corvette Was a One-Year-Only Build When it comes to Corvettes, the 1958 Corvette (C1) featured notable design changes, making it a one-year-only model. The major redesign for 1958 enough for us! included new body panels, a new instrument for the top-of-the-line, fuel-injected V-8. External distinguishing General Motors' vehicle lineup, and the Corvette was no exception. features included dual headlights; nine grille teeth, down from the In 1958, Chevrolet undertook a major redesign of its product line in 13 of previous years, a Corvette first (and we are happy the last); response to competitive pressures and shifting market dynamics. nonfunctional hood louvers; and twin chrome trunk spears. The This shift allowed Chevrolet to regain the top sales position; interior for 1958 had a…

This 1948 Cadillac Convertible Makes for Stunning Custom Scott Wilson builds cars as if he's on a mission from God. If you talk to anyone who has pierced his personal bubble and spent time with him, they will tell you that his work ethic is unmatched. Scott designs and executes as if it's nobody's business but his own, and that's how he prefers it. "When I get into my shop, I'm in my zone. It's my happy place, so to speak. I work alone, and that suits me. I get the job done at my own pace, which is probably at a clip not suited for everyone," Scott admits. Those core values were ingrained in Scott early on: "I'm from a family of 13 kids. We had no money, so you knew…

At some point, all of us have seen a General Motors concept vehicle, or maybe several of them. In the 1950s and 1960s they were common and often appeared at car shows or other high-profile public events. As I write this, it’s Barrett-Jackson auction time in Arizona, which made me think of one of my all-time favorite GM concept vehicles: the Motorama “Dream Car” 1954 Oldsmobile F-88. Little more than 20 years ago, in 2005, I was at the Barrett-Jackson Auction and watched this very car go across the block. Because it shares a distinctive design heritage with the Corvette of that time, the car has always intrigued me. Unfortunately, Olds never put it into production. However, the F-88’s eye-catching design quickly led to its demise. GM executives feared the…