Rodding USA

Ever since the Pandemic of 2020 began to go away slowly, we've been inundated with shortages, businesses closing, unemployment, and price increases. Who would have thought that we would see prices jump from under two dollars and soar to six dollars for a gallon of gasoline? When we left on February 28 for the show in Lake Havasu, I filled up at Costco for a reasonable $2.99 a gallon. Two weeks later, it jumped to $3.39; by mid-April, we were at $4.49. As of today, May 1, 2023, it has gone up another 25 cents. That brings me to Rodding USA. We frequently receive price increases from our printer due to the volatility of today's market. Ink, paper, printing plates, shipping, wages, and other items factor into their increases. Our last subscription…

As many true car people know, in the beginning all car tires were solid white. This was due to the tire manufacturers adding ZINK OXIDE to the rubber to increase tread life and strength. The effect was these things were bright white, but still not very long lasting. The next and best effort was adding CARBON BLACK to the rubber used at the tread area, This worked great. The side effect was White Side Wall tires and even longer lasting tread. This got me thinking, my wife said, something had to! What is CARBON BLACK, who decided this was a good thing for tires and what else don't we generally know but take for granted about tires on our cars? Let's start with my first thought, while I still remember what I said.…

1932 FORD ROADSTER Joe Rebozzi and his wife have been longtime Bay Area Roadsters Club members and, in 2018, decided it was time for a new roadster. Joe and hot rod builder Roy Brizio have been friends for over 40 years and have worked on many projects over that span. He contacted Roy, and they devised a plan for the new 1932 Ford roadster. There were five specific items for the build; 1 – It would be powered by a high-performance small-block Chevy. 2 It would have a five-speed manual transmission. 3 – The front suspension would consist of a Super Bell dropped I-beam axle and hairpins. 4 – The color of the car would be a shade of red. 5 – Joe's longtime friend Sid Chavers would do the upholstery. With the…

OWNER: Mark Herz – Sandy, Oregon. CHASSIS: Brizio Street Rods, stretched 1-1/2 inches. FRONT SUSPENSION: Super Bell dropped I-beam, filled ends, Brizio hair pins, Rosie springs, QA1 shocks, Wilwood brakes, Borgeson Vega steering box. REAR SUSPENSION: 9-inch Ford, 3.89 gears, Tru Trac posi traction, Brizio ladder bars, QA1 coil-over shocks. WHEELS: American Rebel. Front – 15x5, Rear – 16x10. TIRES: Front – Michelin 145SR-15, Rear BF Goodrich LT345-55/R16. ENGINE: Don Hardy Racing Chevrolet 383,460 horsepower, custom air cleaner & valve covers, ARP Fasteners, the block is powder coated. TRANSMISSION: Tremec TKO 5-speed. BODY: Brookville steel body. Seams have been modified, round tube supports, dash welded, Jack Hageman hood, firewall welded, windshield chopped 3 inches Jaguar Regency red paint by Darryl Hollenbeck. INTERIOR: Sid Chavers custom leather interior with cloth accents, stereo, heater, Dennis Crooks 1932 Ford steering wheel, Classic…

L.A. Roadster Show June 16 & 17, 2023 This is the 57th edition of the world-renowned show that will take place at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona, CA, for the 41st time. This year's event will be held on Friday and Saturday and includes the massive Swap Meet, Specialty Parking, Commercial Vendors, and of course, the Roadsters. Show Hours 7:00 am-5:00 pm. Swap Meet Move-in is Thursday, June 15, from 7 am – 4 pm and Friday, June 16, from 6 am – 10 am. Items for sale should be cars or car-related items and cars. Swappers enter through Gate #15 off of Arrow Highway. Specialty Parking 1974 and older cars, trucks, classics, and other special interest vehicles. There will be a special area for kustoms sponsored by West Coast Kustoms and a new parking option for…

A recent donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum will ensure that generations to come can enjoy one of the quintessential American hot rods. Renowned car collector Bruce Meyer recently handed over the keys to his 1932 Ford “McGee Roadster” to Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. Constructed by noted hot-rod builder Bob McGee, the McGee Roadster introduced an aesthetic that quickly became nearly ubiquitous in the roadster community. The popular hot rod will become part of the Petersen's permanent collection. The Petersen Automotive Museum and the McGee Roadster share an origin story that stems from Hot Rod Magazine, founded by Robert E. Petersen in 1948. The McGee Roadster's popularity skyrocketed after appearing on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, the first street car to do so. Petersen's subsequent…