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New Goodguys Event Announced for 2011 Season

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , September 1, 2010 in News & Events

Goodguys has announced that it will stage the first Spring Lone Star Nationals March 18-20, 2011, at the Texas Motor Speedway. The new national event will feature over 2,000 rods, customs, muscle cars and classics through 1972 vintage. Vendor exhibits, a swap meet and cars for sale corral, street challenge autocross, Goodgals Gallery, live entertainment, track cruise and NASCAR rides will also be featured.

This is the first time Goodguys will visit Texas in the spring. The Lone Star Nationals has grown into one of the most popular events on the annual Goodguys schedule.

Labor Day Weekend Car Shows & Events Roundup

Posted By Devlin Smith , September 1, 2010 in E-News, News & Events

The long Labor Day Weekend traditionally marks the end of summer and is being celebrated across the country by various communities and organizations with a number of car shows and events. Below are details on 10 shows and events going on around the country this weekend that give you the opportunity to show off your hottest creations, mingle with potential customers and support worthy organizations. Additional car shows and events will be posted on Hotrod & Restoration’s Twitter (http://twitter.com/HRRMag) throughout the week.

The National Corvette Museum’s 16th Anniversary Celebration and Hall of Fame Induction takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Throughout the weekend there will be a car show, road tours, autocross, poker runs, seminars, a live auction, live entertainment, raffles and other activities. Three new members will be welcomed into the Museum’s Hall of Fame on Friday. For more information, visit www.corvettemuseum.com/registration/celebration/info.shtml.

Featured Vehicle: Rick Springfield’s 1963 Corvette

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 31, 2010 in E-News, Rod Shops

Back in the 1980s, singer Rick Springfield was the proud owner of a silver-blue 1963 split-window Corvette Stingray. While he loved the look of that car, he didn’t enjoy driving it as it was lacking in comfort and conveniences. Eventually, Springfield sold the car, but hoped that someday he could have another one that drove as well as it looked.

Enter Jared Barris, the grandson of George Barris, known as the “King of Kustomizers.” Jared, the only grandchild of the legendary movie and TV car builder, was friends with Springfield’s son, Josh, and had heard that Springfield was longing to once again own a 1963 Corvette, only this time he wanted it to be completely customized and comfortable.

‘Magnatude’ Sweeps All Three Major Street Rod Awards With AMBSR Award Win

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 31, 2010 in E-News, News & Events

Jerry Magnuson’s “Magnatude,” a sleek 1932 Muroc roadster, was named America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod at the 24th West Coast Nationalsheld last week in Pleasanton, California. With the win, Magnatude made it a clean sweep this year winning all three major street rod awards offered by Goodguys. In April the car won the Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance crown, and then was named the Goodguys/Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year at the PPG Nationals in July.

This marked the first time a car has swept all three coveted awards in the same calendar year.

“Magnatude” was hand-formed by Marcel and designed by Chip Foose. The roadster features an LS-1 Chevy engine with a intercooled Magnacharger, Tremec six-speed transmission, a polished Kugel 9-inch rear, a custom Kugel chassis, chopped Carson top, DuVall windshield, hidden headlights, a custom dash by Magnuson, Jim Griffin upholstery, tunneled seats and countless other subtle tricks.

California Car Cover Offers New Personalized Signs

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 31, 2010 in E-News, Products, Rod Shops

The new signs are available in four different background colors.

California Car Cover ’s new winged garage sign is a throwback to the old gas station signs of the past. The retro-style cast aluminum signs can be personalized with up to 16 characters, including shop name, logo or builder name.

The signs, which measure 15-3/4-inch wide x 10-inches high, are painted with an enamel finish to help them resist harsh outdoor elements. They can be used indoors or outdoors.

Amsoil Introduces New Coolant Boost for Racers

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 31, 2010 in E-News, Engine & Drivetrain, Products

Amsoil, Inc. now offers its new Dominator Coolant Boost, which is designed to provide racers with significantly lower operating temperatures and quicker engine warm-up times. It provides effective heat transfer and enhanced corrosion protection, which, according to the company, results in more efficient operation and increased horsepower.

Dominator Coolant Boost is formulated with proprietary tiered surfactant technology, which provides quick and efficient heat transfer inside radiators and cylinder heads.

Restorer Profile: Joining Forces Helps Shop Grow

Posted By Devlin Smith , August 30, 2010 in E-News, Rod Shops

Bernie Myers, co-owner of The Hot Rod Barn in Morris, Illinois, has been working on cars for more than 30 years. He apprenticed at a body shop right out of high school, learning how to do paint and body work on the job while also teaching himself welding, fabricating and chassis work. That experience was enhanced during 20 years spent working for an Indy car team.

“I was able to learn quite a lot about fabricating with special metals and alloys, and making things lightweight and strong,” Myers said. “[I] did a lot of design work and [made a lot] of brackets and fasteners and engine components.”

In addition to developing his technical skills, the time spent working for the race team helped Myers develop business skills, too.

Choosing & Installing an Exhaust System: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 30, 2010 in E-News, Engine & Drivetrain, Tech & Tools

HRR Tech Editor Mike Mavrigian answers some common questions that builders have about choosing and installing an exhaust system.

What Size Header Tube Diameter Should I Get?

A common mistake that many novice builders make is to purchase a set of exhaust headers that feature large primary pipe diameters, thinking that bigger is better. For the street, just the opposite is true. Even if the engine features an overbore, nutty cam and forced induction, unless you plan to operate the engine at wide-open-throttle at all times, smaller- diameter tubes will provide more usable low- and mid-range torque.

Just like any other engine-related component, you need to consider the application and how the vehicle will be driven, and then choose accordingly.

Pipes that are too big in diameter will move more exhaust volume, but the gasses will move more slowly. Smaller-diameter pipes will move less volume, but will scavenge the gasses quicker and at a higher velocity, and that’s what you want for street driving in the 1,500–3,500- or 4,000-rpm range. Headers, as opposed to cast iron exhaust manifolds, increase exhaust gas speed (velocity), which not only increases gas scavenge but also reduces heat build-up, which in turn reduces the chance of pre-ignition. Smaller tubes scavenge faster.

For the sake of clarifying exhaust terms, primary tubes refer to the exhaust tubes that directly channel exhaust from the cylinder heads (the headers). Secondary tubes include the tubing that routes gasses from the header collector rearward.

A general rule of thumb is as follows: For street operation, a typical small-block engine should be fitted with 11⁄2–15⁄8-inch primary tubes. A big-block engine would require 13⁄4–17⁄8-inch tubes. Once you get up into the 5,500-rpm range and higher, larger diameter tubes would be of benefit, but, realistically, how often will you operate at that engine speed? Choose your primary tube diameter based on the vehicle’s most-common operating range.

Massachusetts Governor Signs Hobby Car Registration & Titling Bill Into Law

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 27, 2010 in E-News, News & Events

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a version of SEMA model legislation to create a vehicle registration classification for street rods, custom vehicles, replicas and specially constructed vehicles.

The new law, which SEMA has been working to pass for five years, defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25-years-old and manufactured after 1948. Replica vehicles are defined as being assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts that replicate an earlier year, make and model vehicle. Specially constructed vehicles are those reconstructed or assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts that have an exterior that does not replicate or resemble any other manufactured vehicle.

Replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing both the year in which the vehicle was built and the make, model and year of the vehicle intended to be replicated.

News Bites: Industry News in 100 Words of Less

Posted By Ashley Majeski-Smissen , August 26, 2010 in Business Resources, News & Events, Rod Shops

Shelby American Opens New Shelby Speed Shop

Shelby American Inc., a subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. has opened a new speed shop on the grounds of its headquarters in Las Vegas. The Shelby American Motorsports Speed Shop specializes in American high-performance cars but will work on nearly any type of vehicle.

In addition to dyno-tuning, the shop will install performance upgrades on all brands of cars.

“We can custom-build just about anything,” noted Gary Davis, VP of Shelby American.

Modifications made to any Shelby Cobra, GT500, Super Snake or Shelby GT will be included in the official Shelby Registry. Every vehicle will include documentation that the services were performed at the shop.

The Shelby American Motorsports Speed Shop is now open for business.

For more information, call (702) 942-1719.