Issuu

Number 10 / September 2026 Publisher & Editor Feature Writers Executive Editor Art Director-Designer

Below: It’s1961 and it’s the US Nationals Race Weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Here is a great shot of two dragster in front of the original track tower.

Jim Brandau Jim Brandau Jim Brandau Larry Williams – Williams Graphics

Contributions: Michael Corazzelli, Scot Hazell, Larry Williams, Goodguys, NHRA, LA Roadsters, Craig Augustin, NHRA, NASCAR, NSRA,, KKOA, Henry Ford, SEMA, Chevrolet, SCTA-BNI, Petersen Museum Shelby American, Pebble Beach Concurs

Digitally Produced in the United States of America

Advertising: Contact Jim Brandau for all advertising cost & availabilities at 615-300-2003 8am—5pm CST or at speedkinghotrods1@gmail.com

Contents @ Speed King Magazine All Rights Reserved. Editorial content is the sole property of the Speed King Magazine & Speed King Hot Rods. All information contained in each issue is the sole opinion and comments of the editor. The opinions and comments expressed in this issue do not reflect in any way either written or implied on any of the Advertisers in each issue. No portion of the Speed King Magazine maybe reproduced in any form, without written permission from the publisher. The Speed King Magazine will not be held responsible for any errors in the information submitted or provided.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Email us your email address to speedkinghotrods1@gmail.com to be added or for any change in your email address. SPEED KING MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly by Speed King Hot Rods, PO Box 254 Thompsons Station TN 37179. Phone 615-300-2003 On The Covers: Front: LARS 2026 Event. Kevi Sarvada Roadster Photo by Michael Corazzelli Back: The WHEEL HUB CUP Grand Champion Award Photo by Scot Hazell

Contributions / Submissions should be sent via email to speedkinghotrods1@gmail.com or by USPS mail to SPEED KING MAGAZINE PO Box 254 Thompsons Station TN 37179.

Contents Issue 10 / September 2026

FEATURE COVERAGE Speed King Regulars Starter Button

Artist Corner Pg. 28

Pg. 7

Speed King News

Hot Rod History

Pg. 12

Pg. 38

Back Page Pg. 99

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum Pg. 42

Advertiser Index REDNECK RUMBLE—2 SPEEDVETTE—3 WHITEHOUSE PERFORMANCE PARTS—5 TURN KEY INSURANCE—8 HALABOUTIT—8 NICK MAYER CHEVROLET—10 SMITHSON SPEED—11 ROD TOPS—26 RACING JUNK-27 MIDNIGHT RODDERS– 40 WILLIAMS GRAPHICS—41 AVS MOTORSPORTS—54 RODTEES—55 HUNTERS CUSTOM AUTO—72 TECHNOCOAT POWDER COATING—73 KOUL TOOLS—94 STRANGE MOTION ROD & CUSTOM—95 TECHNOCRAFT ALUMINUM CABINETS—96

Wheel Hub Live Pg. 56 60th LA Roadsters Pg 74

Find Us On Social Media On Follow Us / Like Us On Our Pages 6

“Starter Button” Greetings Everyone!

are passed on to all of us...the consumers. Nothing new here that you DAMN!! 2/3’s of 2026 has flown didn't know or that your wallet isn't by already!! feeling today. Say hello to September...the unofIt’s a real commitment to attend a ficial end of summer. Summer is still 2 or 3 day event, 300– 2000 miles with us until September 21st when from your home. Fuel, hotels, food we will click over into the fall seaand incidentals all add up very fast. son. Add in the number of days you have We’re looking back in this issue, to to take off work or close your busisummertime car fun with our feature ness while you are gone and CHAstories. Our roving photographers CHING your looking at A LOT OF hit some great events and places MONEY flowing out of the old wallet. and we’re delighted to bring them to Talking to more than a few “hot you. We’re calling it our “Summer rodders” here lately, the fuel cost is Road Trip” Issue. causing them to cancel their plans to Even though the fall season is fast attend long range trips. Its underapproaching and some cooler temps standable and unfortunate at the (thank goodness!), there are more same time. great events coming up! Which ones I truly would like to know, as many are you planning on heading to? of you would, what effect this has on That question raises some pretty the multi-day events. The Show Proserious issues these days. motors and producers will tell us The cost of going to a multiple day they had “XXX Number Vehicles event, depending on how far away it Registered” No foul play here as that is money in their pockets as is from your home base, is a very those are all pre-paid for the most real question you ask yourself. If you’re not asking yourself that, good part. The real question is, how many vehicle ACTUALLY SHOWED UP vs for you as you are probably indeHow Many Registered. pendently wealthy. Our hobby, pastime, industry, our The primary culprit of that queslove has never been cheap. Building tion is the cost of fuel, either gas or the cars & trucks has a cost. Having diesel. Whether you’re driving your cool ride to the event or bringing it in fun with them has a cost too. a trailer, fuel prices are up from this We are hot rodders and hot rodtime last year. OUCH! ders figure out how to get it done! These days it may just take staying Fuel costs drive everything else closer to home for our car fun! up as nothing moves anywhere without fuel, be it in a ship, on a train or in a truck. Those extra costs 7

Jimmy B

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS We made an error, of all places on the cover of Issue #9 / July 2026 of SPEED KING MAGAZINE! We spelled Chris Raschke’s name wrong on the header on the cover for the article we included in that issue. Our apologies to the Raschke family and author “Land speed” Louise Noeth

Next-Generation Chevy Camaro To Arrive As A 2029 Model The next-generation Chevy Camaro is heading down the pipe, with an arrival now expected for the 2029 model year, we have learned. The next-gen Chevy Camaro was previously expected to launch for the 2028 model year. While that timeline has shifted, the rest of the program seems to be on track, with the next -gen Camaro still set to feature internal combustion, rear-wheel drive, and the option for a manual transmission, as well as a rather unexpected form factor. The next-generation 2029 Chevy Camaro follows the discontinuation of the sixth-generation Camaro after the 2024 model year, with the new model set to ride on an updated version of the GM Alpha 2 rear-wheel-drive architecture, the same platform expected to underpin the next-generation Cadillac CT5 and an upcoming Buick sedan. Production is once again expected to take place at the GM Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Michigan, which previously built the sixth-generation Camaro. One of the most obvious changes for the new Camaro will be the body style, with sources indicating the new Camaro will boast four doors, rather than a traditional two-door layout. The four-door model would reportedly feature dimensions comparable to the Chevy Malibu or Chevy SS. GM previously explored how both body styles could coexist within the lineup, so check that out for more info. Enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the new Camaro will offer more than one transmission option, with a manual gearbox happily making the cut. Speaking of enthusiasts, sources have also confirmed that Chevrolet plans to offer a dedicated high-performance variant, although official specifications remain under wraps. While the exact powertrain has not been confirmed, GM’s new Gen 6 Small Block V8 certainly seems up to the task. 12

SEMA Battle of the Builders Adds Motorcycle Competition Class For more than a decade, SEMA Battle of the Builders has recognized the industry’s most talented vehicle builders, providing a platform to showcase the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation behind some of the most innovative custom builds in the world. For 2026, the competition will expand its reach to include motorcycles, giving custom bike builders a dedicated opportunity to compete and earn recognition on the industry’s biggest stage, SEMA officials stated in a press release. “Motorcycles have always been a vital part of the customization community, and we’re excited to officially bring these builders into the SEMA Battle of the Builders spotlight,” said SEMA vice president of Marketing RJ de Vera. “The Bike Builder Shootout creates a new platform for motorcycle builders to showcase their craftsmanship, creativity and passion while competing alongside some of the most talented custom bike builders in the industry.” The New SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout The new dedicated Motorcycle category will recognize standout custom bikes from builders across the country. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of motorcycle industry experts based on craftsmanship, design innovation and overall execution. The inaugural judging panel will include Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, Jeff Holt of V-Twin Visionary, and Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs— three respected leaders in the custom motorcycle community with decades of combined experience building, designing and promoting motorcycle culture, the release noted. Motorcycle judges will review submissions before selecting the Top 10 finalists. Those finalists will then help determine the Top 3 category winners and select the overall Bike Builder Shootout champion, creating a competition judged by the builders and industry experts who understand the craft firsthand. “The motorcycle community has always been built on creativity, craftsmanship and a passion for creating something unique,” said judge chairman Bob Kay. “The Bike Builder Shootout gives builders a dedicated platform to showcase the time, skill and innovation behind their machines while being recognized alongside some of the most talented builders in the industry. We’re excited to be part of a program that celebrates the people pushing motorcycle customization forward.” Entries for the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers are now open, and the competition will take place during the SEMA Show, Nov. 3-6, 2026, in Las Vegas. For more information or to enter the competition, visit semabotb.com. 13

Goodguys Names 2026 Street Rod & Street Machine of the Year Winners A 1933 Ford roadster & a 1970 Chevelle each captured a Top 12 of the Year award at the Goodguys 28th Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus, Ohio

1933 Ford Roadster Wins Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year The 2026 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year title was awarded to John and Jennifer Fairleigh and their 1933 Ford roadster, built by Mike Kellar and his team at Big Creek Restoration out of Ellis, Kansas. Everything on the car has been modified or fabricated, starting with the frame that features an extra-high kickup in the rear and a five-inch drop axle to give it the perfect street rod stance, organization officials said in a press release. Vintage-style Kinmont brakes from Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop were used along with vintage race-inspired knock-off wheels machined by Leading Edge Machine. A powerful Jon Kaase Racing Boss 520 engine is fueled by an eight-stack Borla fuelinjected manifold that creates over 800 horsepower. Vintage magnesium valve covers, custom-made brackets and exhaust system create a detailed, race-inspired engine that looks as good as it sounds. The body received plenty of custom touches and massaging before the Big Creek team applied the custom PPG Kansa Blue finish, the release noted. Chrome and polished trim provide a brilliant contrast while the laid-back grille and windshield create the look of speed. The interior follows the vintage competition vibe with a machined dash insert and switch panel, custom gauges by Classic Instruments, one-off pedals, and rearview mirrors that function as door handles. All of this is complemented with leather-covered seats and door panels with woven inserts stitched by Elegance Auto Interiors.

John has already racked up miles on the car, proving its drivability on back roads and drives, including a Goodguys 100-mile reliability run and even a couple passes down a drag strip.

1970 Chevelle Wins Forgeline Street Machine of the Year The 2026 Forgeline Street Machine of the Year title went to Matt Jewell and his 1970 Chevelle. After owning the car for over 30 years, Jewell decided the Chevelle needed a complete rebuild and enlisted Eddie Pettus and his team at Eddie’s Rod & Custom to reimagine the car as a contemporary street machine. The 1970 Chevelle Super Sport is one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time, and Jewell’s six-year build now features modern performance upgrades combined with custom modifications from top to bottom, resulting in the ultimate street machine, officials said.

The body retains its Chevrolet Chevelle heritage but has been modified with fender extensions, sectioned panels, and hand-fabricated bumpers, hood and deck lid. Even the roof lines have been customized. The interior follows suit with original styling cues incorporated into a custom interior featuring 3D scanning and printing technology finished in leather by Avante Garde Design. The original chassis was cast aside in favor of a custom-built Roadster Shop assembly that features modern technology including coil-overs, Brembo brakes, and a unique cantilever independent rear suspension supported by one-off machined wheels. For power, Jewell chose a twin-turbocharged Chevy LS3 engine built by Steve Morris Engines that boasts over 1,300 horsepower and is surrounded by extensive metalwork and craftsmanship.

Petersen Automotive Museum Traces History of World’s Fastest Cars The new "World's Fastest" exhibit explores seven decades of iconic vehicles that have held the title of world's fastest production car. The Petersen Automotive Museum’s new “World’s Fastest” exhibit examines the vehicles that have held the title of world’s fastest production car since 1949, when the Jaguar XK120 was named for its top speed of 120 miles per hour, through the current record holder, the SSC Tuatara, which achieved a top speed of 282 miles per hour, museum offi-

cials stated in a press release. The vehicles in the “World’s Fastest” exhibition represent the cutting edge of performance, aerodynamics, style and prestige of their respective eras, including the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which was the first to achieve a top speed over 150 miles per hour, and the 1987 RUF CTR “Yellowbird,” which was the first to break a top speed of over 200 miles per hour. The exhibition will include 11 of the most notable vehicles to have claimed the title of the world’s fastest production car, including: Jaguar XK120 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Iso Grifo AC/Shelby Cobra 427 Lamborghini Miura P400 McLaren F1 “We have always been captivated by how fast cars can move us,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Our new ‘World’s Fastest’ exhibit celebrates the most iconic and fastest production vehicles ever made. Visitors will be able to see a direct line from the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, a car that can reach 267 miles per

hour, back 60 years to the Jaguar XK120. These are not just the world’s fastest cars; they are some of the most desirable, as well.” “World’s Fastest” will be located on the second floor of the Petersen Museum and will be on display through Aug. 22, 2027. For more info go to www.petersen.org 16

Shelby American Introduces Street-Focused F-150 Super Snake SuperCrew Limited to 400 units, the Super Snake offers a lowered suspension, more horsepower & custom upgrade options through select Shelby Performance Ford dealers Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc., announced a limited number of Shelby F-150 Super Snake SuperCrew pickups that will feature up to 810-plus horsepower, upgraded handling, Shelby styling and custom upgrade options. One of the most powerful Shelby road-focused trucks in its history, only 400 of the Super Snake SuperCrew trucks will be built by Shelby Performance in Bristol, Indiana, company officials stated in a press release. “Though traditionally recognized for his sports cars, Carroll Shelby had a long history with performance trucks and SUVs during his career,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “Shelby American is committed to building high-performance vehicles that continue his great legacy, whether it be a car or truck. Over the past decades, the demand for trucks, both on and off-road, has grown tremendously. That led us to pour our expertise into a more extreme version of the 4door SuperCrew Ford F-150.” In 2017, Shelby American introduced a four-door street version of their popular lifted Shelby F150 off-road truck. The Shelby F-150 Super Snake SuperCrew street-focused models will be available in lowered versions and offer more power, increasing the braking capability and giving it distinctive Shelby good looks, according to the release. “While our lifted, off-road Shelby F-150 is very popular, a growing number of people prefer a lowered, street-oriented truck,” said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “We’ve been asked to combine the extraordinary capabilities of our Mustang-based vehicles with the unique dynamics of a light-duty street pickup.” Based on the 2026 F-150 Lariat 4×4 5.0L SuperCrew, the Shelby Super Snake comes standard with 400 horsepower; an optional supercharger boosts the V-8 engine to 810 horsepower. The heavy-duty suspension and underbody of the truck were built to handle the street with a Shelbyexclusive adjustable lowered suspension featuring KING adjustable coil-over shocks and traction bars that keep the rear in place. The interior was completely redesigned to elevate the truck ownership experience with style and comfort, the company said. The Shelby theme continues across the full leather seat covers, digital gauges, custom carbon-fiber accents, embroidered floor mats and billet racing pedals. Shelby F150 Super Snake SuperCrew comes with a CSM serialized plate inside. Since there’s limited availability of the F-150 in 2026, they anticipate only producing 200 of the 400 projected builds. If you want to own one of these incredible Shelby pickups, now’s the time to lock in your build and CSM number.” The 2026 Shelby F-150 Super Snake SuperCrew has an MSRP of $140,795 (supercharged) and comes with a 3 year/36,000-mile warranty. The powertrain warranty from Ford Motor Company remains intact. The truck will be offered through select Shelby Performance Ford dealers across the United States. Each will be documented in the official Shelby Registry, and the owner will become a member of Team Shelby, the official enthusiast club. The trucks will also be listed in Black Book. 17

NEVER TOO EARLY TO GET REGISTERED! The 2027 Southeastern Hot Rod Show will take place on June 4th and 5th, 2027. They already have participants registered to attend from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Missouri! The Southeastern Hot Rod Show appreciate everyone's support so far for the 2027 show! This will be their 5th annual event.

Anyone questions should be directed to Greg Grier and you can contact him at greg@southeasternhotrodshow.com Yu can get the latest show info by heading to their website at www.southeasternhotrodshow.com, or check out their Facebook or Instagram social media pages Host hotel information is available on their website now. Greg and his team look forward to seeing everyone at the show. All proceeds from the 2027 silent auction and the 50/50 will be donated to the ReClif center for families with children with Autism.

Duesenberg SSJ Wins Best of Show at 75th Pebble Beach Concours Originally owned by Clark Gable, the Best of Show winner is the eighth Duesenberg to win the top trophy at the Pebble Beach Concours. The Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was awarded to a Duesenberg SSJ originally owned by Clark Gable. The 75th celebration of the concours also reached a major milestone, surpassing $50 million in total charitable giving, event organizers stated in a press release. This year, 218 cars— including 33 international entries from 14 countries and 185 U.S. entries from 30 states— competed for the top award. The winning 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Special Speedster was shown by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio. “Duesenberg often tops the list of desires for people with a passion for American classics, and the iconic SSJ is the marque’s ultimate expression,” said concours chairman Sandra Button. “This Special Speedster, one of just two made, offers both style and performance—and has a fantastic Hollywood backstory.”

The SSJ embodies the dramatic styling of the era, with its sweeping hood line and rakish, aerodynamic windshield. It has been recently restored to its initial presentation, with a black lacquer finish and a light saddle leather interior. “I won once before, 19 years ago, but I appreciate it a lot better now,” said Yeaggy. “I appreciate the hard work it took and the time it took to get here. People don’t realize how hard it is, how special it is, to win this award. It’s amazing.” Yeaggy won Best of Show with the 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster known as the “Mormon Meteor” in 2007. Duesenberg retains its status as the Pebble Beach Concours’ winningest American marque, now having earned a total of eight Best of Show trophies, noted the release.

The Pebble Beach Concours has already raised more than $4.3 million for charity this year, bringing the event’s total charitable donations to $50,154,192 to date. More than half of that total has been raised in the past decade. Through the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, the primary charitable partner of the concours, these funds will benefit more than 130 local nonprofits dedicated to improving the education, health and well-being of children throughout Monterey County. 19

DANNY THOMPSON CAPTURES HOT ROD TROPHY AT BONNEVILLE! Piloting owner Don Ferguson's vehicle, Danny Thompsons hit a blistering meet-best speed of 396.949 mph (and touched a 406.133 mph A/FS record run) despite navigating a dramatic 369-mph tire failure earlier in the week. History repeated itself when Danny Thompson drove the Ferguson Streamliner capturing his second consecutive Hot Rod Magazine Trophy alongside a blistering 406.133 mph A/FS class By winning the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy, Danny continued a family legacy that saw his legendary father, Mickey Thompson, win the exact same award back in 1959 and 1960.

JCB’s Hydrogen-Powered Hydromax Sets 406 MPH Land Speed Record British engineering giant JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. The car recorded a speed of 400.623 mph in its first run across the Bonneville Salt Flats, and 412.135 mph on its second run, giving an average speed of 406.320 mph—the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled, company officials announced in a press release. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twin-engined, 32-foot car completed the two runs required under FIA rules—one in each direction within an hour—beating the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004. The record is subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport. The JCB Hydromax also surpassed the 350.092 mph world diesel land speed record set by the JCB Dieselmax, also driven by Green in August 2006. Twenty years on, JCB has beaten its own benchmark with an engine that produces no CO₂ at the tailpipe, noted the release. The speed also exceeds the 303-mph hydrogen fuel cell mark, making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history, the company said. The record—set in the Category A, Group XIV – Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record—was set using two of JCB’s own production-based hydrogen digger engines, producing a combined 1,600 bhp and manufactured at the company’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, UK. They are the same engines now powering JCB machines and equipment rolling off production lines in the UK as part of the company’s £100 million hydrogen program. “Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history,” said Green. “The car was terrific—stable, strong and fast. Setting a world land speed record with hydrogen power, 20 years after Dieselmax, is a huge privilege. This record is a huge achievement by a world-class team and superb technology.” “This is a truly historic milestone for motorsport, showcasing how innovation, performance, speed and sustainability can go hand in hand,” said the president of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Motorsport has always been a catalyst for technological progress, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This new land speed record continues this tradition, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion for the future of sustainable mobility.” 21

IT’s ALL IN THE FAMILY! Congratulation goes out to Carrie Strange for being inducted into the Kustom Kemps of America (KKOA) Hall of Fame in August 2026 during the Leadsled Spectacular.

Congratulations goes out to Tim Strange of Strange Motion Rod & Custom on being named the 2026 NSRA Person of the Year (also recognized as Individual of the Year) and he received the Streetscene Industry Appreciation Award at the August 2026 National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Nationals for his outstanding contributions to the sport.

Carrie is the 1st Woman to be inducted into the KKOA Hall of Fame! She is recognized as a master auto upholsterer with interiors featured in numerous award-winning custom builds, and show-stoppers over a decades-long career as well as a prominent event and registration manager in the automotive industry.

Tim was announced as NSRA Person / Individual of the Year for 2026 was Honored by the National Street Rod Association during the annual event recognition reception.

Carrie manages registration and operations for major nationwide automotive events, including the Hot Rod Power Tour, Holley LS Fests, MoParty, and Ford Fest.

The Industry Appreciation Award was presented to Tim for his long-standing dedication, persistence, and continuous work advancing the street rodding and custom car building community.

Carrie co-hosts The Strange Motion Way podcast alongside her husband, builder Tim Strange of Strange Motion Rod & Custom.

2027 NASCAR schedule: Confirmed Dates, Tracks for all 3 National Series

The 2027 NASCAR national-series schedules are beginning to take shape. NASCAR.com will update the info as race dates and venues are officially announced for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Start times, broadcast information and additional event details will be added when they become available. Below is the NASCAR CUP Series info and you can find all the info at nascar.com

2027 NHRA DRAG RACING SCHEDULE The NHRA has announced its 2027 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule, celebrating the career and legacy of John Force, PLUS a return to the traditional schedule format featuring the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona kicking off the year! Off the momentum of the massive NHRA 75th anniversary season, the 2027 schedule is sure to bring more memorable moments to race fans across the country. In addition to the popular return to Pomona to open the 2027 season, NHRA will return to four venues which hosted their first national event in 2026 (South Georgia, Maryland, Michigan and Rockingham), a move to July for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK in Chicago, and an earlier visit to Phoenix (Feb. 26-28) as part of an early West Coast trip. Tickets are available now for select events in 2027 by visiting NHRA.com/schedule/2027. Stay tuned to NHRA's social media accounts for more special announcements heading into the new season.

Old Car Festival Returns to The Henry Ford to Celebrate 75 Years The Henry Ford will host Old Car Festival, America’s longest-running antique car show, in Greenfield Village, Sept. 12-13. Powered by Hagerty, Old Car Festival attracts hundreds of vehicles from the 1890s through 1932, where American history comes alive in a perfect setting, event officials stated in a press release. Marking the 75th anniversary of Old Car Festival, The Henry Ford says that it will celebrate this milestone by honoring the people, traditions and motor vehicles that have defined this event for three-quarters of a century. Guests can walk through the village, meeting owners who have preserved their vehicles while listening to the distinctive sounds of century-old cars.

The experience includes the Pass-in-Review Car Parade and an awards showcase featuring the best restored and unrestored cars, immersive historic vignettes, special demonstrations and more. The antique car show brings Ragtime America and the Jazz Age to life with two days of historically inspired street food, music, dancing and activities. Saturday evening features the Gaslight Parade of Cars, the River Raisin Ragtime Revue, and a Dixieland-style procession. Old Car Festival will be open on Saturday, Sept. 12, until 9 p.m., and operate on regular Greenfield Village hours on Sunday, Sept. 13. This special event is free for members and included with Village admission. For more info go to www.thehenryford.org 25

The

Artist’s Corner Meet Craig Augustin…

Automotive artists and designers help turn ideas into reality for concepts, vehicle builds, parts creation and more. Automotive artists also draw to entertain us all, producing fun and exciting creations from their own creative minds and getting them on paper, canvas or a computer screen. However it is done, the results are the same: pure enjoyment and beauty for the viewer to behold. This month we are highlighting artist CRAIG AUGUSTIN from Fort Collins CO. As car enthusiasts, we all will take a glance back at our vehicle in the parking lot just to see how it looks at that angle and distance. That “look” is what I strive for in all my commissioned projects. I always start any project by first getting just the right angle, with proportions correct and the smallest details perfect. It has to “look” mean, dumped and raked to satisfy the customer, and can either be more cartoon style or realistic, depending on the desire of the customer. I have been drawing cars, real estate, hot rods, and motorcycles since I was around 14 years old. It all starts when you get the car bug early and a voice in your head says, ”One day I will own one of those…” I still remember sitting on my bike at around 10 years old and seeing that chopped, 3 Window coming up to the intersection, he stopped, leaned forward and waved to me out of that chopped passenger window, as he moved up the hill. Yep, I caught the hot rod sickness for the rest of my life. Being a past member of Denver Coupes and Sedans, and the Denver Roadsters, my life in the car clubs pushed my drawing talents in so many different directions from t-shirt design to car event posters, car club logos and car club awards. I grew up in Lakewood Colorado and worked for a time in a chrome plating shop where we reworked automotive bumpers. This helped me learn and recognize all classic cars by their bumpers. I then worked the next 38 years in the aerospace business. After retirement I continued to improve my art talents to the next level, just for fun. My commissioned art work continues to keep me very busy and I am having a blast creating just the right look for a customer’s vehicle style and likeness. I pride myself in doing all the smallest details I can with my drawings. My tag line is : “If you can drive it… I can draw it…” A few years ago I was approached by a friend that was interested in my art work for the new Wyoming license plates that were being introduced for new custom and street rod vehicles. If you are in Wyoming and have your custom and/or street rod vehicle licensed, my art work will be on your plates. I also did the art work for all the posters for the “Colfax and Havana Cruises” in the Denver area, as well as the “Deuce Reunion” in Texas for many years. I also designed both the 50th anniversary logos and t-shirts for the Denver Roadsters and the Cheyenne Rods and Customs. I continue to work my talents in many projects, commissions, car event t-shirts, and even “project car "drawings, when the customer wants to see their vision ahead of time, to help keep them motivated during the new build. Craig does commission work regularly. Let him help you create just the right look for car , truck or bike, t-shirt design, logos, car club events, and poster designs. You can see most of Craig's work on Facebook automotive drawing sites and many other sites. Craig also goes by “Art by Aug” and can be reached at craigaugustin@gmail.com 29

HOT ROD HISTORY NHRA Safety Safari As the NHRA celebrates its 75th year of drag racing, lets take a look at one of the key parts of the NHRA! The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Safety Safari is the pioneering, dedicated trackside safety and event-promotion team in motorsports, originating in 1954 to move hot rodding off public streets and onto organized tracks. NHRA founder Wally Parks created the original crew in 1954, initially naming it the "Drag Safari". Newspapers quickly dubbed them the "Safety Safari" for their emphasis on secure, regulated racing. The Original Crew: A handpicked four-man team consisting of Bud Coons, Chick Cannon, Eric Rickman, and Bud Evans.

They traveled cross-country in a 1954 Dodge station wagon pulling a single trailer. It held everything needed to run a professional drag race: a public address system, timing and scoring gear, field phones, a generator, and wiring. They visited small towns and local car clubs across dozens of states to teach participants how to organize safe events, conduct tech inspections, and set up temporary tracks. Fast forward to today and beyond emergency extraction and firefighting, the team arrives early in the week to groom, scrape, and prepare the racing surface for maximum traction. Today's crew utilizes specialized vehicles including jet-engine track dryers, super trucks, fire suppression dually trucks, and tractors 38

AUBURN CORD DUE Editors Note: Our Art Director–Designer Larry Williams of Williams Graphics & Design, recently visited The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, while on a road trip and found himself in Auburn IN. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Preserves America’s Golden Age of Motoring. There are automobile museums filled with great cars, and then there are places where the building, the automobiles and the history all come together to tell one remarkable story. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana, is one of those special places. Walking through its doors is like stepping directly into the golden age of the American automobile, when designers dreamed big, horsepower was becoming a symbol of prestige, and automobiles were increasingly viewed as rolling works of art. The museum occupies the former Auburn Automobile Company administration building and showroom, an impressive Art Deco structure constructed in 1929. Auburn Automobile Company moved into the building in September 1930, and company operations continued there until shortly before automobile production ended in 1937.

ESENBURG Museum Photos by Larry Williams Story by Jim Brandau

That connection to the past makes a visit unlike almost any other automotive museum experience. These aren't simply old automobiles displayed inside a modern building. Visitors are standing in the very rooms where Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobiles were promoted, engineered and sold. The E.L. Cord Era The story took a dramatic turn in the 1920s with the arrival of Errett Lobban Cord, better known as E.L. Cord. A gifted salesman and ambitious businessman, Cord helped transform the struggling Auburn Automobile Company into the foundation of an automotive empire. Under Cord's leadership, Auburn automobiles became stylish, exciting and relatively affordable performance machines. The company became famous for sleek designs, powerful engines and unforgettable Speedsters. But Auburn was only part of Cord's vision. The Cord automobile pushed design and engineering in bold new directions. The Cord L-29, introduced in 1929, was notable for its front-wheel-drive layout, which allowed designers to create a lower, more dramatic automobile. Later came the unforgettable Cord 810 and 812, whose streamlined bodies, hidden headlights and distinctive "coffin nose" styling made them unlike virtually anything else on American roads.

Then there was Duesenberg. If Auburn represented performance and Cord represented innovation, Duesenberg represented the ultimate in American luxury and power. The legendary Duesenberg Model J arrived at the end of the 1920s and quickly became one of America's most prestigious automobiles. These were automobiles for movie stars, industrialists and the wealthy elite. Powerful straight-eight engines combined with custom coachwork to produce machines that were as much statements of personal success as they were transportation. Today, seeing these three marques together gives museum visitors a remarkable look at just how creative the American automobile industry could be before mass production and corporate consolidation changed the business forever. The Showroom Is Part of the Show One of the museum's greatest attractions isn't sitting on four wheels. It's the building itself. The historic administration building contains approximately 66,000 square feet and retains the elegant Art Deco character that helped communicate the sophistication of Auburn Automobile Company to customers nearly a century ago. The National Park Service recognizes the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Facility as nationally significant because it survives as an important example of an independent specialty automobile manufacturer that produced hand-assembled automobiles rather than relying entirely on the mass-production methods associated with larger manufacturers. Standing in the grand showroom surrounded by Auburns, Cords and Duesenberg's, it's easy to imagine a customer arriving in the early 1930s and seeing these automobiles when they were brand-new. Polished paint, chrome trim, sweeping fenders and beautifully appointed interiors provide reminders of an era when automobile styling was often influenced as much by fashion and architecture as engineering.

Saving an Automotive Landmark Fortunately, this remarkable piece of automotive history survived. Enthusiasts formed Auburn Automotive Heritage, Inc. to preserve the region's automotive legacy. Through a public fundraising campaign, the organization acquired and restored the historic administration building and showroom. The building opened as a museum of automotive heritage in 1974. That preservation effort saved far more than an old automobile factory office. It protected a physical connection to one of the most fascinating chapters in American automotive history. Today, the museum's collection reaches beyond the three famous marques. Visitors encounter automobiles, engines, photographs, advertising, design material and other artifacts that help explain the people and ideas behind America's early luxury and performance automobile industry. Auburn itself remains closely tied to that heritage. What began in 1956 as an informal Labor Day gathering of Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg owners grew into the longrunning Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, reinforcing the city's reputation as one of America's great automotive destinations.

More Than a Car Museum Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be given to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is that you don't have to be an expert on antique automobiles to appreciate it. For the dedicated hot rodder or collector, there are engineering details, rare automobiles and historic designs to study. For the casual visitor, there is the sheer beauty of the machines. For history enthusiasts, there is a preserved American industrial landmark where important decisions were made and legendary automobiles were created. Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg disappeared from new-car showrooms decades ago, but their influence never disappeared. Nearly a century later, their automobiles continue to stop people in their tracks. And inside that magnificent Art Deco building in Auburn, Indiana, the names Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg still mean exactly what they did during America's golden age of motoring: Style. Innovation. Performance. And automobiles built to be unforgettable. No matter what your favorite car or truck is, if you are ever near Auburn IN, do yourself a favor and check out the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum….you’ll be glad you did! 51

Photos By Scot Hazell Story by Jim Brandau

Hot Rods, History & Horsepower Took Over Lincoln! There are plenty of car shows where you can spend a Saturday walking rows of polished machinery. Then there are gatherings that remind you exactly why you became a hot rodder in the first place. Wheel Hub Live 2026 was definitely the latter. Wheel Hub Live 2028 was held May 22 & 23, over Memorial Day weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. The fourth annual Wheel Hub Live brought an impressive collection of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, builders, and enthusiasts together at one of the most appropriate locations imaginable—the Museum of American Speed. The idea behind Wheel Hub Live is beautifully simple: take the kind of highend machinery normally seen spread across the pages of Wheel Hub Magazine and put those cars together where people can walk around them, study the craftsmanship, talk with builders, and experience them in three dimensions. For a hot rodder, it’s like watching the pages of a magazine come alive. And in 2026, Wheel Hub Live raised the stakes considerably.

WHERE HISTORY MEETS TODAY Lincoln might not immediately come to mind when somebody mentions America's hot rod capitals, but serious rodders know better. The Museum of American Speed has become one of the country's great automotive destinations. Founded by Speedway Motors founders “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith and their family, the museum preserves an enormous cross-section of American performance history—from racing engines and early speed equipment to historic race cars, hot rods, customs, and the pieces that helped create the performance aftermarket. Putting some of today's finest custom cars inside that environment creates a fascinating connection between generations. Walk one direction and you're looking at equipment created by the pioneers of hot rodding. Turn around and there's a contemporary show car demonstrating just how far fabrication, paint, machining, upholstery, suspension design, and engine technology have progressed. The connection isn't difficult to see. Today's builders might have CNC machines, modern electronics, sophisticated chassis components, and paint materials that early hot rodders could scarcely have imagined, but the basic motivation remains unchanged: Make it lower. Make it faster. Make it cleaner. Make it yours. That's hot rodding. 60

FIRST, YOU DRIVE 'EM One of the things separating Wheel Hub Live from the typical indoor showcase happens before Saturday's main gathering. Friday was driving day. The Wheel Hub Reliability Run sent participants out from Lincoln and onto Nebraska's highways and backroads. Rather than simply unloading cars from trailers, polishing them, and waiting for spectators, owners had an opportunity to put miles on their machines. That's an idea we can get behind. The route included a stop at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, where hot rods found themselves surrounded by another form of American horsepower—historic aircraft. Participants continued toward Omaha, with additional opportunities to visit area hot rod shops including CAL Automotive Creations and No Coast Custom and Rod Shop before returning to Lincoln. Mother Nature even supplied a little rain early in the run. Nobody melted. Neither did the cars. By the time the group returned, the Reliability Run had accomplished exactly what a good hot rod cruise should accomplish. It put miles on cars, gave owners time behind the wheel, and provided plenty of opportunities for bench racing along the way. After all, building a hot rod is only half the fun. Driving it is the payoff. 63

SATURDAY AT THE MUSEUM Saturday brought sunshine and an entirely different level of activity. The Speedway Motors and Museum of American Speed grounds filled with specialty cars and trucks as the morning's Cars & Coffee gathering expanded into a massive outdoor show. Traditional hot rods parked near contemporary customs. Trucks shared pavement with muscle cars. Finished showpieces sat alongside vehicles obviously built for serious road miles. Inside the museum waited the featured Wheel Hub machinery. These weren't cars you could adequately appreciate by scrolling past a photograph on a phone. They demanded time. Look at the panel gaps. Study the body modifications. Follow the lines of the upholstery. Look underneath. Notice how plumbing and wiring disappear. Then stand back 20 feet and see whether the entire package still works. The best cars did. That's the difference between simply adding modifications and actually designing a car. The finest machines at Wheel Hub Live possessed a visual rhythm where wheels, stance, paint, trim, interior, and engine compartment all seemed to be speaking the same language.

THE $100,000 WHEEL HUB CUP The biggest addition for 2026 was the inaugural Wheel Hub Cup, which brought serious competition—and a remarkable $100,000 cash purse—to Lincoln. Invited vehicles arrived Thursday for initial evaluation and peer judging before the competition was narrowed to a Top Seven. Those finalists were displayed separately and scrutinized by a committee of accomplished builders. With that kind of money on the line, nobody expected the judging to be easy. It wasn't. These were cars where the details went far beyond paint and chrome. Proportion, fabrication, engineering, execution, interior design, mechanical presentation, and countless nearly invisible details separated the contenders. When the judging was finished Saturday afternoon, Larry Carrell's 1934 Ford coupe, built by Craig Naff with paint and finish work by Charley Hutton's Color Studio, claimed the first-ever Wheel Hub Cup. That instantly put the '34 into the history books. More importantly, the new award gave Wheel Hub Live another identity. The gathering was no longer simply a showcase for magazine-quality cars. It now had a major competition capable of attracting elite machinery and builders from around the country.

1st Wheel Hub Cup Winner 1934 Ford Coupe—Owned by Larry Carrell Built by Craig Naff—Paint by Charly Hutton’s Color Studio 66

The Six Other Contenders For The Wheel Hub Cup Award

MORE THAN TROPHIES Yet concentrating solely on the Wheel Hub Cup would miss what makes this weekend work. The real attraction was the combination. You could study world-class contemporary builds, wander through American racing history, cruise Nebraska backroads, visit working hot rod shops, see hundreds of enthusiast-owned cars outside, meet builders, talk with owners, and reconnect with friends. That's difficult to duplicate inside a convention center. Wheel Hub Live also benefits from being in the Midwest, where the hot rod community remains strong and where people aren't afraid to put highway miles on their cars. There's something refreshing about seeing expensive, beautifully finished machinery actually moving down the road. Rock chips happen. Rain happens. Engines get warm. Cars get dirty. That's part of hot rodding, too. 68

KEEP 'EM ROLLING Wheel Hub Live has grown quickly during its first four years, and 2026 demonstrated why. It isn't trying to become another enormous fairgrounds event with endless rows of cars. Its strength comes from combining a carefully selected group of exceptional builds with a world-class automotive museum and enough driving and social activity to make the weekend feel like a gathering rather than simply another show. The introduction of the Wheel Hub Cup adds another compelling ingredient. A sixfigure purse will get the attention of builders, owners, and shops everywhere, and you can bet plenty of people left Lincoln already thinking about what it might take to come back and chase that Cup. But trophies and money only tell part of the story. The lasting image of Wheel Hub Live 2026 wasn't necessarily a trophy sitting on a table. It was hot rods rolling down a Nebraska two-lane. It was hundreds of cars filling the parking lots Saturday morning. It was builders talking shop beside machines representing thousands of hours of work. And it was today's finest hot rods sitting among artifacts created by the people who started this whole crazy hobby generations ago. Different cars. Different tools. Different generations. Same hot rod spirit. And if Wheel Hub Live keeps that formula intact, Lincoln, Nebraska, is going to remain one very important destination on the hot rod calendar. 71

The 60th L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap Celebrates Hot Rodding in P

For 60 years, Father’s Day weekend in Southern California has meant one thing to tions of traditional hot rodders: it’s time for the L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap. On June 19–20, 2026, that tradition rolled proudly into the Fairplex in Pomona, Cal the Los Angeles Roadsters Car Club celebrated the 60th anniversary of its legendar Once again, the sprawling Fairplex became a sea of chopped windshields, exposed wheels, polished engines, steel Deuce bodies and the unmistakable silhouettes of e 74 roadsters.

Pomona

o genera-

lifornia, as ry gathering. front early Ford

Story by Jim Brandau 75 Photos by Michael Corazzelli

This wasn’t simply another car show. It was a celebration of one of hot rodding’s most enduring traditions. The Los Angeles Roadsters Car Club was established in 1957, when Southern California was already becoming the center of the American hot rod universe. The club’s members shared a passion for the simplest and perhaps purest form of the hot rod—the open-top roadster. Through the decades, their annual show grew into an internationally recognized gathering, attracting cars and enthusiasts from across the United States and beyond. The 2026 edition marked the 44th time the event had been staged at the Fairplex, and the familiar Pomona grounds once again provided the perfect setting for a weekend devoted to traditional hot rods.

A New Look for a Familiar Tradition Longtime visitors discovered some noticeable changes in 2026. The layout was significantly revised, placing much of the action among the exhibition buildings in the heart of the Fairplex. Vendor Row stretched along Palm Avenue, with roadsters, street rods and display cars filling the surrounding areas. More than 40 vendors were arranged in an easy-to-walk layout that encouraged spectators to move naturally between cars, parts and displays. But despite the new arrangement, the heart of the L.A. Roadsters Show remained exactly where it has always been—with the cars. Hundreds of finished open cars from 1936 and earlier filled the designated roadster areas. Some were restored in traditional fashion, while others reflected decades of hot rod evolution. There were highboys sitting low over big-and-little tires, full-fendered roadsters finished like jewelry, Flathead-powered traditional cars and highly detailed contemporary builds. That variety is one of the reasons the L.A. Roadsters Show remains so fascinating. Walk one row and you might find a roadster that looked as though it had just rolled out of a Southern California high school parking lot in 1955. A few spaces away could be a meticulously engineered modern interpretation of the same basic car, filled with contemporary craftsmanship while retaining its unmistakable early-Ford personality. Yet the club maintains an important standard: cars in the official roadster parking area must be finished. No unfinished projects. No half-completed builds. The result is a field where quality remains a defining characteristic.

The Swap Meet Experience Then there was the swap meet. For many attendees, hunting through the L.A. Roadsters swap meet is every bit as important as walking the show field. Vintage speed equipment, early Ford components, wheels, gauges, steering wheels, intake manifolds, carburetors, signs, tools and countless pieces of automotive history waited for anyone willing to search. The experienced swap-meet hunter knows the routine. Get there early. Walk quickly and if you see something you need, don’t assume it will still be there when you come back. That hard-to-find part sitting beneath a vendor’s table might be exactly what someone needs to finish a roadster that has been taking shape in a garage for years. It is an old-fashioned part of hot rodding that the internet has never completely replaced. Finding a rare piece online is convenient. Finding one at Pomona, carrying it back to your car and knowing it will soon become part of your own hot rod is something different entirely. 82

Hot Rod History You Can Touch Part of the magic of the L.A. Roadsters Show is that the history isn’t locked behind velvet ropes. These cars arrive under their own power. Owners wipe away road dust, open hoods and spend the day talking with other enthusiasts. Some roadsters have been owned for decades. Others are freshly completed. Many carry stories that are every bit as interesting as the cars themselves. That atmosphere separates this gathering from more formal indoor shows. At Pomona, spectators can study how a Flathead installation was handled, inspect a traditional dropped axle, compare wheel -and-tire combinations or simply stand back and appreciate the stance of a perfectly proportioned ’32 Ford. Building 10 added another dimension to the weekend by bringing together several California roadster clubs. Along with the host L.A. Roadsters, the gathering included representatives from groups such as the Bay Area Roadsters, California Roadsters, Valley Roadsters, San Jose Roadsters, San Luis Roadsters and The Jokers. It was a reminder that while the cars are the attraction, the friendships surrounding them are what have allowed the roadster tradition to survive.

SO-CAL Joins the Celebration The 60th anniversary also brought another recognizable Southern California hot rod name into the spotlight: SO-CAL Speed Shop. For 2026, SO-CAL Speed Shop joined the Los Angeles Roadsters in presenting the show experience and participating in a new awards program. A total of 16 awards recognizing outstanding cars were presented by the L.A. Roadsters, SO-CAL Speed Shop and Rodding USA. Bob Beck returned as show emcee, presenting the national anthem and participating in the awards presentations. The awards added another dimension, but this has never been an event where trophies are the only reason to attend. The real reward is participation in the event. It’s pulling into Pomona in an open roadster on a Southern California morning. It’s parking beside friends you may see only a few times each year. It’s hearing Flatheads, small-block Chevrolets and traditional overhead-valve engines firing throughout the grounds. It’s watching a youngster discover an exposed front suspension for the first time while an older enthusiast remembers building something similar 50 years ago.

Sixty Years—and Still Rolling Anniversary merchandise commemorating the 60th show provided visitors with souvenirs, but the most important thing being preserved at Pomona couldn’t be printed on a T-shirt. It was tradition. Hot rodding has changed enormously since the early days of the Los Angeles Roadsters. Technology has changed. Building techniques have changed. Engines have changed. The value of early Ford sheet metal has certainly changed. But the basic attraction of a roadster hasn’t. Take an early automobile, remove everything unnecessary, improve the engine, lower the stance, fit the right wheels and tires and head down the highway with nothing between you and the California sky. That formula worked generations ago. It still works today. As Saturday afternoon wound down and roadsters began heading toward the Fairplex gates, the 2026 L.A. Roadsters Show & Swap became another chapter in a remarkable Southern California hot rod story. Sixty shows were now in the books. The roadsters were heading home, the swap-meet treasures were being loaded into trucks, and another Father’s Day weekend at Pomona was coming to an end. But traditions this strong don’t really end. They simply wait for next year. Planning is underway for the 61st L.A. Roadster Show & Swap meet so stay tuned to the social media pages for the club and event or check in at www.laroadsters.com

If it’s September and it’s labor Day Weekend, then that means it’s time for the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Indiana at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Here’s a great shot from the 1966 U.S. Nationals, photographer unknown, to set the mood for some U.S. Nationals drag racing fun coming up