I’ve had a life-long obsession with the iconic Willys coupe, which began while watching my brother Tom racing his 1960 Pontiac at the local Cordova Drag Way in Illinois. I always kept my eye on the other lane where the familiar Willys gassers were st

(Editor's Note: While walking around the Pro's Pick area at the Street Rod Nationals last month, I spotted this Model A Phaeton in the mix of cars in competition. The car was a perfect match for the pages of Rodding USA. In talking to owner Gregg Dyk

The 32nd edition of the Speedway Motors/Heartland Nationals held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds was a first time event for Rodding USA, and it was an exciting visit to Des Moines, Iowa. The event took place June 30 – July 2 and was well attended by ov

Rodney Singleton grew up watching circle track races throughout Illinois. He and his wife, Linda, own an auto repair shop in Brighton, Illinois. You can guess that gasoline and motor oil run through Rodney’s veins. About ten years ago, Rodney caught

2023 marks the 29th time Louisville, Kentucky, has hosted the National Street Rod Association and the incredible Street Rod Nationals. Over 9,000 entries were recorded for the four-day event, which occurred from August 3-6, 2023. The Kentucky State F

Butch Rosales from Boston, MA, always has some new project on the chopping block covering a wide range of hot rod styles that fit his taste. During these builds, he finds quite a few other enthusiasts while buying or swapping parts that become good f

With Goodguys no longer hosting a summertime show in Spokane, Brian Anderson, who puts on the very successful Spokane Speed and Custom Show, took advantage of the hole left in the Northwest show calendar and took it upon himself to fill the gap. Bein

Rich Fairservis grew up in Wyoming playing with Match Box cars and building model cars, as most of us did. Little did he know then that it would eventually become a full-time love affair with full-size cars of all types and some incredible and sought

The first Annual Southeastern Hot Rod Show kicked off Friday, June 16th, at the North Georgia Ag Fairgrounds in Dalton, Georgia. This show is “Puttin’ the Hot back in Hot Rod.” Pre ‘72 custom cars and trucks began rumbling through the gate from as fa

Rodding USA has sponsored the Mid-West Deuces organization for many years, and I finally had the opportunity to attend a meeting. The meeting was held at the Goodguys Heartland Nationals in Des Moines, IA, on June 30. It’s a casual gathering held in

Growing up in the 80s, we were into skateboarding, BMX, and punk rock. When my friends and I started driving, we got into mini trucks and "Cal Look Bugs." When clubs like the Lucky Devils, Sacred Karts, Road Zombies, Auto Butchers, and the Shifters h

Shelby’s Way hosted its Deuces of the Bluegrass event in Lexington, Kentucky, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. This is the primary fundraising event for the Kentucky-based 501c3 non-profit organization that brings awareness to suicide prevention by ending t

A while back, my friend and fellow Bay Area Roadsters member Dennis Varni put a bug in my ear. A veteran of rallies worldwide, Dennis wanted me to join him on a timed-stage race south of the border known as the Chihuahua Express. At first, all I coul

In recent years, the incidence of interesting “barn finds” has increased dramatically, but to find one of these long-forgotten jewels in pristine condition is quite unusual. But such is the case with this sweet little 1924 Ford Model “T” roadster pic

If your special interest vehicle is insured with a standard car insurer, which form of comprehensive or collision coverage do you have? Is it actual cash value, stated value, or agreed value? Ask yourself, will I get the actual cash value or the agre

Undoubtedly, many of the prettiest parts of a hot rod are parts of the chassis, suspension, or drivetrain. Sadly, these parts are typically covered or at least obscured substantially when the body is in place and the vehicle is finished. Even when th

When the new design for the 1949 Ford model year of cars was introduced, it was an instant hit that many credited with saving the struggling Ford Motor Company. Like its Mercury cousin, the ‘49-51 Shoebox soon became a favorite with young hot rodders

In 2018, Mel Lawyer created the Midwest Roadsters (formerly Roadsters of America) page on Facebook and invited roadster pilots to join him on a cruise originating in Alton, Illinois. That first-year event drew about 45 roadsters and Cabriolets from a

The 57th edition of the L.A. Roadster Show was an overwhelming success, and beautiful weather accompanied the event. Saturday began with the typical “June Gloom” Southern California overcast that burns off by late morning/early afternoon. It was 60 d

Car Trailers play an essential part in our car culture hobby, whether they are used for getting your project to the painter during the build, bringing home a new project or getting your car to a car show. We won’t get into the debate of cars being dr

I recently had the opportunity to revisit the elementary school I attended from 1961 – 1967, which covered grades 1-6. Through a former teacher I met while granddaughter Daniela was attending the same school, Moses Thompson, asked me if I would be in