Building a radical traditional custom requires many different elements all coming into alignment. You need top-rate craftsmen, a thoughtful design, the right combination of parts, and plenty of persistence. And as David Ceccanti will tell you, a little luck doesn’t hurt. David was fortunate enough to
There is just something mystifying about an old truck sitting out in a field. Mark Bell discovered this attraction at just 13 when he wore down a path of weeds surrounding this ’62 Ford F100 unibody that had literally been put out to pasture. Mark
Some outstanding hot rods look the part. Their brilliance is immediately apparent. Others are more muted. Parked on a fairground these rides barely merit a head-turn. But if you did peer underneath or squint under the hood, a dazzling display of style and ingenuity would
Why would Chris Karges put a 6.6-litre GM Duramax diesel engine in a ’57 Chevy? First, 634 reasons, as in horsepower. Second, 1,100 more, as in pound-feet of torque. In a world of old-school V8s and LS transplants, why not stand out with the choice of
Can a potent, powerful, and just-plain badass street machine be beautiful? Absolutely! Just take a look at "Rhodium," the stunning ’68 Camaro built by East Bay Muscle Cars for Ryan Gates, which captured the Goodguys 2021 BASF America’s Most Beautiful honor at the 34th West
Mark Sandfort typed “hot rod shop” into a Google search and, fortunately for him, found South City Rod & Custom. “He walked in our door without ever having built a car or knowing us,” says shop owner Bill Ganahl. When his 1965 C10 truck rolled
You could argue that Harold and Tracy Chapman had an unfair advantage in the Goodguys 2021 BASF America’s Most Beautiful competition. They started with an incredible example of ’50s styling – the rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz – and had the backing of the build
As a shop owner, you know you’re doing something right when a customer returns to have you build another vehicle. Michael Petramalo did just that, bringing this 1967 Suburban to J-Rod & Custom after they built him another custom ride. Michael wanted to take the
If you want proof that a mostly owner-built car can still vie for a Goodguys Top 12 award, check out this beautiful '59 Impala belonging to Marty Bettis. Starting with a rusty relic from Texas, Marty crafted the Chevy into a stunning showpiece, tackling the
For many of us who dreamed of owning a 1969 Camaro Z28 since we were young, it often took decades to make the dream come true. Mark Perez had that same childhood dream, but he fulfilled his at the ripe old age of 24. A random
