LeRoi “Tex” Smith was one of hot rodding’s most influential and iconoclastic figures. He joined NHRA’s Safety Safari and the Hot Rod magaine staff in 1953, helped launch Rod Action and Street Rodder, and co-created the Street Rod Nationals with Tom Medley and Rod &
The cauldron of car-guy creativity that bubbled throughout Southern California post World War II spit out more legendary racers, hot rodders, and customizers than you can shake an acetylene torch at. And this Legends column has had the privilege of showcasing many of them. [caption id="attachment_71345"
In the 1970s, California was a breeding ground for standout hot rods, ground fertilized by a convergence of factors, most notably the popularity of the Street Rod Nationals, a resurgent Rod & Custom magazine, and an explosion of aftermarket parts suppliers. Out of
Longtime hot rodders and fans of smart automotive journalism were saddened by the recent passing of Spencer "Spence" Murray, at age 93. Murray spent more than six decades as an influential writer for a host of hot-rod related magazines, including serving as the first editor
Editor’s Note: No matter how you look at it, 2020 was a year that nobody expected, nor wished for. Event postponements, cancellations, social distancing, and more had old car enthusiasts out of sorts. Our scene revolves around gathering at events and showing off with others.
At his memorial service, George Barris’s casket was festooned with large black fins, a paean to his most famous creation, the Batmobile. It also would have made sense if the hearse that hauled Barris to his final resting spot would have been painted pearl white
These days hot rodding and motorsports are known for their specialization. A modern street rod shop features a chassis guy, an engine guy, a metal guy, a paint guy, wiring guy, even a designer. A contemporary race team slices up responsibilities even finer – engine,
Since the Legends column began alternating between famous hot rodders and famous hot rods, we have showcased the ZZ Top Eliminator Coupe and Norm Grabowski’s “Kookie” T, both lifted to prominence by the mainstream media. Thus, they were feted not only by car guys but
She's a drag racing pioneer, a winner, a champion, and her name is Shirley. Shirley Muldowney, right? No, try again. Shirley, ah…ah…ah… Geez, I don't know? Shirley who? Don't feel bad if the name Shirley Shahan doesn't leap to mind, for Shahan's gender-bending quarter-mile heroics came
It makes sense that one of hot rodding’s most wacky, larger-than-life personalities would concoct one of hot rodding’s most iconic, larger-than-life cars. That’s right, we’re talking about Norm Grabowski’s ground-breaking, silver-screen-friendly roadster, the Kookie T. From the parking lot of Bob’s Big Boy to the boulevard
