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HOT ROD Network - Muscle Cars | Custom Cars | Car Projects | Where It All Began

Radically Improve the Brakes of your OBS Chevy with this New Kit from Wilwood

Radically Improve the Brakes of your OBS Chevy with this New Kit from Wilwood

John Force Officially Retires: 16-Time NHRA Champion Ends Iconic Career

John Force Officially Retires: 16-Time NHRA Champion Ends Iconic Career

Mike Galimi | Nov 14, 2025

2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack: First Drive and Drag Test

2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack: First Drive and Drag Test

Johnny Hunkins | Nov 14, 2025

Why the 1969 Chevrolet Nickey Camaro Stage III is the benchmark for 1960s Performance

Why the 1969 Chevrolet Nickey Camaro Stage III is the benchmark for 1960s Performance

Steven Rupp | Nov 7, 2025

More Top Stories

The man behind the legendary Detroit Autorama and World of Wheels annual shows leaves a lasting legacy in automotive custom-car events.

Peter Toundas, Visionary Leader of Detroit Autorama, Passes Away

Mike Galimi | Nov 19, 2025

Every record-breaking pass and Low ET from HOT ROD Drag Week history.

HOT ROD Drag Week Records: The Quickest Cars and All-Time Best Performances

Mike Galimi | Nov 17, 2025

The must-see gear from SEMA 2025: power adders, bed systems, coolers, and gadgets that make your truck faster, tougher, and smarter.

25 Cool, Smart, and Wild Truck Parts From SEMA 2025

KJ Jones | Nov 12, 2025

The 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car Series’ last race before the big SEMA championship.

American Muscle Tears Up the Track

Steven Rupp | Nov 12, 2025

The 2025 SEMA Show’s biggest showdown is wrapped, with Troy Trepanier’s stunning, hand-built, fenderless 1936 Ford Roadster taking top honors as the Battle of the Builders champion and proving that true craftsmanship never goes out of style.

SEMA 2025 Battle of the Builders: Troy Trepanier’s Handcrafted ’36 Ford Roadster Rules Them All

KJ Jones | Nov 12, 2025

SEMA 2025 is live in Las Vegas, and this year the Blue Oval crowd was outnumbered. Chevy C10s were everywhere. Fords? Not so much. But the few that showed up made it count.

Ford-Powered and Proud: The Finest Fords of SEMA 2025—Gallery Inside

KJ Jones | Nov 10, 2025

After shocking SEMA with the 2,800-hp Chevelle called “Doughboy,” Blazin Rodz is back with a hybrid AWD ’69 Camaro promising 1,600 hp and limited-run production.

Blazin Rodz Previews 1,600-HP Hybrid ’69 Camaro Ahead of SEMA 2025

John McGann | Nov 6, 2025

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Touring the United States One HOT ROD Power Tour at a Time

Touring the United States One HOT ROD Power Tour at a Time

HOT ROD Power Tour 2025: Epic Gallery of Long Haulers

HOT ROD Power Tour 2025: Epic Gallery of Long Haulers

Mike Galimi | Jul 21, 2025

Chevrolet Performance Showcases Power and Style on HOT ROD Power Tour

Chevrolet Performance Showcases Power and Style on HOT ROD Power Tour

Mike Galimi | Jul 8, 2025

HOT ROD Power Tour 2025: Freaks, Oddballs, and One-Offs Gallery

HOT ROD Power Tour 2025: Freaks, Oddballs, and One-Offs Gallery

Steven Rupp | Jun 26, 2025

SEMA 2025 is live in Las Vegas, and the engines on display show what modern performance really looks like: built, tuned, and finished perfection.

Under the Hood at SEMA 2025: The Engines That Set the Bar for Show-Quality High Performance—Huge Gallery

KJ Jones | Nov 6, 2025

The clock was ticking to get this Grand Sport–inspired ’Vette finished in time for SEMA!

The SEMA Crunch! Building a Retro 1966 454 Big-Block Corvette for the Big Show in Vegas!

Steven Rupp | Nov 6, 2025

From viral sensation to SEMA showstopper, the Ringbrothers’ carbon-fiber Aston Martin DBS “Octavia” proves that British style and American horsepower make an irresistible combination.

Ringbrothers Aston Martin DBS "Octavia" Brings British Muscle to SEMA 2025

Greg Emmerson | Nov 6, 2025

The cars might grab the spotlight, but these new products are what really drive the SEMA Show—and the future of hot rodding.

HOT ROD’s 12 Best New Products From the 2025 SEMA Show

Johnny Hunkins | Nov 5, 2025

Powered by a hand-built four-valve modular engine, this Lincoln LS is a one-off experiment in performance engineering and grassroots creativity.

Homemade 4V V-10 Ford Modular Engine Powered 2017 Lincoln Continental Turns Instagram Dream Into SEMA Show Reality

Steven Rupp | Nov 5, 2025

Built by friends and powered by ingenuity, this Rambler defies convention—mixing hidden EFI trickery, raw AMC horsepower, and timeless style into one unforgettable street machine.

Nick Filippides’ 1964 AMC Rambler Blends Classic Muscle with 648 HP of Modern Engineering

Jesse Kiser | Nov 5, 2025

$Ram’s new DC650 is a supercharged, street-focused pickup truck that enters the muscle-truck fracas as a direct challenge to Ford and Chevy’s factory-hopped-up 1500s.$

2026 Ram 1500 DC650: Direct Connection Brings Hot Rod Pickup Trucks Back to the Pavement with a 650-HP Half-Ton

KJ Jones | Nov 5, 2025

Velocity Restorations and the Roadster Shop dropped a Fox-Body bomb at SEMA 2025, an 800-horsepower, supercharged 1991 Mustang LX restomod built on the Roadster Shop’s SPEC Fox-Body chassis.

Velocity Unveils 800-Horsepower Restomod Fox Body Mustang at SEMA 2025

KJ Jones | Nov 4, 2025

Ringbrothers’ latest creation, the blacked-out "Kingpin" Mach 1, redefines Mustang aggression with 800 supercharged horsepower and carbon-fiber attitude on full display at SEMA 2025

Ringbrothers reveals 1969 Mustang Mach 1 "Kingpin" at SEMA 2025

Greg Emmerson | Nov 4, 2025

RS came up with a way to bolt a new chassis under your 3rd gen Camaro, Firebird, or Trans Am.

First Look: Roadster Shop’s New 3rd Generation F-body Bolt-In SPEC Chassis at the 2025 SEMA Show

Steven Rupp | Nov 4, 2025

We take a look at the newest member of the CF1 Corvette family at Kindig-it Design’s shop.

Kindig-it Designs Unveils New CF1 Fastback Corvette at the 2025 SEMA Show, and We Check Out How It Was Built

Steven Rupp | Nov 4, 2025

We go Behind the build of Kindig-it’s insane widebody 1969 Camaro at SEMA 2025.

Exclusive! Behind the Build of Kindig-it’s Insane Widebody 1969 Camaro Unveiled at the 2025 SEMA Show

Steven Rupp | Nov 4, 2025

Project Black Beauty, Part 6: Our ProCharger F-1C went home for a full factory inspection and rebuild. Here’s what the teardown revealed, how ProCharger’s service process works, and why proper documentation matters for long-term boost reliability.

Bringing Back the Boost: ProCharger’s Factory Rebuild of Our ’02 Mustang’s F-1C Supercharger

KJ Jones | Nov 4, 2025

Pontiac’s legendary Pace Car returns with modern power and timeless style—and the chance to see it again for the first time.

Classic Pontiac, New Tech: 1980 Trans Am Pace Car Reimagined for SEMA 2025

Johnny Hunkins | Nov 3, 2025

A 2023 regular-cab, short-bed F-150 with Eaton Detroit Truetracs, Magnuson boost, and Ridetech suspension redefines Ford performance and brings the Lightning legend back.

Ford’s Hottest Sports Coupe Has a Bed: Inside Eaton’s Supercharged F-150 Build

KJ Jones | Nov 3, 2025

Stellantis revives muscle tradition at the 2025 SEMA show with two concept vehicles, plus a possible glimpse of Dodge’s next Hemi-powered halo car.

Mopar Drops Ram and Charger Concepts at SEMA—and a Hidden Clue to Future Hemi Styling!

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 31, 2025

All-New 2026 Dodge Charger Drag Pak by Direct Connection Brings Supercharged Hemi Power, Carbon-Fiber Lightness, and NHRA Factory Stock Showdown Dominance.

Dodge Hustles Harder: First-Ever 2026 Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak Reignites Factory Rivalries

Mike Galimi | Oct 31, 2025

Built by hand and meant to be driven, this Rat Rod celebrates raw steel, real miles, and unfiltered hot-rod attitude.

Home-Built 1934 Plymouth Coupe Rat Rod Runs a 331 Hemi V-8 With Attitude

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 30, 2025

Custom Builds and More!

Tired of waiting for the perfect muscle truck, Bernie Charles took matters into his own hands—and his creation might just change mother Mopar’s mind at SEMA.

DIY Dodge Charger AWD Ute: The Hellcat-Powered Widebody Hemi Muscle Truck Dodge Needs to Build!

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 23, 2025

In a quest to capture next-gen buyers, this ’68 Olds Cutlass 442 was built by the factory to set a “mod” trend for muscle cars.

Fade to Cool: Oldsmobile’s 1968 Mod Rod Cutlass 442 Convertible Breaks the "Dad's Car" Mold

KJ Jones | Oct 15, 2025

Siamesed bores, heavy main webbing, and splayed four-bolt mains s

New Ford Windsor V-8 Summit Racing SPC Block Targets Big Power Builds

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 14, 2025

From a stripped Plymouth Satellite shell, John Miller hammered out a winged warrior tribute with a rare 440 that’s built to be driven every day.

Budget DIY ’70 Superbird Built with Blood, Sweat, and a Six-Barrel

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 13, 2025

At AVS Motorsports, a gasser-style Nova and a ’57 Chevy legacy project showcase how Allen Verschave blends racing roots, family tradition, and world-class craftsmanship into award-winning builds.

Behind the Build Episode 9: We Visit AVS Motorsports in Oceanside, CA

John McGann | Oct 8, 2025

The 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car Series moves to iconic Road America for the next event in their lead up to the big SEMA championship!

2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car Series: Muscle Car Showdown at Road America

Steven Rupp | Oct 7, 2025

One of only 54 W-30 produced for 1966 is just part of what makes this classic muscle car so rare.

What is a W-30 442 Oldsmobile, and What Makes This 1966 Special?

Steven Rupp | Oct 22, 2025

Mopar’s Mod Top Barracuda proved that even muscle cars could embrace flower power—just maybe a little too far out for its time.

This 1969 Plymouth Barracuda’s Floral Roof Proves Mopar Was the King of Cool

Steven Rupp | Oct 22, 2025

Built from the ground up, this LS3‑powered, 650‑HP ’55 Bel Air showcases Raynard Durham’s ingenuity—3D‑printed interior, modern electronics, classic Chevy soul.

Raynard Durham’s 650-HP Garage-Built '55 Chevy Bel Air Is a DIY Engineering Marvel

KJ Jones | Oct 21, 2025

They’re not a household name—yet—but these smart battery chargers could become your favorite unsung shop saviors.

Optimate Chargers: The Quiet Heroes of the Garage Revolution

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 21, 2025

With careful details, a supercharged Flathead, and subtle modifications, Whitey Van Kennen’s hot rod shows the art of less is more.

A Timeless Vision: Supercharged '34 Ford with a Traditional Soul

Barry Kluczyk | Oct 20, 2025

Built to honor his granddad, this bonkers CAT C12 turbodiesel-powered, 10-speed, Jake-braked creation is tons of fun on the highway!

1,500 lb-ft of Diesel Torque! The CAT-Powered Studebaker That Breaks All the Rules

Steven Rupp | Oct 17, 2025

Our new video series focuses on getting stalled project cars back on the road.

Driveway Dreams Ep. 1: Bringing a 1963 Ford Thunderbird Back to Life

John McGann | Oct 17, 2025

From slammed haulers to offbeat customs, Mississippi’s Gulf Coast was a rolling showcase of creativity.

Cruisin’ the Coast 2025: The Wildest Trucks, Street Rods, and Freaks on the Gulf Coast

Mike Galimi | Oct 16, 2025

Bargain-bin parts and a rescued Winnebago wedge show how hot-rodding thrives on creativity, not cash.

1955 Plymouth Belvedere Gasser Built at Home with 440 Muscle

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 16, 2025

Engines and How-To

From a storage unit to a cruiser—we drop in a stroked small-block Chevy, rebuild the manual trans, and prep our barn find Nova for Cruisin’ the Coast

Barn Find Revival: Our 1974 Chevy Nova Gets a 571-HP Summit 427 Small-Block Chevy Swap

Mike Galimi | Oct 9, 2025

Born with the same paint pedigree that finished the 2017 Ridler Award winner, PPG’s new Velocity refinish system delivers premium color brilliance, fast turnaround, and durability for today’s high-output custom and collision shops.

PPG Velocity Refinish System Brings Show-Winning Shine and Shop Speed to Custom Car Paint: Less Downtime, More Shine Time

KJ Jones | Oct 9, 2025

Johnson’s Radiator Works and Speedway Motors now deliver direct-fit cooling for prewar Fords.

Copper-Brass Street Rod Radiators Built for Serious V-8 Power

Johnny Hunkins | Oct 7, 2025

HOT ROD Editor-in-Chief John McGann recalls wisdom gleaned from the passenger seat of a flatbed tow truck.

Words of Wisdom from Tow Truck Drivers

John McGann | Oct 2, 2025

JEGS' 750-cfm carburetor puts hot rodders in control with race-bred flexibility and familiar 4150-style tuning.

High-Carb Diet: JEGS 750-CFM Serves Up Affordable Muscle for Hot Rod V-8s

Johnny Hunkins | Sep 29, 2025

ATK’s 302 Ford crate engines serve up 375 dyno-tested hp—Carb or EFI.

Affordable Ford V-8 Power: 302ci 375-hp Small-Block Windsor Crate Engines

Johnny Hunkins | Sep 9, 2025

Two Chevy Tri-Fives have become the Hurlbutt family’s multigenerational legacy—linking past, present, and future.

Heritage and Hot Rodding: Al and Greg Hurlbutt’s Pair of ’55 Chevys

Phillip Thomas | Oct 14, 2025

Real-world racing meets video game—RPM Raceway’s Kart Klash rewrites the rules of competition with “Power-Ups,” holograms, and high-tech electric karts.

Kart Klash Racing Brings Motorsport’s Future Right Here, Right Now

KJ Jones | Oct 10, 2025

One of the greatest and wildest custom car creations sells at Mecum auction for over 1 million bucks!

Legendary Golden Sahara II Custom Sells for $1,265,000 at Auction!

Steven Rupp | Oct 9, 2025

Evan Duhamel transforms a rare French Renault Domaine into a budget-built hot rod, blending ingenuity, LS muscle, and authentic patina.

Home-Built 1959 Renault Domaine Hot Rod: French Wagon with LS Power

Barry Kluczyk | Oct 8, 2025

UMI’s 2025 King of the Mountain event saw over 100 classic and modern muscle cars battle for cash and glory.

Insane Action at the 2025 King of the Mountain KOTM Event! – Huge Gallery!

Steven Rupp, Ramey Wormer | Oct 8, 2025

Veazie Bros. Fabrication and owner Larry Jacinto received this prestigious award at the 2025 Grand National Truck Show.

World's Most Beautiful Truck is a 1941 Willys

John McGann | Oct 6, 2025

Murray Pfaff's illustrations changed the way we look at project cars. New tools will take his imagination even further.

From Sketch to SEMA: Murray Pfaff's Designs That Changed Car Culture

Drew Hardin | Oct 3, 2025

Top Fuel is the pinnacle of professional motorsports’ speed and acceleration, a fact that it has enjoyed since it began in 1963.

The Moment Supreme: NHRA Top Fuel Celebrates 1,000 Events

Brian Lohnes | Oct 1, 2025

Before Pro Street was a trend, this Nova was already rewriting the rules of the street.

Street or Strip? This Tubbed '69 Nova Proved You Could Have Both

Barry Kluczyk | Sep 30, 2025

Drag Week 2025, Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, passes the halfway point and heads back to Maryland.

HOT ROD Drag Week 2025 Day 3: Race Cars on The Road—Cruise Gallery

Steven Rupp | Sep 18, 2025

This vintage Corvette hides a modern LME LS with a billet intake—and it’s on the verge of setting the All-Motor Small Block record.

1962 Corvette Chasing All Motor Small Block Record at HOT ROD Drag Week

Mike Galimi | Sep 18, 2025

Drag Week 2025, Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, starts off a bit wet at Maple Grove Raceway!

Official Results from Day 3 – Rain Can’t Stop HOT ROD Drag Week and Goldstone Hits 235 mph!

Steven Rupp | Sep 17, 2025

Drag Week 2025, Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, weaves its way south through Pennsylvania towards the third day of racing!

HOT ROD Drag Week 2025 Day 2 – Next Stop: Maple Grove Raceway – Cruise Gallery

Steven Rupp | Sep 17, 2025