The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has announced the newest members of its prestigious Hall of Fame: Luanne Brown, George Lathouris, John McLeod, and Larry Pacey. Our side of the hot rod industry’s very own John McLeod is one of the well-deserving recipients.

McLeod has been actively involved in the automotive and SEMA communities for over 23 years, beginning with his early days at Classic Instruments working on custom automotive builds in the late 1990s, culminating in his company’s acquisition in 2001. Under his leadership, Classic Instruments transformed from a small gauge company into a respected mainstay within the hot rod industry.

McLeod is known for his high-energy work ethic and awareness of the needs of his customers—we hot rodders! He is also someone who is not shy about devoting countless hours to community service, shaping his influential tenure volunteering within and leading the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA). His Education Days and Builders Panel initiatives foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, while also providing industry veterans an opportunity to pass on critical insights, enhancing the professionalism and knowledge base of the automotive community. 

“When you look at the list of members like Dave McClelland, Smokey Yunik, Brian Applegate, Carroll Shelby, and so many more amazing people who are my heroes—people I have looked up to for so long—I am honored to share this space with them,” McLeod says. “I am hopeful that I can inspire at least one young person to be part of such an amazing industry, just as so many of them did for me.”

McLeod is a true enthusiast, actively participating in drag racing with his own Stock Eliminator 2009 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. He is also working on his 1932 Ford highboy roadster in collaboration with Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop. McLeod truly deserves this award, and our industry is very proud of him and his contributions.

Vans have become increasingly popular in recent years, capturing the attention of hot rod builders eager to join the trend. In our “Rodding Around” feature, we’ve highlighted in the past the latest van project that is currently “full steam ahead” at Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, and word is this is Bobby’s ride. Another impressive example comes from Jonathan Goolsby of Goolsby Customs, indicating that we can expect to see even more innovative designs emerge in this category. Additionally, Dean Livermore of Hot Rods By Dean (HRBD) is close to completing the vision of Phil Maas of Arizona, who went to Livermore to see if he could pull off the project. This is the vision of what a hot rod van can look like, at least in a unique interpretation.

In a nod to pop culture, The A-Team is an iconic American action television series that aired on NBC from January 23, 1983 to May 26, 1987. The 1983 GMC Vandura, featured in the show and now recreated for Maas, has an impressive range of specifications. It includes a 383 SBC motor paired with a Hughes transmission, a 700-R4. Stopping power comes from Wilwood disc brakes while KC HiLiTES sit atop the roof and custom grille guard, and those distinctive red turbine mag wheels are present. The van is painted in PPG black and silver, designed to match the original look and highlighted with a bold red stripe. The original TV series van had a rear wing, but HRBD has taken it a step further, crafting a custom metal rear wing.

Look for more on both of these vans in the future.