n the world of automotive enthusiasts, few names resonate as strongly as the Chevrolet Chevelle, particularly the iconic 1970 model. This classic muscle car holds a special place in the hearts of many. For Brent Schieder, a passionate cabinet maker from Pleasanton, California, it represents a lifelong journey steeped in the love of car building. His automotive adventure began in high school, ignited by his father’s 1969 Nova, and has grown into a remarkable dedication to building modern-day hot rods.

Brent’s latest masterpiece is a stunning 1970 Chevelle (made from a Malibu survivor car), constructed by the talented team at Roadster Shop (RS), with contributions from Avant Garde Interiors and Goolsby Customs. With a clear vision, Brent created a comfortable yet powerful vehicle to accommodate his family while turning heads on the road. The Chevelle was a fitting choice, reflecting iconic aesthetics and nostalgic ties to his youth, where car culture thrived among he and his friends.

any have heard or said, “This is my last project.” Such is the case for John Mumford from the Bay Area in California. John tells us that this is the last 1932 Ford he will build. When speaking with John’s collaborator on many of these projects, Roy Brizio of Roy Brizio Street Rods, he tells us John has said the same thing to him. Brizio has built 20-plus hot rods for John, including several AMBR contenders, and in 2013 took home the perpetual America’s Most Beautiful Roadster 9-foot trophy. We don’t doubt John’s sincerity, however, we have heard these sentiments. Given John’s passion for hot rods, we will reserve a spot for a future “table of contents” entry for another effort. Brizio agrees!

t’s always an intriguing story about how any hot rodder embarks on building their current project. Todd Stamm of Texas is no exception. His 1965 Buick Riviera mild custom is just such a project. Todd’s passion for the 1965 Buick Riviera began around 10 years ago when he spotted one at a Mecum Auction in Houston.

Todd and Jason Smith of the Hot Rod Garage (HRG) discussed whether to start with an original car or a project that already had some work completed. The two considered building a mild custom restomod. Todd wanted a cruiser, but one that had plenty of “oomph.” However, he made it clear that the final appearance had to retain much of the original Riviera factory’s beauty. With a longstanding passion for European cars from the 1950s and early 1960s, especially Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, and others from the era, the 1965 Buick Riviera’s black over green color combination was an easy choice for Todd. Initially agreeing to start with a once-started-but-now-abandoned project, they later found a donor that had been recently restored with a Connect and Cruise LS3/525 and 4L70E. They both will tell you they should have started from “scratch.”

teve Norin of SoCal was with his cousin, who restores old Cadillacs, when they found themselves at Steve’s auto mechanic’s garage. The mechanic mentioned having an old Cadillac in pieces, stored in a container behind the shop. Steve’s cousin Mark entered the storage container and said, “I think this is a 1939 Cadillac Series 61 two-door convertible.” Steve’s mechanic asked what it was worth, and his cousin replied, “In its current condition, probably $10,000 to $20,000.” It turns out that was just what the mechanic wanted to hear: “I will sell it to you for $10,000,” and Steve said, “Done.” Initially, Steve planned to patch it back together and sell it to make a few bucks. However, after discussing it with his collector friends Bill Grant and Terry and David Stoker of Stoker’s Hot Rod Factory (SHRF), he decided to go all in and pursue a first-class restoration. It took three years to complete, but it was worth the effort.

idway through the model year, in February 1963, Ford made waves by offering the Fairlane’s robust 164hp “Challenger” 260-cid V-8 engine for the first time in the Falcon lineup, sparking excitement among performance enthusiasts. However, Grant Smith’s Falcon didn’t start there; it had to come a long way to reach its current standard.