hen each of us must go out and round up the parts we need for our hot rod build, we always try to get the best deal we can. Hey, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us that we all have a budget. Even the “deep pocket” car owners have budgets, though they may look very different from yours or mine. Nonetheless, budgets are a reality.

Lately, I’ve seen our hobby take a hit from phony advertising, especially on websites that appear to belong to legitimate companies. I’m told even major names like Summit Racing Equipment and Holley Performance Brands have been targeted. With that in mind, I reached out to Classic Performance Products (CPP) and BluePrint Engines, both of which have also been hit by fake ads across several platforms. The damage goes beyond the company’s bottom line—it leaves customers out their hard-earned money and, in return, they get either a poor-quality product or nothing at all. Worse yet, the blame often falls on these reputable companies, even though they’re victims too, because hobbyists understandably believe they’re dealing with the real business.

According to CPP and BluePrint, fake websites are luring buyers with heavily discounted prices on products such as CPP suspension components and BluePrint engines. Both companies say these bad actors often use Facebook ads and other channels to steer customers to counterfeit sites. On the surface, the deals may look tempting, but they are exactly what they seem—too good to be true. Industry sources tell me these scammers are operating through unfamiliar websites, social media ads, and loosely regulated third-party marketplaces.

Deeply discounted products, while tempting, are not a reality. So, what can a rodder do? Always use a company’s official website (classicperform.com and blueprintengines.com). But how do you know if it’s the real deal?

These steps aren’t the only way to vet a website, but they’re a solid starting point if you want to protect both your money and your peace of mind:

If you want to know whether a company website is legitimate or just another scam, start with the URL. It should closely match the company name without odd spellings, extra words, or unusual domain endings. Make sure the site uses HTTPS and carries a valid security certificate.

Then take a closer look: check who owns the domain, how long it has been active, and whether the certificate details align with the business.

A legitimate site usually looks polished, uses consistent branding, and includes essentials such as an About page, contact information, a privacy policy, and terms of service. If the writing is sloppy, the photos look generic, the prices are unrealistically low, or the site pressures you to act immediately, that’s a sign to back away.

Before sharing payment or personal information, verify the company through trusted reviews, official social media accounts, business listings, or consumer protection resources.

If you still have doubts, contact the company through a verified phone number and ask. A few extra minutes of checking can save you from paying for parts that never arrive.

Know that companies like CPP and BluePrint are spending a great deal of time and money to track down these bad guys, but you can help yourself. If you find a bogus site, let the real manufacturer know—they will appreciate your efforts, and so will many hot rodders you haven’t even met yet.

This month’s issue of Modern Rodding is dedicated to Doris Peleuses, my mother-in-law—a truly remarkable woman who devoted her life to her family and did it with strength, grace, and more patience than most saints are ever asked to summon. She raised two wonderful children: my brother-in-law (Zeus) and my wife (Kimi), who is every bit her mother’s daughter in the best possible ways.

After 100 years of sunrises and sunsets, Doris finally took her well-earned rest. Along the way, one of her more enduring trials was putting up with me and my incurable car habit. To her credit, she handled that burden with kindness, good humor, and only the appropriate level of concern. She never failed to remind me to drive carefully, especially when her daughter was riding with me, which was both fair and wise.

So, Mom, after a century of service, love, and keeping an eye on the rest of us, you’ve more than earned your weekends off.

Your “other” son,
BB