Holley Inc. and Detroit Speed & Engineering unveiled their latest celebrity car restomod at the 2023 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The three-year project, commissioned by comedian and actor Kevin Hart, involved a complete custom rebuild of Hart’s ’69 Pontiac GTO, transforming the classic muscle car into Pro Touring excellence with powerhouse performance.

Hart’s ’69 Pontiac GTO features a Chevrolet Performance LT5 6.2L supercharged 755hp engine, Bowler Performance T56 transmission, and JRi adjustable coilover shocks. The vehicle is equipped with HRE Valkyrja wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tires. The front and rear bumpers, hood, front valance, and spoiler are just a few of the modifications made by the Detroit Speed & Engineering team to achieve the desired aesthetic and vehicle dynamics.

Additionally, Hart’s vehicle leverages a number of aftermarket parts and components manufactured by Holley-owned businesses, including Detroit Speed Universal X-Gen 595 Suspension, Detroit Speed custom QUADRALink Rear Suspension, Classic Instruments gauges, Baer Brakes 15-inch R-Spec rotors with XRT six-piston calipers, GearFX Ford 9-inch rearend utilizing 3.82 ratio, Holley mid-mount complete accessory drive system, Detroit Speed aluminum battery mount, Holley RetroBright headlights, and a Hurst shifter.

Stay tuned as Modern Rodding works at getting this wild GTO for a future feature vehicle.

The Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) council of SEMA named Automotive Racing Products (ARP) as its 2023 Business of the Year at the HRIA reception held in conjunction with the SEMA Show.

ARP was recognized not only for manufacturing the premium-grade fasteners employed by many leading car builders and race teams, but for its contributions to hot rodding. The company sponsors many coveted industry awards, including the AMBR (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster) and Slonaker trophies at the Grand National Roadster Show, three major awards at the Triple Crown of Rodding, and the new World’s Most Beautiful Truck award at the Grand National Truck Show in Pomona, California.

What began as a part-time business in his home garage by company founder Gary Holzapfel in 1968 has grown to encompass a multitude of facilities in Santa Paula and Ventura, California, with some 300 employees. Gary’s son, Michael, serves as ARP’s president, and grandson Ryan is climbing his way through the ranks. ARP is a family owned business that prides itself on making the finest possible products, with all manufacturing processes done in-house.

Accepting the award from HRIA chairman Tim McCarthy and chairman-elect Jeff Grantmeyer were Ryan Holzapfel and ARP executive VP Bob Florine.

We are very excited for ARP and their award; they have been one of the founding supporters of In The Garage Media, Inc. publications—Modern Rodding, Classic Truck Performance, and All Chevy Performance­—since our inception.

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced that Bill Ganahl, owner of South City Rod & Custom, is the recipient of their 2023 Trendsetter Award. This prestigious award was presented during the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) reception at the 2023 SEMA Show.

The Goodguys Trendsetter Award is given to rising builders in the hot rod and custom car industry and 2023 has been a banner year for Bill and his team at South City. First, by winning the Goodguys Tanks Inc. Hot Rod of the Year title with the striking and oftentimes controversial ’34 Ford coupe know as “St. Christopher,” followed by winning the Scott’s Hotrods Truck of the Year Early honor with a classic ’40 Ford pickup. The same pickup that also won the title World’s Most Beautiful Truck in September.

As a teen, Bill dabbled in hot rods in part thanks to his editor father, the late Pat Ganahl who wrote for Street Rodder, Hot Rod, and The Rodder’s Journal, among other publications. Bill studied English literature and finished his graduate degree only to follow his passion for hot rodding by working with Brizio Street Rods in his formative years.

In 2013 Bill set out on his own and opened South City Rod & Custom and in that same year scored the Goodguys Custom of the Year Top 12 title with a chopped ’51 Mercury along with the Custom d’Elegance Award at the Sacramento Autorama. More recently, the South City shop scored the Goodguys Truck of the Year Late title in 2022 with a ’65 Chevy C10.

Whether pushing the boundaries of hot rodding or refining tradition, South City’s builds always seem to capture the true essence of the hot rodding and custom car charisma thanks to Bill’s passion and vision. The entire team at Goodguys is proud to name Bill Ganahl as their 2023 Trendsetter Award recipient.

Be on the lookout for many of South City Rod & Custom builds to appear on the pages and the electronic media of Modern Rodding, Classic Truck Performance, and All Chevy Performance throughout the year.