9th Annual Tri-Five Nationals – Beech Bend
Modern Rodding white and red logo
Revving Up Nostalgia
Today’s Muscle Cars
Channel the Bold Spirit
of the 1960s
Fabricating a Custom
1962 Chevy Chassis
Manual
Transmission
Options for
Your Chevy
Engine
Underhood Mastery:
Sheetmetal Excellence for Your 1959 Chevy
Today’s Muscle Cars Channel the Bold Spirit of the 1960s
Fabricating a Custom 1962 Chevy Chassis
Manual Transmission Options for Your Chevy Engine
Underhood Mastery: Sheetmetal Excellence for Your 1959 Chevy
Parting Shot: Lil’ John Buttera’s 1932 Ford Highboy Coupe
January 2025
Preview Issue
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Make It Yours. Make It Lokar. Modern Performance. Classic Style. Endless Options.
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Series Restored by Lokar
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selection of driving pedals
Series Restored by Lokar
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the VDOG, PN FR20303
the microsteer, PN FR40200
Rack Pinion and Cradle Kits typography and imagery
Cradle Kits availble for Mustang, Nova, Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy, and more typography and imagery
Steering Columns – Available in paintable mill, polished, or black powder coat; includes GM wiring, dress up kit, and canceling cam; floor or column shift available typographic image
polished stainless finish steering column for Chevy '57; PN FR20023-57SS
70-81 Camaro Direct Fit Floor Shift Key Column; PN FR30015BK
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Billet Column Drop
Italian Steering Wheel
two Universal Joints
Swivel floor mount
Billet Wheel Adapter
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For more information visit FlamingRiver.com
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Modern Rodding CONTENTS
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Departments
Brian Brennan
Industry News
New Products
Those Supporting Our Industry
Brian Brennan
Features
Rick Ribeiro’s 1967 Mustang Fastback
By Brian Brennan, Photography by Jason Matthew
Russ Reiter’s 1966 Pontiac GTO
By Brian Brennan, Photography by NotStock Photography
Darby Milner’s 1932 Ford Three-Window Highboy
By Grant Cox, Photography by the Author
Scott Simpson’s 1932 Ford Roadster Pickup
By Brian Brennan, Photography by Wes Allison
Steve Frisbie’s 1933 Ford Cabriolet
By Dale Moreau, Photography by the Author
Event
By Tommy Lee Byrd, Photography by the Author
Tech
LS, SBC & BBC Interchange
By Barry Kluczyk, Photography by the Author
Old Anvil Builds a One-of-a-Kind 1962 Chevy
By Ron Ceridono, Photography by Taylor Kempkes
Part 4: Metalworking Firewall and Engine Compartment
By Ron Covell
Custom Lights for a 1937 GMC Cabover
By Ron Covell
On the Cover:
This month’s cover features a pair of popular and incredibly well-built 1960s muscle cars. Russ Reiter’s 1966 Pontiac GTO is powered by a Chevrolet Performance LT4, while Rick Ribeiro’s 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback is powered by a 347 small-block Ford.
Photos by NotStock Photography & Jason Matth
Modern Rodding January 2025 cover
Hot Rod Industry Alliance logo: 2021 Recipient of the HRIA Business of the Year Award
Modern Rodding ISSN 2692-2371 (print) ISSN 2692-238X (online) Issue 52 is published monthly by In the Garage Media, Inc., 370 E. Orangethorpe Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870-6502. Periodicals postage paid at Placentia, CA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Modern Rodding, c/o In the Garage Media, Inc., 1350 E. Chapman Ave #6550, Fullerton, CA 92834-6550 or email ITGM, Inc. at subscription@inthegaragemedia.com. Copyright (c) 2024 IN THE GARAGE MEDIA, INC. Printed in the USA. The Modern Rodding trademark is a registered trademark of In The Garage Media, Inc.
Built for the Street, Proven on the Track
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Starting Over
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by Brian Brennan
Embracing Your Passion
F

inding time to indulge in hobbies can be challenging in today’s fast-paced world. However, for car types, particularly lovers of hot rods, no matter what vintage you drive, there are countless ways to embrace this passion and make the most of every moment. Whether cruising down scenic routes, attending rod runs, or enjoying a quiet morning with your favorite car magazine, free time can transform into epic adventures filled with the joy of hot rods.

To truly relish your free time, start by integrating your love for hot rods into your lifestyle. Join a local car club to meet fellow enthusiasts who share your passion. These groups organize car shows, outings, and informal coffee cruises that allow you to connect with others, exchange ideas, and show off your prized ride. Car clubs are gatherings and vibrant communities filled with laughter, knowledge, and camaraderie. I’ve been a member of four different car clubs over the decades, and to this day I still have close friends from each of these groups, and the knowledge I’ve gained has stayed with me for a lifetime. Engaging with like-minded individuals can ignite new ideas. I don’t drive my hot rods nearly enough; drive yours as often as possible.

Saturday mornings often provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy a leisurely coffee cruise. What’s better than hot coffee, a fistful of doughnuts, and looking at other cool hot rods? Gather a group of fellow car aficionados and hit the road to your favorite café. Mine is Flo’s at a local regional airport. The bacon, eggs, and hot cakes are served chest-high with butter and Maple syrup. There’s something magical about driving your hot rod early on a Saturday: the sun is shining and the open road invites you to explore. Multi-day events are often filled with stunning hot rods and inspiring stories from their owners. They provide the perfect backdrop for sharing tips and tricks, “how-tos,” or the resurrection of old projects. And we all have at least two rat-holed in the garage or out back under a tarp.

Rodding Around
BY BRIAN BRENNAN
Borgeson Acquires JJ’s Rods E-Z Firewall Boots
rodding around borgeson jj's Rods
Borgeson Universal Company, a leading manufacturer of premier aftermarket steering components based in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, has announced the acquisition of the assets of JJ’s Rods E-Z Firewall Boots (Wingate, North Carolina). Their steering columns and firewall boots have won various awards.

JJ’s Rods’ product line consists of patent-pending firewall boots with polished stainless steel trim rings, brake/clutch pedal boots, shift boots, and steering column mounts.

JJ’s Rods’ inventory, tooling, and assets have been relocated to Borgeson’s manufacturing facility in Travelers Rest. The products will be manufactured, assembled, and shipped from Borgeson’s facility.

New Products
InTheGarageMedia.com
Billet Specialties valve cover adapters, EZ-EFI -6AN Fuel Return Line Fitting, and EFI fuel tanks
1. What’s New is Old Again
Billet Specialties is excited to announce the release of its new valve cover adapters (PN 95025) designed specifically for small-block Chevrolet enthusiasts looking to achieve a classic look on their modern Gen V LT motors. These adapters allow the seamless integration of standard SBC valve covers with 2013 and newer Gen V LT1, LT2, LT4, and LT5 motors.

Crafted from high-quality 6061-T6 aluminum, Billet Specialties’ valve cover adapters ensure durability and strength. The innovative design utilizes an OEM Gen V LT valve cover gasket on the bottom and a standard SBC cork gasket on the top, ensuring a reliable seal. Each kit comes complete with stainless hardware for easy installation. Please note that coil relocation is required for fitting.

Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Power & Pride
Rick Ribeiro’s 1967 Mustang Fastback Rides the Muscle Car Legacy
By Brian BrennanPhotography by Jason Matthew
T

he 1967 Ford Mustang is one of the most popular muscle cars from an era widely accepted as the “greatest generation of muscle cars.” The 1967 Ford Mustang saw nearly 500,000 cars manufactured, making it one of the most common Mustangs. The 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby G.T. 500 is also the rarest Mustang ever built. So, when we see a 1967 Fastback, we know what we are looking at, as it is one of the most popular and sought-after muscle cars. Just something about its styling and performance makes it the “heartthrob” of muscle cars.

Rick Ribeiro presents his 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback for us to enjoy on these pages. One needs to look closely, as he has added a handful of styling and performance enhancements that make this Fastback a true hot rod through Emanon Auto & Customs and Powers Restorations efforts. Rick worked closely with Emanon Auto & Customs on all the fabrication to bring it to a rolling chassis. From here, he and Powers Restorations worked together to yield the awesome body- and paintwork in a custom-mixed green flake. Powers was also involved with the final assembly, glass, trim, and the interior.

Vintage green car with modern wheels in front of a brick wall.
Modern Rodding Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Close-up of a manual car gear shifter with a white "Hurst" shift knob and black carpeted interior.
Chevy Engine Manual Transmission Options
Chevy Engine Manual Transmission Options
LS, SBC & BBC Interchange
By Barry Kluczyk
Photography by THE Author & Courtesy of Speedway Motors
A

lthough manual transmissions have all but disappeared in new production vehicles, they remain popular with performance enthusiasts who appreciate the greater feeling of control that comes with manually shifting gears.

There are indeed several manual transmission options for Chevy engines, new and vintage. Still, honestly, we’re talking about the old-school Saginaw/Muncie four-speeds and the contemporary TREMEC five- and six-speed gearboxes. Fortunately, with the essentially common bellhousing mounting pattern on everything from vintage 250 inline-6s to the latest LT engines, as well as the plethora of adaption kits, it’s possible to match virtually any Chevy engine with a Muncie or TREMEC transmission and even earlier BorgWarner T5 gearboxes.

Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com

By Brian Brennan Photography by NotStock Photography

Reviving the Legend typography
Russ Reiter’s 1966 Pontiac GTO is Everything He Has Wanted Since Childhood
I

t was 1964 and you could feel that Detroit was searching for something to give to the growing segment of youth buyers who wanted more—more performance, more power, just more. That’s precisely what Russ Reiter’s 1966 Pontiac GTO is … more performance, power, and good looks, all brought about with significant expertise from Griffin Automotive Design (GAD).

Modern Rodding Event
InTheGarageMedia.com

By Tommy Lee Byrd
Photography by THE AUTHOR

Tri-Five Overload typography
Jeff Lutz debuted a brand-new race car at the 2024 Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP. The vibrant 1957 Chevy packs a 496ci combination with twin 88mm turbos, cranking out 4,000 hp.
Classic Chevy Action From the Tri-Five Nationals Presented by CPP
R

egarding automotive events, every seasoned hot rodder can agree that things were better when car shows had more energy. People were willing to drive long distances and work on their cars along the way; the result was a level of excitement that’s hard to replicate these days. At a time when car shows were struggling to keep the attention of their participants and spectators, the Tri-Five Nationals hit the ground running with an energetic event format and a captivated audience of eager Tri-Five Chevy enthusiasts. Now, in its ninth edition, the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP gives showgoers a reason to be excited. The result is more than 2,600 Tri-Fives and thousands of spectators swarming the expansive property at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, during the second weekend of August.

The crew at the American Tri-Five Association, in combination with Woody’s Hot Rodz, puts together an outstanding event from start to finish, whether you’re a participant, spectator, vendor, or sponsor. There are new parts vendors and a huge swap meet to keep it interesting for those searching for parts and pieces for their project. The car show area is packed with various cars, ranging from all-original survivors to high-end show cars and everything in-between. Often, the “in-between” cars offer a great backstory, fun ownership history, and some cool homegrown details. The old drag cars, gassers, and street freaks always get a lot of attention. The drag racing pits have another level of dedicated cars and racers split into various classes to keep the competition tight. Daily exhibition runs, including Pro Modified cars and wheelstanders, give the crowd a reason to take a breather under the covered grandstands of the historic dragstrip. The Thursday night drags are a crowd favorite.

Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Revving Up Memories typography
Darby Milner’s Journey to Building “Elmo,” His 1932 Ford Three-Window Highboy Coupe
By Grant Cox Photography by THE AUTHOR
T

he engine hum seemed to sing a melody from a bygone era, a tune that spoke directly to the soul of anyone with oil in their veins and a passion for classic 1932 Ford steel hot rods. Darby Milner’s surname wasn’t just a part of his identity. It was a symbol of his destiny. Born into a family where cars were not just vehicles but vessels of memories and emotions, Darby’s journey with automobiles was almost written in the stars.

3/4 view of a blue 1932 Ford Three-Window Highboy Coupe
Modern Rodding Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Radical Ragtop typography
man working on an original red-on-red 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible
1. Old Anvil Speed Shop started one of their recent complete builds with an original red-on-red 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible.
Radical Ragtop typography
Old Anvil Builds a One-of-a-Kind 1962 Chevrolet
By Ron Ceridono Photography by Taylor Kempkes
W

hen a diehard 1962 Chevy fan wanted someone to build an Impala convertible unlike anything seen before, Old Anvil Speed Shop got the call. The task was to build a car that could drop to the ground one minute and carve corners the next, house 21- and 24-inch wheels, and handle 1,200 hp. Obviously the first step in this process was going to be building a one-of-a-kind chassis.

Paul and Jenna Bosserman started Old Anvil Speed Shop in Orange, California, in 2018, specializing in chassis engineering, fabrication, and sheetmetal work. Today, they manufacture their own CNC machined billet parts and custom wheels, and with their focus on complete custom builds, they’ve added facilities for bodywork, paint, and upholstery.

One of Old Anvil’s recent builds is based on a very original 1962 Impala SS convertible that had traveled a mere 42,000 miles in its lifetime. To meet the customer’s vision for the ragtop, it would have to be built from the bottom up, which meant an entirely new frame would be required.

Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
Front view of a 1932 Ford Roadster pickup featuring a polished grille and exposed engine components
Chrome, Power, and Passion typography
Scott Simpson’s Tribute to Friendship With His 1932 Ford Roadster Pickup
By Brian brennan Photography by Wes Allison
S

ome of the most recognizable and iconic hot rods are based on the roadster pickup—a Ford Model A, Deuce, fendered, or highboy. The 1932 Ford roadster pickup belonging to Scott Simpson and built at Jimmy White’s Circle City Hot Rods has a very cool 1960s vibe, complete with chromed wheels wrapped with slicks and spoked wheels wrapped with Firestone vintage tread, a dual quad Hemi, and outside the ’rails headers.

When we asked Scott about how this hot rod came about, we heard an interesting story and thought passing along the high points was well worth the effort:

“I remember the day it all started—more like the moment it hit me. A good friend of mine, Dano Nichols, had [died], and I felt that loss down deep. We had been thick as thieves, best friends bound by our passion for fast cars, roaring motorcycles, surfing waves, and chasing melodies. The world seemed a little dimmer without him. But in that shadow, a spark ignited inside me. Life was short, and I could either sit around moaning over memories or dive headfirst into building a hot rod to celebrate the thrill of living.

Modern Rodding Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Original 1959 Chevrolet engine compartment
1. The original 1959 Chevrolet engine compartment isn’t up to the caliber of the rest of this project, so BBT Fabrications will start from scratch and build all-new panels.
BBT Fabrications Builds a 1959 Chevy Impala
Part 4: Metalworking Firewall and Engine Compartment
By Ron Covell Photography by BBT Fabrications
I

n past articles, we have examined several aspects of the BBT Fabrications 1959 Impala. This time, we will focus on the extensive work done underhood. Virtually every piece of metal around the engine has been custom fabricated, with great attention paid to fitting the complex panels together in the cleanest manner possible.

A new toeboard was fabricated to connect the front floor to the new firewall, and tasteful steps and recesses were added to these panels to give them more strength and a touch of style. These panels also support the new body mounts.

A completely new firewall was made from 18-gauge steel. The center of the firewall is smooth and flat, but a tremendous amount of work was put into making the stepped detail on the top edge, which continues down the firewall sides where the inner wheel panels attach. The inner wheel panels themselves were made from many pieces but were carefully designed to have smooth, flowing curves while providing sufficient clearance for the wheels as the suspension and steering work to their limits.

Modern Rodding Feature
InTheGarageMedia.com
front view of burgundy 1933 Ford Cabriolet
Scratch Built typography
Steve Frisbie’s 1933 Ford Cabriolet Represents the Art of Modern Rodding
By DALE MOReau Photography by THE AUTHOR
S

teve Frisbie owns and operates Steve’s Auto Restorations (SAR) in Portland, Oregon. His love of cars harkens back to working in the shop with his father. Over the years, many fantastic projects have come his way, including building a car that won the Ridler award at the Detroit Autorama. So, what would a guy in his position want for his ride? It turns out that Steve is into 1933-1934 Fords.

So, what’s a guy to do when he cannot find an original 1933 Ford Cabriolet but owns a business that can do whatever he wants? He builds one from the ground up. Steve had acquired dies to stamp and build all-steel roadster bodies from 1933 to 1934. This cabriolet was built by SAR using components from their 1933-1934 Real Steel Roadster project. The cabriolet was built to showcase and feature the 1933-1934 sheetmetal parts and roadster bodies. Steve has been restoring cars for over 20 years when he entered the hot rod and custom scene. A build series was featured in Rod & Custom to promote and advertise the build and the Real Steel roadster bodies.

Modern Rodding Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
Rear truck corner with foam mockup of a custom taillight housing
1. This unique, 1937 GMC COE has a completely hand-formed bed. Insulation foam is used here to mock up the position of the taillights in the rear panel.
Sculpting Taillights
Custom Lights for a 1937 GMC Cabover
By Ron Covell Photography by Tin Man’s Garage
B

rian Limberg of Tin Man’s Garage in Sycamore, Illinois, is no stranger to building top-level street rods. Of the many awards he has received, he is particularly proud of the Eric Black Design Award at The Gathering in Oklahoma last year for their team’s latest 1936 Willys sedan, dubbed “Gangrene.”

Limberg and his crew have been working on a 1937 GMC cabover truck; they completely hand built the bed. One of the finishing touches was mounting taillights to the bed; in this article we’ll look at how they approached this intricate project.

Parting Shot
InTheGarageMedia.com
red 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe
James DeSanto of New York is the current owner who brought out the now-famous Lil’ John Buttera 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe in its brilliant red paint as it appeared on the Dec. ’79 Hot Rod. Power comes from a Mopar 340 with Westlake aluminum heads. Wheels are a combination of Buttera machined with BBS knockoffs.
Lil’ John Buttera … Second Time Around
By BRIAN BRENNAN
Lil’

John Buttera is no stranger to drag racing, Indycars, street machines, and street rods. He is no stranger to Modern Rodding, appearing in our Parting Shot column in late 2022 (honored here for the second time). What gave rise to this month’s reappearance occurred during our recent trip to the 2024 Triple Crown of Rodding event. While looking at so many amazing hot rods, we came across what appeared to be an “old friend.” Still looking as it last appeared, it was the famous 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe that Lil’ John had built as it appeared on the cover of Hot Rod back in December 1979. The coupe now belongs to James DeSanto of Armonk, New York, who has kept it in its vintage form.

There is a story about how Lil’ John initially painted the car black but Hot Rod wanted it red. Before painting it red and then making its appointed rounds with its cover destiny, Lil’ John drove the car to the first and only National Hot Rod Association’s (yes, we typed NHRA) Street Machine Nationals held in Denver, where I had the opportunity to photograph it and enjoy a ride-along with Lil’ John. Lil’ John often drove the 1932 Ford three-window highboy coupe, featuring a 5-1/2-inch chop, with his good friend “Fat Jack” Robinson. In its red livery colors, the hot rod was driven well over 10,000 miles, and in 1980, made the roundtrip to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee.

Modern Rodding logo with dropshadow
Thanks for reading our January 2025 preview issue!