he hot rod aftermarket offers many parts and modern amenities that make driving our old cars infinitely more enjoyable. But sometimes, you must put some extra thought and effort into incorporating those amenities without disrupting the car’s aesthetic. Such was the case with the Vintage Air heat and A/C system in my ’41 Buick.

Vintage Air has been providing climate control for hot rods since 1976. Over the last nearly half-century they’ve developed components tailormade for a wide range of cars and trucks from the ’50s-80s in their bolt-in SureFit series. These systems integrate all the necessary components both under the hood and in the cabin without requiring that the dash or underhood sheetmetal be significantly altered. But as expansive as the SureFit line is, there isn’t a kit for everything, which is where their Builder Series comes in.

Builder Series kits are essentially custom climate-control systems. They comprise individual components, like the compressor and condenser, which are mounted in the engine compartment, an evaporator, usually installed behind the dash, and all the necessary hoses, louvers, brackets, wiring, and other incidentals that keep the system running and the cool (or hot) air flowing. We don’t have the space to cover all the component options Vintage Air offers but suffice it to say that whatever car you’re building and whatever style you’re building it in, they’ll have something that fits the bill—and their knowledgeable tech staff can help every step of the way. We’ll explain how we arrived at the best system for the Buick.

erry Kerna is an avid gearhead with an eclectic collection of outstanding cars. She, yes, Ms. Kerna, wanted to build a state-of-the-art Model A sedan in the mildly channeled style and when she found a suitable ’30 Ford sedan body, the project commenced.

Cornfield Customs chopped the top 4-1/4 inches and then sent it to Roadster Shop to have the chassis built, along with an extensive list of body modifications. This car has so much special work that it will take a several-part series to cover the project in sufficient depth. Mark Giambalvo of Creative Rod and Kustom was charged with the final build and assembly.

t one time, old-timers (read Brennan and Ceridono) applied the term hot rod to vehicles produced before or shortly after World War II that had been modified to increase performance. However, as time has passed, the term hot rod has come to have a broader definition and is often being applied to many later cars that have been “hopped up.” Is the change in definition due to the lack of raw materials, as earlier cars have become harder to find? Could it be something as simple as later model cars are more affordable to buy and modify? This brings up the question, could something like a G-body Monte Carlo SS with performance-oriented modifications be considered a hot rod, or should we say a modern rod? Let the conversation begin.

The ’78-88 Chevrolet G-bodies, including the Monte Carlo, El Camino, and Malibu, were some of the last cars to be built on a muscle car–style chassis—that is, a traditional front-engine V-8 with rear-wheel-drive platform, while most midsized cars had transitioned to front-wheel drive. As G-bodies are available and affordable, interest in these vehicles has grown, which has prompted companies like Detroit Speed & Engineering to develop high-performance front and rear suspension and steering components along with LS engine mount adapters and transmission crossmembers for overdrive automatics and five- and six-speed manual transmissions.

ust before World War II, most cars had fenders that stood proud of the main body structure in the style we now call “fat fendered.” When passenger car production resumed after the war, this style continued for a few years. Still, most manufacturers started tooling up for a new, slab-sided look where the fenders blended in seamlessly with the body. Ford made this transition in 1949, and the ’49-51 Ford is called the “shoebox,” reflecting this revolutionary styling feature. This car became immensely popular for car customizers and has remained in vogue ever since.

Scott’s Hotrods ’N Customs is building a custom Shoebox in the traditional style for Danny Rowe. The car is based on a ’50 Ford Tudor sedan, featuring a just-right chopped top. All the body modifications are geared toward a traditional look while adding sophisticated refinement. Ken DeKiserre is the primary craftsman on this project, and in this article we will take an in-depth look at the beautiful metalwork he is doing on the front end of the car.

t’s magazine deadline time, so we only have time for this quickie Parting Shot, but the 73rd O’Reilly Sacramento Autorama has just wrapped up and here is a look at several of the big winners. We will have the “full” show coverage in next month’s issue by cub reporter John Drummond with his great photos and that of Carl Bredl. In the meantime, here are some vintage show photos to accompany and remind you of this show’s great history.

In my world, when it comes time to find old-timey photos and, more importantly, info on the people and the cars, there is only one person I go to: Greg Sharp. He has often been called an “encyclopedia of all things hot rods.” All of us around the offices are inclined to agree with that statement.