Online Hot Rod Magazine and Custom Car Pics

The Acura RSX is definitely one of the cars on my short list for fun to drive daily transportation.  They're lightweight, good handling, reliable, fuel efficient and the performance model (Type-S) has a 200hp high revving 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder using a 6 speed manual.  I've only seen a few RSX's that have really impressed me.  Jose Guadalupe's silver Base model (non-200hp) is one of those and it certainly caught my eye with its aggressive styling. Photos are by FotoSet, djdorifto and Kami Speed.  Click the images to see them Full Size. That aggressive look is courtesy of STANCE.  If you're a hot rodder or custom nut, you already know what Stance is.  The "tuner" cars of today are continuing the Stance trend set by low 50's Custom's, raked 60's Muscle Cars or 80's Lowriders by going with low ride height and aggressive camber and flush fitting wheels.  Jose's ride has -5.5 degrees of rear camber and -4.5 degrees in front.  But why so much camber?  First, it helps get those 9.5" wide wheels to fit under fenders made for 7" wide factory wheels.  Second, negative camber just looks so cool.  To me, big camber is a street car interpretation of...

It's a rare treat to find a gorgeous pinup model like Heidi Van Horne who's also a great story about why, "My Ride is Me".  That's why Heidi's a holiday gift for you from MyRideisMe.com and our Christmas Season "Pinup of the Month". One thing you'll notice in quite a few pictures in Heidi's Pinup Picture Gallery is the tan colored F100 named "Molly" that Heidi owns, drives and even wrenches on! (click to see each picture full size) (Photos by Dale Rio) So of course, I had to ask, Why Molly? Heidi said, "I don’t know.  I don’t ever know why a car or truck’s name is what it is.  It just tells me one day.  No clue!" Like most of us, Heidi got into cars from family: "I grew up working on cars to keep ‘em running, with my dad and brother.  I had to work on them to get to work and school, no glory in it, just a matter of life!  ;) But it gave me an appreciation for the mechanics of it all and wishing for one like my dad talked about having when...

If you can't wait until summer time Goodguys Gazette, scratch that now-time itch and check out MyRideisMe.com's pictures from the 2009 Goodguys Southwest Nationals! Did we shoot your car? Have you've ever worked at something and thought you were making progress improving your skill, then found out you were still way behind? That's happening to me with my photography. I didn't shoot alot of pictures at Goodguys, but I shot a few and thought a couple of them were pretty good! But then, just after I sent the, "Hey Swanee, you gonna load your shots?" email, I noticed he'd already loaded them in the events picture gallery. You're good people Swanee! 'Cept for the fact that your images kill mine, that is... You can tell by the logo, that slammed Caddy riding on twenty-plus wires photo above is from our Alaska-raised Director of Photography. Shown here is one of my best shots. This is the 1957 Chevy Custom that won the Goodguy/Grundy Kustom of the Year. Sunset in Arizona is frequently a, "Damn it's good to be alive" event and this Saturday evening in Scottsdale made for some great...

This year’s SEMA show was just that, a SHOW. There is something on display for every auto enthusiast. Like everyone, I have only a certain amount of time to get around and fulfill a basket of wants and like most, I started out with a predetermined list of vendors to see. Shortly thereafter, the list is tossed in the nearest trash bin. Here's where your alter ego takes over, leading you with reckless abandonment to wander aimlessly. SEMA this year had 1700 vendors spread over five buildings and the parking lots surrounding them. It starts to hit me, what will separate one booth from the hundreds of others? What will stop me in my tracks and taking the time to actually see what is being offered... The SPOKESMODEL is born! A vision of beauty that draws me in, like a carnie at the local county fair (just without the small hands and cabbage smell). She offers up a smile and gleefully signs a poster with her graceful image on it. Feeling empowered, I ask, “May I take your photograph?” She gladly answers, "Yes!" and it's on. SPOKESMODELS come in...

This is probably the coolest Barn Find to date.  I'm not gonna talk much on this one, because it will take up too much space where pictures should be.  Please check out this website.  Looks like each car can be purchased for $2000.  Heck, if you're crazy enough, you can purchase his drafting plans for $10/ea to build your own.  Good luck though, because you're going to need serious craftsmanship to build it.  Here's the website: Sandy's Can Cars You'll be blown away, I was!...

Following in the footsteps of my last post about Cool Pinstriping, a post about cool hot rod art, drawings and paintings is needed for sure.  We've shown you some great art this year, here's just a sample.  We're going to put together a "Hot Rod Art" picture gallery soon, so we'll let you know when that's up and running.  For now, peep these for your viewing pleasure! Included are links to the stories these pieces of hot rod art came from in 2009.  Don't forget to click the images for a Full Size view! First, some digital artistry from our man Brian Stupkski, of PCKStudio fame!  Check out the informative story on "How to Pick a Hot Rod Designer" I personally have a print of this Ed "Big Daddy" Roth inspired Nissan Cube concept.  Check the story out HERE! Next up, we have some hot rod sketched art by Alan Brightmore!  These were a couple of my faves from 2009. There was a time when I serious considered having a 60's VW Bus custom as my family daily hauler.  This is exactly how I'd want it to look! This Black Camaro...

Here's a look at some of the coolest pinstriping found on MyRideisMe.com during 2009.  I think you'll agree, pinstriping is alive and well.  So many hours go into practicing and painting, it takes a dedicated person on top of the skill required to lay a great line.  Enough words, these pictures will tell a 1000 of them on their own.  Enjoy! Please check out the full Pinstriping Gallery to see even more works of art! Click the pictures to see them Enlarged. And a few of the stripers who we give much respect to, Charlie, Joel and Andy. So, there were so many pictures I wanted to share that one post is not enough.  Keep your eyes peeled for more!...

Bonneville Salt Flats Streamliner Dallas Volk, my Salt Flats insider, sent me this link.  He is good friends with the Burkland family.  I knew I needed to share their website with you all.   This post does come with some sad news, that Gene Burkland has passed away this week.  I mean this post to be in deep respect and a tribute to Gene and his family's great history at Bonneville. The Burkland Streamliner is a twin Donovan Chrysler powered, 4 wheel driven racecar that has gone over 400 mph.  Please take a look at their website HERE as it is full of pictures and information, as well as links to other Land Racing websites and stories.  This blazing fast Streamliner was designed and built by Gene and his son Tom Burkland.  If that's not "My Ride is Me" I don't know what is...Here's a quick blurb from the site about the Burkland family: "Gene and Betty Burkland, from Great Falls, Montana (the first SCTA members from that state), have been active in racing, and at Bonneville in particular, for over three decades: their first Bonneville car was a chopped-top, Chrysler-powered '53 Studebaker...

As always, MyRideisMe.com is on the lookout for pinstriping at races or car shows so you can see what's out there and decide what to do on your own ride.  Here's a few from the Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ. All Photos by my man and Director of Photography at MyRideisMe.com, Swanee... To see all of Swanee's pinstriping pictures from Goodguys, please go to the Pinstriping Picture Gallery This Arizona Pinstriper Joel from 1320designs.com doing his thing on MyRideisMe.com member Mr. Freeze's slammed Suburban he recently picked up. Joel's rates are very reasonable for striping and he's also an up-and-coming designer as well. Make sure to check out his website and let him know MyRideisMe.com sent you! What do you think? If this is YOUR pinstriping work (or your car!), please let us know and we'll say so next to the picture. Leave your comments below and don't forget to see all the pinstriping pics in the: Pinstriping Picture...

[poll id="3"] These pictures are a look back at my first year of blogging at MyRideisMe.com.  I've met some cool people and made memories that mean a lot to me personally.  This poll is a cool way to remember my favorites from the year.  Take a look at the pictures below and vote for your favorite.  Don't forget to click on the images to see them Full Size!  Check the links for the full stories as well. Bonnie's Bonneville Homecoming at Speedweek 2009.  The first roadster I've ever ridden in.  What a blast!  This beauty shot on virgin salt will stick in my brain for years.   Hilborn Injectors from Larry Volk's '29 roadster project.  This Hemi powered Model A will be an epic project that I plan on writing more about in the future as Larry builds his dream ride. The Hot Rods by Dean '55 Chevy at World Finals blew me away when I saw it waiting in line.  One of my favorite cars I shot all year.  Nothing like a stock bodied car with great stance!  Nick Hoesing's ex-Galaxie Custom and his buddy's 5 Window Coupe from Nebraska.  Cruising...

Diesel Powered Hot Rod at Viva Las Vegas   Photos by Swanee Diesel Rat Rod blowing pure Cummins smoke!   SEMA 2009 proved to be an extreme mix of automotive genius and variety.  Rat rods are becoming part of that creative pool. Rat rods, in general, are built solely from old parts and pieces that are deliberately left raw and natural.  Additional trinkets are added, leaving their patina to show.  The surge of this style of building is gaining support by a recent article by Car and Driver Magazine.  Check it out: Car and Driver Top 10 Favorites from SEMA 1928 Dodge 4 Door Rat Rod   Case in point, is this “Diesel Rat Rod”, a 1928 Dodge 4 door body, rusted and abused beyond restoration, was chopped and channeled onto a hand built frame.  Stepping way out of the box and into the next field, a retired 1998 Dodge pickup donates its motor, a Cummins 12 valve mechanical diesel engine.  The diesel motor produces plenty of horsepower and torque plus gets 20+ MPG. The diesel rod is the imagination of Steve Darnell, owner of a fabrication shop aptly...

After doing the Volk '29 Roadster story last week, I was way into traditional hot rods.  But, knowing that my daily driver/hot rod needs to be more practical, have a heater and a back seat, 1960's rods make more sense. My parents were up visiting from California and of course, poppi and I talked cars.  He had a 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone for about 15 years or so.  I've thought many times I should do a tribute Comet, black just like dad's, high revving 289 ci or 302 ci and a modern 5 speed.  The problem is, Comet's are hard to find clean.  Plus, they're a little bigger  than I typically like.  I'm a small car kind of guy.  The Ford Falcon is the Comet's baby brotha from another motha. I was doing my usual daily classifieds browsing on Craigslist and found this 1964 Ford Falcon Futura with a V8 and 4 speed trans, front disc brakes,  and a straight body already being used as a daily driver. Typically what I do when I get hooked on a new "Car of the Week" is I go straight to Google Image searches.  My...