One of the Rarest 1967 Camaros In November 1989 an exhibit was on display at The Henry Ford that chronicled the life and career of famed automotive designer Bill Mitchell which talked about his two lifelong passions…drawing automobiles and driving them. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Cherokee design concept   “They joined uniquely to create one of the great design careers in automotive history. Throughout his life, as artist, automotive designer, and General Motors executive, Bill Mitchell's best work combined a sleek, sharp-edged appearance and the sensation of great power and all-out speed.”   So the opportunity to see one of Mitchell’s personal creations at the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals was extra special and reflected the “car guy” mentality Mitchell had for every one of his “special projects.” The 1967 Camaro Cherokee is not only unique but provided Mitchell with a canvas where he could explore what the new GM pony car might become in the new war that was evolving in Detroit. Ford had introduced the popular Mustang just two short years earlier which started the salvo of vehicles that even today we enthusiasts still embrace.   Mitchell’s...

Ya Just Gotta Ask...What's The Deal With Gassers? (And Why We Love 'Em!) In the very early years of the NHRA, gassers were nothing more than slightly modified gas powered sedans that could compete in five gas classes, determined by engine size and weight. In 1958, a gas class racer was basically a street coupe with no engine setback allowed. All “gassers” had working lights, wipers, starter, generator and all other street equipment.  Fans and belts were optional, but radiators were required. Full exhaust systems, including mufflers, were required but could be unhooked for competition, but they had to remain on the car.  Cars even had to be currently licensed for the street.   Cars in the gas classes were required to have full “factory-type” upholstery but two buckets could replace the standard bench seat as long as both were fully upholstered.  Customs were allowed as long as the car wasn’t chopped, channeled or sectioned a total of more than four inches.  Cars had to have four stock fenders and the stock bumpers had to be in place.   More Gassers and Altered Wheelbase hot rods (opens in new window)...

2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals- Sleeper 1965 L-79 Chevelle     Gordon Rohde looked over his plain-jane 1965 Chevelle 300 like a proud papa and said “losing just 17 points in judging sure isn’t too bad.” Particularly when you find out this car has a racing history which many times can complicate a restoration. “I left some of the parts on the car from when I originally raced it,” said Gordon. “Just couldn’t see taking them off for a few extra judging points.”   On display at last month’s 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, the 38,000 mile L-79 equipped two-door sedan looked almost out of place among the surrounding muscle cars and Corvettes. Plain Jane and super subtle, you bet! Gordon brought it to the Rosemont Convention Center to see how he had done in bringing the little street terror back to life. “Lost some points for some incorrect bolts on the flywheel cover and the homemade driveshaft loop plus I still have the mounting pads welded up front for the tow bar.” He just didn’t have the heart to pull them off.   Gordon knows this...

 The Rarest Corvettes and Muscle Cars - The Rarest of the Rare Up Close and Personal! Bob Ashton hit another home run with the 5th Annual Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals held November 23 and 24 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The show, which uses nearly 400,000 square feet of space in the sprawling convention center, again brought together an amazing collection of muscle cars, many of which are rarely seen outside of private and museum collections.   See all the car show pictures right here   If you like what you see here, stay tuned! We'll add more pictures and details to our favorite muscle cars from the show. 1967 Camaro Cherokee Concept Car 1958 Desoto Firesweep convertible   The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is the nation’s largest, all indoor specialty show and swap meet devoted to Muscle Cars, Dealer-built Supercars and Corvettes. Ashton is Managing Member of the group of enthusiasts who got together and staged the first show back in 2009, replacing the long running Chevy Vettefest.   1963 Buick Riviera Silver Arrow I   Ashton is a long time muscle car...

2013 Barrett Jackson Scottsdale Muscle Cars and Mopars Story and photos by Chris Voyles This years Barrett Jackson Scottsdale auction was a awesome one! Last year was a great auction but I think there was a little more excitement this year with some super unique vehicles crossing the block. Who could have predicted the Batmobile would go for 4.3 million?! There were a lot of great vehicles that had the proceeds go to charities and nothing is better than to see the price climbing on those cars with the bidders out doing each other, at some point solely out of kindness. I'm sure most of you have watched coverage of the Barrett Jackson Auctions on Speed Channel at some point but nothing beats being there in person and soaking in the true beauty of what we all love: Custom cars, muscle cars and for me Mopars! Whatever's your favorite, there's something for everyone at Barrett Jackson. Here's a few of my favorites. Let me know what you think... Chris #1 The pro touring 1970 Dodge Charger with a modern Hemi transplanted into it. While my favorite Charger of all time the 68,...

Homebuilt and Driven Hard 1968 Camaro Words and Pictures by Joe Casvin (click on any picture to see it full size) Most people just use their garages to store the stuff that just kind of builds up throughout life. Treasures like newspapers from 1976, a ten-year-old brand new exercise bike, or even a dingy and probably nasty smelling old cooler. You know, shit house door of a tuna boat smell? Jeff Chipman’s garage, however, had a far better hand to be dealt. Jeff used his garage to transform a bare 1968 Camaro shell into something that is both frightening and beautiful. Not an easy feat for your average Joe in your average two-car garage, and when you compound that with the fact that this is Jeff’s first ever attempt at building a car from the ground up... Well, you end up with something that is truly special and unique. “My first rig was a 1950 Chevy pickup I got when I was 15 years old. I started doing stuff to it after I got it. I’ve been messing around with cars and bikes all my life, just customizing them...

The Very Last Buick Grand National Built   The actual last Buick Grand National signaled the end of GM G-Body (Cutlass, Regal, Monte Carlo) production and has a starring role in BLACK AIR, The Buick Grand National Documentary.   Story info and photos provided by: Martyn L. Schorr Owned by Buick-Chevrolet-GMC Truck dealer Bob Colvin in Springhill, LA, the last production Regal Grand National (Vin #...465288) was built on December 11,1987, a few months into Buick’s 1988 model year. When Buick announced the special ultra-high-performance Grand National GNX, they also let the word out that the 245-horsepower ‘87 Grand National, known for its blistering performance and, like Ford’s Model T, available ”in any color, as long as it’s black,” would be the last of the line. The menacing monochromatic turbocharged & intercooled Grand National had run its course and rear-wheel-drive was about to become an endangered species!   Interest in the Grand National soared and Buick responded with a commitment not to limit production and build as many Grand Nationals as they could. Whereas Grand National production in 1982, 1984, 1985 and 1986 averaged approximately 2,500 units per year,...

Classic American Sports Car - AMC AMX I was looking through my buddy Mike Gulett's website called MyCarQuest.com when I found this beauty of an AMC. It immediately reminded me of this concept drawing: While not the same car, both show that the AMC make needs a little love! The drawing is hot rod art straight from the  mind of my buddy Brian over at ProblemChildKustoms.com. He called it, "Let them eat cheese" Mike's MyCarQuest article explains: The AMX could be bought with a 390 cid V8 that produced 315 hp, 325 hp or 420 hp depending on the options. The AMX appealed to both muscle car lovers and sports car enthusiasts. The result may have been confusion in the market place. While Brian takes a different route detailing the build and says, The concept: A '74 AMC Hornet built with a nod to the Mulholland road-race crowd of the '70's. A tube chassis with a 9-inch center section IRS and Corvette-based front suspension allows the car to sit right on the ground, and the full 'cage helps everyone inside feel safe as the world rushes by in a...

Wide Whites Walls, Redlines & Muscle Car Style & Speed #1 Kicking of the "Wide Whites" collection of pictures - this sled had a custom hub-cap, I think... that doubled as a secret agent weapon. Walking around the 2012 Detroit Autorama, I took in what must be a FULL charge of hot rods, customs and full-tilt show cars when it came to the Ridler Contenders. Then, while shooting this over the top, flamed custom shown above, it hit me... what says, "My Ride is Me" more than your wheel and tire choice? (Click any image for the full size picture) So here's my favorites... they'll be divided into: White Whites Modern/Race and Muscle Which one's are your favorites? (leave a comment below and we'll discuss) Photos of Tires & Wheels at the 2012 Detroit Autorama #2 Custom Mercury with wide whites and 'caps. Can someone help me out with the name of these hubcaps? #3 This bright green hot rod pickup chose red steelies, mostly covered by a slick hubcap (custom center?) then covered'em with a white wall cheater slick. #4 Buick Riviera sport'n wide whites and Supreme's. A...

2011 AAF Tank Museum Military Extravaganza Editor's note: Bubba got some great shots of some of the baddest rides around on a recent trip to Virginia. When at the helm of  one of these tanks... protecting yourself and the soldiers with you, this is "My Ride is Me." So endulge us here and enjoy the heaviest hot rods around! What do you do if your hot rod is a 44 ton M60A2 tank? You crush stuff of course! In the three years that I have been working for MyRideisMe, I have covered hot rods, customs, street rods, lowriders, classics, rat rods, race cars, and a many other vehicles. It' s hard finding different vehicles that I can share with you. So when I saw that the AAF Tank Museum in Danville, VA was holding their Military Extravaganza once again I knew we had to be there. The Tank Museum houses over 117 tanks and armor. Many of these pieces are rare like this US M1917 known as a “Six Ton Special”.  Out of 950 built, only about a dozen still remain. What’s it like to stare down the barrel...

Restomod Corvette "58REDUX" Story by Dave Semel Restomod, protouring, modified,” whatever the terminology used, I say it's the best of both worlds! There’s nothing like the lines of a classic muscle car. They have the ability to turn heads of young and old alike. Many classic cars catch the attention of the young generation that weren’t even alive when 409 Impalas and Boss 429 Mustangs tore up the street as new cars. In others, they spark something that takes them back to a different, often better time. However, those with experience driving classic muscle cars know they’re great in a straight line, but if you need to turn or stop watch out! So what do custom car guys do? How about a Restomod? Restomod Definition: Classic American cars that have been restored using modern components to enhance their performance, safety, comfort and beauty. In short: restored old bodies modified using new technology: "restomod". (Here's an example of a 1959 Cadillac Restomod I called a "Custom Restoration") The possibilities are endless. Imagination, technology and of course a fair amount of money can produce one of these beauties. The great thing...

Roundup of Best Engines of the 2010 SEMA Car Show in Las Vegas: SEMA Engine: Twin Turbo Viper: The most outrageous racing Viper in the K&N booth at SEMA 2010 SEMA Engine: Fuel Injected LS Chevelle: Unique Stand-up Hilborn Injection on an LS Motor at SEMA 2010 SEMA Engine: Ford DOHC 4.6L in a beautiful custom Fastback Mustang: Every Detail NAILED Perfectly on this Mustang at SEMA 2010 SEMA Engine:  SEMAPure Vision built Boss 502 Fastback Mustang: The cleanest execution of a Boss Mustang Fastback ever at SEMA 2010 SEMA Engine: Blown and Fuel Injected Front Engine Dragster: Time for some nostaglia drag racing at SEMA 2010 Not a SEMA Engine, but hot enough to show off in this roundup: Best Hot Rod engines at the LA Roadster Show: Hot Rod Roadsters all polished up: Here's the...