Streched and Custom 1940 Ford Truck at 2013 SEMA Show   Once again, is SEMA known for Hot Rods? Ahhh... maybe it's time we changed our minds! I've got a couple more hot rods from SEMA Show 2013 to share with you! This one's from our friends at Chaotic Customs in Kansas. Owners Chris and Karma Carlson hooked up with NAPA Auto Parts and Martin Senour Paints to have the freshly done hot rod pickup in their SEMA booth. A wise choice!     We ran through the details on how truck owner Mike Young had his eye on 1949-1951 Chevy Fleetlines but Chris knew of a fairly clean 1940 Ford pickup. When Mike saw the 1940 Ford, Mike said confidently, "You can't drink it pretty!" (turns out that wasn't quite true...)   The story's your typical "barn find" truck out of Mulvane, Kansas that was... was going to be a nice driver. "It got out of hand..."     When you review all the build pictures, you'll start to see all the customizing work done by Chris totaling 200 body mods. After trying some body work myself, I'm most impressed on how...

Injected Ford SOHC 1932 Ford Roadster at 2013 SEMA Show   Is SEMA known for Hot Rods? I have to say late model cars (unfortunately) dominate at the SEMA Show. There are times when I felt like I was tripping over the new Camaro, Mustang and of course, the Scion FR-S.  Those are the "modern day hot rods" I guess, so it could be worse.   But could it be any better than this?     I think not!   The beast you're staring at is an original, "Sock" motor. If you heard that and said, "WHAT??" Then let me clue you in. Sock refers to SOHC or single over head cam. You'll also hear it called a "Cammer" motor refering again to the overhead cam design. Ford, in the glory days of racing, back in 1964, set forth on the world one of it's most glorious creations. Why? (besides why not!) They were merely trying to compete with the Chrysler 426 HEMI at the track. What's the harm in that?     The Ford Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) 427 engine left the drawing board based on the hipo 427...

More Custom Vans at 2013 SEMA Show   I already mentioned the "Chrome Gypsy" custom For Econoline van, now it's time for a Dodge and Chevy custom van.   Has the SEMA Show changed their criteria? Are they letting just about anything in the show now? Or... are these some RAD, well done vans that make a clear statement: Custom Vans are back!     First up, a van named, "Van del Oro" and we'd have to agree... Van of GOLD! In the morning sun (unfortunately parked in the shadow of a huge column) this van was glowing. A quick peak inside said the beauty was more than skin deep.     With more gold, and I think a little more metal flake on the interior highlighted by a Mooneyes steering wheel, chrome dash and Moon pedal, there's a clear attention to detail. Upholstery was by Howdy Ledbetter Upholstery and looked clean, custom and comfortable.   Under the engine cover? How about a 380 HP 360 Dodge. Toy's by Tommy and owner ??? (help here) are keeping it in the Dodge family. Thank you for not dropping in a...

New Entries Selected from the SEMA 2013 Show Floor     OPTIMA® Batteries Announces “Golden Ticket” Winners for the 2013 Ultimate Street Car Invitational Best-of-the-Best SEMA Show Vehicles Selected to Compete In Sixth Annual Invitational on November 9th   November 7, 2013 (LAS VEGAS) – OPTIMA® Batteries announced the final vehicle participants for the 2013 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, during a press conference at the SEMA Show. These qualifiers were selected by a committee of OPTIMA and industry representatives who walked the SEMA show floor in Las Vegas to recognize the best of the best across all performance vehicle segments.   The following drivers are the finalists selected, earning a spot to compete in this year’s OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational: 2010 Audi R8, William Horan 1950 Chevy Thriftmaster Truck, Jonathan Ward 1993 Mazda RX-7, Scott Sangpiel 1973 Chevy Camaro, Randy Johnson 2013 Ford Focus ST-M, Mark German 1969 Pontiac GTO, Darren Nickleson 1965 Ford Mustang, Alan Palmer 1995 Toyota Supra, Joe Delgato 1968 Chevy Camaro, Karl Dunn 1967 Ford Mustang, Ed Moss   “There are so many extraordinary vehicles at SEMA and we are always impressed with the quality of unique vehicles that are at the show,”...

Custom Vans at 2013 SEMA Show   Vans. They're not just for living down by the river anymore. (RIP Chris Farely aka Matt Foley)   One of my EASY picks for "Favorite at SEMA" has to be this custom Ford Econoline Van. Not since Church's VanGO has a van made a statement like this. With metal flake shining in the Las Vegas sun, I had to grab some pictures and share. If metal flake's your thing, make sure to look at the other metal flake paint stories and pictures we've done including a "how-to" about spraying flake yourself.     Complimenting the cooper-gold flaked flames and stripes, the gold leaf lettering spelled "Chrome Gypsy Tattoo" a Las Vegas based tattoo and piercing shop. A perfect calling card for the shop, yea??     How do you paint metal flake on a roof with this detail? Standing on a latter for days!!?? Someone lets us know who did the paint... they deserve credit!     Custom details and more metal flake covered the interior. I heard the engine's detailed and flaked too. I'll try to grab a picture tomorrow.  ...

A Necessary Part of the SEMA Show: Booth Babes   Should I bother to write anything? Just enjoy the pictures. Click on any image to see them in their full beauty!   These lovely ladies, at first glance were buck nekkid! In Vegas? Yea, maybe!! But no, they weren't completely, but that didn't stop an enthusiastic crowd of folks stopping by for a pic and a closer look. (it was worth it, don'tcha think??)     Just like last year's SEMA Show, and most likely every year, Giovanna brings talent and suede wrapped exotics. Both suit me just fine!   Follow Joselyn Cano on Instagram here. (you'll be glad you did)   Not to be outdone... (help with a link if you know it)   Like classic Ford Muscle? Got a booth babe for ya...     Or you prefer import models? Kawaii desu ne? Harajuku ni isshoni ikimasenka? I gave her my cheesiest Japanese pickup line: Asa kohi isshoni nomimasen ka?     Rockin' the house!!   I saved some of the best for last... from CB Model your first (or possibly wisest) choice for models at your next...

OPTIMA Invitational Qualifier Lynda Jacobs   It's been my pleasure to work with Optima for their after-SEMA race called the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. What is it? Well, check this out to catch up... Basically, it's a race of the best cars from the SEMA Show floor and qualifying races all over the country.   One racer happens to drive a road hugging, original appearing 1966 Chevelle SS 396 convertible and SHE is every bit the muscle car enthusiast and race car driver you'd ever imagine!  Qualifying at LS Fest, she's the real deal. Meet Lynda Jacobs.     Lynda kindly told us her story of racing and her first muscle car, this black-plate 1966 Chevelle.   Words and Pictures from Lynda...   My husband Chris and I have been married for 15 years. We both had cars and racing in our lives and that also played into our meeting as well. A mutual friend who had a body shop helped make the introduction and the rest was history. We went to Great Lakes Dragway on our second date. Chris has been into Chevelles his whole life. First car was...

Who's Coming and What Radical Race Car are they bringing?   2013 OPTIMA® Ultimate Street Car Invitational: Second Group of Finalists Revealed If you can't find a car to like in this group... you don't like cars! From a BMW M3 wagon to classic Camaros and Mustangs, the OUSCI has you covered. All of these race cars will be seen at SEMA, many of them inside as part of vendor displays. Then on Friday, they'll take to the streets and make the parade lap leaving SEMA followed by a rally-style out to Pahrump, NV and the Spring Mountain Ranch race track where they'll kick things off on Saturday morning. Check out more details below.   The Upcoming Sixth Annual OPTIMA® Ultimate Street Car Invitational to Showcase a Strong Mix of Imported and Domestic Vehicles   OPTIMA Batteries, the global leader in high-performance automotive and marine batteries, gears up for the sixth annual OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, presented by K&N Filters and Royal Purple, by revealing the initial list of drivers and vehicles that have been invited to compete in the event. OPTIMA Batteries has long been the battery of choice for many automotive enthusiasts looking for better...

OPTIMA Shootout Qualifiers at Road America Premiere of OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car: Faceoff at Road America Qualifier Event to Air on MAV TV Network   OPTIMA’s Faceoff at Road America Qualifying Event Episode Premieres Thursday, October 31 with more high intensity performance vehicles and nail-biting action Oct. 17, 2012 (MILWAUKEE) – OPTIMA® Batteries, the global leader in high-performance automotive and marine AGM batteries and chargers, is proud to announce the premiere of the OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car series to air on Thursday, October 31 at 6 p.m. EDT and 9 p.m. EDT on MAV TV.   In the premiere, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the action during the OPTIMA Faceoff at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. This regional qualifying event introduces a diverse range of performance vehicles and the stories behind the passionate drivers as they compete on one of the most historic race tracks in America.   “This episode captures the passion of the automotive community with a great cast of entertaining characters. If you’re looking for fast beautiful cars, then this is your show,” said Cam Douglass director of product development and marketing for OPTIMA Batteries....

New Prestige Pearl gauges from Auto Meter     The good news? Now I know what gauges I want for my 1963 Falcon Wagon project! I knew I'd update what was in my old long roof, but hadn't decided what would work best until I saw these. I'll see them first hand at 2013 SEMA Show and report back if they're as pretty in person as they are here in pictures!  Here's more info in the official press release below... read on!   From Auto Meter:   Introducing Prestige Pearl Instruments from Auto Meter!   October 1, 2013, Sycamore, IL - Auto Meter's newest addition to the highly successful Prestige series join the nostalgia-inspired Black Diamond and Antique Ivory designs offering a pure white dial colorway for greater design possibilities when planning your build's interior. Auto Meter Prestige Pearl instruments are proudly built in the USA, featuring hybrid dials highlighted by embossed spun aluminum accents, traditional arrow-styled pointers and are finished with period correct domed lenses and chrome bezels. The beauty of these instruments is more than skin deep, at their heart are the same performance meter movements found in race cars across...

Chaotic Customs SEMA Build - 1940 Ford Pickup   Pictures and words by Karma Carlson   Want to see the finished truck at SEMA 2013? 1940 Ford Hot Rod Pickup at SEMA   It all started with a hole in the hood of a 1929 Model A roadster. Mike Young brought his roadster to Chris & Karma Carlson at Chaotic Customs in Mulvane, KS, to have the hole in his hood repaired after removing a blower motor. The repair turned into a complete rebuild of the car and a friendship was formed between the Youngs and the Carlsons. After driving the roadster, Mike discovered his wife, Glenna, was not a roadster chick. Roadsters in the Kansas heat and wind were not her cup of tea. They decided to build an enclosed car so that Glenna would enjoy riding longer distances to car shows. Mike knew Chaotic Customs was the shop for the job.   Learn more about Chaotic Customs painting skills in this Metal Flake on a budget Painting How-to   Mike had his eye on 1949-1951 Chevy Fleetlines but Chris had a line on a 1940 Ford pickup....

Buy An Edelbrock Intake Manifold and Get A FREE Pair of Mechanics Gloves   TORRANCE, CA (September 10, 2013) - Edelbrock is excited to announce their "Fits Like A Glove" consumer promotion.   Participating consumers can receive a FREE pair of Edelbrock exclusive mechanics gloves when they purchase any new Edelbrock intake manifold; whether it's sold individually, included in a fuel injection system, Power Package top end kit, carburetor & manifold kit or crate engine. The "Fits Like A Glove" promotion will start on October 1 and end on November 30, 2013. For complete, promotion details and to download a redemption form, visit the official Edelbrock promotions website at Edelbrock Promotions.   Edelbrock's VP of Sales and Marketing, Steve Whipple states, "We're really excited about this promotion, intake manifolds have been the cornerstone of this company since the beginning. The Slingshot intake manifold for the Flathead Ford was the first part made by Vic Edelbrock Sr. 75 years ago. So what better way to thank our loyal customers then to give them a helping hand with a new pair of mechanics gloves".   Fits Like A Glove Deal Details:   Free...