Road Rumblings

TRJ Update and #85 Announcement

You may have heard that we debuted the new issue, TRJ #85, this past weekend at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. First of all, we would like to thank everyone for the positive and supportive reception we received. Thank you to all that took the time to stop by.

We’d like to give you a quick run-down on where things stand without going into too much gory detail. You will be able to read more about all of that in the Editorial of TRJ #85.

But, first off, we do want to thank you for your patience, and your continued support in all of this. Failure is not an option and we have never faltered in our efforts to continue with The Rodder’s Journal. It has been a tough couple of years and many challenges lay ahead, but we firmly believe that we are well on track to bring the Rodder’s Journal back to its former glory. Rodder’s Journal #85 is at the mailing house ready to ship. It will ship out to all current and Lifetime subscribers in the next few days. At Louisville we were asked quite a few times if existing subscriptions including Lifetime subscriptions will be honored and the short answer is yes. Our idea was really just to get an issue finished and out to you, so a lot of the logistics such as customer service phone calls, emails etc. are on the back burner until we have the capacity to handle them all. We expect that in a few weeks we should be able to start taking phone calls on the same 1 -800-750-9550 number as we have in the past and answering any query emails at customerservice@roddersjournal.com too. We are also rebuilding the website from the ground up. But all of this will take time. We will keep you posted as we make these changes. We are also working on the previous orders that have not been shipped yet or were returned to us during the pandemic. Most of these are accounted for and will go out in the next few weeks. We apologize for the delay on this, but we do plan to get everybody what they paid for. We are already in the midst of producing TRJ #86 and it’s beginning to shape up into what we think is a great issue. We’ll bring you more details of what to expect soon.

We are still rebuilding from the ground up, so it will take time, but you can be sure that we are working as hard as we can to get TRJ back to where it once was if not better! We are sure that this email will raise as many questions as it answers, but we believe it is a start towards continuing to publish what we believe is a quality hot rod and custom car magazine and solving all of the problems that we all have encountered over the past couple of years.

Once again, thank you for your patience and support. We will try to keep you all as updated as much as possible.

GMC Hummer EV Chip Ganassi Racing EV.R Extreme E

The Chip Ganassi Racing team just clinched their maiden victory in the allelectric Extreme E off-road racing series last month, taking the win in the Sardinia EPrix following a 30-second penalty handed down to Johan Kristoffersson and Rosberg X Racing. Captured on the floor of the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the Chip Ganassi Extreme E racer was seen parked next to the GMC Hummer EV SUV, showing off the spec silhouette racer lines and styling alongside its production inspiration. For all you gearheaads who may be unaware, GMC signed a multiyear sponsorship with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 to support the latter’s first allelectric racing venture. The Extreme E series is quite new, launching its inaugural season in 2021, with competitors going wheel-to-wheel in a variety of offroad sessions throughout each race weekend. The racing vehicles themselves are based on the Spark Odyssey 21 electric SUV. Manufactured by Spark Racing Technology, the same all-electric performance company that constructs the Formula E race car, the off-roaders source motivation from a Williams Advanced Engineering battery and incorporate a niobium-reinforced steel alloy tubular frame. Peak output is rated at 540 horsepower, while weight is set at 3,640 pounds, yielding a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. While the competitors are closely matched thanks to the spec underpinnings, the Chip Ganassi Racing team flies the GMC Hummer EV flag thanks to silhouette racer-style bodywork. This includes the iconic horizontal front end treatment, where we see a bright fascia that boldly displays the Hummer logo. GMC badging is also seen in select locations across the unique bodywork. With the Chip Ganassi team finally securing its maiden win in the GMC Hummer EV Extreme E racer, hopes are high that the team can build momentum for further successes in the future.

Ford Celebrates Original 1966 Bronco with New Heritage Editions

FORD is celebrating the original 1966 Bronco with the introduction of the 2023 Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage and Heritage Limited editions, the automaker announced. The special-edition models will be available across the Bronco family lineup, including Bronco two-door, Bronco four-door and Bronco Sport SUVs. Ford will build just 1,966 units of each Heritage Limited Edition model to commemorate the year the original Bronco debuted, Ford said. “Bronco captivated America in the mid-’60s with its rugged style and uncompromising off-road agility, a legacy that is still prevalent today,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco marketing manager. “With these new Heritage and Heritage Limited editions, we’re paying respect to Bronco’s roots with nods to some of the signature design cues from the first-generation vehicle, while continuing to build the Bronco Brand with more special editions that our customers want.” Bronco two- and four-door Heritage models are highlighted by a two-tone paint job that includes signature Oxford White accents including the modular hardtop roof. An Oxford White grille features Race Red “FORD” lettering, while 17-inch aluminum heritage wheels painted in Oxford White and a bodyside stripe dial up the throwback looks. The 1960s era-inspired squared fenders with Sasquatch-width fender flares provide a visual callback and cover the nearly two-inch wider track, Ford designers said, while a powder -coated steel capable front bumper with built-in recovery points and integrated fog lamps is standard. Heritage Limited models add gloss black-painted 17-inch heritage wheels with classic “dog dish” centers, plus an Oxford White-painted lip for more retro flare. Inside, Bronco Heritage Edition units feature plaid cloth seats and exclusive touches such as an Oxford White instrument panel, center console badging and exclusive front and rear floor liners. Heritage Edition models come standard with Big Bend series equipment and features, including a 2.3liter EcoBoost engine with 7-speed manual or available 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The engine delivers up to 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. torque. The Sasquatch Package with a HighPerformance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.) 2.0 system with long-travel Bilstein positionsensitive dampers with end-stop control valves and increased ride height is standard, as are 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires and Dana front and rear electronic locking axles with 4.7:1 final drive ratio. Bronco Heritage Edition is available in five paint options, while Bronco Heritage Limited Edition is exclusively available at launch in Robin’s Egg Blue, which is a throwback color based on Arcadian Blue, available on the original Bronco in 1966. The color Yellowstone Metallic, which is based on the 1971 Ford color Prairie Yellow, is planned for late 2023 model year availability. Peak Blue is planned for the 2024 model year. Heritage Limited Edition models offer the increased capability of Badlands series equipment and features, including a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with up to 330 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. torque mated to the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. They are also differentiated with features that include metal “Bronco” script fender badging, leather-trimmed/vinyl plaid seats with white and Race Red accent stitching and unique Heritage Limited console badging.

Callaway Offers New 602 Horsepower Supercharged GM Trucks and SUVs

Callaway has long been a name synonymous with custom high-performance Corvettes. Since 1987, Callaway Cars has been turning GM production vehicles into supercars with their turbocharger and supercharger conversion packages. Today, Callaway Cars proudly offers their SC520 and SC602 supercharged option packages for 2021-22 GM trucks and SUVs. For the 520 and 602 horsepower packages, Callaway makes use of their TriplCooled™ supercharger technology. The company’s proprietary ECM calibration controls the engine. This combination delivers consistent power across various driving environments while maintaining near-stock fuel economy when cruising in traffic. A stainless quad-tip exhaust system provides a powerful rumble without in-cabin resonance. The Callaway packages offer 50-state emissions compliance along with OEM-level drivability and reliability. The Callaway SC520 package is offered for the 5.3-liter engine, while the SC602 package can be ordered for vehicles with the 6.2-liter engine. Vehicles in the 2021-22 lineup eligible for the conversion are Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon/Denali/XL, and Cadillac Escalade/ESV. In addition to the power upgrades, Callaway wheels and other optional equipment are available to further enhance the new models. Notably, 2022 Chevrolet and GMC trucks receiving the mid-lifecycle refreshed design are eligible to be ordered with either the Callaway SC520 or SC602 supercharger conversion package. That means you can order the new Silverado ZR2 and Sierra AT4X with the Callaway conversions. Either package will elevate these trucks to exceedingly fast off-road capability. The SC520 and SC602 option packages are available for order immediately. You can order yours through any Callaway Authorized GM Dealer Network member. The Callaway build facilities in Connecticut and California receives the vehicles directly from the GM factory. While there, the truck or SUV receives its SC520 or SC602 conversion and any additional Callaway options ordered. Upon completion, the customer can pick up their new build directly from the Callaway facilities, from the ordering dealer, or the client can have it delivered directly to the location of their choice. Pricing for either of the two new packages starts at $24,995. Included in the package is a limited 3year/36,000-mile powertrain warranty. An optional 5-year/60,000-mile warranty is also available. Don’t feel like waiting on an order? Check the Callaway Authorized GM Dealer Network as they may have newly converted vehicles in stock, ready for delivery.