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LIGHTING • DRAG RACING • SHOP TOOLS
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CONTENTS // February 2017 // Volume 19 Number 9
FEATURES \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 8 LIGHT ’EM UP!
RESTYLING
When building a vehicle for the 2016 SEMA Show, conservative thinking is not an option.
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FIVE MORE TIPS FOR RESTYLERS
A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE
A second helping of ideas to be more successful this year.
‘Enchantment’ is an important key to customer satisfaction.
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TRUCK BED PRODUCTS
RESTYLING PRODUCTS
Truck bed accessories that work and look great.
The latest truck, car and SUV parts that add style and utility.
By Dino Perfetti
By Josh Poulson
Celebrating SEMA Show pioneers. By Anthony Bowe
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STRAIGHT & NARROW
WELCOME TO THE MACHINE
The 2017 drag racing market looks promising. By John Carollo
Boris Maryanovsky’s Street Machinery turns plenty of cars & parts in Ohio.
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By John Carollo
CHANGING ON THE FLY
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Motorsports fights to maintain relevancy in an evolving landscape. By Jef White
By Jason R. Sakurai
FUEL THE FIRE Diesel upgrades require a pump that keeps up. By Ron Knoch
26 ROADSTER REDEFINED A Maserati V-8—that’s different. By John F. Katz
PAG E
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Holley has just made EFI truly affordable! Economically-priced, Sniper EFI Master Kits are the most complete systems currently available and support up to 650 HP. Ideal when upgrading virtually any street rod, muscle car of off-road vehicle to EFI. Kits include all of the components necessary to plumb, install and run. Motor State carries the full line of Holley products in our new, state-of-the-art distribution center enabling us to get the parts you need fast. You order, we ship. We make it easy!
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CONTENTS // February 2017 // Volume 19 Number 9
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BUSINESS
Land of Enchantment
AD INDEX.........................................................79
44 SURVIVING SOCIAL MEDIA, PART 3 Making sense of the choices. By JoAnn Bortles
Alphabetical listing of this month’s advertisers.
ONE MORE THING.............................................80 ‘King of Cool’ Gets His Own Graphic Novel
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION JNG Creations’ world-class, down-to-earth interiors.
LIGHTING • DRAG RACING • SHOP TOOLS
TERRACOTTA FIRMA
The latest for hot rod customizing with looks and power.
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HOT ROD PRODUCTS
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COMING NEXT MONTH • Towing & Hauling • Body Kits & Styling • Fuel Delivery • Off-Road
By Naseem Muaddi
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ROCKET SHIFT Since the brand disappeared, the Oldsmobile niche has shifted into overdrive. By John Gunnell
SHOP TOOLS & EQUIPMENT 75 ON THE JOB When there’s work to do, quality tools stand at the ready. Compiled by Jef White 4
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ON THE COVER
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Modern technology has put more power in smaller packages, allowing technicians to operate more efficiently and ultimately, make more money. See story on page 75. (Photo courtesy Ingersoll Rand)
LAST MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS • Forecast 2017 • The Mobile Electronics Front • The European Performance Market • PRECISION ENGINE Supplement
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THE KING
of the bumper world
Meyer Distributing is a complete automotive and RV/towing wholesale distributor. With 64 locations nationwide and over 2,000,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, Meyer Distributing has a huge inventory of parts to service your needs. Meyer Distributing has 10 locations that provide next day delivery, and a fleet of 350+ trucks that serve 48 states direct. Meyer Distributing is driven to perform – we provide the products you need when you need them.
MEYERDISTRIBUTING.COM
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n his article on the art of enchantment, Jason Sakurai offers tips for building a fairy tale relationship with your customers. Different than the magic of a Disney princess, this type of business enchantment is based on ideas from former Apple exec Guy Kawasaki and his book Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, and involves “voluntary, enduring and delightful change.” Jef White The premise is to go beyond a customer’s expectations Executive Editor by delivering more in a transaction than they would www.TheShopMag.com originally expect. Not only do clients get the product or service they’re seeking, but they begin to build trust in—and an affinity for—your company as well. Is enchantment as simple as putting in a little extra effort? Many of Josh Poulson’s tips in his excellent series on building a better business center around surprising customers with an enhanced experience. Maybe it’s just logo pens and company T-shirts that lend an air of professionalism. Or maybe it’s a win-win approach where kindness extended is returned via loyalty. “For instance, think about the cost to build a project car and then rent a booth at a local trade show, and then man the booth for days handing out business cards. This can be very expensive with an unknown return on investment,” Josh writes. “Now, think about taking some snacks, pens and calendars to some of your best clients and/ or potential customers and having a quick conversation about the services you render or could render. With a fraction of the cost involved, the ROI would probably be a much higher percentage.” Did Dino Perfetti and Automotive Concepts achieve a level of enchantment with Urban Recon, a project Jeep that showcases aftermarket upgrades including a variety of lighting options? Its otherworldly blue hue certainly grabbed plenty of attention at the SEMA Show, as visitors were impressed with its more-than-meets-the-eye appeal and suitability for a variety of terrains, from city streets to mountain trails. Meanwhile, with a prominent place at the SEMA PRO Council booth, it also served as a gateway to bigger discussions about important legal issues facing the industry. In that way, it became more than just another way to sell parts. The big test, however, was when it got back home to Minnesota and rolled into a dealer’s showroom. Sure enough, a visitor took one look and wouldn’t go home without it. Like any good enchantment story, they were destined to live happily ever after.
PUBLISHER REGAN DICKINSON rdickinson@nbm.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MICHAEL MURRAY mmurray@nbm.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR JEF WHITE jwhite@nbm.com MANAGING EDITOR EDDIE WIEBER ewieber@nbm.com DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR ANTHONY BOWE abowe@nbm.com ART DIRECTOR IVETH GOMEZ igomez@nbm.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER LINDA CRANSTON linda@nbm.com EASTERN TERRITORY SALES MANAGER MICHAEL MURRAY mmurray@nbm.com WESTERN TERRITORY SALES MANAGER RYAN WOLFE rwolfe@nbm.com SALES SUPPORT KRISTINA STEINER ksteiner@nbm.com TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTOR MIKE MAVRIGIAN birchwdag@frontier.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JOANN BORTLES, JOHN CAROLLO, JOHN GUNNELL, JOHN F. KATZ, RON KNOCH, NASEEM MUADDI, DINO PERFETTI, JOSH POULSON, JASON SAKURAI NATIONAL BUSINESS MEDIA PRESIDENT & CEO ROBERT H. WIEBER JR. VICE PRESIDENT/INTEGRATED MEDIA JOHN BENNETT VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHING DAVE POMEROY VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE KORI GONZALES, CPA VICE PRESIDENT/NBM EVENTS SUE HUEG, CEM, CMP VICE PRESIDENT/AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT LORI FARSTAD DIRECTOR OF IT WOLF BUTLER MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER ANDREW BENNETT
© 2016 National Business Media, Inc. All rights reserved. THE SHOP (ISSN 2380-7415) is published monthly by National Business Media, Inc., 2800 W. Midway Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80020; (303) 469-0424; FAX (303) 469-5730. Subscription rates in the U.S.: One year, $45; Two years $80; Three years $108. Canada: One year, $76; Two years, $142; Three years, $201 (U.S. Funds). Mexico/International: One year, $98; Two years, $186; Three years, $267 (U.S. Funds). Periodicals Postage Paid at Broomfield, CO 80020-9998 and additional mailing offices. USPS/National Business Media Automatable Poly. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to THE SHOP, PO Box 460651, Escondido, CA 92046-0651. All items submitted to THE SHOP become the sole property of THE SHOP and National Business Media, Inc. and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Advertisers and/or their agencies, jointly and severally, assume all liability for printed advertisements in THE SHOP. Opinions expressed in THE SHOP may not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine’s editor, its management or its advertisers. Letters, photographs and manuscripts welcome.
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WE GO THE
DISTANCE
VEHICLE SPECIFIC AUXILIARY LIGHTS: From A-Pillar mounts to Fog Light replacement kits, all of our LED light packages feature OEM fit and finish – taking all of the hassle out of upgrading the lighting on your rig.
VEHICLE SPECIFIC LIGHT BAR KITS: Our 10” - 50” Light Bar Kits are offered with our S8 or OnX6 light bar platforms so you can choose the option that suits you best. Plug and play wiring harnesses are included, eliminating the cutting, splicing and guesswork that goes into wiring.
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UNIVERSAL LED LIGHTS: Can’t find a kit that suits you and your vehicle? Luckily all of our LED Auxiliary Lights, Light Bars and Rock lights are easily adapted to any application and can be mounted to your bumper, grille, or anywhere else you have available space.
I BAJADESIGNS.COM I 800.422.5292
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“Urban Recon” was a Jeep Wrangler project we built for the SEMA Show. Designed to showcase the latest in personalization trends, it included a heavy focus on vehicle lighting options.
LIGHT ’EM UP! T
he design team at Automotive Concepts in New Hope, Minnesota was primed for another SEMA Show build challenge. With the November due date fastapproaching, images of literally thousands of show-stopping vehicles ran through our minds from the two dozen SEMA Shows attended over the years. To capture the attention of 60,000-plus show attendees, this vehicle had to make a statement—but then we needed to bring it back to Minnesota, put it on a dealer’s show floor and eventually find it a happy home.
EASY CHOOSING The vehicle selection would prove to be the easy part. Why not choose the most accessorized vehicle since the demise of the Hummer H2? That, of course, is the Jeep Wrangler. We used it as a platform to display numerous products, with a strong focus in the lighting category. The Wrangler was to be featured in the North Hall area of the Las Vegas Convention Center occupied by the SEMA PRO (Professional Restylers Organization) council. We called on the resources of both 8
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industry professionals and manufacturer’s representatives to create a cutting-edge showcase of the latest vehicle personalization trends. We reached out to Go Rhino’s BJ Leanse for LED lighting options. Ultimately, we installed a 20-inch LED light bar along with HID fog lights on a Go Rhino BR40
When the task is to build a vehicle for the 2016 SEMA Show, conservative thinking is not an option. By Dino Perfetti
front bumper. Moving up the hood, a set of Rigid Industries’ new Radiance series cubes were installed on the windshield hinge location. Above the windshield, a Go Rhino windshield mount made way for a 40-inch Radiance series LED light bar and another set of LED cubes.
Occupying a high-profile area of the North Hall, the project grabbed plenty of attention.
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We installed a 20-inch LED light bar along with HID fog lights on the front bumper.
On the roof of the Wrangler hardtop, a Go Rhino SRM100 roof rack allowed for two sets of side-mounted cube lights and an additional 40-inch LED light bar facing the rear of the vehicle. Bringing up the rear (that is, rounding out the rear bumper) was a Go Rhino RB10 series with cutouts for a set of Rigid backup LED lights. There wouldn’t be a problem seeing this Jeep coming or going! EXTERIOR TOUCHES The front-facing lighting positions on the Wrangler featured the Radiance series LEDs. They offer five different colors of backlighting, allowing for our blue glow to shine with or without having the highoutput flood pattern lighting. Many Jeep enthusiasts have been replacing the OEM 7-inch round headlights on the Wrangler. We did too, choosing new Revision 2.0 by HIDProjectors. The high-tech headlights provide improved light output, yielding a wider and further-reaching beam pattern. The perma-sealed lenses are made from aircraft-grade polycarbonate for protection from roadside hazards. Next were taillight replacements—a set of LED lights with a modern, stylish smoke appearance from Rugged Ridge that shine five times brighter than the OEM taillight bulbs. The final touch to the exterior lighting portion of the project was suspension and underbody lighting. A dozen Litespot LED spotlights were obtained from Off Road Only, a St. Paul, Minnesota company. The high-intensity light pods are sealed in a solid polyurethane construction, making them both water- and corrosion-proof. Offering a compact design, they were positioned directly over the JKS Suspension system, providing a refection off the Fox Racing reservoir shocks. Two additional lights were placed directly over the polished stainless exhaust system, illuminating the FEBRUARY 2017
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Radiance series cubes were installed on the windshield hinge location.
A 40-inch LED light bar and a set of LED cubes were included as well.
entire rear undercarriage. Lastly, four additional lights were positioned behind the DV8 inner fender well liners, allowing a blue glow to shine through the mesh design and illuminating the 22-inch XD Series custom blue-tinted wheels. INTERIOR TOUCHES Interior lighting was the next challenge. Brightening up the interior to highlight the Katzkin Tuscany leather design along with the hydrographic dipped trim components was done with LED replacement lighting in the OEM bulb locations. This now illuminated the interior four times greater that the OEM lighting. The LED lights were built into the upgraded overhead sound bar provided by KIS Products, which carried the blue glow concept inside. In addition to providing color-changing LEDs, the sound quality was greatly improved. Controlling the numerous light output points throughout the Wrangler could have been a vast undertaking, but the result was just the opposite, thanks to Alpine Electronics. With the installation of the Alpine X 109 Wrangler 9-inch navigation radio replacement, we integrated a control module that provided eight 12-volt switching operations. This platform allowed for all exterior lighting to operate with a touch of an icon on the touchscreen display. The screen allowed editing of each input to label the function of each switch. The module eliminated the need for bulky rocker switches throughout the interior.
SWEET HOME MINNESOTA! Once production of the SEMA project (named Urban Recon) The roof was completed, all that rack allowed for remained was the 2,000two sets of sidemounted cube lights mile trip to Las Vegas. and a 40-inch LED light bar facing the rear.
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LED replacement lighting in the OEM bulb locations illuminated the interior four times greater than the OEM lighting.
Finally positioned in the SEMA PRO booth prior to Tuesday’s show opening, one could only hope the reaction to all the hard work of everyone involved would be noticed. Any misgivings about those hopes quickly faded, as crowds around the project grew during the four-day event. With the thousands of questions and comments and four times as many photos taken, one could only think “mission accomplished.” After returning to Minnesota with the task completed, it was time to find a permanent home for the special Jeep—hopefully in a nice, warm garage. It turned out to be nothing to worry about. The Jeep didn’t last the month of November on the showroom floor at Walser Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram in Hopkins, Minnesota—the local dealership that provided the Wrangler Sport. But first, we did a photo shoot and made a commercial for the shop, leveraging a lot of promotional mileage from the project before returning it to the dealership. The project proved that dealers can sell a Jeep on a whole new, customized level. Urban Recon’s blue glow caught the eye of a longtime Jeep enthusiast who was waiting for an oil change on his custom 2009 Jeep Wrangler. He was not going home without it!
The blue glow creates huge curb appeal.
Hightech replacement headlights provide superior light output, yielding a wider and greater-reaching beam pattern, with permasealed lenses made from aircraft-grade polycarbonate. LED taillight replacements shine five times brighter than the OEM taillight bulbs.
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Four additional lights were positioned behind the DV8 inner fender well liners, illuminating the 22-inch XD Series custom blue-tinted wheels.
DINO PERFETTI is a 29-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket industry and a member of the SEMA PRO council. He joined Automotive Concepts in 2005 and now serves as sales manager, leading a sales team responsible for customizing vehicles for more than 200 dealerships in the Midwest. Contact him at dino@ac-mn.com.
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En-Lighten Your Customers It’s common for customers to add or upgrade lighting on a vehicle they’ve recently purchased. Navigating through the sea of options in the crowded LED market might prove to be overwhelming for many, which is why they will come to your shop. A lot of the lighting selection process is about asking questions in order to understand the customer’s needs better, so you can find the appropriate product. So, how do you steer them in the right direction? “This is a two-part deal,” says Trent Kirby of San Marcos, California-based Baja Designs. “First, find out what the customer’s pains are, and then present them with the appropriate light that solves their issue; and make sure you recommend a reputable product.” Kirby advises shops to ask those customers a few key questions to get on the right track: • Why does the customer want to
upgrade their lighting? • What is their budget? • Do they care if the product is manufactured in America? • Do they care about warranty? Beyond that, from a business standpoint, he advises shops to be sure that whatever they’re selling as a lighting solution represents their company and their brand to the level it deserves. Shops should also understand: • Lumens are not everything; in fact, optics are more important than lumen count; • Exactly which LED and efficiency bin is being used in a device; • What type of optics are being used in a device; • How long a manufacturer has been in business. “Spend time reading and learning more about the product and what makes a quality light,” Kirby adds. “The last thing you want is to sell a product that
your customer thinks is junk. That hurts not only the shop’s brand, but also its credibility.”
Eight lighting zones for off-road enthusiasts are identified on this chart by Baja Designs: 1) Dust/Fog; 2) Cornering; 3) Driving Combo; 4) Spot; 5) Racer Edition Spot; 6) Dome Lighting; 7) Flood; and 8) Backup Lighting. (Image courtesy Baja Designs)
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THESHOPMAG.COM
A Celebration of SEMA Show Pioneers
Our monthly roundup of online news.
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DR. OLDSMOBILE Anthony Bowe is THE SHOP’s Digital Content Editor, overseeing content on the website (www. theshopmag.com) and in the daily eNewsletter. Send news tips or other inquiries to abowe@nbm.com. The SEMA Show is many things to many people—a gigantic celebration of all the specialty automotive aftermarket has to offer. But it had to start somewhere. In this case, it was southern California in 1967, as hot rodders and fledgling parts builders came together at the beginning of something special. The industry is fortunate to have many pioneers from what was originally called the High Performance & Custom Trade Show still around to talk about the good ol’ days. And we’ve enjoyed bringing some of their stories to our readers online. You can get THE SHOP’s eNewsletter delivered directly to your inbox every morning. Sign up by visiting our website, www. theshopmag.com, and scrolling until you find the “Get the eNewsletter” box on the right-hand side—plug in your email address, click “Sign Up,” and the eNewsletter will be promptly delivered the next business day. 14
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In 1951, Joe Mondello started racing at airports and drag strips throughout Southern California. Before he was 17 years old, he had ported and relieved more than 50 Ford flathead V-8s for the finest engine builders of the era. Mondello’s first car was a 1940 Ford coupe with a 303-ci flathead V-8, four Stromberg carbs, Edelbrock heads and manifold and an Engle cam. Traco Engineering, known for Indy cars and Sprint cars, used Mondello heads exclusively. Mondello’s clients back then read like a Who’s Who of Joe Mondello began doing R&D work for Olds in 1968, earning him the nickname drag racing. The famed Mondello-Matsubara Blown Fuel Altered won “Dr. Oldsmobile.” two National Events in the 1960s. In the 1960s and ’70s it was the fastest wedge-head Chevy. It ran a 7.24-second quarter-mile at 213 mph during the 1969 Indy U.S. Nationals. Mondello began doing R&D work for Oldsmobile in 1968, earning him the nickname Dr. Oldsmobile. He established benchmarks in the performance industry in every decade since the 1950s. In the 1960s, Mondello developed the Posi-Flow Combustion Chamber design. He was responsible for many GM head designs. Mondello cylinder heads were used by Dean Moon, Ak Miller, Craig Breedlove, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and the legendary Mickey Thompson. Mondello was at the first SEMA Show in 1966. When Olds won the Pikes Peak hill climb that year, it set records with a Mondello-prepped Toronado and it then took the Mexican Road Race three years in a row. Mondello also assisted in the design, testing and troubleshooting of many other Olds racing engines. In 1969, Mondello won Car Craft magazine’s Engine Builder of the Year award. He also drove as a factory-backed racer for Olds, setting two NHRA records. Read more about Joe “Dr. Oldsmobile” Mondello by visiting: http://shopmag.biz/DrOldsmobile
THE ISKY Ed “Isky” Iskenderian is a genuine piece of hot rod history and a man who attended the first SEMA Show with his Iskenderian Racing Cams company. There was good reason for him to be at that event, since Iskenderian had served as the first president of the Speed Equipment Manufacturing Association in 1963 and 1964. The Iskenderians were Armenians who fled Turkey and came to America around 1910. They settled in Northern California’s wine country, where Ed Iskenderian was born in 1921. When frost destroyed its vineyards, the family moved to Los Angeles. His father ran a shoe store in the downtown area. “I didn’t know about hot rods yet,” Iskenderian once said. “Around 1933, when I was about 12,
I would see older guys driving stripped-down Model Ts or Whippets. We called them ‘Gug Jobs’ or ‘Get Up and Go’s,” or ‘Hot Iron.’ They did say ‘rods,’ too.”
Ed “Isky” Iskenderian is a genuine piece of hot rod history—a man who attended the first SEMA Show with his Iskenderian Racing Cams company and tested in the dry lake beds of California.
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THESHOPMAG.COM Iskenderian said that he found out where a fellow lived who owned one of the cars. That hot rodder told him that if he really wanted to see a lot of them, he should come up to California’s dry lakes. He hitched a ride and found hundreds of hot rods. They came from different parts of California and everyone who owned one of them had their own ideas. At the dry lakes, Iskenderian and his friends watched the cars run time trials, with some of them hitting speeds of 140 mph. Despite the long drive to the lakes, Isky, as he was known, got involved in the sport. Iskenderian attended Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles, where his pet
project was building a Model T roadster. He learned the basics of auto mechanics while working on Model T Fords. He became familiar with early speed equipment, which was largely centered on racing cylinder heads with overhead valve Frontenac and Riley conversions. “If you really wanted to know about engines in those days you found your way to Ed Winfield,” Iskenderian said at the 2012 Hot Rod & Restoration show. “Ed was probably one of the foremost authorities on racing cams in 1933-1934. He raced right at Indianapolis. Well, he brought his cams and carburetors to the racing cars here. He would come here on testing days before the
big race. If a car wasn’t going fast enough and he could fit in the car, he could get it around the track faster than anyone else.” Iskenderian stressed the fact that car magazines or websites didn’t yet exist in those days. “We had to learn from older fellows,” he said. “When people went to buy a cam or carburetor from Ed Winfield, they came back with a little more knowledge, too. I bought my first cam from him and he showed me the machine he had built. I was fascinated by it, because you had to build your own stuff in those days.” Read more about Ed “Isky” Iskenderian by visiting http://shopmag.biz/EdIsky
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EDELBROCK FAMILY Meet the Edelbrock family—a clan with members who participated in the first SEMA Show in 1967 and members who were at this year’s 50th anniversary SEMA Show as well. Edelbrock family members have also served as high-ranking officers in the SEMA organization. Vic Edelbrock Sr. started making Edelbrock speed equipment in 1938. Vic Edelbrock Jr., who was born two years earlier, grew up in the company as it grew. Vic Edelbrock Jr.’s daughter Christi Edelbrock also works for the company as vice president of purchasing. She road-races a Camaro and supports a variety of educational programs aimed at keeping future generations of enthusiasts involved in the automotive hobbies. Edelbrock Equipment Co. was one of 96 exhibitors at the first SEMA Show in Los Angeles. Today, Edelbrock has seven locations with over 500,000 square feet of floor space in Torrance and San Jacinto, California. Less than a mile away from its headquarters is Russell Performance, a distribution center, as well as Vic Edelbrock Jr.’s garage. The garage houses the Edelbrock Collection of street rods and classic cars and the company archives. Edelbrock remains committed to U.S.-made products. The same spirit that drives that commitment existed 79 years ago, when all-American boy Vic Edelbrock Sr. designed his own aluminum Slingshot intake manifold for the flathead V-8 in his 1932 Ford roadster. He had grown up near Wichita, Kansas, and moved to California in 1931. Since he had a natural talent for mechanics, Edelbrock became an auto mechanic. He met and married his wife Katie in 1933 and ran a repair shop with her brother. In 1934, he moved into his own shop on the corner of Venice and Hoover in Los Angeles. The roadster that he built for everyday use and weekend racing was his speed products’ test bed. Edelbrock Sr. raced at Muroc Dry Lake, 80-miles northeast of Los Angeles. He would head there after a week of work, remove 16
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Racing runs in the blood of the Edelbrock family.
the car’s fenders and install parts like the Slingshot manifold to determine how they would work under real-world conditions. Three weeks before Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II, he was clocked at 121.42 mph in his 1932 Ford at Rosamond Dry Lake. Edelbrock Sr. worked as a machinist during the war. At the end of the conflict, he purchased a building in Hollywood and designed his first aluminum cylinder heads for Ford flathead V-8s. They proved very popular and Edelbrock transitioned into more of a performance parts shop than a repair shop. In 1946, the first Edelbrock Power and Speed Equipment mailorder catalog was printed. Its availability greatly expanded the market for Edelbrock’s cylinder heads, intake manifolds, pistons, crankshafts and steering wheels. In 1948, Edelbrock relocated to his first all-new facility on Jefferson Boulevard. The 5,000-square-foot building had a small machine shop, repair bays, an engine dynamometer, a small stock room and office space. With this 200-horsepower Clayton dynamometer, Edelbrock Sr. had actual data to prove that his parts not only helped racing cars win, but also produced measurable performance gains. Read more about the Edelbrocks by visiting http://shopmag.biz/EdelbrockFam.
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PERFORMANCE
Shops that sell on quality—not price—win in the long run in the competitive drag racing market. (Photo courtesy Aeromotive Inc.)
Straight &Narrow The 2017 drag racing market looks promising.
T
he cars have cooled down. The tire smoke has cleared. And the staging lanes are empty. It’s offseason for drag racers in most parts of the world. That makes it the perfect time to look at one of the biggest markets in the performance business and see what lights up the win sign at the end of the track. Manufacturers and builders talk about the upcoming 2017 season—outside factors that could make a difference, technological advancements that offer an edge, and predictions for the new season. If your shop serves competitors who drive the straight and narrow of drag racing, there are reasons for optimism as we wait for the snow to clear and the tracks to open. CASH FLOW? Money talks—nowhere more than racing. So, when trying to determine this season’s drag racing outlook, it makes sense to start with the economy and if people have money to spend.
“In my mind, there are three factors that will have an impact on drag racing in 2017: the (presidential) election, fuel prices and interest rates,” says Steve Matusek, founder and president of Aeromotive, Inc. in Lenexa, Kansas. As far as the first point, he believes race shops were winners in November. “Regardless of your politics, the recent election was a windfall for our industry,” he predicts. “Motorsports enthusiasts and small business owners were overwhelmingly for (Donald) Trump. There is a positive outlook because of the anticipation of tax reform and, as a result, more confidence to invest and spend your hard-earned dollars in what you love. The result should be positive for drag racing. It may not be sustainable, but in the near term, it will be positive.” He adds that interest rates and fuel prices are linked together from the aspect of discretionary income. “The more dollars saved, the more money available to dedicate to your hobby/ passion,” Matusek says. “So, the result is obvious—(spending) less money for fuel,
By John Carollo
i.e. travel and debt service, the more cash available for racing.” Nick Helms, director of sales and marketing for Greenwich, Ohio-based Thermo-Tec, echoes those sentiments. “The biggest factor is the economy,” he agrees. “We all know that drag racing is an expensive sport. If the economy stays great, the race world stays great.” Bill Pasco, product manager of the newly resurrected SouthSide Machine in Akron, Ohio, says shops will want to keep one eye on the national economic scene as they plan their inventory and workflow this year. “I think you will see the economy playing a major role in how much people are willing to spend on racing products,” he offers. “This includes both race repair parts and new race parts. They will want to see what effect President Trump will have on the economy this spring when it’s time to purchase. They will also be looking at the price of gasoline, sales taxes and, most importantly, their salary and healthcare costs.”
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Recommend products that will do the best job to get the best results—not just the best products that make you the best profit. (Photo courtesy SouthSide Machine)
HIGH TECH The concept of drag racing is, well, pretty straightforward: go fast, in a straight line, over a set distance. But getting to the finish line first is anything but simple. “Technology over the past 10 years has focused on one main thing—speed,” Helms reports. “With all the computers and electronics that are now placed inside these drag cars, drivers can dial in exactly what they need to run faster.” Matusek agrees that technology has had a dramatic influence on drag racing in several areas. “Data acquisition, computers, solidstate ignition and fuel controls all have contributed dramatically to the sport,” he observes. But that doesn’t mean that computer programmers necessarily have the edge over gearheads. “In today’s drag racing world, you don’t have to be a world-class tuner to be competitive,” he explains. “There are tools and
controls such as EFI, traction controls, “Nowadays it’s all about getting coil automatic shifters, O2 feedback systems, springs and control arms to plant the rear tires. This can be done very easily with a etc. that allow even a novice to stick his toe matched set of SSM rear upper and lower in the water. That increases the inventory control arms to prevent the tires from of teams and cars, which is a good thing.” spinning.” At the higher levels, however, technology may be assuming too much of a role, he FRIENDS & CUSTOMERS adds. Race shops know that it pays to become “The negative is that now there are inexperienced drivers that have the ability to hop into a very fast car and leave off of a button who don’t know how to control the car,” he says. “In most very fast classes, the driver has been taken out of the equation, which is sad. But that is a topic of discussion for another day…” Pasco points to traction With more speed comes more heat. (Photo courtesy as an area where technology Thermo-Tec) has made a difference.
Technology over the past 10 years has focused on one main thing—speed. (Photo courtesy Thermo-Tec)
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an ally to the racers they serve. “Educate yourself on the latest products and offer value-added service,” recommends Aeromotive’s Matusek. “Today’s climate with speed parts has gone the way of discounts and deals. If you expect premium performance with genuine parts, don’t sell based on price—sell based on quality.” A knowledgeable shop offers benefits— particularly to racers looking to maximize their purchases—that discount outlets can’t match. “Education arms the counter guy and engine builder with the ammunition to explain to the customer why or why not they should purchase a higher-quality part based on true value,” he says. Thermo-Tec’s Helms has another tip for increasing sales—putting shopping back in the shop. “You can better-serve drag racing customers by better-displaying your products,” he advises. “Allow customers to actually see what will best-serve their needs, along
Drag racing continues to generate excitement like no other sport. (Photo courtesy SEMA)
with items they may have never known they wanted.” Then, while those racers are shopping, engage them and learn about their desires. “Listen to what the customer actually wants to accomplish and find out the end result they want to reach,” suggests SouthSide Machine’s Pasco. “Once you know, recommend products that will do the best
job to get the best results—not just the best products that make you the best profit. When you can help them reach their goal or help solve a problem they have, you will earn a repeat customer for life.” WHAT’S TO COME Add it all up, and it appears the good times will keep on rolling.
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Drag Racing Products A strong economy early in 2017 should mean good things for the drag racing market. (Photos courtesy NMCA)
Suppliers highlight their anticipated top parts for 2017: “Our new Pro Series Brushless Fuel Pump was developed to fuel combinations including oxygenated blends like ethanol and methanol in addition to traditional race fuels requiring high volume and pressure for today’s forced air induction power plants. The Pro Series Brushless pump is also durable enough to be used on your daily driver. Also, we continue to enhance our mechanical gear pump line to offer solutions for Pro Mod-type combinations making from 2,000 to 4,000 hp on methanol with a series of pumps ranging from 16 gallons per minute to a whopping 34 gpm.” Steve Matusek Aeromotive Inc. “Our top product is our Performance Rear Control Arms. Made with heavyduty, boxed steel tubing that will not bend or flex, they also feature stiff Delrin bushings We make traction bars and control arms, so it’s all about getting traction to ‘hook-n-book!’” Bill Pasco SouthSide Machine
“Drag racing has been an American tradition since the 1930s. The passion and fan base has done nothing but grow and evolve with the sport,” Helms says. “I believe drag racing is something that will never go away.” Pasco agrees that competition drives us as “red-blooded Americans.” “We love to compete with everyone and everything,” he says. “This starts with us 20
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at a very young age—in grade school footracing on the playgrounds, then bicycleracing in the neighborhoods, to high school sports like track and field, football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and more. Then we get old enough to drive and now it’s race time. So, as long it’s kept safe with the safety rules enforced, drag racing will be around for a long, long time, because everyone wants to go fast!”
“With more speed comes more heat. So, our hottest product for 2017 is predicted to be our Exhaust Wraps. While increasing scavenging inside the exhaust, it allows the exhaust gases to escape quicker, helping the engine run more efficiently.” Nick Helms Thermo-Tec
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A knowledgeable shop offers benefits—particularly to racers looking to maximize their purchases—that discount outlets can’t match. (Photo courtesy NMCA.)
Matusek shares that enthusiastic outlook—and the desire to take it to the track. “I don’t agree with illegal street racing, but with the advent of reality TV shows, it has at least brought awareness to a younger generation of enthusiasts, which hopefully will continue to fuel this market,” he says. “Even the celebrities of these shows have a
dream of racing the large venues of sanctioned drag racing events in the professional levels. If we can make the connection, which is what Wally Parks did over a half a century ago, between dangerous street racing and organized, safe racing, I think the drag racing market can relive the growth and popularity it had some 50 years ago.”
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CHANGING ON THE FLY Motorsports fights to maintain relevancy in an evolving landscape. By Jef White
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ith speed at the heart of all motorsports competition, it shouldn’t be surprising that change can come in a hurry. Once called a disruption by Henry Ford, motorsports now faces disruptions of its own as the racing and performance landscape evolves at a rapid pace. Factors from ridesharing to videogames, autonomous vehicles to dwindling resources could all affect an industry built to go fast or go home. A panel of experts ranging from OEM representatives to race series executives took the stage during the SEMA Show to discuss the future of motorsports at the 2016 Racing & Performance Forum. What they revealed is that the landscape could quickly become unrecognizable for those who can’t, or won’t, keep up. TRIED & TRUE Racing has long been the ultimate test of skill and bravery for drivers willing to push past their limits. Carmakers, however, view it as a proving ground for the cutting-edge designs and innovations that continue to march the industry forward. “The investment we make in racing is paying off in people’s driveways,” says Dave Pericak, global director of Ford Performance, citing an EcoBoost engine that makes more than 600 hp as an example of technology developed through track time.
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Motorsports involvement also boosts the company’s profile, he adds, pointing to programs and affiliations including Ford’s work with M-Sport, Hoonigan and Ken Block, FIA World Rallycross Championship and others. From the new Mustang Shelby GT350 to the in-development GT4 race car, Pericak believes it’s vital the company continues to build on its storied racing heritage. For General Motors, the Chevrolet Performance program has a three-fold mission to create successful performance variants,
performance parts and motorsports programs, says Jim Campbell, GM’s VP of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We learn from motorsports and drive what we learn to our performance variants” such as the ZL1 and Cadillac V offerings, he says, explaining that both sides benefit from a back-and-forth exchange of information. Racing is serious business, he continues, noting that GM uses its racing arm for: 1. Technology transfer to make its products better;
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Once called a “disruption” by Henry Ford, motorsports now faces disruptions of its own as the racing and performance landscape evolves at a rapid pace.
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Dave Pericak, global director of Ford Performance, says an involvement in racing directly affects the vehicles that consumers drive home.
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Moderated by John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology, the 2016 Racing & Performance Forum featured a panel of experts ranging from OEM representatives to race series executives discussing the future of motorsports and performance.
2. Developing engineers who spend time in motorsports and then take what they’ve learned back to the consumer side; 3. Lifting the opinion of the brand; 4. Creating relationships with new and current customers. “We have to get a return,” he notes, adding that the competitive nature of the business is another area that shouldn’t be dismissed. “In motorsports, when you don’t win, it’s how you respond.” Toyota Racing Development is now 37 years old, notes David Wilson, president and general manager of TRD USA, and continues to step up its game, from the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with Joe Gibbs Racing to Lexus’ return to sports car racing with IMSA in 2017. Motorsports involvement allows TRD to compete on and off the track, he believes. “The love of the automobile is rooted in Americana. We participate where we race and sell cars. It allows us to connect with passionate sports fans.” The company also views competition as a way to improve engineering and design. “We bring race technology to the way we build cars and trucks.” TRACK CHANGES While series such as NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA defend their places at the top of America’s motorsports food chain, plenty of other organizations are working to attract particularly younger race fans and carve out niches to accommodate the newest cars, technology and entertainment preferences.
From technological innovations to brand building, OEMs have a vested interest in motorsports.
With its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA is poised to serve as a link to the latest vehicle innovations for traditional motorsports fans, according to Scott Atherton, IMSA president and COO. Prototype racing allows manufacturers to “push the envelope” of design and innovation while preserving the “emotional, visceral experience” at the heart of motorsports’ desirability. Atherton warns the proliferation of ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber and talk of future autonomous vehicle fleets pose a serious threat to the industry as it stands today. “We run the risk that we’re about to take the emotional attachment out of the automobile,” he says. “The trend is toward homogenization and commoditization” of the driving experience. He also believes that racing has an obligation to take environmental impacts into account.
“We do need to address climate change, and finite petroleum availability.” Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift, calls his series a “bridge” to the next generation of race enthusiasts. Boasting an audience of more than 2 million on Facebook, the series recently concluded its 13th season in front of an audience that “grew up on social media” and is “building a passion for cars and car FEBRUARY 2017
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CHANGING ON THE FLY building. They are tomorrow’s hot rodders.” Drift cars these day are purpose-built competition machines and feature the latest performance and safety technologies. The tires and many other parts used are off-theshelf items that fans can easily acquire for their own vehicles. Liaw hopes that traditional series will agree there’s room for drifting in the motorsports landscape. “Many of our fans first experience this industry through drift, but it’s not their last or only experience,” he says. “We’re driving future enthusiasts and participants in motorsports.” Jim Wright, head of commercial for Venturi Formula E, is convinced that the future will also include space for electric vehicle racing as found in FIA Formula E. Calling the series “100-percent relevant to what the OEMs will bring to market in the future,” it’s become “a test center for relevant development.” With grand prix competitions in cities such as New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Monaco and others, Formula E is taking an innovative approach to many aspects of the traditional motorsports setup, from no-pay drivers to e-gaming promotions to an entrance into land speed racing. In just two seasons, U.S. viewership of EV racing is at 2.5 million and growing, Wright reports, and recent gains in vehicle efficiency and performance show that the
Is the driverless, all-electric Roborace series the future of motorsports?
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Jim Campbell, GM’s VP of performance vehicles and motorsports, is excited about the future possibilities racing provides.
technological advancements are real. “It’s where the action is, and where the kids are,” he explains. Taking the combination of motorsports, videogames and a younger audience even further is Formula E’s Roborace, a 100-percent electric, 100-percent autonomous competition where “the engineers are the stars,” according to Mikhail Sokolov, head of product and technology. With a focus on software development “and a huge space for lots of technology
David Wilson, president and general manager of TRD USA, says the love of the automobile is rooted in Americana.
showcases,” Sokolov says Roborace has close to 2 million followers on social media. “It’s the next big thing,” he predicts. WHERE TO GO FROM HERE While not everyone is quite ready for driverless vehicles to take center stage, there is at least some agreement that motorsports in general will continue to branch out from traditional gasoline combustion power plants. “There is plenty going on in advanced propulsion,” says GM’s Campbell. “The possibilities are endless.” Ford’s Pericak adds that while there’s probably no one technology that currently meets everyone’s motorsports demands, some sort of combination approach may be the way of the future. “We want to protect everything that performance cars are about, but do it in a responsible way.” Wright believes a strong movement away from gasoline power in Europe could accelerate EV adoption in the U.S. “Electrification is coming. Let’s embrace it. We need to work faster.” Colin Dyne, CEO of Red Bull Global Rallycross, notes his series is adding an EV class to its small car/small track competitions. “The EV industry has evolved quickly,” he notes. “We’re not looking to replace what we have, but offer an entry point.” Atehrton adds IMSA and other series will continue to “take cues from the manufacturers and what they want to showcase. We want to be conscious of changes, but it is expensive.”
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With its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA is poised to serve as a link to the latest vehicle innovations for traditional motorsports fans, according to Scott Atherton, president and COO.
Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift, says his series is many young fans’ first exposure to motorsports.
And Formula D’s Liaw notes: “Could we someday see electric drift cars? Sure. We want to race what’s attainable.” Moving from the track to the stands, changes in the ways fans experience racing must keep pace as well. “Racetracks and venues need to be upgraded,” believes Ralph Sheheen, FOX Sports broadcaster. “All the technology offerings need to be there, so fans can tune in through their devices. It’s going to hinder us if we don’t do that as well.” Campbell agrees, stating that “connectivity with fans needs to be ongoing. We must move much faster. Young kids won’t wait. We can do it, but only with the help of our media partners. The eventual experience may be untraditional from how we watch today.” Regardless of the work that needs to be done, however, there’s optimism that motorsports will continue to meet the needs of race fans while serving as the industry’s proving ground. “There are some really smart people in this industry, and we’re all in it together,” says Atherton. “It’s about relevance, and wherever the path takes us.” “We all want to continue doing this for years to come,” echoes TRD’s Wilson. “The future is bright, and the present is amazing.” Campbell concludes that fans’ “passionate interest in drama at the track” isn’t going away. “But we must find a formula to make it economically viable for the teams, the series and the manufacturers. For it to work, we have to sell a car, truck or accessory.” FEBRUARY 2017
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Roadster Redefined By John F. Katz
A Maserati V-8— that’s different.
Hot rod n: an automobile rebuilt or modified for high speed and fast acceleration. At least that’s the definition offered by my fraying desk copy of the Merriam-Webster New Collegiate Dictionary, vintage 1979. Your definition may and probably does vary, because hot rod means different things to different people. Hot rodders themselves have been redefining the term ever since they moved on from Model T Speedsters to Model 26
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A Roadsters, then to ’55 Chevies, ’69 Camaros, and, most recently, one might argue, fourth-generation Honda Civics. Wil de Groot, the owner/builder of a sleek, muscular, Maserati-powered roadster doesn’t harbor any doubts. “It’s a hot rod,” he says. “I could have built a ’32 Ford with a 350 Chevy, but that’s been done. The Chevy V-8 is a great engine, but a Maserati V-8—that’s different.”
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NOT A REPLICA As partner and manager of Exoticars USA (exoticars-usa.com), a restoration and service shop for vintage and high-end sports cars located in Milford, New Jersey, de Groot enjoys the resources and experience to build an exotic of his own imagining. The day we visited, we spotted a Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, a Lancia Flaminia Zagato, and an Arnolt Bristol among the more recent Ferraris and Maseratis
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The “Mazzer” looks right at home lined up with a Lotus Elise and a Lamborghini Gallardo at a local car show. (Photo by Wil de Groot)
The day we visited, we spotted a Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, a Lancia Flaminia Zagato, and an Arnolt Bristol on the shop floor.
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This early Jaguar E-Type was just one of a couple dozen high-end collectibles being serviced at Exoticars USA on the day of our visit. Note the rare Arnolt Bristol roadster in the background.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ lined up neatly on his immaculate shop floor. “We specialize in Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar,” de Groot notes, “but we will take on other prized marques.” Those other marques have ranged from a Facel Vega to a Fiat Jolly. In casual conversation, de Groot most often refers to his own creation as “my little blue roadster.” His blog sometimes calls it the Mazzer, but he emphasizes that it “is
not a replica, and does not pretend to be a Maserati. Rather it’s a deliberate union of vintage and modern elements and style.” Kind of like a hot rod. Mazzer was inspired by the 1957 Maserati 450S sports racing car, which rivaled contemporary Ferraris for speed, de Groot says. Powered by a 420-hp, 4.5-liter V-8, the 450S earned two outright victories for Maserati in the 1957 World Sports Car Championship: the 12 Hours of Sebring, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio and Jean Behra; and the Swedish 1000km, piloted by Stirling Moss and Harry Schell. A third win at Caracas, Venezuela would have earned the manufacturer’s trophy for Maserati. But a Murphy-esque cavalcade of catastrophe, including multiple crashes and a pit fire, benched the entire Maserati team, and the championship that year went to Ferrari. Maserati also sold a handful of 450S race cars to private parties. One of these was
campaigned, in SCCA in 1957, by Carroll Shelby, and others continued to race well into the 1960s. As far as we could determine, the last time a 450S changed hands was at an RM auction in 2014, where the hammer fell at $4.8 million. Of course, de Groot could have drawn inspiration from an even more famous Maserati. “Everybody talks about the Birdcage (the four-cylinder Tipo 60/61 of 1959-61), but I don’t think it’s as attractive.” Moreover, his blue roadster boasts a genuine connection to the 450S. Although Maserati retired from international racing after the 1957 season, the company continued to develop its competition V-8 for luxury grand touring duty. In fact, the large and luxurious Maserati Quattroporte of 1979-’90 was still motivated by a direct descendent of this legendary power plant. MACHINED TO FIT And that’s really where our story begins— in 1996, when de Groot acquired a semiflooded and hopelessly rusted 1980 Quattroporte at a used-car auction. All he wanted from it were the “cool parts underneath, that looked like Italian Detroit Iron.” That list included a double-wishbone front suspension derived from the De Tomaso Pantera (De Tomaso owned Maserati from 1976-’93); while the rear end, anchored by a limited-slip Salisbury center FEBRUARY 2017
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Roadster \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Redefined
Even rarer driver’s-eye view of the Arnolt Bristol.
De Groot points to one of the many Dzus buttons that secure the body panels. Service accessibility was a priority from Day One.
Off for a drive in the country. Exoticars’ woodsy location lies, in fact, less than a mile outside of Milford’s town center. De Groot started with three service bays in 1979; his business has since grown to over 10,000 square feet.
Maserati 450S inspiration is clear in this view. Yet “Mazzer” is more muscular, more modern. It’s something new.
section with inboard brakes, was essentially a knockoff of the setup that Jaguar had favored since the E-Type. “It’s basically the same diff used in several Jaguar models for many years,” de Groot notes, “and loved by many hot rod builders.” 28
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He figured the stock ratio of 3.54:1 would be good for 150 mph. Steering components were comprised of a ZF power rack and pinion and an adjustable Saginaw steering column. But the heart of it all, of course, was the 4.9liter (301-ci) quadruple-overhead-cam
hemi-head V-8, rated 288 hp and 308 foot-pounds of torque in stock Quattroporte tune. In these components, de Groot saw the beginnings of a great one-off sports car. So he salvaged the engine and running gear, along with some lighter-duty but still potentially useful hardware, parted out what remained, and cut the body up for scrap. Light weight ranked high among his paramount goals, so he fabricated a steel tube space frame that incorporated high doorsills and a broad center tunnel for rigidity. Careful mass management would keep the weight of the finished car to just about 2,000 pounds, with near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Minimizing weight drove other decisions as well. De Groot had already mounted the Quattroporte’s Girling disc brakes, with their cast iron hubs and calipers, before he decided that “they weighed a ton and had to go.” He replaced them with Wilwood discs and aluminum Brembo calipers. He also replaced the donor car’s standard coilovers with new GAZ Varishocks and 250 inchpound springs. The engine would prove to be one of the easier parts of the project, needing only a “thorough cleaning,” a valve job, and a tune-up. The four original two-throat Weber DCNF carburetors were rebuilt and reinstalled. He reused the original exhaust headers, too, after some modification and a new, silver-colored Jet Hot coating. Swapping right and left headers moved their outlets forward, so de Groot could mount the engine well back in the chassis, between the driver and passenger foot wells. On the other hand, mating the Maserati V-8 to the 5-speed Tremec TR-3550 transmission that he wanted proved to be a challenge. The rear end of the engine was configured specifically for a Chrysler 727 automatic. “After messing unsuccessfully with an aftermarket Chrysler bellhousing,” de Groot recalls, “I instead sawed the bellhousing off the 727 that was in the car, welded a plate to the back of it, and machined it to fit the Tremec.” He modified a Chrysler Hemi flywheel to bolt up to the Maserati crank; that allowed the use of a heavy-duty 10-inch McLeod/
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Borg & Beck clutch. Quattroportes came from the factory with Chrysler starters, but de Groot substituted a lighter-weight, gearreduction unit from a newer Dodge truck. Brake and clutch pedals, as well as the master cylinders, came from Tilton. “I had similar pedals and master cylinders in my Ferrari 308, and they’re very nice for fine-tuning the brakes.” The elegantly curved accelerator pedal came from the donor car. “I just removed the rubber pad, drilled some holes in it, and painted it silver to match the other pedals.” SHAPING WITH A CHEESE GRATER All the while, de Groot was evolving the eventual body design. “Because the engine is a close cousin of the V-8 designed for the mighty 450S sports racing car, I designed the body to vaguely resemble the 450S in silhouette. I say vaguely, because I did not want to build a ‘repli-car.’” Quarter-scale drawings led to a quarter-
Custom-molded Lexan covers the modern headlamp cluster.
scale model—half a model, really, which de Groot propped against a mirror, to get a sense of how the whole car would look in three dimensions. A relatively thin layer of modeling clay covered an armature made by gluing Styrofoam blocks together “and shaping them with a cheese grater.” Wooden wheels and tires were cut on a
lathe, while other details were fabricated from bits of sheet metal, rod and tubing, “just to get an idea of how the whole package might look.” He made a plaster mold from the clay model, which in turn was used to cast several polyurethane “plugs.” These plugs were then sawed, like bread loaves, into one-inch slices, some transversely, others longitudinally. Then the slices were measured and replicated four times larger in plywood, and assembled into a full-scale wooden body buck. “The sheet aluminum panels were shaped away from the buck, with hammers and machines, until they fit the buck,” de Groot explains. “Then they were welded together to form the body. Many people think the aluminum is hammered over the buck, but the buck is only used for fitting and stitching pieces together—the way a tailor uses a tailor’s dummy.” The original concept also called for prominent roll hoops, which didn’t look as good in the metal as they did in de
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Roadster \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Redefined “Mazzer’s” radiator lies nearly horizontal. Hot air exhausts through this vent in the engine hood.
Groot’s imagination, so they were cut off and replaced with more discreet roll bars. Interior panels are also sheet aluminum, secured by rivets, or, where appropriate, screws or Dzus fasteners for service access. Even the door hinges are covered by access panels to help keep engine heat out of the foot wells. The sparse interior’s one amenity is a lightweight hot rod heater from Vintage Air. The lower body sides, just inboard of the exhaust pipes, as well as the transmission tunnel are lined with foam board covered by aerospace film, which in turn is backed by fiberglass cloth.
Collector pipes were custom-fabricated and finished with a silver coating from Jet Hot. Note insulation in lower body.
LIKE FLIES TO SUGAR The final blue paintwork was applied in June 2012, and de Groot achieved the “blue crackle” effect on the cam covers by spraying them first with black crackle paint and then spraying blue over that. One month later he debuted the Mazzer at the July 4 Belle Macchine D’Italia concours at Mt. Airy Lodge in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania. Sixteen years had passed since the project began. In that time de Groot had raised a family and expanded his business, from its original 1,200 square feet to the 10,000
Release button for the one-piece tilting front end is lightweight, simple and all-business.
square feet it occupies today. “We’ve divided it up so that we do the welding, the machining, the painting— everything that makes things fly through the air—in our older building. Then the newer building stays clean, and that’s where we do our mechanical servicing.” At any given time, he estimates, “we’re usually working on 20 cars.” When pressed for more detailed statistics, he merely shrugs. “I don’t over-analyze. You can’t force customers to come in. So we do our best on every car, and more cars come in, and so
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announced as “the man who ruined the Columbus Day parade.” He seems to consider that a badge of honor. It has since been shown at a November 2012 Cars and Croissants event in Chatham, New Jersey, and at the DARE exotic car show in Upper Saddle Brook, New Jersey in 2013. At one point he considered adding a 2.0liter Lysholm, screw-type supercharger. AutoMeter gauges and prominent warning lights enhance the modern, racer-functional theme of the cockpit. Heat insulation and a Vintage Air heater are among the few concessions to comfort.
“I have one on the shelf and it’s like new. It would be perfect for it.”
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John F. Katz is a freelance automotive journalist and historian. He is a regular contributor to THE SHOP as well as other automotive industry publications. He lives and works in south-central Pennsylvania.
REBUILDERS CHOICE BY PACKARD INDUSTRIES
Tapering rear fenders slashed by louvers echo the original 450S, but again, de Groot’s version is beefier, more abrupt— more modern.
we’re busy on the next car. We don’t have time to count them.” And while the Mazzer cost him many nights and weekends, it’s now a great promotional tool. It lives in his showroom, and in most years de Groot takes it out to up to a dozen car shows. “It attracts people like flies to sugar. And, of course, I hand them my business card,” he explains. “We were invited to the Columbus Day Parade on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 2013. I didn’t want to bring the car into the city, with its big potholes and metal plates in the street. But the organizers twisted my arm, and I brought it in. What I didn’t know was that the Italian car portion of the show was sponsored by Maserati.” And whether it was because of the car itself—or Miss USA Erin Brady riding on the deck—“my car appeared more in newspapers and on TV than any of the sponsor’s cars.” Not long after, de Groot brought the Mazzer to the Garden State Fall Festival of the Ferrari Club of America—where he’s a well-known member of almost 30 years. Driving up to the gate, he was loudly
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Welcome to
THE MACHINE Boris Maryanovsky’s Street Machinery turns plenty of cars & parts in Ohio. By John Carollo
H
aving a successful shop depends on a number of different aspects. The market that shop serves, today’s styles relating to the shop’s offerings, and attracting enough new and steady customers to keep the doors open are but a few of the bigger factors. Actively working those elements is the focus for winning. Mixing in a few buttons
of creativity will establish an even better foundation and buzz. Street Machinery Sales and Service in Euclid, Ohio hits those buttons. And boy, does it hit ’em hard and hit ’em often. Boris Maryanovsky has run Street Machinery for 23 years, starting from the tiniest of garages, offering body, paint and mechanical restoration. He is now
Boris Maryanovsky (arms folded) and his crew at Street Machinery in Euclid, Ohio. The shop has been known for its cars and parts for 23 years. 32
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well-known for his custom car and truck building from the floor up. ‘STOP, DROP & ROLL’ Working out of 20,000 square feet in two buildings, Street Machinery specializes in body and paint refinishing, chassis work and wiring. And it does all this with only five full-time employees. Shop machinery includes: welders, shears, brakes, a lathe, mills and eight lifts that accommodate 120 to 180 projects each year. Maryanovsky says his market is the “strongest it’s ever been.” Among the trends he’s seeing are “shop trucks with new, modern underpinnings.” That short statement also reveals another of the house specialties. Maryanovsky is running a hot streak of using GM X-frame cars—that is, 1958 to 1964 models—to run through his famous Stop, Drop and Roll program he offers for all vehicles. The cars stop with bigger and better brakes; a chassis drop, usually via airbagged suspension, drops them; and they roll out with bigger wheels and tires. Sometimes, those wheels are one-offs, as the shop works closely with a number of manufacturers. While normally a complex chassis mod, the crew at Street Machinery can knock out a Stop, Drop and Roll as quickly as two days. The finished vehicles roll out safe, updated and usually disguised under a weathered patina that so many folks like these days. Part of the fun of building such projects is using models not usually seen. X-frame Buicks and Oldsmobiles get made into lush rides. Four doors is not too many, so they get it, too.
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PERFORMANCE Not every ride that comes out of Street Machinery is a hot rod. This rare ’62 Bubbletop 409 looks like it just came from the factory.
Street Machinery’s forte is not limited to working over patina cars and trucks. It does restorations as well as ground-up builds. On one of our visits, we saw an excellent restoration of a rare, ’62 Chevy Bubbletop, complete with the factory 409 and 4-speed. There was even the recent case where a Honda was restored for the owner’s sentimental reasons more than building another street freak. A PARADE OF VEHICLES To expedite his own other specialty of dropping LS engines into unsuspecting rides, Maryanovsky custom-creates many of the ancillary pieces needed such as wiring harnesses, cooling lines, motor mounts and other brackets. Built either in-house or locally to his specs, those parts are for sale to home builders for their projects, too. It’s not just the full-on car build folks who frequent the showroom at Street Machinery. That brings up how Maryanovsky gets the word out about his shop. Once anyone has liked Street Machinery (streetmachinery. com) or Maryanovsky on Facebook, they can see regular posts about what is being created as well as what Maryanovsky is out there buying.
From stock frames to all-new, the workload is varied and ever-changing.
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Welcome to
THE MACHINE
What is known as the “Patina Plantation.”
When your business revolves around cars with attitudes, you just can’t have an ordinary food truck at your affair.
It’s not unusual for him to take four cars to a major event, sell them and come home with six new ones. And his friends across the country are always tipping him off to deals, so he has a steady stream of changing inventory. That turns into the common sight of seeing a hauler with six patina vehicles unloading at the shop along the freeway. Gearheads rolling by always check out what’s on the front lawn at Street Machinery. That Facebook page, followed by more than 5,000, is fed by another of Maryanovsky’s unique marketing ideas as well, the Street Machinery Sales and Service 34
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Sunday Swap-A-Rama, also on Facebook. There, anyone can post what they are selling, providing they include the price and location. It ranges from finished cars and trucks to all kinds of parts and project cars. While the name has Sunday in it, the page has evolved to offering ads every day of the week. Maryanovsky has been known to buy stock from the Swap-A-Rama, adding to his inventory in the backyard he calls the Patina Plantation. That inventory has grown so much it sparked a mild employee revolution last fall that was named the Down with the Sickness—Inventory Intervention (see sidebar).
Instagram is another fave of Maryanovsky’s, who makes sure plenty of juicy pictures get the word out about what he offers. When we asked what Maryanovsky wanted people to know about Street Machinery, his answer was, “We are not a new company. We’ve been doing this for a long time. Yet, we continue evolving and growing.” Its experience also includes helping folks obtain their dream rides. As far as numbers go, he says, “car sales are about the same; parts sales grow every year.” Still, wringing out more use from the Street Machinery computer, its website offers looks at new car and truck arrivals, parts for sale, free shipping on most orders and links to its eBay store. It has a steady stream of parts for sale as it takes one style of ride and changes it into another. There are also entertaining videos on the types of rides that motor out of the shop, and a search engine to really drill down to which parts viewers are looking for. Some of those brands include RideTech, Air Lift, Vintage Air, Wilwood, Dakota
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Digital, Billet Specialties and more. Maryanovsky sees good things ahead for the industry, including “more fresh talent, younger talent and enthusiasm.” No doubt his blend of old and new rides attracts some of that younger enthusiasm. So, the elements of market, today’s styles and good customers are all covered at Street Machinery. And, along the way, its habit of creating new genres of cars and trucks has created new customers as well as interested fans.
Street Machinery’s forte is not limited to working over patina cars and trucks. It does restorations as well as ground-up builds.
A shop and backyard literally overflowing with cars and parts led to a good-natured employee revolt and the “Down with the Sickness—Inventory Intervention” sale at Street Machinery outside of Cleveland last fall. A rousing success, it will be back next year. (Photo by John Siebert)
“DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS—INVENTORY INTERVENTION” Summer 2016 at Street Machinery found the shop’s networking of Facebook, Instagram and just plain word of mouth snowball. Before he knew it, Boris Maryanovsky had stacked his backyard Patina Plantation with cars and trucks to beyond full. The same was true for areas of accumulated parts piled up around the shop. While it’s not official, the running gag was that the troops had to perform an intervention on the boss to get rid of a lot of the inventory. So, seemingly against Maryanovsky’s wishes, the shop’s first Down with the Sickness—Inventory Intervention was planned. It didn’t take long to add an Open House and when that fall Saturday rolled around, the sale outperformed all expectations.
“Success. Huge success,” he says. “It let a lot of people visit our facility that would otherwise not make the time or just didn’t have a reason to stop in.” One visitor make the trek all the way from Minnesota. Six vehicles were sold on the spot, with more interest still being cultivated. A lot of visitors brought their own cars, and combined with nice weather, made for an impromptu car show. Special T-shirts were printed and flew off the shelves— probably due to the unique concept and attitude. With the boys in the shop boasting victory, Maryanovsky admitted he would “for sure” do it again, and the event will now be a yearly happening. But it also means there’s more room in the Patina Plantation, so more cars and parts will be bought.
One look at the aerial shot of the event shows how the two buildings to the left are where Street Machinery operates. Sweettalking his neighbors into letting the Intervention spread out beyond its lots, there were plenty of cars to look over for just plain fun or serious shopping. A steady stream of cars and people kept the grounds full all day. It was a great example of using social media, a unique format and event planning to accomplish several goals. First off, inventory was sold. Second, new friends were made and those turn into future customers. Third, it upheld the image of Street Machinery as being a cutting-edge attitude business. The Intervention ended up being a great invention. FEBRUARY 2017
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Diesel upgrades require a pump that keeps up. EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the latest in a series of articles highlighting the upgrade of a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel pickup. The idea is to showcase build options, parts and accessories popular with typical diesel truck enthusiasts that shops can offer their local diesel customers.
e are making more improvements on the 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 3/4-ton diesel pickup with over 250,000 miles on the original engine. We’ve already made significant performance improvements in several areas— except for one that’s needed attention all along. The diesel lift pump is the diesel truck’s
W
By Ron Knoch
bane. If it goes bad, it starves your injection pump, which is quite expensive to replace. That’s right—failure of a $150 OE replacement part can take out your $2,000$3,000 injection pump without much notice. Now, it’s a little tougher to notice on an old 12v, because the pump pulls so hard since it is a mechanical pump. However, because it is mechanical, when you go adding performance parts to your engine and drivetrain, the old mechanical pump cannot keep up. It was only rated for basically a 150-hp engine. When engine upgrades triple that, it is still only pumping what the OEM has set it up to pump to the injection pump. So,
The old mechanical fuel pump is on the side of the block on the driver’s side.
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The Fuelab Velocity 100 with hose outlets and wiring harness ready for connection.
if you are feeling lag at higher rpms, then you need to make a change. Your system is starving—the injection pump and the injectors need more fuel. A STEP UP For the past 10 years, there’s been a choice between an OE replacement or a couple of gerotor pumps that are fairly similar because they came from the same family. These are good pumps and have serviced many diesels throughout the years. However, the gerotor pumps for gas motorsports were dropped many, many moons ago. So, why are the new performance diesels still using this technology? Maybe because it has been the norm for years. However, there is a new pump designed just for performance diesels that is an electronic wet lift pump. What do I mean saying it is a wet pump? That means the fuel is actually pumped through the pump and helps cool the variable-speed motor. The motor is controlled by an electronic computer chip with more than 4,000 lines of code. This allows a more constant pressure coming out of the pump, with
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PERFORMANCE It never works out that way, but the modifications still provide more power than the truck produced originally. My truck feels powerful, but I am a realist and know that it is nowhere close to 700 hp.
Make sure to get the positive and negative wires in the proper sides.
increased pressures as the rpms increase. This has been a huge issue with the gerotor pumps—as the pull or rpms go up, the pressures drop off dramatically, which starves the injection pump and injectors. I experienced this with the old mechanical OE lift pump when we tried the truck out at the dragstrip. It started out strong, but lagged at higher rpms. I decided to install the smaller Fuelab Velocity 100 pump on my truck. The pump is rated to handle the fuel needs up to 700 hp. Well, my old 12v for the street will never go over that mark unless I make more involved changes to the engine’s components such as pistons, head, bolts, gaskets, etc. Yes, all of the items I have added over the past couple of years would add up to more horsepower than that—if I followed all of their combined horsepower increases. But those ratings are only for the most bench test-rated horsepower increases. In reality, they do not add up to what your engine is actually going to produce. Many beginners fall into this falsehood. We see it at the dyno competitions all the time—the beginner gets his printed
Adding Loctite on the pump mount plates is a must for us truck owners who run over a few things.
readout of what his truck is producing in horsepower and torque. Then he goes ballistic saying the dyno is wrong, because all the performance parts he’s added should produce a certain horsepower rating on paper.
SIMPLE STEPS While the Fuelab Velocity 100 is more than enough for my truck, the company also offers the Velocity 200 that can fuel street trucks up to 1,000 hp without adding an external regulator to turn them up even more. The 200 and 100 numbers refer to the gallons-per-hour rating for output volume to the diesel injection pump. Installation only took about 45 minutes, even with us messing with the photos and shop-talking at Gilmore Performance in Missouri. Matt Gilmore is the owner and has put many lift pumps of all kinds on Dodge diesels. First comes a quick disconnect of the existing fuel line from the tank right above the rear axle frame. Then attach the bracket and pump to the inside frame on the driver’s side of the truck. Attaching the wiring harness is an easy
Matt Gilmore of Gilmore Performance mounts the pump and bracket to the driver’s side frame in front of the fuel tank on the inside frame.
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PERFORMANCE Mounted, hose connected and wiring harness in place.
bolt-on, but the positive and negative posts must match with the wiring leads. These are electronic pumps, and cross-wiring will short them out if hooked up incorrectly. Applying a simple electronic liquid protectant on the wiring connections protect them from inclement weather. With the pump mounted on the frame, run the wiring harness along the frame to the front of the truck, up into the engine bay, and up against the drive side of the firewall. There is an inlet pass-through into the cab of the truck just right of the brake master cylinder. Next the fuel hoses coming and going
from the pump are connected. This can be easy, since the new lift pump does not require a return line. Plus, the quality hose shouldn’t crack or harden after a year in harsh weather conditions. Run the inlet line back to the tank from the pump and hook it back on where the original came off. The front can either run to the OE filter system or directly to the injection pump. I ran mine to the filter, since I have a custom, cleanable, high-volume fuel filter installed in place of the OE system. Believe me, with the poor diesel fuel coming out of the pumps today, you cannot have enough filtration! The new unit came with its own filter/ water separation on the pump, and I found out it is universal for easy replacement from any auto parts store. FINAL ADJUSTMENTS We plugged the wiring harness into the truck’s lighter outlet fuse, so it only works while the engine turns on and off. I have put so many electronic upgrades on this
The 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 is almost complete as a real sleeper street truck. Running the wiring harness through the firewall inlet into the cab.
Hooking the new hose to the tank outlet. 38
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After testing all connections, the old truck is ready to roll out on the street.
older truck that I am quickly running out of fuse outlets to hook items into for operation. The final step before operation is to remove the old pump. Remove the plugs from the pump and take it off. We placed a plate from the kit in its place, so no contaminants would enter the block. Now it’s ready to fire up and try for the first time. Turn the key and let the pump run a minute. I notice a much quicker start every time I start the truck. For the road test, I drove the truck home from Gilmore Performance about 280 miles going 50-80 mph on the highway. I can report no more lag at higher rpms, plus faster response from the pedal at takeoff, more power during operation and better gas mileage, (I gained at least 2 mpg!) I even saw less smoke out of the exhaust when stomping on the pedal. It did not smoke much anyway, but now it is almost nonexistent. I am a big fan of the newer technology. The next time your customer complains about no power or lag in power, this pump upgrade may be the way to go. RON KNOCH is president of DIESEL Motorsports (National Association of Diesel Motorsports), a sanctioning body formed in 2007 for diesels that promotes all diesel motorsports associations, clubs and events, and hosts diesel drag racing, sled pulling and dyno competitions. Learn more at www.dieselmotorsports.us. FEBRUARY 2017
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HOT ROD PRODUCTS Ford Straight Steering Column
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
ididit, Tecumseh, Michigan, presents its 40 Ford Straight Steering Column. Designed with a brushed stainless steel finish and 1940’s-style dress-up kit with brass knobs, the column won the Best New Product award at the Street Rod Nationals. Features include: a vintage-style brass shift indicator, locking detent that allows it to lock into park and neutral positions, self-canceling turn signals, four-way flashers, horn wiring, 3-7/8-inch GM-style wiring plug and more. The column accepts most aftermarket steering wheels and is available in 30- and 33-inch lengths.
Chrysler Alternators
GM A-Body Rear Coilover Kits
Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories, Cleveland, introduces its high-output, 130-amp Chrysler Alternators. Designed to provide more than twice the OEM output while retaining the original style and form factor, the alternators feature large copper windings and diodes, and premium ball bearings to assure maximum output and dependability. A large internal cooling fan prevents overheating. The alternators are available in a variety of finishes, and with either a single- or dual-groove pulley and choice of OEM or one-wire hookup.
Mustang Carbon Fiber Pattern Shifter Boot
Dodge & Plymouth Window Regulators
Aldan American, Carson, California, presents its 100-percent bolt-on Rear Coilover Conversion Kits for 1964-’72 GM A-body vehicles including Chevrolet Chevelle, Pontiac GTO, Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile 4-4-2. The kits make it easy to replace rear factory shocks and springs with ride height-adjustable coilovers. They properly lower the vehicle, improve ride quality and performance, and maintain the vehicle’s integrity. All Aldan kits are 100-percent made in the USA.
Drake Muscle Cars, Henderson, Nevada, presents new Carbon Fiber Pattern Shifter Boots for 1987’93 Fox Body Ford Mustangs. The premium shifter boots have an OE fit and appearance, and are constructed from high-quality vinyl imprinted with a realistic carbon fiber pattern. They are stitched with precision and bonded to a steel mounting plate for maximum durability. The integrated shift lever grommet is designed to work with the factory shift lever, but can also accommodate aftermarket shifters.
Fender Covers
Bob’s Original Fender Covers, Sacramento, California, offers its Fender Covers that protect 360 degrees around the engine compartment. The covers have a custom design and won’t fall off. They are manufactured in the USA as one continuous piece of polyester and recycled cotton fabric. Created by former drag racer Bob Baker who started making fender covers in 2011, the custom covers are available for more than 90 models of cars and trucks, plus universal covers that fit cars or pickups from 1950-2015.
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Auto Metal Direct (AMD), Buford, Georgia, offers its new Window Regulators that help the windows in 1966-’70 Dodge or Plymouth B-body vehicles roll smoothly again. One brand-new assembly replaces worn rollers, rusted gears, weakened springs and loose pivot points. The faithful reproductions of OEM products are made on AMD’s own steel tools and fit all 1966-’70 Dodge and Plymouth 2-door B-body cars except 1966 Dodge Chargers.
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C B r f T m d a r s a s
Chevy Pickup Instrument Sets
CON2R, Beaverton, Oregon, offers its SuperStock Instrument Sets for 1947’54 Chevrolet pickups. Rather than duplicate the factory layout of “one and four” gauges, CON2R gave the speedometer and tachometer equal importance and balanced the four auxiliary gauges in a “two by two” configuration. The textures, windows and raised lettering of the originals have been preserved, while behind the original-looking faces are electronic stepper motors that drive the needles with a high level of accuracy and dependability.
Firebird Headlamp Bezels
Car Care Products
Mothers Polish, Huntington Beach, California, presents its Speed Line of premium-quality Car Care Products. The six new products include: Speed Clay 2.0 fast, durable and versatile paint restoration and surface prep tool; Speed Spray Wax for tackling everything from light dust and pollen to greasy fingerprints and road grime; Speed Interior Detailer; Speed All-Purpose cleaner that can also be used under the hood; Speed Foaming Glass & Screen aerosol mist; and Speed Tire Shine.
C10 Billet Door Handles
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
Classic Industries, Huntington Beach, California, offers reproduction Headlamp Bezels for 1970-’73 Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am models. The bezels are manufactured from high-quality zinc die-cast materials and finished with a polished, bright chrome shine. The reproduction headlamp bezels are sold individually without hardware, and mounting hardware is available separately.
Eddie Motorsports, Rancho Cucamonga, California, offers its new Billet Aluminum Door Handles for 1967-’72 Chevrolet C10 trucks. The one-piece handles are CNCmachined from solid pieces of 6061-T6 aluminum and are a direct replacement for the stock pot metal parts. The handles are sold in pairs and include gaskets and stainless steel fasteners. They are available in five styles with nine different custom finishes.
Small Beehive Backup Lights
Watson’s StreetWorks, Nashua, New Hampshire, presents Small Beehive Backup Lights that combine 1950s styling with 21st century technology. Each light has bright white LEDs in a beehive lens. The machined billet base comes with a brushed finish providing a high-tech finishing touch, with a polished finish available. The lights easily mount to a flat surface with only three holes needed, using the hardware provided. Sold in pairs, they measure 2-1/4 inches at the base and 2-1/8 inches tall.
1937-’40 Chevy Business Coupe Gas Tanks
Tanks Inc., Monticello, Iowa, introduces its new 1937-’40 Chevy Business Coupe Gas Tank. The tank fits in the original location inside of the car, and stock dimensions and capacity make it an easy swap from the original. Made from laser-straight dies, the reproduction mirrors the original tank with two key changes: The filler neck is removable, and the supply and drain plugs are a larger 3/8-inch NPT fitting to feed today’s larger engines.
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HOT ROD PRODUCTS Side Nerf Bars
McMillan Rod & Custom, Marshfield, Wisconsin, presents its custom Sprint car-style Side Nerf Bars. The nerf bars are built from solid, 3/4-inch, type 304 stainless steel to the vehicle’s specifications and polished to a mirror finish. They are designed to add a touch of bling along with a nostalgic look to open-wheeled cars.
Supercharger Assembly
Blower Drive Service, Whittier, California, presents the BDS Stage 2 871 supercharger assembly. The recently upgraded version provides superior performance, durability and adaptability. Manufactured using a new, highly polished case assembly and billet rotors, the blowers are suitable for high-performance street machines, bracket racing, marine and other dirty environment applications. The blowers can produce 15 pounds of boost or more on engines turning more than 7,500 rpm using high-octane gas.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
LS Swap in a Box
Trans Dapt Performance Products, Whittier, California, presents its expanded line of LS Swap-in-a-Box kits, available for first- and second-generation GM F-body cars. The kits come with everything needed to bolt a modern LS engine into a classic F-body, including: a set of Hedman’s Pro-Touring, mid-length-design LS-swap headers with 1-3/4-inch primaries and a 3-inch ball/socket style collector; TransDapt motor mounts; transmission-specific crossmembers; and Hamburger’s Performance LS swap engine oil pan.
Fenders & Gas Tank Covers
Steve’s Auto Restorations, Portland, Oregon, presents the return of 1933-’34 Steel Fenders for coupe, roadster, cabriolet and sedan applications. The fenders are die-stamped 19-gauge sheet metal and feature correct wire bead hemming. The rear fenders include a laser etch that shows the exact location for trimming to fit a sedan. Gas tank covers are again available die-stamped in 19-gauge sheet metal and produced with the stock bumper mount locations.
Nomad & Safari Reproduction Doors
Real Deal Steel, Sanford, Florida, offers complete Door Assemblies in new, 18-gauge steel for 1955-’57 Chevy Nomad and Pontiac Safari applications. Exact reproductions of the original doors, they include inner and outer assemblies, all mounting points and other holes (except for the stainless trim holes). The factorymatching, 18-gauge steel doors have twice the stiffness of 19- and 20-gauge products.
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Classic Car Temporary Paint Protection
XPEL, San Antonio, introduces its TRACWRAP Temporary Paint Protection Film that keeps a vehicle’s finish protected from rock chips, bug splatter, scratches or other types of damage. Designed for temporary use, TRACWRAP can be applied to virtually any type of vehicle, from a high-end exotic to a vintage race car to a multi-million-dollar Rolls Royce heading to the Concours field for judging. It comes in an easy-to-carry roll available in a variety of sizes and is made from tough, 8-mil urethane film.
FEBRUARY 2017
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A FOCUSED GATHERING FOR WRAPS PROFESSIONALS
• EXHIBIT • CLASSES • PRODUCTS • DEMONSTRATIONS
together
registration opens April 10 THENBMSHOW.com • 800.560.9941
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Making sense of the choices. By JoAnn Bortles
F
our months ago, I was frustrated dealing with social media for my business. But the more research I’ve put into it, the more enlightened I’ve become. In the last of this series on social media, we will finish untangling the various social media sites. We’ll also take a closer look at a site that seems to be a waste of time for the blue-collar, wrench-turning crowd, but can actually have a very big effect on our business profile. Lastly, I’ll give an update on the progress of my social media experiments over the past three months. Tracy Tuescher runs a public relations firm called the Buzzmaker. One of the reasons Tuescher is so fantastic with PR is that she is one of the most positive people I know. Positivity is a big factor in being successful in business and social media. “Just like other advertising, marketing or PR investments, select social channels because that’s where your customers are,” 44
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she says. “Commit to creating and maintaining a quality brand presence within the social environments where your customers are, and focus on doing it well and making it count.” SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER Here are Tuescher’s takes on the various platforms and some very eye-opening facts. (Facebook owns Instagram? Facebook as a search engine?) Facebook During a recent professional development conference, one young panelist said, “If you’re a business and you don’t have a Facebook page, you’re not even real.” True fact (that a young panelist made such a statement). Facebook is optimized for mobile, for connectivity with Instagram (since Facebook owns Instagram), and for search engine response, which makes a quality Facebook presence an important part of any brand’s digital footprint.
Also, this is where the pre-sale process often takes place. According to Facebook, 49 percent of in-store purchases are influenced by digital interactions—more than half on mobile. Brick and mortar retailers can use campaigns to reach people on mobile and promote products and services that lead to sales. The great selection of callto-action campaigns let business owners tailor campaigns more effectively. Facebook lets businesses target consumers based on age, gender, interest areas and geographic location, to name a few, and offers some robust analytics, too. Business page content is now optimized for search with Universal Search, introduced in October 2015—an added value. This is because people often use Facebook as a search engine, searching for topics of interest, or specific products or services within Facebook before they try or buy. Facebook also offers consumers a great point of contact for quick resolution of questions or concerns via messaging—fast,
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friendly responses to consumers enhances brand reputation and encourages trust, creating opportunities for future business. Organic reach on business Facebook pages has diminished significantly since the end of 2014, so to get Facebook content to the right people, businesses should consider investing here. The investment should be strategic and based upon a desired outcome. What do you want people to know, and what do you want them to do? A campaign to generate more page likes will be different than a sponsored promotion (visit the website or promote the local business), or sponsored content (a boosted post), especially if there’s a specific call to action like sign up or call now. Facebook offers excellent targeting for paid campaigns, and with a modest investment of time and money, business owners can have a good deal of confidence that their brand message, special offer or event details are reaching the consumers most likely to buy.
Here is a properly filled out LinkedIn profile. I started with a summary of the things I do. Then there’s my work experience. What isn’t visible in this picture is that there are spaces for skills, education, recommendations from people who have worked with me, awards, even spaces for hobbies and interests. It answers most any question someone might have about me. I don’t list every little thing about me—just the things that are relevant to what I do currently. And you don’t have to have a picture of yourself—you can use a photo of what you do instead. FEBRUARY 2017
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Here’s a made-up example of how NOT to fill out a LinkedIn profile. No photo, no details. If I’m researching someone as a prospective co-worker in my shop or on a volunteer project, this might be a red flag. If someone cannot take the time to fill out their profile, will they take the time to put their all into a project? It’s better to have no LinkedIn profile than to have one like this.
Robust analytics provide valuable insight into audience use and engagement habits, allowing business owners to tailor campaigns as they go. Twitter Twitter is the world of now. If you’re committed to being an active user, Twitter can be the place to be for both B2B and B2C initiatives—especially when you want to engage strategically and fast. With a loyal and savvy audience, Twitter can offer a great way to connect with individuals, noncompetitive brands and relevant media outlets using both engagement strategy and paid campaigns. Outline desired outcomes in advance and use stories, spokespersons and calls to action, and tailor the content accordingly. Increase relevant followers, increase website traffic, or get people involved in something the company is passionate about. Here, you’ll need a good content and hashtag strategy. • 66 percent have discovered a new small or medium business (SMB) here. • 94 percent plan to purchase from the SMBs they follow. 46
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• 69 percent purchase from an SMB because they saw it on Twitter. Twitter recently introduced a new character limit. It’s still 140, but with these changes, everyone can say more with less by including images or other media without subtracting from the 140 characters. Same for the @reply function. On the back end, direct messages are no longer included in the character limits. Also new is the ability for brands to list Customer Support details within the profile, and brands are now accessible for this feature, even if not followed by the customer. Instagram To tell your brand story through imagery, go to Instagram. This is a passionate audience, and they want to see your brand through your eyes. If consumers follow you here, it’s because they want to see what you have to say, and to share your moments. So, choose this social channel if you’ve got beautiful photo opportunities, great stories to tell about them, and someone on your team who has some passion for making your brand shine here.
An example of a very happening Instagram page. Good description of what Mobsteel does, plus its website. Very colorful, a mix of projects and more casual content, like the photos of the dogs. Plus, there’s a good mixture of photos and videos. And there’s lots of content for anyone who wants to browse through the pictures.
Instagram also announced new Instagram for Business tools will be coming soon, as well as tips for creating a business profile. It also introduced dynamic ads—new ways for users to drive sales from Facebook to Instagram—and introduced video alongside Instagram stories (a new feature to share multiple photos and videos in a slideshow format). Recent news has also included the introduction of Zoom—a “pinch to zoom” feature that now gives Snapchat a run for its money. LinkedIn LinkedIn is still the place to be for B2B, and can really deliver for small businesses. LinkedIn helps SMBs build a solid brand profile, and build reputation and relationships needed for business growth. In this case, the personal brand of
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Here’s MagnaFlow’s powerful Twitter page. Bright, impactful cover photo. The latest news about what’s happening, retweets from famous automotive folks with huge Twitter followings like Mario Andretti. Plus, they tweet very often. Many pictures and videos.
company leadership is a vital part of the equation, so be sure that key leadership is represented here with excellence, and that includes quality photos and headshots. Here, think branding, marketing, networking and hiring that lead to sales. A SHOP OWNER’S TAKE ON LINKEDIN I used to think LinkedIn was a waste of time. About seven years ago, I finally took some time and thoughtfully filled out my LinkedIn profile. I would try and update it twice a year. But other than that, I really didn’t use my LinkedIn page. It turns out, even though I wasn’t using my page, I was still using LinkedIn! People—prospective customers and associates—were researching me by looking at my LinkedIn page. Over the past seven years, I’ve worked with various aftermarket committees and on projects, and I would have to research people. I would bring up
a search page, type in the name, and their LinkedIn page would be on the first page of search results. This way I could see the work history and education background of someone, and much more. A properly filled-out LinkedIn is like a resume. A person can let people know who they are, what they do and how they feel about their professional life. When vetting someone—a client, customer, prospective business partner or employee—it’s much easier and faster to look at their LinkedIn page than scrolling through their Facebook or Twitter pages. When searching for someone to take part in one of the high-profile volunteer projects I work on, I need to know that person is conscientious and hard-working. If someone takes the time to fill out their LinkedIn profile, then they might be the kind of person who will be a hard-working and thoughtful team member on a project.
I’ll check a person’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages. But most Facebook users post personal content and it can be very hard to get a clear picture of their professional background. Many other people also use LinkedIn to research people. LinkedIn is the professional profile you present to the world. So, think of LinkedIn as your online resume. Take a close look at it, and as you fill it out, ask yourself,’ Would I give this person a job? Would I want them as a client?’ JOANN’S TWO-MONTH EXPERIMENT Over the past two months I have been much more proactive on Instagram and my Crazy Horse Paint Facebook business page. Has it paid off? My following on Instagram has been slowly growing, up 300 new followers over the last three months. And my posts are reaching more people. Four months ago, FEBRUARY 2017
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Tracy Teuscher runs a public relations firm called the Buzzmaker. One of the reasons Tuescher is so fantastic with PR is that she is one of the most positive people I know. Positivity is a big factor in being successful in business and social media.
likes on my posts were barely in the double digits. I’m still pretty far from triple-digit likes, but the numbers are moving in that direction. In my research, it takes time and posts to get to that point. It is adding to sales? Not yet, but it’s expanding the reach of my business and that will in time lead to sales. Facebook, on the other hand, is having a significant effect on my business. I get almost as many sales inquiries on Facebook as I do from my website. I have only done two paid promotions. The last one ended about two months ago, but since that time, 48
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my non-paid or non-promoted posts have been feeling the momentum. More people are viewing those posts! And making the posts more interactive by asking opinions of the photos makes a very big difference in the numbers of likes and comments. As Amy Mattinet said in my last article, it’s all about expanding your network and creating connections with people. I also started using Facebook Groups and, wow, my group posts are getting many more comments, likes and reactions than when I post on my own page. What a great
way to reach customers! I’ve only posted one video on YouTube. But in the months since I posted it, it has now gone to the top of the search results on YouTube. No sales or inquiries yet from that video, but I am getting more followers on YouTube. This is good news for the sponsor companies I work with, as it helps me to spread the word about their products. This winter I’ll post more videos and see where it leads. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the results of the efforts I’ve been putting into my social media. I feel less frustrated. Social media is like anything else for your business. The more you put in, the more you get out of it. But time management is key. Use common sense and self discipline to control your social media; don’t let it control you or waste your time. I’ll leave you with a few parting words from Tuescher: “Social media management and marketing are areas that require a good deal of expertise these days. Gone are the days when social media was simple for small businesses, and it can be very frustrating at times. If you feel this way, you’re not alone.” Her suggestions: • Apply the 80/20 rule—select the 20 percent of social channels that will deliver 80 percent of the results you hope to achieve and focus your time, talent and treasure on those; • If you don’t have time to do it well, hire someone who can. Or, at least hire a good consultant. It’s worth every red cent; • Remember, it’s still social media. Be authentic, offer helpful tips and advice, share stories and remember to have some fun along the way! JOANN BORTLES is an award winning custom painter, airbrush artist, welder/fabricator, tech writer, and photojournalist with over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. She is the author of seven books on automotive, motorcycle, and custom painting. Her work has been featured in numerous automotive and motorcycle publications, NBC News, The Today Show, MuscleCar TV and Motor City Masters. She also serves on SEMA’s SBN Select Committee. JoAnn owns Crazy Horse Custom Paint.
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(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part series on business basics for small shops. See part 1 in the January 2017 issue of THE SHOP.)
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Tips Restylers for
A second helping of ideas to be more successful this year. By Josh Poulson
jack-of-all-trades is a master of none.” We have all heard the saying, and we use it often in a joking manner, because of all of the things we do in order to run a shop. We may not be like that skilled blacksmith or skilled carpenter who masters their trade in order to be successful. Running a business is more conducive to what this saying, which was shortened over time, started out as. The original phrase, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one,” says we can oftentimes be more successful being fair to good at multiple things versus mastering just one thing. So, as we review five more steps to running a successful shop, try to remember that we don’t need to master these, but instead just try to be fair-to-good at them. TIP #6
EMPLOYEES Areas to consider: Cross-training Promote from within Always be recruiting
Employees are the backbone of any good company. So how does your back feel? Does it hurt constantly; or does it only flare up from time to time? Do you have full ability to twist and turn in whichever direction you want with no pain? For many shop owners, having and managing employees is a necessary evil. However, we also realize that when you do find that hard-working, trustworthy, loyal individual that you can build around, it benefits you in many ways. Most business owners will tell you that these key people are hard to find and sometimes harder to keep. So, what can you do to make sure that your organization finds, encourages and promotes these key people? One important way is to cross-train. FEBRUARY 2017
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Cross-training employees is important. You want your people to have different abilities so that they can handle multiple tasks.
Cross-training is vital in many ways. First, just like you are a jack-of-all-trades, you want your people to have different abilities so that they can handle multiple tasks. For instance, do your installers know how to install all of the multiple product lines that you carry? Even if they specialize in one particular area, it is key for them to know how to do other things so that they become more useful when it is slow in one area, but busy in another. Sometimes we tend to just keep people in a certain position because they are really good at it. That is fine, except, does someone else know how to do their job? In turn, do they know how to do someone else’s job? Be careful not to put yourself into a situation where one employee can hold you hostage because they are the only one that can do their job. Another reason to cross-train is that you might find an employee has a better skill in another area, or at minimum, they will realize the importance of doing the best possible job at what they feel comfortable with. Regardless, cross-training is not only healthy for them as individuals, but also for your organization. 50
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Always be on the lookout for good employees. Employees are like flowers—it takes time for some to blossom. It might be that some of your best employees won’t start out that way, but with a little help and care, they will become an important asset to your company. Be on the lookout for people in your company who are eager to learn more and do more. When it comes time to hire, is it possible to promote from within and give someone a chance? At least you know what you are getting in that person. But don’t discount their ability. You can even give them some trial tasks to see if they can excel at some small things that would show they are able to handle the new role. It is easier to find an entry-level new hire than it is to find a middle or high level position. Being on the lookout for new talent is also a key. When does your company hire? Only when there is a need? This can be dangerous, because then you are many times rushed to find a person to fill a role that is an important part of your business. You could easily just hire to get a body in, but find out soon enough that it is the
wrong body. At this point not only have you suffered through the experience, but it no doubt cost you money learning that it was the wrong person. That is why it is crucial to be constantly on the lookout for talented people. Even if you don’t have a position open, you need to have a pipeline of talent. Perhaps you can upgrade in an area. Many of us are presented with opportunities to grow, but we say we don’t have the people to do it—another reason to always be on the lookout. TIP #7 CUSTOMER SERVICE Areas to consider: Work with customers Turn negatives into positives
Customer service has a broad meaning in today’s world, so to attempt to discuss it we will scale it down to the importance of taking care of unhappy or unsatisfied customers. We all know customers can, at times, complain about anything or everything, but let’s also be honest by saying in many
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Partner with
to outfit
Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year. 2017 Ford Super Duty Rain Guards
Floor Mats Interior: Floor Liners Cargo Liners Tonneau
Air Intakes
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View our full range of Super Duty products at eKeystone.com or call 1-800-521-9999 Come see all these suppliers and more at the Keystone Big Shows: Big Show East- February 25, 2017 Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, DC
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You have just proven that you can handle their issues and that you follow through; so now it is time to get paid… again. If you can’t get another sale, then at minimum ask for a referral or for them to leave an online review about their positive experience. You must strike while the iron is hot and they are happy with the positive outcome.
Ideal employees are those that come to your company eager to learn more and do more.
of these cases if things were done better, the customer probably would not have said anything. Think about how many customers have complained about something, but then try to think about how many did not complain when they probably had every reason to bring something up. So, have an open mind when thinking about if or how your company needs to improve. One place to start is, when a problem arises, address it head-on. The longer you put it off or try to dance around it, the worse the situation becomes. Work with the customer instead of against the customer. If you begin to only justify and try to explain why a problem took place, it may come across that you are blaming someone else instead of accepting blame—and never would you want to say anything that would place blame on the customer. An example of this is telling someone, “If the car would have gotten here sooner” or “If you knew how to use the product properly.” Both are antagonistic and will only worsen the situation. The first thing to do in order to work with the customer is to simply apologize. Even if your company didn’t do anything wrong, you can justify an apology for what they are having to go through. This will in most cases disarm the customer from thinking they are going to have to fight to get what they want. Once you have disarmed them with your apology make sure you listen. Just allowing them to talk out their frustration without you interjecting will many times send a message that you care and that you want to help. 52
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Next, ask them what you can do to help them with the situation. Sometimes we think a customer just wants a discount or refund; whereas most of the time they just want someone to care and solve their problem and make them feel good about the money they already spent. Once these steps have been done, then turn the negative into a positive by telling them how you can resolve the issue and thank them for allowing you to resolve things with them. Then, after you have followed through with the resolutions, ask if they are satisfied. When they respond positively, then you need to do the last step—ask them for something! Ask them what product they would like next on their vehicle. Or what service you can do for them. Either way, ask for another sale.
TIP #8 MARKETING Areas to consider: Giveaway promotions Expensive vs. practical
Marketing is key to making sure that the pipeline of business is always full. Never wait for business to dry up to start marketing your company. It is as important as turning on the lights in the morning. If you are always marketing, then you are always growing. One way to do this is with inexpensive promotions. Pens, pads, calendars, etc. are popular choices for all companies, but can you do something that sets you apart? There are hundreds of promotional companies that can help you find the one or two items that are different enough to stand out, and with your logo and information can make a big impact. So be on the lookout for the little things that can make a difference. Some business owners think marketing
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probably be a much higher percentage. So, it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to market; marketing correctly is the important thing. TIP #9 WATCH THE BOTTOM LINE Areas to consider Overtime Warranty Inventory Purchasing Variable costs
Successful restyling shops like Autoplex in Colorado do a good job of presenting clean, eye-catching displays in their showrooms, stocked with products customers can buy and take today. However, keep a close watch on inventory to ensure you don’t have too much money tied up in products that are just sitting on your shelves.
is expensive—and sometimes it is—but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to do practical, inexpensive marketing. For instance, think about the cost to build a project car and then rent a booth at a local trade show, and then man the booth for days handing out business cards. This can be very expensive
Even though money is not everything, none of us go to work hoping to lose money. If we only did what we wanted to do, then we probably wouldn’t be at work anyway. So, if we are attempting to make a profit, then watching the bottom line is vital. There are a lot of ways to make money and just as many ways to watch that money fly out the window instead of having it end
with an unknown return on investment. Now, think about taking some snacks, pens and calendars to some of your best clients and/or potential customers and having a quick conversation about the services you render or could render. With a fraction of the cost involved, the ROI would
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up in your pocket. It is the unexpected expenses that kill the bottom line. We have our prices set on the products and services we offer to make money, but when something happens that we didn’t intend, we go from making money to breaking even—or worse. Some of the key areas that can quickly affect the bottom line are unexpected payroll expenses like overtime or benefits. Also, warranties can quickly take time away from production as well as cost money in either supplies, damaged parts or product. Inventory is a necessity, but how much you carry can quickly affect the bottom line. Manufacturers and vendors sometimes make enticing deals to get you to buy extra inventory, but if it just sits on your shelf then it is tying-up cash flow, and when that starts to hurt you try to liquidate that inventory for less money—and that hurts the bottom line. So buy strategically. Think about how long it will take to move the inventory versus how much you are saving. This principle also applies to shop and office supplies. For everyday purchases, do you have a system in place to know to order product? Things such as which vendor and which model are important, but just knowing how fast you need the product is just as important. For example, paying for expedited ship54
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Companies that are always marketing and branding themselves are always growing.
ping when it isn’t necessary is a quick way to kill the bottom line. All of these variable costs have to be monitored, but it is a good idea to look at these costs on a monthly basis to see what other variable costs are costing you money. By looking monthly you can see what changes need to be made instead of allowing them to linger for months, killing your bottom line. TIP #10 GET INVOLVED Areas to consider: Networking SEMA
The reason why support groups work when needed are because everyone is going through the same thing and can relate to one another. We all take comfort interacting with someone with similar problems or situations in life. It is obviously therapeutic to our psyche in some way. So why not do this in business? Business owners share a lot of the same problems and when they have the opportunity to discuss and share ideas, it can be very productive. But these opportunities don’t just fall in your lap; usually it takes some effort to network. An easy way to start is being active at
the trade shows in our industry. At these events, you’ll find fellow business owners to either formally or informally network with. Look for events held by manufacturers that give you a chance to network. Also, SEMA has set up 11 councils and networks to allow SEMA members to get actively involved. Which of these fit your business? Are you a member of that council and network as well as a SEMA member? Being involved will allow you an active say in the direction our industry is going, but it also allows you to tap into years of experience and knowledge to help you with your business. These are basic points to keep in mind when running your shop. Remember the principle of trying to do good in all of them versus mastering just one of them, because “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” JOSH POULSON is the principal of Auto Additions in Columbus, Ohio, which was named Restyler of the Year, 20122013. Auto Additions offers a complete line of product upgrades, including 12-volt and appearance packages with a specific focus on the dealership segment. Josh currently serves on the SEMA PRO council and was named 2015-2016 Person of the Year at the 2015 SEMA Show.
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TRUCK BED PRODUCTS Tonneau Covers
TrailFX, Exeter, Pennsylvania, offers a full line of Tonneau Covers for professional or extracurricular use, including the Premium Flush Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover. The cover sports a modern matte finish with carpeted under-panels and interior and integrated LED lighting that’s attached flush to the bed rails using an L-rail mounting system. The threepanel, solid-surface design features three riding positions including closed, two-thirds open or full bed access. TrailFX covers are produced from high-quality materials for appearance and functionality.
T Bed Mats
Drop-In Fifth Wheel Hitch
Cequent Performance Products, Plymouth, Michigan, presents the Reese Drop-In Hitch. The new 20K fifth wheel hitch fits both RAM 2500 HD and 3500 HD trucks with the OE tow package (factory installed OE rail system). Rated for 20,000-pound capacity with a 5,000-pound pin weight capacity and featuring the Reese Elite series fifth wheel head, the new hitch has a black powder-coat finish and is SAE J2638 compliant.
ProMaxx Automotive Accessories, Jasper, Indiana, presents its ProMaxx Bed Mats, custom-molded to fit most trucks. Scribe lines are located on long bed mats that allow for easy trimming for short-bed models. The bed mats are made from the same rubber compound used in heavyduty tires, with a textured pebble surface to help reduce shifting. At 5/16-inches thick, the bed mats protect the bed against dents and scratches.
Truck Bed Products
LUND International, Buford, Georgia, offers a full line of external Bed Accessories for trucks and SUVs. Products include: highly functional truck bed boxes, liquid storage tanks, jobsite boxes and ATV boxes in aluminum and heavy-duty steel— all made in the USA. The broad range of storage boxes provide solutions for professional contractors, do-it-yourselfers and outdoor recreation aficionados.
Roll-Up Tonneau
Headache Racks
Aries Automotive, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, presents its AdvantEDGE Headache Rack, designed to protect and add style to modern pickups. The headache rack features an all-aluminum construction with 5-1/2-inchwide, eight-sided, extruded aluminum tubing for strength, weight savings and rust resistance. It protects the cab and uses a patent-pending stake pocket anchoring system to securely mount on a variety of trucks. Each rack includes a track mounting system for aftermarket lights, and is available in a carbide black or chrome powder-coat finish.
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LEER, Elkhart, Indiana, presents the entry-level Velocity by LEER rollup soft tonneau. Sleek and easy to use, the cover features LEER pinch-release latches for opening from either side of the truck. The contoured Velocity by LEER offers commercial-grade, reinforced vinyl delivering durability and extended life. A simple-to-use tension adjuster keeps the tonneau tight across the bed and requires no tools to operate. Built-in aluminum bows provide support across the truck bed to prevent sagging and water pooling, and roll-up with the cover.
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G S t p b w b o fi a a c n p fi
2017 Ford Super Duty Bed Mat
Truck Bed Bar
Go Rhino, Brea, California, offers its Sport Bar 2.0 truck bed bar, designed to add style and functionality to any pickup. The bar features a universal bed rail mounting design compatible with most soft, roll-up and retractable bed covers. It is available with classic or LED light mount options—standard fixed-mount, or optional poweractuated hideaway light mount that allows the lights to retreat into the center position and hide away when not in use. The bar is offered in a polished stainless or textured black finish for full- and midsize trucks.
BedRug Inc., Old Hickory, Tennessee, a Truck Hero company, introduces its complete line of truck bed protection products for the new 2017 Ford Super Duty pickups, including its BedRug Mats and BedRug Tailgate Mats. Made of durable BedRug material, the bed mats are available for pickups with drop-in bedliners, spray-on bedliners or no liner and feature a thick foam backing that creates a smooth work surface. The company’s BedRug and BedTred Ultra Bedliners are also available for new Ford applications.
Truck Bed Extender
AMP Research, Tustin California, offers its BEDXTENDER HD Max truck bed extender. The classic U-shape design maximizes cargo capacity without adding length to the truck. Simply flip open the tailgate and instantly add 2 feet of enclosed cargo area. Flip the BEDXTENDER inside and close the tailgate to keep tools and smaller cargo contained in the bed. The product is designed and built in America and features: lightweight, 6063 T6 aluminum alloy tubes; rugged, glassreinforced nylon composite uprights; and a durable black or silver powder-coat finish.
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TRUCK BED PRODUCTS Hard Tonneau Cover
Pace Edwards, Elkhart, Indiana, part of the Truck Accessories Group, offers its UltraGroove Metal hard tonneau cover with the Pace Edwards Rail Expansion System. Offering a metal look with heavy-gauge aluminum panels and powder-coated, matteblack finish, the cover accepts most Thule and Yakima racks. Features include: easy access to installation hardware, racks and style bars with T-slot and rear end caps; lock knob and hand-grip areas under and inside the cover; and drain tubes front and rear. The cover can be locked every 12 inches along the rail.
Camo Bedliner
DualLiner, West Bend, Wisconsin, presents its custom Camouflage Truck Bedliner. The camo pattern will be available on all DualLiner products that fit most GM, Ford, and Dodge/Ram pickups, 1999-2016/2017 model years. Each camouflage bedliner is a custom made-to-order unit, available in popular patterns including: Next Camo Evo, Next G1 Vista, Thunder Mountain Woods and Muddy Girl. The upgraded camouflage finish maintains all the features and benefits of DualLiner’s modular system.
Headache Racks
Go Industries, Richardson, Texas, offers its commercial-grade Flat Iron Headache Racks. Designed for heavy-duty use to protect the back window from shifting cargo, the racks’ vertical uprights are made from 1/2-by-3-inch flat steel; and the cross tubes are made from 2-inchsquare, 14-gauge steel. The feet are made from 3/16-by-3-by-24-inch steel and are compatible with crossbed toolboxes. Three applications fit all full-size trucks, and all Flat Iron Racks can be made in a frame-only style without the louvers. They are available in black or white powdercoat finish.
Commercial Truck Bed Extender
Metcam, Alpharetta, Georgia, offers the TramBed 2.0 Commercial Truck Bed Extension with legs. A unique design enables truck owners to slide the TramBed out and brace it with adjustable legs that keep the extension stable, supporting up to 2,000 pounds for an eight-foot truck bed with little to no stress on the truck’s suspension. The systems feature heavy-duty construction with an all-stainless steel deck and factorywelded, powder-painted extension rails and legs. The easy-slide extension is designed to ensure the tram extension remains in a controlled position.
Bed Bins
BEDSLIDE, Medford, Oregon, introduces BEDBINS that add more than 60 inches of usable space to truck beds. Fitting over the wheel wells and above the space of a BEDSLIDE, BEDBINS are available in several configurations. The complete kit includes side and mini BEDBINS, plus a deck divider. BEDBIN upper trays are also available.
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Improved Storage Protection
TruckVault, Sedro Woolley, Washington, introduces its patentpending Strike Guard Technology to provide an additional level of security to its most popular locking system. Strike Guard Technology has been added to reinforce the Push Button Key Override Kaba Lock with a flanged lip consisting of a strike plate and backing plate constructed of AISI 1020 galvanized steel. When locking the new system, the Striker Plate works in unison with the Backer Plate and primary structure of the unit to firmly lock the bolt and prevent bolt tampering.
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Titan XD Puck System Fifth Wheel Legs
Toolbox/Fuel Tank Combo
CURT Mfg., Eau Claire, Wisconsin, introduces Nissan Titan XD Puck System Fifth Wheel Legs. The puck system legs allow for fast, secure installation of CURT fifth wheel hitches. They use a three-point, quarter-turn anchoring system to drop into the Titan XD pucks and instantly equip the truck for fifth wheel towing. They are also adjustable to eliminate chucking noises between the legs and under-bed platform. With a gross trailer weight capacity of 20,000 pounds, the legs are compatible with most CURT fifth wheel hitches.
Transfer Flow, Chico, California, introduces a 70-gallon Toolbox and Refueling Tank combination. The toolbox and refueling tank combo sits on the bedrails and includes a storage box that adjusts to the depth of a short- or long-bed full-size pickup. The adjustable toolbox storage area ranges from 5-1/2 to 9 cubic feet. The unit is made from 14-gauge aluminized steel for strength and rust resistance, and is baffled in two places on all four sides to reduce fuel slosh. It comes pre-assembled with a 12-volt refueling pump, hose and nozzle, wire harness and more.
Tailgate Assist
Dee Zee, Des Moines, Iowa, offers the Dee Zee Tailgate Assist, a safe solution for lowering heavy tailgates. The system’s durable dampened gas shock enables it to gradually lower heavy truck gates into place. The assist is designed specifically for each make and model, with a no-drill installation. All hardware is included to simply mount it to the driver’s side of the tailgate. Only one tailgate assist is required per vehicle.
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“Enchantment” means to surprise and delight your customers by giving them more than they expect.
A Delightful Experience
‘Enchantment’ is an important key to customer satisfaction. By Jason R. Sakurai
A
ccording to business guru and Apple alumnus Guy Kawasaki, enchantment is the process of delighting people with a product, service, organization or idea. The greater your goals, the more you need to change the hearts, minds and actions of people with whom you interact. The degree of difficulty increases the need for enchantment, but this isn’t about making money or getting people to do what you want. It is to fill your distributors, dealers, suppliers and customers with great delight. “I love the idea of enchantment. I think it comes from an honest place and a shared passion,” says Cyndie Nelson, OEM sales manager for Mitek, an Illinois- and Arizona-based auto sound manufacturer. “When I started my career in marketing I remember thinking, ‘the last place I want to be is in sales.’ Well, it’s been almost 20 years now and most of my career has been in sales. I realized that sales in the automotive sector is more about sharing the opportunity to experience something special in an industry of people who are 60
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genuinely excited to participate,” Enchantment isn’t quantifiable, but it does work. If the ideas presented here interest you enough to try them, that’s great— although you may find they need to be modified or adapted as you go. As Kawasaki writes in his book Enchant-
ment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, his aim is to show how to change the world; not to understand it. Here’s how it can be implemented in our industry. LIKEABILITY Achieving likability is important because it’s hard to enchant someone who doesn’t like you. As Kathryn Reinhardt, marketing manager for MagnaFlow, says, “When I think of enchantment I think of charm. I grew up in the South, Georgia to be exact, and having charm was a requirement of habitation.
1 STEP
Our industry is more than just sales—it’s about sharing the opportunity to experience something special with people who are genuinely excited to participate.
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‘You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar,’ is an expression that holds true for working in the automotive aftermarket. Be kind to your employees, your neighbors and even your competitors. We all have something to learn and something to share. Sharing information allows us to meet new people, open up discussions, create new opportunities and maybe even personally succeed.” TRUSTWORTHINESS If you want people to trust you, you must trust them. AutoMeter’s Joseph Mills relates, “Years ago, I heard Nordstrom’s employee manual was one page long. It read: ‘Rule #1: Use best judgment in all situations. There will be no additional rules.’ This wasn’t entirely true, but that business philosophy is critical to one of the ways we attempt to enchant.” As AutoMeter’s director of marketing and customer experience, Mills is responsible for his company’s inside sales, tech support and service teams—not the most common pairing of departments. “For us, a great customer experience is our best marketing,” he explains. “Nothing is more paramount than providing an amazing customer experience. That’s how brand advocacy is most effectively cultivated. There isn’t a person that answers the phone/email/live chat within my team that isn’t empowered to make the call and help the customer out if there’s an issue.” They too are encouraged to use their best judgment in all situations. So, it’s important to hire and train the right people. “Put simply, if the customer needs a part, send them a part—even if we’re pretty sure it wasn’t a product failure,” Mills explains. “Apologize, be polite and make them feel like they’re the most important thing in the world, because for our business, they absolutely are.” Such an approach allows aftermarket companies to compete on more than price. “We are definitely not the low-cost leader,” he explains. “Our customer knows when they spend the extra money to buy our products over that of a competitor, they’re getting a top-quality, Americanmade part that performs better and lasts longer. Because of that, all we’ve done is met their expectations. They spent a little
2 STEP
LIFT KITS RBP Lift Kits are manufactured and engineered in the USA utilizing the highest quality manufacturing and most rigorous quality control processes. Precision 3D-modeling design process ensures perfect fit based on OE specs. This means you get the reliability, quality and performance you expect from RBP.
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A Delightful Experience
Carolina Kustoms’ presence at shows helps the shop achieve likeability, says owner Lonnie Thompson.
When companies view you and your work as likeable and trustworthy, then you’ve established a real connection.
insufficient ground, if there’s a hardware failure it gets fixed immediately.”
Carolina Kustoms’ Jake Keyes works on a lift kit installation with shop owner Lonnie Thompson (left) watching.
more, and got something better for it. We haven’t had the opportunity to exceed expectations yet.” That comes with further interaction. “When something doesn’t go as expected, this is one of the best opportunities we have to showcase our customer-first philosophy and exceed their expectations,” he says. “It’s very rare that we see a product failure. Our warranty rate is in the hundredths of a percent, though if they never broke, we wouldn’t need a warranty. But if something does go wrong and the customer has to contact us, it is imperative that we demonstrate how important they are to us and find a timely and permanent solution for them. While it seems like 99 percent of the problems we encounter are caused by an 62
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QUALITIES OF A GREAT CAUSE Your product, service, company or idea is your cause, and what makes it great are these qualities, which Kawasaki defined and refined over the past 20 years. By category, they are:
3 STEP
Deep Deep causes have many features, in part because you’ve anticipated what your customers will need not only presently but in the future, as their knowledge or interests grow. Wizards Products’ Adam Bateman notes, “You spend all day cleaning and polishing to make your vehicle look its very best, sweating every detail. Anyone who has built a custom car or bike remembers the first time they got a thumbs-up from an admirer or had a crowd of people checking out their ride. For many, that’s the pay-off after all the long nights, busted knuckles and financial sacrifice it took to get their project on the road. The pay-off for us is all the testimonials—in person at a show, by email or social media—we get from our customers, telling us we’ve got ‘the best stuff ever!’”
Mitek’s Cyndie Nelson, with mentor and longtime friend Jeep Worthan, finds music enchanting.
Intelligent An intelligent cause solves problems in smart ways. Papadakis Racing owner Stephan Papadakis relates, “I do feel Papadakis Racing is likeable and trustworthy, but those are things that we do organically. Affinity from the public is something we
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Papadakis Racing owner Stephan Papadakis (center), is a noted problemsolver, on track and with sanctioning bodies. (Photo by Larry Chen)
Joseph Mills empowers his team to exceed expectations, further enhancing AutoMeter’s advocacy.
are always trying to achieve there’s not even a judgment with our racing projects. In call to be made. Having addition to being competidone the same thing for 60 tive we would like people years as a company, reputo be drawn into our projtation is everything, and ects and care about our every opportunity we have successes.” to exceed that customer’s Throughout his career expectations and turn them as a racer and team owner, into our advocate is treated Stephan Papadakis, atop the podium on Kathryn Reinhardt of Papadakis says he has held with the highest priority.” the left of driver Fredric Aasbo, has deMagnaFlow believes findhimself and his teams to a The philosophy permeates lighted fans and sponsors as both a driver ing common ground is the and team owner. (Photo by Larry Chen) path toward enchantment. higher standard. He doesn’t his corporate culture, Mills get involved in in-fighting; notes. he’ll seek resolutions to “The voluntary, enduring problems or situations whether it’s with MagnaFlow’s Reinhardt notes, “Between and delightful change we’re enacting, to competitors or the sanctioning bodies. In social media and technology we have many use the course vernacular, is taking the this manner, he achieves enchantment and options of communication. Some can be guy that’s pissed off that something isn’t makes everyone around him better for it. daunting and confusing and may even feel working the way he intended it to, and not like a waste of time. But being able to try only fixing his issue, but doing so in such a Complete new things and adapt to new processes way that he becomes invested in the brand A complete cause provides a great experience has allowed me to grow in my position, and becomes the advocate/evangelist that that includes service, support and a string and even personally. Working here means is critical to any brand’s success.” of enhancements. Mitek’s Nelson observes, working for one of the best aftermarket “Leading a team of innovators in the audio brands in the business. With the brand’s SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS and consumer electronics industry, I undernotoriety and determination, enchantment One of the best ways to enchant someone stand that music is a pretty powerful tool gives you an advantage with your position is to make it easy for them to go with your of enchantment. Our team at MTX Audio in business affairs, customer relationships flow. has transformed the way people enjoy their and an opportunity to inspire others.” Portland, Oregon’s Carolina Kustoms is vehicles. I’ve experienced thousands of live well known in the area and among truck audio demonstrations and each time the Elegant enthusiasts across the country. When shop music starts, you can see people’s expressions An elegant cause means someone cared owner Lonnie Thompson wanted to make transform. Things become personal at that about the user interface and experience. a bigger impact nationwide among compoint. There’s no better way to connect with An elegant cause works with people. panies in the aftermarket as well as other people than through music, and for us this Mills adds, “We’ve got a troubleshooting firms outside our industry, he knew they is where enchantment begins.” process that allows us to quickly guide even were ready. the most novice DIYer to the root of the According to Thompson, “The opporEmpowering problem. I personally spend time taking tunity came when we were asked to build An empowering cause enables you to do tech calls and chats every week, and hearing a truck for Hypertech. Not only did we old things better and to do new things you the relief when we’re able to solve a problem create the company’s 2016 SEMA Show couldn’t do at all. It makes you smarter, in a couple of minutes that has frustrated display vehicle, but this modified new stronger and more skilled. It increases your someone for quite a bit longer is awesome. Chevy Colorado Crew Cab Z71 pickup confidence and your ability to control your “If a $20 sending unit is all that stands is also the grand prize in their sweepstakes, life. between us and an enchanted customer, a first for the 30-year old company.” FEBRUARY 2017
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The 455-powered 1968 Hurst-Olds was a silver car with black graphics that was outsourced to Hurst Performance to sidestep a GM ban on big engines.
ROCKET SHIFT
Since the brand disappeared, the Oldsmobile niche has shifted into overdrive.
T
he parking lot of the Milwaukee Sheraton in Brookfield, Wisconsin, is on a lower level than the highway in front of the high-rise hotel. Looking down into that lot on July 24, 2015, passing motorists saw an impressive sight—nearly 500 vintage Oldsmobile hoods raised toward the sunny blue sky. The Oldsmobile Club of America (www. oldsmobileclub.org) National Meet was in town. NICHE REFLECTS GROWING INTEREST According to Greg Rothe, an official with the OCA’s Wisconsin chapter, the 2015 National Meet was “successful beyond our wildest dreams.” The event fielded about 480 show cars and 540 people were registered. Officials struggled to find places for people to park their classic Oldsmobiles and their car haulers. Stationed in front of the hotel was the oldest car attending the meet—a 1923 Model 43A roadster. When it was made, Oldsmobile was just 26 years old. Next to it, by contrast, was a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora Indy 500 Official Car. 64
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The pre- and post-war cars at the meet ranged from bread-and-butter sedans to Holiday hardtops to Vista Cruiser station wagons. The show cars ran from early1930s models, to cars of the 1940s through early 2000s. While the Oldsmobile niche is wide, it also reflects growing interest in muscle cars such as big-engined Cutlass models, 4-4-2s
By John Gunnell
and Hurst-Oldsmobiles. One-of-a-kind oddities like the Commotion Hurst/Olds drag racer built by Motion Products—a New York supercar builder of the ’60s—are also sought after by Oldsmobile fans. The same is true of the unique Fournado displayed in the hotel lobby. It’s a one-off Oldsmobile 4-4-2 with a Tornado frontwheel drive chassis.
Visitors to the Oldsmobile Club of America national meet in Brookfield, Wisconsin kept Fusick automotive busy all week long selling vintage Olds parts.
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ALL OVER THE BALLPARK Big 1970s Oldsmobiles, in-between-sized 1980s models, higher-tech 1990s models and New Millennium specialty editions are also getting more popular each year. Rothe thinks that interest in Oldsmobiles started jumping after General Motors discontinued the brand in 2004. Companies that serve the Oldsmobile niche range from Kanter Auto Products and Fusick Automotive—which sell parts for all kinds of 1930s-1990s models—all the way up to the legendary Mondello Performance Products parts and engines, which can add $40,000-$50,000 to a restored Oldsmobile’s value. Robert Rovegno of Kanter Auto Products (www.kanter.com) says Oldsmobile is the third most popular engine line his company carries parts for, behind Cadillac and Buick. “The 1954-and-up V-8s are popular,” he says. “The 324-, 371- and 394-ci V-8s are our best sellers as far as engine parts and kits go. The 400- and 425-ci engines are getting more popular, but have a way to go before they catch up with the early Rocket V-8s.” Kanter can supply parts for 1937 to 1982 six- and eight-cylinder Oldsmobile engines. “Olds always had the reputation of being a hot motor,” Rovegno explains. “We get an unusual mix of customers wanting to tweak their Oldsmobile Rocket V-8 and they’re different than Cadillac and Buick customers.”
Rovegno says that pistons and main bearing sets are the most purchased Oldsmobile engine parts. He stresses that the pistons are desired because of their high quality and the fact that they are coated, while the mains are popular because they are almost impossible to find elsewhere. As far as ways to market to Oldsmobile owners, Rovengno underlines that quality is the key to success. Fusick Automotive Products (www. fusickautomotiveproducts.com) provides thousands of Oldsmobile parts to restorers.
The most valuable specialty cars in the Oldsmobile niche are one-of-a-kind creations like the Commotion Hurst Olds racing car built by Motion Performance. FEBRUARY 2017
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HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
Power window, power seat and convertible top switches for classic Oldsmobiles and other vintage GM cars are in Fusick’s massive inventory.
The East Windsor, Connecticut company has 10 full-time employees and sells Olds, Buick and Cadillac pieces. According to Jason Jutras, who has worked at Fusick since 1998, the company’s parts applications cover Oldsmobiles from the mid-1930s to about the mid1970s. Jutras says that the owner of the company started it as an outgrowth of his restoration of a 1952 Olds 98. “He needed some parts for that car and wound up buying a whole parts car and a lot of other stuff that the guy who owned the car had,” Jutras explains. “He had to do that to get what he needed, but then he began selling the extra parts and that’s what started the whole thing.” Although parts for obsolete Oldsmobiles may seem like a small niche in the marketplace, Jutras says business is pretty good. “We’re keeping busy,” he notes. “We do well at Olds meets, because we’re a little more geared to Oldsmobiles. We also attend the spring and fall Carlisle, Pennsylvania meets and the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We do a May meet in Long Island, New York because it’s close to our headquarters. Walk-in traffic in the showroom is good, too.” The Fusick office is in a large warehouse loaded with an array of parts. “I really don’t know the total number of parts, but we sell thousands,” he says. “The orders go all over the ballpark with a lot of Cutlass owners and a lot of ’60s, too.”
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ROCKET SHIFT
Oldsmobile launched in 1897, so the pioneer automaker started by Ransom E. Olds was already 26 years old when this 1923 roadster was manufactured.
And interest in older Oldsmobiles seems to be growing. “We’re constantly trying to expand our line. We’re always looking for new things to add to our catalog.”
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A BIG FACTOR Lynn Welfringer is the owner and technical advisor for Mondello Performance Products (www.mondellotwister.com) of Paso Robles, California. Joe Mondello started
drag racing in 1951 with a Ford-powered car and worked part-time building performance cylinder heads for Carroll Shelby. In 1968, Mondello began doing R&D work for Olds and was nicknamed Dr. Oldsmobile. Welfringer also got into racing in the 1950s. While working as service manager at Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile in Tacoma, Washington, he was offered a 1968 Hurst Olds Super Stocker to race in AHRA and NHRA events. The car won 67 of 73 races. Welfringer also set the NHRA D/SA record at Orange County in 1969. In 1997, he moved to Paso Robles to run Mondello Performance Products for his old friend Joe Mondello. He went back to racing with a 1997 Olds Cutlass Pro Stock car that Warren Johnson had wheeled to a National Championship. Welfringer put daughter Ginger behind the wheel. Power came from a 468-ci Olds V-8 running on methanol. Today, Lynn races an Olds-powered ’27 Model T roadster. Mondello passed away in April, 2011.
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The “Sorceress” is a 300-mph flex-fuel Hurst-Olds based street car that XCELEROD (www.xcelerod.com) displayed at the 2016 PRI Show.
muscle car, the vehicle is worth $40,000 to $50,000 more than the same car with a different engine. That’s why we’ve had 10 years of solid growth.” According to Welfringer, developing the Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum cylinder head for Oldsmobile 400-, 425- and 455-ci V-8s was a big factor in making
Oldsmobiles more popular, since they performed better. “This head resulted from a joint venture in design and ideas between Edelbrock and Mondello Performance Products and took two years to make.” Mondello builds almost every part for the 455-ci Olds V-8.
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“Joe and I were partners since 1967,” Welfringer says. “This year I’m 73; Joe would have been 77. We were two of the nine guys who raced nationally for Oldsmobile Division. We put cars together for the factory.” Welfringer says that interest in Oldsmobiles is bigger today than it’s ever been. “You can tell that by what you see at auctions like Barrett-Jackson,” he explains. “The Cutlass 4-4-2 and 4-4-2 convertibles are bringing way more than any of the other A-bodied cars made by Buick, Chevrolet or Pontiac. The Oldsmobile niche is continually growing bigger and bigger.” In addition to building engines and cars, Mondello ran a technical school in Crossville, Tennessee and Welfringer runs another school in Paso Robles. “We have a lot of knowledge,” says Welfringer. “That’s one reason why Mondello Performance Products does show car engines for everybody under the sun. It’s a nationally known fact that if you have a Mondello power train in an Oldsmobile
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ROCKET SHIFT
Lynn Welfringer drag races an Olds-powered ’27 Model T roadster to promote the capabilities of Mondello Performance Products.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
Classic Industries will be entering the Oldsmobile reproduction parts niche with four catalogs including one aimed at Olds NinetyEight owners.
Lynn Welfringer, 73, partnered with Joe Mondello in the 1960s. They developed Olds parts and started technical schools in Tennessee and California. Bill Nagribianko of Toronto, Canada, had this beautiful sign made up for his ’71 Olds 4-42. As you can see, history and equipment count with Olds fans.
“The market is so strong that within the next 16 to 24 months we’ll be getting ready to release a brand-new 455-ci Oldsmobile V-8 that will be an exact factory replacement for the original 455,” he reveals. A TIGHT GRIP From simple key scratch repairs to full body-off-frame rotisserie restorations, Thornton Classics of Telford, Pennsylvania seems to have a tight grip on doing firstclass work. Thornton specializes in 1964-1972 Oldsmobiles, and especially the muscular 4-4-2 model. Hagerty Classic Insurance has recognized Thornton as a Classic collision repair facility and put it on a list of preferred repair shops. 68
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At the Atlantic City auction, Grant Miller of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania paid a record price of $195,000 for a 1970 Olds 4-4-2 convertible that Thornton Classics restored. Miller was not a novice buyer or an overexcited bidder. For most of his life, he ran a weekly auto auction. Miller now produces the Central Pennsylvania Auctions annual collector car sale each July. His purchase of the Thornton-restored 4-4-2 was a sure indicator that the Oldsmobile market niche is strong. Thornton Classics is benefiting from the expanded Oldsmobile market. The company was founded in 1950 by Dick “Dickie” Thornton Sr. The shop got into muscle car restorations in 1984. It’s now a third-generation business that teams Dick Sr. with Dick Jr. and his sons Jeff and Troy. The shop is very family oriented. “You walk in a customer, but you leave a friend,” the Thorntons say. Thornton Classics also supports the
niche by selling high-quality, GM-licensed reproduction Olds parts and even manufactures a few items itself. “The parts we offer are of the quality we require in our own restorations,” says Dickie Thornton. “You won’t be playing guessing games about the quality of our parts.” Like many restoration shops, Thornton also sells the cars it restores and great examples have been commonly seen at the Atlantic City Classic Car Auction. However, not all of the cars are priced as high as the ’70 ragtop that Miller bought. A lot depends on how much work it takes to make them pristine. Thornton family members are also longtime members of the Oldsmobile Club of America. “We love Oldsmobiles and 4-4-2s and we invite anyone into them to contact us with their special requests,” says Thornton Classics. The shop also offers Oldsmobile enthusiasts an online newsletter and posts announcements, special product offerings and cars for sale at www.thorntonmusclecars.com. If a car is going to auction, it’s there, too. STATEMENT OF ACHIEVEMENT Ray Yager of Classic Industries (www.classicindustries.com) says his company will soon be entering the Oldsmobile niche.
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4-4-2s with the W30 and W31 options,” Yager notes. “However, models that are not necessarily top of mind but seem to be getting hotter include the 1961-’66 Starfire and Jetstar coupes and convertibles, which are beautiful cars, and also GM’s full-size B-, C-, D- and H-bodies like the 1959-up Eighty-Eights and Ninety-Eights. “Another segment we plan to focus on is the 1966-’92 Toronados that were built on GM’s front-wheel-drive E-body platform,” Yager continues. “Those are gaining popularity. We also can’t forget the X-body guys with 1973-’79 Omegas. They are very similar to the Chevy Nova. We’ve decided to target these Oldsmobiles with catalogs, because we feel Olds enthusiasts have fewer choices for restoration parts, especially when it comes to parts for fullsize Oldsmobiles.” Yager’s research indicates Olds developed an enormous brand loyalty with Middle America. “It was neither the rich man’s, nor the poor man’s, car,” he suggests. “The
The classic Gen I Oldsmobile Rocket V-8 made its debut in 1949. According to Kanter Auto Products, this is one of the most popular Olds engines.
Oldsmobile Club of Arizona’s website says: ‘It’s a brand that defined the emerging middle class of America in post-World War II. It was a statement of achievement that, once tasted, could not be forgotten. What better way to commute from the new suburbs than taking a rocket-ride in a Rocket 88?’”
JOHN GUNNELL has been writing about classic cars since 1972. He is also the owner of Gunner’s Great Garage in Manawa, Wisconsin. He owns 11 cars and seven motorcycles.
tool boxes
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
“While we have not yet officially started selling Olds parts, we’ll be collecting names and addresses for the Olds restoration parts catalogs we are bringing out.” Yager believes the Oldsmobile market will be a smaller niche. “We’ve seen estimates saying that of the defunct (or zombie) vehicle brands like Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, Mercury, Suzuki and Olds, about 11 percent of the cars still on the road would be Oldsmobiles. This means there could be up to 2 million Oldsmobiles still in service, in need of repair or in need of restoration. Of course, only a small percentage of the remaining cars would be considered collectible.” Citing articles that appeared in Forbes. com and Classic Car News.com, Yager points out that collectible car prices have gone up tremendously in the past eight years, with certain Oldsmobile prices almost doubling since 2008. “The first Olds to come to mind when you talk about hot cars is the Oldsmobile Cutlass models, especially 1968-’72 Olds
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When the owner of this one-off 1969 Chevrolet Camaro needed a custom cabin to match the craftsmanship of its exterior and mechanics, he knew exactly who to turn to.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
TERRACOTTA FIRMA JNG Creations’ world-class, down-to-earth interiors.
I
By Naseem Muaddi, TheHogRing.com
t’s no secret that there’s a lack of talented and qualified upholsterers in the automotive industry. Among the many reasons why are a shortage of training programs and the length of time it takes to master the craft. That’s why The Hog Ring has always been intrigued by the stories of how the best upholsterers in our industry got their start. One of the most fascinating stories is that of Jean-Noël Greffeuille, owner of JNG Creations in Pittsboro, North Carolina. OLD COUNTRY CRAFTSMANSHIP Greffeuille was born and raised in France, where he completed his education in furniture design. Upon graduation, he Jean-Noël opened a furniture repair shop. Greffeuille, However, it wasn’t long before owner of JNG his customers—impressed with Creations in Pittsboro, North Carolina, went his work—started to bring from performing furniture him cars to be upholstered. repair in France to Noticing a growing demand creating custom vehicle interiors in for automotive upholstery and America. wanting to broaden his skill set, 70
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he began to slowly take on more vehicles in addition to furniture. In doing so, he found that his training and experience in furniture laid a strong foundation for excelling in the craft of automotive upholstery. His passion for cars and automotive soft trim grew deep, and in just three years Greffeuille left furniture behind to focus entirely on automotive upholstery. His strong work ethic and reputation as a perfectionist began to spread among classic car owners, and his business flourished as the vehicles he upholstered won awards all over France. CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ In 1999, after operating his shop for 14 years, Greffeuille had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream to immigrate to the United States. Leaving his life in France behind was nerve-wracking, but he was eager and excited about the new opportunities that lay before him in America. Upon arrival, he landed a job with Alan Taylor Company in Escondido, California,
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Charcoal gray leather accents on the Camaro’s dashboard, door panels and gray Daytona carpeting on the floor help tie in the outside of the Camaro to the interior.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
restoring the interiors of antique and exotic cars. There, he proved his expertise. In fact, many of the vehicles he worked on went on to win top honors at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Corbeau seats Greffeuille spent six years were modified and trimmed in leather with the company before with diamond stitching leaving to head the upholstery to give the Camaro a department of Hot Rods and modern and sporty look. Custom Stuff, also in Escondido. Unlike Alan Taylor Company, his new employer specialized in custom upholstery. Over the next two-and-a-half years, Greffeuille honed his skills in this new sector of the craft. By 2007, he was ready to start his own business. He moved to Pittsboro, North Carolina, where he founded JNG Creations with his wife and business partner Randi.
Jean-Noël Greffeuille’s decision to trim the interior in terracotta Porsche leather was a bold choice that paid off. The striking color sets it apart from the slew of hot rods on the car show circuit trimmed in black or beige.
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TERRACOTTA FIRMA Any trimmer can appreciate the amount of fabrication involved in creating these custom door panels.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
Transforming this 1969 Camaro into an awardwinning piece of art took Greffeuille 280 hours to complete. But, as you can see and its ecstatic owner can attest, it was worth every second.
The hot rod’s hand-fabricated waterfall center console starts at the base of its custom dashboard and leads all the way back to the package tray, splitting the rear seat into two buckets.
Of course the trunk was also upholstered to match the interior.
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FIRST IN CLASS Today, the team runs a thriving shop in which Jean-Noël handles the trimming and Randi takes care of the business side of things. They complete an average of eight full custom interiors a year—never more than one at a time, and each taking between six to eight weeks to complete. The couple’s work is in such high demand that they’re typically booked six months in advance. What’s more, their customers come from all over the United States and even abroad. In fact, Greffeuille once trimmed the cabin of an ultra-rare Gmund Porsche shipped to him from Austria by Hans Peter Porsche, grandson of the automaker’s founder. The car went on to win first in class at Concours d’Elegance in 2011. Greffeuille goes to great lengths to realize his customers’ visions, but he will offer suggestions. “I’ll work with the customer on their preferences and I’ll research online and in books for inspiration of a particular style,” he tells The Hog Ring. “One thing I try to do is dissuade people from always doing black and gray interiors. If they are showing the cars, black interiors are hard
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o
Greffeuille trimmed the Camaro’s one-piece headliner in gray suede to give the cabin a contrast in texture.
to see detail in.” As for his personal taste, when asked whether he prefers antique restoration or custom interiors, he says he can’t choose, as “each one has its own challenges.” JNG Creations’ work has been featured in several magazines and won numerous
awards, including first in class at the 2009 Pomona Grand National Roadster Show for a 1964 Chevy Chevelle, first in class at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for a 1930 Minerva AL Van Den Plas Cabriolet, and countless best interior awards—including one for a Delahaye
175S Chapron Cabriolet and several for the company’s own shop vehicle, a custom 1961 Volkswagen Crew Cab Bus. TheHogRing.com is the auto upholstery industry’s leading news website and online community.
HOT ROD & CUSTOMIZATION
s
Aluminum trim accents by Clayton Machine Works adorn the interior throughout.
Scan to view our website
GIVE THEM TESTED BRILLIANCE
LED Light Bars and Work Lights
AdvantEDGE ™ Bull Bar with LED Lights
AdvantEDGE ™ Headache Rack Accessories
ARIES' new LED lights boast grade-A LED chips, an IP68-standard breather, waterproof aluminum construction, a 50,000+ hour lifespan and a pedigree of thorough testing. We offer work lights and light bars from 10" up to 50".
The ARIES AdvantEDGE™ bull bar sets itself apart with a modern, angular design and all-aluminum construction. It is now even more unique with an all-new center flange option, featuring integrated flush-mount LED lights.
Our new light mounting brackets utilize the mesh center section of the AdvantEDGE™ headache rack. We also offer tie-down anchors that use the track system of the headache rack to attach cargo straps.
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RESTYLING PRODUCTS Lift Kits
Rolling Big Power (RBP), Corona, California, announces new lift kits that will start shipping in February 2017. RBP Lift Kits are engineered in the USA, and over 90% of the components are also manufactured in the USA, using the highest quality processes. The kits will not change OE steering quality or ride, and are 3D precision-engineered for a perfect fit and an easy installation. FMVSS 126 Certified, a lifetime warranty, and hard core RBP looks fit the performance, reliability and quality users expect from RBP. Lift kits are available in sizes from 4” – 8” and available for Ford, GM, Dodge, Toyota or Jeep.
LED Kits
Rock & Dome Lights
Baja Designs, San Marcos, California, introduces two multipurpose lights: Rock Light and Dome Light. The two lights are both compact, bright and can be used in a wide variety of applications. They share the same light source—a 208-lumen, 180-degree optic for full-field illumination—and use the Baja Designs signature 5000K daylight bulb for natural lighting. The Rock Light offers a wide variety of utility uses such as wheel well and under-hood lighting. The Dome Light’s compact design works in truck interiors, automobiles and commercial vehicles.
Westin Automotive, San Dimas, California, presents the HDX Stealth Flush Mount LED Kit, designed to mount to the punch plate grille of a Westin HDX Grille Guard. Two Stealth LED bars are included, and can be mounted by cut-out or direct bolt-on method. They are available in 6- or 10-inch LED bar lengths. The HDX Stealth Flush Mount LED Kit features flush mount faceplates that install directly onto the punch plate grille of Westin’s HDX Grille Guard. Adjustable slider brackets, dual connecting wiring harness and hardware are included.
Trail Armor for Trucks
Bushwacker, Buford, Georgia, a brand of LUND International, offers its Trail Armor rocker panel guards with sill plate protection, now available for trucks. Developed with feedback from fleet and pickup owners, Trail Armor for Trucks protects sill plates from the wear and tear of entering and exiting the vehicle, and helps prevent damage from anything truck tires might throw against the rocker panels. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA of durable Dura-Flex 2000 TPO composite, the guards come in a textured matte black finish.
Titan Replacement Fuel Tank
Transfer Flow, Chico, California, presents a 50-gallon, high-capacity replacement fuel tank for 2016 Nissan Titan XD diesel trucks. The Transfer Flow 50-gallon midship replacement tank offers nearly double the fuel capacity and driving range over the stock 26-gallon tank. It comes complete with everything needed for installation and use including straps, mounting hardware, and easy-to-follow illustrated instructions.
New Wrap Film Colors
3M, St. Paul, Minnesota, introduces six new additions to the flagship 3M Wrap Film Series 1080 line, including three color flip options—Gloss Flip Electric Wave, Satin Flip Caribbean Shimmer and Satin Flip Glacial Frost. The color flip shades exhibit lively polychromatic effects that create unique, multicolor dimensions that shift under different viewing angles and lighting. Along with the three color flip options, the expansion of 3M Wrap Film Series 1080 also includes Gloss Storm Gray, Satin Gold Dust Black and Satin Frozen Vanilla.
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Modern technology allows technicians to get more done with one tool than ever before. (Photo courtesy Ingersoll Rand)
efficiently, which allows them to move on to the next job and make more money as well. I know I would prefer to work with a tool that is safe, doesn’t cause fatigue and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Modern technology has affected the professional Hand Tools market by …
… making it possible for more innovative, multipurpose tools to come to the market. In the past, multipurpose tools could not perform as well as each individual tool, making them a hassle. The advances in forging and manufacturing technology make is possible for today’s multipurpose tools, like the KNIPEX Pliers Wrench, to perform as well as each of the individual tools that they replace.
On the Job When there’s work to do, quality tools stand at the ready. Compiled by Jef White
Q
uality hand and power tools are an important part of any technician’s success. Failures, as they say, are not an option. The best tools work better, last longer and offer a source of pride and production. They can save time, which saves money, which makes everyone happy. Manufacturers of hand and pneumatic power tools provide a few updates on their latest products, thoughts on the industry and tips for protecting and preserving your tools for years to come. The ideas may help stock your toolbox with the latest and greatest to get the job done.
Its best features include …
Arlington Heights, Illinois Todd Shumate President
Quality Hand Tools are an important investment for professional installers & mechanics because …
Our hottest product for the Hand Tools market is …
… the KNIPEX Pliers Wrench. Available in sizes ranging from 5- to 16-inches, it offers multiple functions in one tool.
… to not loan them out! To keep hand tools in tip-top shape, keep them away from moisture and regularly wipe them down with a lubricant. Also, be sure to use the right tool for the job—using a tool for functions it wasn’t designed to perform can damage it. And when you’re buying hand tools, select tools that come with a lifetime warranty. That not only shows that a tool is designed to last, but that the manufacturer will stand behind it. CTECH Manufacturing Weston, Wisconsin Darrell Martin Marketing Director Our hottest product for the Hand Tools market is … … CTECH’s exclusive MotionLatch drawer
and door handle, featured on all our aluminum manufactured tool carts and shop cabinets.
SHOP TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
KNIPEX Tools LP
… it eliminates the need for a full set of wrenches by providing the function of pliers and wrenches in an all-in-one tool, including needing different sets for SAE and metric since it covers both. Its push-button locking mechanism allows for a wide range of adjustment positions and parallel jaws hold the surface of a nut or bolt without slipping off or rounding off the fastener. The pliers wrench’s non-damaging, smooth jaws make it ideal for more than just nuts and bolts. Since it won’t scratch or damage the workpiece, the pliers wrench has been used for flattening metal and other body work.
A tip for professional installers & mechanics to protect & preserve their Hand Tools is …
… they save you time and money. Quality hand tools are made to always perform as expected. Technicians have high expectations from their tools and high-quality tools help them do the job quickly and Quality hand tools are made to dependably perform as expected. (Photo courtesy KNIPEX Tools)
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A tip for professional installers & mechanics to protect & preserve their Hand Tools is …
… the most important aspect of preserving your tools is having them organized. An unorganized toolbox will result in lost and misplaced tools throughout. Also, having pride in your workspace will result in a longer life for not only your tools, but your toolbox. CTECH can offer the storage space you need, the customized configuration to accommodate your specific trade and tools, as well as great features like: nine standard powder-coat finishes, anodized extruded aluminum MotionLatch handles; and a lifetime warranty on manufacturing. Apex Tool Group Lexington, South Carolina Dave Bigg Global Product Manager – Material Removal New techniques allow manufacturers to build better tools. (Photo courtesy Apex Tool Group/Dotco)
Its best features include …
… it has a full-length, extruded aluminum handle and dual composite latches that allows for a one-hand, one-motion opening and a secure closure that will not release in transit. When combined with 250-pound drawer slides and the extruded aluminum construction of our carts and cabinets, it’s easy to see the superior quality of a CTECH Manufacturing tool storage solution.
SHOP TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Quality Hand Tools are an important investment for professional installers & mechanics because …
… having the right tool for the job is always important, but knowing where that tool is may be the bigger hurdle to overcome. CTECH has worked with some of the largest race shops and teams to organize their tools and equipment. If we can advise tool storage for racing crews to utilize where seconds mean the difference between winning and losing, we are confident we can help you organize your hand tools.
Our hottest product for the Hand & Power Tools market is …
… the new, long-lasting, hard-working Dotco Random Orbital and Geared Sanders. Their best features include …
… market-leading ergonomics designed to meet the needs of the end user, and a fan blade cooling system that results in higher durability and longer life. Quality Hand & Power Tools are an important investment for professional installers & mechanics because …
… offering better products at a more competitive price. New manufacturing techniques allow us to build a better tool for our customers. A tip for professional installers & mechanics to protect & preserve their Hand & Power Tools is …
… always remember to be safe and keep you tools well-maintained. Ingersoll Rand Annandale, New Jersey Eric Suro Director of Product Management & Marketing Our hottest product for the Hand & Power Tools market is …
… the W5132, cordless 3/8-inch impact wrench. It delivers up to 50-percent more torque compared to the leading cordless 3/8-inch impact wrench. Its best features include …
… 365 foot-pounds of maximum reverse torque and a weight of only 5.1 pounds, giving it the best power-to-weight ratio of any cordless impact tool on the market. The tool is available with a 3/8- or 1/2-inch square drive and four power and control settings. Each setting operates at maximum reverse torque, so technicians don’t need to switch settings to remove a stubborn fastener. The four power modes for forward control include Full Power, Mid Power, Wrench Tight and Hand Tight.
… they meet the demanding standards expected by our customers.
Quality Hand & Power Tools are an important investment for professional installers and mechanics because …
Modern technology has affected the professional Hand & Power Tools market by …
… time is money on the job, and the last thing that a technician can afford is a tool that doesn’t perform the job, or one that is constantly in for service. At Ingersoll Rand, we are not in the business of creating tools that could have been better. Every detail or feature that we put into our tools has the benefit of the mechanic in mind.
Modern technology has affected the professional Hand Tools market by …
Modern technology has affected the professional Hand & Power Tools market by …
… in our case, modern technology has affected tool storage solutions in a positive way, allowing us to engineer our carts, cabinets and drawer systems on a parametric design, allowing full customization when configuring your new tool box or cabinet.
… allowing the technician to get more done with one tool than they ever have been able to before. It has allowed us to not just put more power in smaller packages, but we now have given the user the ability to control that power with more intelligent
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Performance is the key when it comes to professional tools. (Photo courtesy Ingersoll Rand)
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settings that allow them to get the job done more efficiently. Modern technology allows any company to potentially achieve this, but the real secret is putting this technology in features that are intuitive, not complicated and of benefit to the user. The W5132 impact tool is a perfect example of using modern technology to meet a user need. A tip for professional installers and mechanics to protect and preserve their Hand & Power Tools is …
… to always read the manual when purchasing a power tool. Many technicians believe they know everything they need to do to maintain their tools, but as technology advances there are always new things that can be learned by reading the manuals. There are also friendly reminders that might often be forgotten, such as putting oil in your pneumatic tools or greasing your mechanisms on impact wrenches. Battery technology on cordless tools is rapidly advancing as well, so keeping up to date on the best charging methods is always a good reminder to maintain your tools.
confined areas. Available in metric and SAE sizes, end users can choose from three styles, including XL Combination Wrenches, XL Flex-Head Combination Wrenches and XL Flex-Head GearBox Wrenches. The 120XP Universal Spline XL Ratcheting Wrenches have double-stacked pawls to produce the 120 positions and the 3-degree swing arc. The beam on these wrenches is up to 25-percent longer than our standard ratcheting wrenches for more reach. The open end is narrower and both
OPENING AND CLOSING COULDN’T BE EASIER (OR FASTER)
ends have reduced outside dimensions for improved access. Quality Hand Tools are an important investment for professional installers & mechanics because …
… they fit fasteners better, allowing techs to work more efficiently. They have advanced features that allow better access, so techs can get jobs done faster. They are also stronger than low-quality tools, meeting or exceeding ASME performance requirements, so they will last longer.
Rotating Jaw Tips
Part No. 85 51 250 C
Quality hand tools allow techs to work more efficiently. (Photo courtesy GearWrench)
GearWrench
Opening and closing Click Clamps does not require special skill; it
SHOP TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Sparks, Maryland Bill Bliss Manager, Marketing Communications
KNIPEX – Tools Designed With Your Hand in Mind
requires a special tool. KNIPEX has again designed a specialized pliers to perform this specific function—quickly and effectively. And these
Our hottest product for the Hand Tools market is …
… our line of GearWrench 120XP Universal Spline XL Ratcheting Wrenches. Its best features include …
… these extra-long ratcheting wrenches feature 120 positions for every full rotation and a swing arc of 3 degrees. This allows users to turn hard-to-reach fasteners in
pliers will not harm the clamps they’re compressing, allowing them to be reused over and over again. See a video of this tool: http://bit.ly/ClickClampPliers
©2016 KNIPEX
KNIPEX Quality – Made in Germany
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Finally, manufacturers of high-quality tools stand behind their products, usually offering lifetime warranty protection to the user. Modern technology has affected the professional Hand Tools market by …
… allowing users the opportunity to buy tools online. Most experienced professional techs, however, see the value of working with a knowledgeable mobile dealer who can recommend the best and most efficient tools for the specific jobs they do. Working with a mobile dealer also simplifies warranty claims, since most will exchange tools on the spot, greatly reducing downtime compared to sending tools in to online suppliers and waiting for delivery of replacements. A tip for professional installers & mechanics to protect & preserve their Hand Tools is …
… keep them clean. Wiping tools down after each use is a quick and easy way to prevent contaminants from getting into precision mechanisms and keeps surfaces clean and easy to grip. Getting into the habit of cleaning tools not only extends tool life, but gives techs greater control and makes it easier to use tools more safely. A quality tool will help the tradesman get their customer on the road quickly and safely and at the same time help the mechanic beat the clock. (Photo courtesy Nes)
Nes Maale Adumim, Israel (Nes is distributed in the U.S. by Anglo American Tools, Somerdale, New Jersey) Alan W. Sipe North American Sales Manager
Our hottest product for the Hand Tools market is …
… the Nes 1A thread repair tool. Its best features include …
… this one heavy-duty tool will quickly and easily repair any damaged threads on any size bolt from 5/32 to 3/4 inches (4mm19mm), so it is a very quick fix. It automatically adjusts to any thread count and pitch, so the user does not need to have any specific size threading die set. It also works on right- or left-hand threads, so the mechanic does not need to buy right- and left-hand threading dies. The tool body has a lifetime warranty. Quality Hand Tools are an important investment for professional installers & mechanics because …
SHOP TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
… a poor-quality tool is likely to fail at the most inopportune time. A quality tool will help the tradesman get their customer on the road quickly and safely and at the same time help the mechanic beat the clock. Modern technology has affected the professional Hand Tools market by …
… Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) allows quality manufacturers to be more precise in everything they make. Parts fit better and last longer. A 10mm socket or wrench is really 10mm. Shear angles in metal can be rounded precisely to protect the tool and the user. A tip for professional installers & mechanics to protect & preserve their Hand Tools is …
… try not to lay your tools on the garage floor. That is where they will pick up moisture, and water is the enemy. 78
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ADVERTISERINDEX ADVERTISER
PAGE #
ADVERTISER
PAGE #
HOT ROD PRODUCTS
PAGE #
Aries.................................................................... 73
Super Bright LEDs Inc.......................................... 61
Aldan American.................................................... 40
ATECH Motorsports.............................................. BC
Thermo-Tec.......................................................... 21
Auto Metal Direct (AMD)...................................... 40
Baja Designs....................................................... 7
TrailFX.................................................................. 55
Blower Drive Service............................................ 42
Boom Mat............................................................ 39
Turn 14 Distribution............................................. IBC
Bob’s Original Fender Covers................................ 40
Cequent Group.................................................... 57
Westin Automotive Products Inc............................ 69
Classic Industries................................................. 41
Chevrolet Performance......................................... 15
Wrapscon............................................................ 43
CON2R................................................................ 41 Drake Muscle Cars............................................... 40
CTECH.................................................................. 13 CURT Manufacturing............................................. 53
TRUCK BED PRODUCTS
PAGE #
Eddie Motorsports................................................ 41
EGR Inc............................................................... 48B
AMP Research..................................................... 57
Ididit.................................................................... 40
Energy Suspension.............................................. 39
Aries Automotive.................................................. 56
McMillan Rod & Custom...................................... 42
HooVer Products.................................................. 78
BedRug Inc.......................................................... 57
Mothers Polish..................................................... 41
Hot Rodders of Tomorrow..................................... 16B
BEDSLIDE............................................................ 58
Real Deal Steel.................................................... 42
Hypertech Inc...................................................... 11
Cequent Performance Products............................ 56
Steve’s Auto Restorations..................................... 42
Ididit Inc.............................................................. 19
CURT Mfg............................................................. 59
Tanks Inc.............................................................. 41
Keystone Automotive Operations Inc..................... 51
Dee Zee............................................................... 59
Trans Dapt Performance Products......................... 42
Knipex Tools LP.................................................... 77
DualLiner............................................................. 58
Tuff Stuff Performance Accessories....................... 40
Liqui-Moly............................................................ 25
Go Industries....................................................... 58
Watson’s StreetWorks........................................... 41
McLeod Racing LLC.............................................. 9
Go Rhino............................................................. 57
XPEL.................................................................... 42
Meyer Distributing................................................ 5
Leer..................................................................... 56
Motor State Distributing....................................... 3
LUND International............................................... 56
Motor State Distributing....................................... 30
Metcam............................................................... 58
3M....................................................................... 74
Motovicity Distribution.......................................... IFC
Pace Edwards...................................................... 58
Baja Designs....................................................... 74
Nickels Performance............................................ 1
ProMaxx Automotive Accessories.......................... 56
Bushwacker......................................................... 74
Performance Warehouse Association.................... 59
TrailFX.................................................................. 56
Rolling Big Power................................................. 74
PROFORM............................................................ 29
Transfer Flow........................................................ 59
Transfer Flow........................................................ 74
Rebuilders Choice................................................ 31
TruckVault............................................................ 58
Westin Automotive................................................ 74
RESTYLING PRODUCTS
PAGE #
Road Armor.......................................................... 66-67 Rolling Big Power................................................. 61
The Advertiser Index is intended solely as a convenience for our readers and is not a written or implied part of any advertising commitment. As such, THE SHOP assumes no liabilities for unintentional errors or omissions.
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‘King of Cool’ Gets His Own Graphic Novel
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I
f you’ve ever wondered when someone says “I liked the movie, but the book was better,” if the opposite could be true, then a new racing novel based on a four-decades-old film is your chance to find out. Steve McQueen in Le Mans is a graphic novel created from a simple premise: a retelling of McQueen’s1971 film Le Mans, which overcame initial box office struggles to win true cult status as one of the most enduring racing movies of all time. The realization of the novel was driven by Sandro Garbo and the team at Garbo Studio. The graphic novel pays homage to the movie, the Le Mans race, the cars and, of course, McQueen, the ultimate King of Cool. “We’re really trying to push the quality of this graphic novel, as well as the endearing motivation behind it,” Garbo said. “It’s a volume that will delight any fan of classic automobiles, racing or the work of McQueen. My team has invested hundreds of hours into crafting the perfect volume,
and we’re currently working with partners (including CBS Consumer Products and the McQueen family) to promote it to readers and groups around the world. McQueen knew no boundaries, and neither do we.” Le Mans had minimal scripted plotlines, used real footage of the 1970 race, and helped push McQueen to stardom. The book initially launched in December with a hardcover edition. EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared on THE SHOP’s website and in our daily eNewsletter. Learn more at theshopmag.com.
Synopsis of ‘Steve McQueen in Le Mans’
Steve McQueen famously said “I’m not sure whether I’m an actor who races; or a racer who acts.” In 1970, he decided to share his passion and produce the best movie about car racing ever made. He couldn’t imagine a better place than Le Mans, one of the oldest and most prestigious endurance races in the world, to make his dream come true. The filming was difficult, but Steve never gave up. And neither did another car enthusiast 45 years later … Sandro Garbo and his team created a piece of art to share their love for classic cars, the movie “Le Mans” and the King of Cool. But not just any graphic novel—this book would be a tribute to Steve McQueen and a legacy for all lovers of car racing and fans of the legendary Porsche 917, Ferrari 512 and, of course, many other beauties. And after three years of hard work, here it is …
The graphic novel pays homage to the movie, the Le Mans race, the cars and, of course, the “King of Cool.”
Sandro Garbo created a work of art with the new graphic novel, ‘Steve McQueen in Le Mans.’
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VALUE FIT LED DRIVING LIGHTS
Here at Turn 14 Distribution, we have the performance parts your customers need, stocked floor to ceiling in our massive Pennsylvania and Nevada warehouses. With flat-rate shipping, the best B2B experience in the industry, and a return policy designed to make doing business with us simple and seamless, we’re ready and able to provide the parts and service you need. Turn 14 Distribution – Performance Delivered. Period.
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