Category: Features

The latest feature articles about the automotive aftermarket from THE SHOP.

Top Restylers Perfetti and Poulson Take Reins of PRO Council

Dino Perfetti and Josh Poulson are now the chair and chair elect, respectively, of SEMA’s Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Council, effective July 1. Perfetti is the sales manager of Automotive Concepts in Minneapolis, and Poulson owns Auto Additions in Columbus, Ohio. Perfetti and Automotive Concepts’ owner John Prosser were recognized as the PRO Council Restyler… Continue reading Top Restylers Perfetti and Poulson Take Reins of PRO Council

Extraordinary Life & Times of Lee Iacocca

Famed automotive mogul Lee Iacocca passed away July 2 in his Bel Air, California home at the age of 94. The news was met with an outpouring of reaction and memories shared by automotive figures, friends and former colleagues. “Lee Iacocca was truly bigger than life and he left an indelible mark on Ford, the… Continue reading Extraordinary Life & Times of Lee Iacocca

T-REX Grilles: From Concept to Creation

T-REX Grilles, headquartered in Corona California, has released the above video showcasing the manufacturing process of the company’s Laser Torch Series Grille. The video demonstrates the process through the initial computer aided design, material preparation, precision laser cut construction, hand-crafted forming, TIG welding, assembly, and quality control.

Charger SRT Hellcat Gets Wider & Faster

The new 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody has a need for speed. The new-look SRT Hellcat, delivering a top speed of 196 mph, is powered by the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine with 707 horsepower, 650 lb.-ft. of torque, and mated to the standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. The new and aggressive widebody… Continue reading Charger SRT Hellcat Gets Wider & Faster

Ford Hungry for Slice of Custom Off-Road Pie

The 2020 F-Series Super Duty will feature an option for the new Tremor Off-Road Package. Tremor pushes the boundaries of Super Duty off-road capability with new hardware and tech to handle rough terrain, according to Ford. “A growing number of Super Duty customers use their trucks for more than work. They’re fishing, camping and towing… Continue reading Ford Hungry for Slice of Custom Off-Road Pie

How Petty’s Garage Builds a 1,100-Horsepower Masterpiece

MAHLE Aftermarket North America has launched a video series to document the custom build of an 1,100-HP Dodge Challenger at Petty’s Garage. The Challenger is the grand prize in the 2019 MAHLE Drive with the Original technician promotion, which will award one technician at the Nove. 5-7 AAPEX show in Las Vegas. The video series will… Continue reading How Petty’s Garage Builds a 1,100-Horsepower Masterpiece

SEMA: All Aftermarket Products Threatened by Next Wave of Tariffs

SEMA CEO and President Chris Kersting this week authored a letter on behalf of the association that stated opposition to additional tariffs proposed for Chinese imports. The letter was issued on June 17 to Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. trade representative. “Most of our industry’s auto parts are already subject to 25 percent tariffs,” Kersting said… Continue reading SEMA: All Aftermarket Products Threatened by Next Wave of Tariffs

Porsche Launches Custom Wraps Service

Porsche is launching a new service that in the future will allow its consumers to individually design a new-look wrap for their car. Porsche Digital’s Second Skin configurator will feature classic designs stemming from motorsports, and will accommodate custom designs as well. Genuine and previously unavailable Porsche colors will also be available for selection. For… Continue reading Porsche Launches Custom Wraps Service

VIDEO: Isotta Fraschini is a Rare Breed

The 1913 Isotta Fraschini Tipo IM—headed to auction by Gooding & Co. this August—is incredibly advanced for its time with its overhead cam four valve per cylinder engine, and most importantly, as the first car ever to be equipped with four-wheel brakes…