Cap-it Lays Out U.S. Growth Strategy

Cap-it recently opened its first U.S. truck accessories and installation shop in the U.S. after operating in Canada for decades. Sean McGrath, executive vice president of Cap-it, joins THE SHOP staffer Anthony Bowe to discuss where the franchising shop business plans to go from here. Read about Cap-it’s first U.S. store in Texas. This video is… Continue reading Cap-it Lays Out U.S. Growth Strategy

Holy Hellephant!

The Mopar brand stampeded into SEMA Show with a new HEMI-engine-powered beast called the Hellephant. The 426 Supercharged Mopar Crate HEMI engine turns the crank at a mammoth 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb.-ft. of torque. The company also revealed its 1968 Dodge Super Charger concept, which featured the Hellephant crate HEMI engine assembly and kit.… Continue reading Holy Hellephant!

Auto Shop Instructor Describes Struggle & Reward of Leading Young Builders

Jay Abitz helped guide a student-built project vehicle to the SEMA Show for the second consecutive year. The Wisconsin high school teacher and auto club instructor talks about how he prepares students for a career in the automotive field. BONUS READING: Not Your Average Rust Bucket This video is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services-learn more… Continue reading Auto Shop Instructor Describes Struggle & Reward of Leading Young Builders

SEMA: Metal Tariffs Becoming Tax on U.S. Businesses and Consumers

Stuart Gosswein, SEMA’s senior director of federal government affairs, joins Anthony Bowe for a conversation on how the U.S. government’s tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum are affecting the market. This video is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services-learn more at seiainsurance.com.

Project Vehicle Sandwich Outside the SEMA Show

*See a few vehicles by Pfaff Designs shown at SEMA Murray Pfaff of Detroit’s Pfaff Designs joined THE SHOP’s Anthony Bowe for an interview on Day 3 of the 2018 SEMA Show-”watch it above. Pfaff, who collaborates with builders and shops that build one-off masterpieces, shared his thoughts on SEMA showstoppers this year, the inspiration… Continue reading Project Vehicle Sandwich Outside the SEMA Show

Noah Alexander Reviews His SEMA Projects

Classic Car Studio’s Noah Alexander-star of Velocity’s “Speed is the New Black” joins THE SHOP staffer Anthony Bowe for a conversation in the MagnaFlow booth during the first day of 2018 SEMA Show. This video is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services-learn more at seiainsurance.com.

Devon Davidson Talks About His Montana Shop

MARS of Billings moved into a new and much larger facility earlier this year. Shop owner Devon Davidson chats about the big move and more. This video is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services-learn more at seiainsurance.com.

Car Celebrity Backdrops Interview with Historic Vehicle Association

Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) was created to identify and publicize the best classic vehicles in American history-Mark Gessler joins Anthony Bowe to discuss why the association’s mission matters. This video is sponsored by Alliant Insurance Services-learn more at seiainsurance.com.

A Candid Chat with Mike & Jim Ring

Spring Green, Wisconsin-based Ringbrothers is celebrating its 15th SEMA Show this year—Mike & Jim Ring joined us for a convesation from the show floor…

Premier West Coast Event Overflows with Rare Pony Cars

One of the oldest and most respected Mustang Car Clubs in America is the Mustang Club of San Diego…

Father-Son Duo Bring Unique Styles to Vegas

Brandon Wargo, 19, practically grew up in his dad’s shop, The Custom Shop, based in Flanagan, Illinois. Though the shop pre-dates Brandon by 11 years, opening in 1988, it wasn’t necessarily a given he’d inherit the same passion for custom cars as his father, John Wargo. But if Brandon’s SEMA Show plans are any indication,… Continue reading Father-Son Duo Bring Unique Styles to Vegas

Consumer Research Guides Road Armor’s Jeep JL Accessories to Market

Road Armor reached out to distributors, dealers and customers to get a better idea of their wants and needs before developing the Jeep JL Stealth Series. To share a behind-the-scenes look at that process, Road Armor interviewed its techs in the engineering department to showcase how the new Jeep products came together. Question: What is the… Continue reading Consumer Research Guides Road Armor’s Jeep JL Accessories to Market

Icon 4×4 Smashes Tesla Powertrain Together with ’49 Mercury Coupe

Jonathan Ward and the engineers at Icon 4×4 are set to bring a Tesla-Mercury mash-up to SEMA this year. Ward and team have spent the last two years retrofitting a Tesla powertrain into a “James Dean” 1949 Mercury coupe. Features include: Vintage body CAD-scanned, custom Art Morrison chassis with independent suspension Original 1949 paint retained… Continue reading Icon 4×4 Smashes Tesla Powertrain Together with ’49 Mercury Coupe

Turbinator II Makes Blistering 503-mph Run at Bonneville

Team Vesco and the Turbinator II are the first to be inducted into the coveted 500-mph club, thanks to an incredible run at the Bonneville Salt Flats earlier this month. With a top speed of 503.334 mph, the Turbinator II is now the world’s fastest wheel-driven vehicle. Unfortunately, Team Vesco’s history-making run wasn’t enough to… Continue reading Turbinator II Makes Blistering 503-mph Run at Bonneville

Coyote Swap was a Worthy Risk for Shop Looking to Make a Splash

Not many builders decide to blaze new trails in advance of a high- profile stage like the Oct. 30-Nov. 2 SEMA Show, but that’s exactly what Craig Piggott of River City Rods & Fabrication has done with his landmark GTB100 build, dubbed El Chapo. The show’s high visibility-and the innovative tactics Piggott and company have embraced to complete… Continue reading Coyote Swap was a Worthy Risk for Shop Looking to Make a Splash