Category: Features

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

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

CURT Booth to Showcase Several Charity Builds in Vegas

CURT Group has been working with ARIES Pro Builders in order to showcase several vehicle builds benefitting charity at the Oct. 30-Nov. 2 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The company will host two custom truck builds and one Jeep JL build to benefit three different charities: the Warrior Dog Foundation, NS2 Serves and Rebuilding Generations.… Continue reading CURT Booth to Showcase Several Charity Builds in Vegas

‘One-of-a-Kind’ Honda Concept Rolling to Vegas

Honda returns to the SEMA Show with a full display of cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles. Taking center stage at the Honda booth (No. 24887) in the Las Vegas Convention Center on Oct. 30 will be the unveiling of a unique concept-one that combines Honda’s light truck and powersports products in a way that only… Continue reading ‘One-of-a-Kind’ Honda Concept Rolling to Vegas

Live Your Passion: The Career is There

Lowrider Magazine Editor & Chief Joe Ray learned the value of working with your hands from his father, and thanks to that he lives his passion today. Watch to learn more about new collar careers in demand, and how you can live your passion with some of the best technical jobs available today.

How Leah Pritchett Became a Professional Racer

Professional drag racer Leah Pritchett shares her journey and her love of working on cars, knowing what makes them go, and being part of a race team. Her respect for the hands on learners who keep her safe at speeds in excess of 300 mph is unmistakable. Leah reimagines what an auto technician does, proving… Continue reading How Leah Pritchett Became a Professional Racer

If You Like Tech and You Like Cars, Now is Your Time

Custom shop owner Tommy Pike started his career in the automotive industry more than twenty years ago. He has seen the changes in technology and knows how valuable auto technician training can be. Not only is transportation technician one of the most in-demand jobs today, it’s also one of the best technical careers out there.… Continue reading If You Like Tech and You Like Cars, Now is Your Time

Chevy to Showcase New Crate Engines in Vintage Concept Vehicles

Chevrolet Performance’s newest crate engines are set to go on display in a trio of vintage vehicles at the Oct. 30-Nov. 2 SEMA Show. The lineup includes: 1973 Chevelle Laguna with the all-new LT5 6.2-liter supercharged crate engine 1967 C/10 with the all-new ZZ6 EFI 5.7-liter V-8 crate engine 1978 Silverado with the L96 6-liter… Continue reading Chevy to Showcase New Crate Engines in Vintage Concept Vehicles

F1 Car Tops the Rocky Mountains, Kicks Sand on Miami Beach

Summer break for Formula 1 may have ended, but the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing adventure across America continues with a video documenting part two of its Road Trip USA. This cross-country road trip carried on through Independence Pass and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this time with Max Verstappen behind the wheel. As discussions around a second… Continue reading F1 Car Tops the Rocky Mountains, Kicks Sand on Miami Beach