Featured Hot Rods and Other Roadkillers

Hot rods, typically old, classic American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. Yep!

1949 Chevy 3100 Truck Full Build ~ Straight Six and Patina Paint

February 24, 2021 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples

This retro Chevy 3100 is not only going to end up with a great new look, but its power plant will also be Chevy’s vintage straight six. [More…] Also of Interest: 1947-54 Chevrolet 3100 Widebody [More...]

Full Griswold DD Speed Shop '56 Chevy Family Truckster

Going Full Griswold with the DD Speed Shop ’56 Chevy Family Truckster

February 22, 2021 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples

Dan’s vision since he brought the wagon home — A ratty tri-5 wagon with a giant big block and hosed down with all the old man goodies… [More…] Also of Interest: The Wagon Queen Family [More...]

The origin of the term “hot rod” is unclear. For example, some claim that the term “hot” refers to the vehicle being stolen. Other origin stories include replacing the engine’s camshaft or “rod” with a higher performance version. Regardless, these are some of our favorites…

Barry Weiss’ Cowboy Cadillac

November 29, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Barry Weiss made a fortune selling wholesale produce and feeds his unique car collection, including this ’47 Cadillac, with the proceeds. [More…]

Charles Darmanjian’s 1947 Plymouth Rat Rod

Charles Darmanjian’s 1947 Plymouth ~ Flat Black Rat

November 7, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Charles is a one-man-show in a small three bay shop in North Troy, New York. He primarily designs and fabricates parts for cars that are far from rat rods, his project car is a 1947 Plymouth. While his business caters to newer cars, Charles admits that it’s the classics he really enjoys working on. [More…]

Doodlebugs, Scrambolas, Jitterbugs, Field Crawlers and Other Farm Rigs

September 9, 2007 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Doodlebug is the colloquial name for a home-made tractor made during World War II when production tractors were in short supply. [More…]

Lil’ Rat ~ Rat Rod Lawnmower Built for $40 Bucks

September 21, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Michael Snow from Horneytown, North Carolina saw our Farmer’s Chopper post and shared his old school rat rod lawnmower with us. [More…]

Aaron Anderson’s True Home Grown Rat Rod

October 12, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This truck was self-built with some help from neighbors, friends, and family. All the parts — every piece, came from Wabash County, Indiana. [More…]

The NewMad ~ 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Custom

October 10, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

It took 24,000 hours and 1.3 million dollars to transform a ’55 Chevy Nomad into the award-winning Chevy “NewMad”. [More…]

DELIVERANCE ~ 1947 Ford Pro-Street Rat Rod Pickup

June 15, 2013 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This is no ordinary Rat Rod. It was designed and built by an experienced Winston Cup race car builder with race-quality parts front-to-rear. [More…]

The Roadkill Customs 1949 Studebaker Shop Truck

February 14, 2018 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Low Budget Builds, Rides & Roadkillers

The Roadkill Shop Truck Project: Take a ’77 Camaro and S-10 frame rails and build a new soul for the ’49 Studebaker in 30 days for $1,000. [More…]

Big Bertha by South Texas Performance

November 16, 2017 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

South Texas Performance Turbo Diesel Rat Rod Truck built for The Rat Hard Build-Off ~ Builders get 30 days and $3,000 to build a Rat Rod. [More…]

n2a Motors is a California based custom auto manufacturer with a mission of reviving the art of American coach building. Melding design elements from different Chevy models, the 789 shows the world that you really can't have enough of a good thing. Although the 789 looks instantly iconic, it is actually the best of three classics mounted atop a Le Mans-winning Corvette C6 chassis. Aptly named for the three years represented in the overall design, the 789 has the “hooded eyes” and chrome grille of a '57, a mid-section that's reminiscent of a '58 Impala and the "bird in flight" rear tailfins of a '59. These three vehicles are all instantly recognizable classics celebrated by people around the world. Owning and operating a classic car often proves difficult. Rarity of parts, expertise needed for installation, and potentially high upkeep or restoration costs are some of the problems with which collectors must deal. All of the money in the world spent to modify or modernize a vintage car will not change the reliability or performance problems associated with it. The 789 offers the best of both worlds: retro looks and styling, and it will fire up every time you turn the key. The body is constructed of lightweight composite panels. n2a Motors has developed a process of using 80% carbon composite with 20% fiberglass. This process gives a light-weight rigid part as if it was 100% carbon composite with the minimal properties of fiberglass that allows for show quality paint and finish. Customers can either provide n2a Motors with a donor C5 series (1997 -2004) or C6 series (2005-current) Corvette, which currently retails for approximately $65,000 (though used models can be had for less), or n2a Motors can locate one for you. After stripping the Corvette of its stock body, n2a Motors hand-grafts the retro body panels over the stock frame, suspension, and massive 440-horsepower, 6.0-liter aluminum-block V8 engine. A full range of upgrades are available, including up to 800 hp power trains, custom suspension, audio/video/navigation systems, interior customization, and more. n2a Motors will build each 789 to meet each customer's specifications. However, please note that no previously built combination of paint scheme and interior treatment will be duplicated.

The 789 from n2a Motors

August 26, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Melding design elements from different Chevy models, the 789 shows the world that you really can’t have enough of a good thing. [More…]

Patrick and Ethel’s 1946 Chevrolet Pickup

November 6, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This1946 Chevy was acquired in 2013 and has been worked over from the ground up. Patrick dropped and chopped the truck and so much more. [More…]

Snow White ~ Scratch Built 1957 Chevy Truck RestoMod

Scratch Built 1957 Chevy Truck RestoMod ~ Snow White

February 21, 2021 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Looking to promote their new 1955-59 Chevy truck cabs, Premier Street Rod built a truck that would catch attention at all the biggest events. [More…]

1934 Plymouth Hidden in Basement for 30 Years

1934 Plymouth Hot Rod Hidden for 30 Years

October 11, 2018 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

This 1934 Plymouth hot rod, built by Charles Berry in 1965, has been rescued and put back on the road after more than 30 years. [More…]

The Ultimate Race Camper ~ Big Block and Fridge Included!

December 4, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

While we have no idea what this beautiful Chevrolet C30 Pickup/Camper combo is capable of, but that doesn’t discredit the cool factor. [More…]

1967 Ford “Black Ops” Fairlane Built by Steve Strope

January 7, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

The Hoonigans get a visit from car designer Steve Strope and his ’67 Ford “Black Ops” Fairlane, and they get him to do a few burnouts. [More…]

Honda S2000 Engine Swapped Ford Model A

February 24, 2019 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers, Roadkill Imports

Inside Ricky Boada’s Ford Model A with a Honda S2000 engine swap. Ricky shows you around, drives around, and goes over future turbo plans. [More…]

Defiant! ~ 1,100HP 1972 AMC Javelin AMX Custom Muscle Car

May 11, 2019 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers, Roadkill Muscle

“Defiant!” is the wildest ride crafted yet thanks to its extreme appearance, cutting-edge construction techniques and four-digit hp output… [More…]

John Wick Movie Cars ~ 1970 Chevelle SS + Two Mustangs

September 13, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers, Roadkill Muscle

A visit with Matt Hogan, a gentleman fortunate enough to own not one, not two, but three muscle cars used in the John Wick movies. [More…]

Wild Rides from Photographer John Schultz

Built For Speed ~ A Photo Gallery by John Schultz

December 1, 2019 Mad Scientist Garage Rides & Roadkillers

Every hot rodder knows that going fast IS looking good. Here’s a gallery of cars from John Schultz that were Built For Speed. [More…]

Halfass Kustoms 1931 Model A Roadster Hot Rod

July 13, 2020 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Its roadster weather in Halfass Kustoms’ neck of the woods — High time to get the 1931 Model A Roadster Hot Rod out on the road. [More…]

1949 Packard Rescue Pig 4x4 Dually Welding Rig

1949 Packard 4×4 Dually Welding Rig ~ ‘Rescue Pig’

December 28, 2020 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

As it’s known, Rescue Pig started out as a 1949 Packard passenger car body that was dropped on top of a ’96 Dodge RAM truck chassis. [More…]

Wheels of History ~ 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car

March 15, 2008 Roadkill Customs Concept Cars & Design, Rides & Roadkillers

Designed by Virgil Exner Sr., the 1960 Plymouth XNR concept car was built on a modified Valiant chassis to rival Corvettes of the late 50s. [More…]

1,200 HP 1965 Chevy C10 Restomod Build

October 12, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This 1,200 HP 1965 Chevy C10 restomod was skillfully built by the Roadster Shop in Mundelein, Illinois for the 2017 SEMA Show. [More…]

Don Wickstrum’s 1946 Dodge Turbo Diesel Truck

October 29, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Don Wickstrum gives us the run down and a ride-along in “Joe”, his ’46 Dodge Cummins turbo diesel-powered Rat Rod Truck. [More…]

Patina ~ A Bagged 1956 Chevrolet Step Side Truck

December 15, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

3 1/2 Minute Movie Short via Loud & Rowdy ~ Jacques Mouton’s bagged 1956 Chevy Step-Side is an absolute killer ride. [More…]

Is this ’32 Ford the World’s Most Advanced Hot Rod?

January 14, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

The Multimatic-designed ’32 Ford hot rod with in-wheel front suspension, Ford Racing motor, and, well, a pile of other goodies. [More…]

BAGGED ~ 1969 Chevrolet Impala RestoMod

March 29, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Casey J. Porter from Combustion Chamber meets with Jay Ruiz and goes over his stunning 1969 Chevy Impala restomod. [More…]

1966 International Scout Pickup ~ Junkyard Rescue Home-Built Hot Rod

July 26, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This rare ’66 IH Scout was rescued from a junkyard 49 years ago and was restored at home over the course of nearly two generations. [More…]

66 Smoke ~ Cummins Powered 1966 Ford F-100

October 21, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This roadkillin’ muscle truck is an amalgamation of factory original parts, aftermarket goods, and Frankenstein modifications. [More…]

This Dukes of Hazzard Tribute Car is Just What We Need Right Now

March 18, 2020 Mad Scientist Garage Rides & Roadkillers

This hand-built Plymouth Duster is an unholy marriage of Mopar, GM, and Nissan components carefully grafted into an image of a race car. [More…]

1967 Chevy C10 Built for 21 Year Old Cancer Survivor by Make-A-Wish

December 10, 2020 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Cody is a 21-year-old kid who’s survived cancer three times and the Make-A-Wish Foundation helped him build his dream ’67 Chevrolet C10! [More…]

1939 Plymouth Air Radial Truck

March 20, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Colorado Auto & Parts is home to the famous “Plymouth Air Radial Truck” — A 1939 Plymouth PT-81 truck with a seven-cylinder, air-cooled, radial engine from a 1954 Cessna 195 Airplane. [More…]

1932 Ford Pick-up Truck and Trailer

October 3, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This Original Steel 1932 Ford pick-up cab is channeled 6″ (but not chopped) and has been mated with a repro bed with a locking tonneau cover. [More…]

"Red Morning" with Frankenstein Ford, a 1968 Ford F100

“Red Morning” with Frankenstein Ford, a 1968 F100

November 24, 2018 Roadkill Customs Hot Rod Lifestyle, Rides & Roadkillers

See what it’s like to go on a morning errand with KC Mathieu in his 1968 Ford F100, aka Frankenstein Ford. [More…]

1967 Ford F100 Cobra by the Roadster Shop

October 30, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This gorgeous pro-touring truck features an original patina, is powered by an Edelbrock-carbureted 289ci Cobra V8 mated to a T5 transmission. [More…]

Rides & Roadkillers

550HP LS7 Powered 1958 Rolls Royce ~ ICON Derelict

February 5, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Jonathan Ward showa us a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud with the Icon Derelict RestoMod treatment. [More…]

The Cherry Bomb ’68 Camaro

April 15, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers, Roadkill Muscle

Cherry Bomb’s 1968 Chevy Camaro ~ 800 hp from is LSX 427 engine and in true Cherry Bomb style, it disturbs the peace everywhere it goes. [More…]

707HP Hellcat Powered Dodge Coronet Cop Car

Supercharged Cop Car ~ 1968 Dodge Coronet Hellcat Swap

August 21, 2019 Mad Scientist Garage Rides & Roadkillers

Build breakdown with builder Paul Terlosky of House of Mouse Racing and his crazy, one of a kind Hellcat-powered 1968 Dodge Coronet cop car. [More…]

2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Winner ~ Photo: Hemmings

Mattel Crowns 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Winner

November 10, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Mattel unveiled the winner of the second annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Nash Metropolitan custom car, built by best friends Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford. [More…]

World’s Fastest Indian ~ Hear Burt Munro’s Indian Run!

April 29, 2020 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This is one of the most famous motorcycles in the world, the 1967 land speed record-breaking Indian “Burt Monro Special”… [More…]

Golden Sahara ~ The George Barris Built $1 Million Show Car

October 29, 2020 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Hidden from public view for over 50 years, the Golden Sahara was one of America’s most famous cars back in the early 60s. [More…]

The Harolds Club 1949 Silver Dollar Buick Wagon

June 21, 2013 Roadkill Customs Days Gone By, Hot Rod Lifestyle, Rides & Roadkillers

For its 1949 expansion, The Reno Harold’s Club introduced its 1949 “Silver Dollar” Buick Super Eight Woody Wagon. [More…]

Turbo Toyota 2JZ 1931 Ford Model A Rat Rod

Turbo Toyota 2JZ Powered 1931 Ford Model A

March 5, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Brandon DeJesus rolls a ’31 Ford Model A rat rod that’s powered by Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE power plant that’s so ready to make staggering horsepower. [More…]