Featured Hot Rods and Other Roadkillers ~ Roadkill Customs

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

Extreme Widebody 1967 Ford Mustang Meets C5 Corvette Build

February 16, 2019 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

Mustang Kyle’s ’67 Mustang underwent an extreme widebody modification and now tops a ’99 C5 Corvette with 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine. [More…]

Crudebaker ~ 1946 Studebaker M16 Detroit Diesel Rat Rod

February 11, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

David Colvin’s 1946 Studebaker M16 Detroit Diesel Rat Rod ~ Originally a 12′ Dump Flat Bed Septic Service Truck. [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 his fortune selling wholesale produce and has used those resources to feed his collecting obsessions including his love of rare and unique automobiles, trucks and motorcycles. Barry has been a collector for most of his life, so he knows when he comes across something that’s the cream of the crop. [More…]

Charles Darmanjian’s ’47 Plymouth

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…]

Rat Rod Lawn Mower

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 lawn mower with us. He tells us that he had an old riding lawn mower sitting around for parts, and one day he just went crazy on it. He lowered the front end, chopped the hood and grill, and more. [More…]

Aaron Anderson’s True Home Grown Rat Rod

October 12, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

The story of Aaron’s Rat Rod goes like this: In 2007 I worked at a dealership in the local town that had a 1936 Dodge dump truck sitting in a grass lot behind a building. I’d have to trim weeds around it when the dealership got slow. I’ve always bought rat rod magazines and always thought about building one, but… [More…]

DELIVERANCE ~ 1947 Ford Pro-Street Rat Rod Pickup

October 15, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This is no ordinary Rat Rod. It was designed and built by an experienced Winston Cup race car builder. The build was completed with race-quality parts front-to-rear for superior performance and reliability. “DELIVERANCE” was completed in March, 2012. [More…]

The NewMad – 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Custom

October 10, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

24,000 – That’s how many man-hours it took to build the “NewMad”. 24,000 hours and 1.3 million dollars. Hot rod designer Chris Ito was commissioned to pen the redesign. The NewMad began its life as the first generation Chevrolet Nomad, the halo model wagon derived from the Motorama Corvette of 1953-54. [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

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. [More…]

The Roadkill Customs 1949 Studebaker Shop Truck

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

Build a Hot Rod in 30 Days for $1,000? This truck has been built twice — with a tear-down and cross-country move in between. The first build section documents the build mating the ’49 Studebaker [More…]

Big Bertha by South Texas Performance

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

This Turbo Diesel Rat Rod Truck from South Texas Performance, based in Victoria, Texas was built as the shop faced some top rat rod builders in The Rat Hard Build-Off. The contest, sponsored by Rat Hard [More…]

Victor Jonsson’s V12 Diesel Powered 1960 Volvo PV544

November 21, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This beast is the brainchild of a one Victor Jonsson, a Swedish car builder. The car is a 1960 Volvo PV544 fitted with a 38.8-liter Transmash V12 diesel engine that was salvaged from a Brobandvagn [More…]

Rustarado - 1954 Chevrolet Rat Rod Truck

1954 Chevy 3100 Rat Rod ~ Craig Dolan’s Rustarado

February 28, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Rustarado — a 1954 Chevrolet Pick-up Truck — is a first-rate Rat Rod Truck crafted by one Craig Dolan. This truck is simply stunning and demonstrates some handcrafted features that are very well done such as the leather-work and hand-worked and hammered copper panels. [More…]

1933 Plymouth Hot Rod ~ Burnouts and Shredding Tires

October 21, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

I’ve been waiting for quite a while to shoot my friend TJ’s amazing ’33 Plymouth. This build is incredible. Fully hand built from the ground up by TJ Russell – Russell Built Fabrications. via AutotopiaLA… [More…]

Most Violent Diesel We’ve Ever Seen (3000lb/ft of Torque)

December 16, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

We absolutely love when we come across some intense diesel cars or trucks, and this one definitely falls into that category. [More…]

Diesel Rat Rod Gooseneck Hauler Pushes Over 100psi!

January 25, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

“Wild Torquey” 1931 Chevrolet Diesel Rat Rod ~ bagged, straight axle’d, Cummins diesel, nitrous, methanol and a hell of a lot more. [More…]

Rat Stab ~ Blake Tourville’s Volksrod

September 6, 2018 Roadkill Customs Hood Rides & Hoopties, Rides & Roadkillers, Volkswagen and Volksrods

Rat Stab was a winter project of Blake Tourville, welder / fabricator at Sparks Speed Shop in Bethalto, Illinois. The project was based on a junk 1966 Volkswagen Beetle that he’d had sitting around for years. The [More…]

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

“Red Morning” with Frankenstein Ford, a 1968 F100

November 24, 2018 Roadkill Customs 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…]

The $500,000 Coyote Truck ~ A 1955 Ford F100

December 29, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This 1955 Ford F100 underwent a three and a half year transformation that cost in the neighborhood of $500,000! [More…]

Crudebaker ~ 1946 Studebaker M16 Detroit Diesel Rat Rod

February 11, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

David Colvin’s 1946 Studebaker M16 Detroit Diesel Rat Rod ~ Originally a 12′ Dump Flat Bed Septic Service Truck. [More…]

Darrik Hooper’s 1943 Ford G8T Military Truck

September 20, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Darrik Hooper of Carthage, Texas started his project with only the cab that he bought, once he got it home, he took the time to look it over really well. He noticed all the nomenclature plates across the dash – the main plate included the serial number and date of delivery: 7-7-43. “1943?” he said to himself… [More…]

1936 Ford Humpback Rat Rod Roadster

February 20, 2018 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

Project: 1936 Ford Humpback Rat Rod Roadster This is what was delivered: Straight axle, wishbone, spring and a 1936 Ford Four Door Humpback that was at some point cut down to a two-door roadster. The first [More…]

BUG MD ~ Murilo Dutra’s Bagged ’64 Beetle

October 9, 2018 Roadkill Customs Hood Rides & Hoopties, Rides & Roadkillers

Murilo Dutra dubbed his bagged ’64 Fusca (Portuguese for Beetle) the “Hood Ride Devil”… The “Hood Ride Devil” ~ Murilo Dutra’s Bagged ’64 Beetle Filming and editing: GHOST Filmagens Aéreas Also of Interest: GSX-R1000 Powered VW [More…]

You Must Drive This Rat Rod

December 8, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

From /BIG MUSCLE /DRIVE ~ If you are offered a drive in a rat rod, take it. [More…]

BMW Powered 1928 Ford Model A

January 9, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Mike Crawat Photography artfully captured the essence and cool of this BMW Powered 1928 Ford Model A. [More…]

MADHAMR – Rat Rod Spotted at the 2017 LA Auto Show

December 2, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Joe says about his Rat Rod, MADHAMR that, “it’s a labor of love, it’s what the inside of my brain looks like… I tried to make it for the craftsman who appreciate a lot of [More…]

GSX-R1000 Powered VW Bug Hot Rod

December 14, 2017 Roadkill Customs Hood Rides & Hoopties, Rides & Roadkillers, Volkswagen and Volksrods

Check out this insane 1967 Volkswagen Beetle turned radical GSX-R1000 powered Volksrod from the clearly creative mind Steve Hudlow and his crew at Hudlow Axle in Rossville, Georgia. This Thing Rips ~ It is powered by a liquid-cooled [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 built as a tribute to his uncle… [More…]

Rustic Nail & Co.’s 1948 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton Pilot House Shop Truck

December 16, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Kyle Cochran from Rustic Nail & Co. gives us a tour of his custom 1948 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton Pilot House shop truck. [More…]

1966 Ford Mustero ~ True Story of the Mustang Pickup

1966 Ford Mustero ~ The True Story of the Mustang Pickup

January 26, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

There’s no more unique Ford Mustang than the 1966 Mustero — It was a Mustang pickup and here’s the true story of how it came to be. [More…]

The Dreise Steampunk Hot Rod

October 17, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

The Dreise Steampunk Hot Rod was recently finished after a year long build, this is a 1935 Chevy modified to fit onto a custom built frame with hand built sheet metal and parts, all raw then cleared to seal the finish. The truck is powered by a Chevy 350 and is a daily driver. [More…]

Low Budget Build: 1947 Chevrolet Autocross Rat Rod

September 16, 2018 Roadkill Customs DIY Projects, Low Budget Builds, Rides & Roadkillers

This 1947 Chevrolet truck was built to be an autocross course dominator, and it has won several events already. But the real story here is that the truck was built, at home by a Father [More…]

Hellcat KILLER ~ 1953 Chevy Bel Air Sleeper

November 25, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Besides the intercooler out front, the old green patina on top along and old smoothie wheels — this 1953 Bel Air is very unsuspecting. [More…]

Original Unrestored ’59 Chevy Impala

September 13, 2016 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Kevin Tetz takes a very rare 1959 Chevrolet Impala spotted at Wheels In Motion in Pottstown, PA. for a drive talks to owner Mike Yannessa. [More…]

Extreme Widebody 1967 Ford Mustang Meets C5 Corvette Build

February 16, 2019 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

Mustang Kyle’s ’67 Mustang underwent an extreme widebody modification and now tops a ’99 C5 Corvette with 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 engine. [More…]

Rebel Custom Rods and Motorcycles Shop Truck

October 9, 2017 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Rebel Custom Rods & Motorcycles rat rod shop truck owned by Michel Roy, aka “Destroyer Mike” of Quebec, Canada. This is the result of Michel’s winter 2011 project. [More…]

Custom Bubbletop “The Iron Lung” by Eric Goodrich

August 5, 2012 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

This is NOT a George Barris build. This is NOT an Ed “Big Daddy” Roth car. This is an inspired one-off custom bubbletop build by Eric Goodrich from Illinois, albeit still a work in progress. This is The Iron Lung by Eric Goodrich. [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 — follow the journey as we rescue a historic hot [More…]

Rollin’ In a Woody ~ Jack Dick’s Surf Wagon

December 8, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

This 1926 Hudson was hand fabricated into a woody surf wagon by Ben McCloy and Scott Satteria of Jack Dick Custom’s in Martinez, CA. [More…]

Wee-Man’s 1962 Chevy Impala

January 10, 2019 Roadkill Customs Lifestyle, Rides & Roadkillers

Wee-Man and his 1962 Chevrolet Impala in long beach — hear a good story, shred a local skate park, and grub up on some quality Mexican food. [More…]

1940 Willys Cabover Custom

January 14, 2015 Roadkill Customs Builds and Examples, Rides & Roadkillers

This is a very well photo documented build that combines a ’40 Willys Sedan, a ’92 Dodge 1 ton truck, and a whole lot of metal work to create a beautiful custom Willys cabover There are 13 slideshows and a final drive video. Built by Chris Boggess, Hot Rod Technology Instructor at Utah Valley University. [More…]

The Ardbeg Whiskey Hot Rod Tractor

March 1, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

The Ardbeg Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Hot Rod Tractor — A one-of-a-kind, customised, incredibly loud and rip-roaring machine thanks to the creative genuis of hot rod specialist Paul Burham from Burham Autos, UK hot rod builder since 1981. Built from a 1959 Massey Ferguson 35 Tractor. [More…]

Ken Block’s 914-HP Hoonitruck

October 29, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Based on a 1977 Ford F-150, the Ken Block’s 914-HP Hoonitruck makes its massive 914 hp and 702 lb-ft of torque thanks to a custom-tuned V6 EcoBoost turbo motor taken straight from the Ford GT Le Mans development program. [More…]

Ken Block’s GYMKHANA TEN: The Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour

December 17, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Ken Block and Hoonigan are pleased to present the latest and biggest video project of his career, Gymkhana TEN: Ultimate Tire Slaying Tour… [More…]

Gary Kollofski’s V12 Powered 1955 Chevrolet

January 29, 2019 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Gary Kollofski went way outside the box on his Tri-five Chevrolet, opting for a 730 CI V12 marine motor. [More…]

Gary Dougherty’s Farmer’s Chopper

September 6, 2012 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

Gary tells us how his ride came about: I have always enjoyed watching the shows about fabrication – Monster Garage, Biker Build Off, American Chopper, etc. Of course knowing I could not afford to build a real Chopper, I decided to “manufacture” my own, but in a little different way… [More…]

Homebuilt 1949 Ford Turbo Diesel Dually Hot Rod

September 27, 2018 Roadkill Customs Rides & Roadkillers

In this episode of Build Biology, Mitchell Allread brings by his 1949 Ford F5, a true hot rod truck custom built from 3 different trucks… More Shots of Mitchell Allread’s ’49 Ford Turbo Diesel Dually [More…]