Hot Rod Automotive News

NHRA Salutes CustomsTaildragging customs may not come immediately to mind when you think of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, but even racers have a soft spot for well-done boulevard cruisers. With that in mind, the museum's newly appointed executive director, Tony Thacker, recently announced the California Custom Cars exhibit, which will run from June 3 through October 9.

The exhibit is being billed as a celebration of California's finest custom cars, and will feature significant vehicles from the past six decades. The spectrum will range from classics like the Jack Calori '36 Ford (which won the Early Custom Cars Class at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance), to memorable modern creations like the Thom Taylor-designed Frankenstude. The vehicle roster was still being finalized at press time, but you can bet it will be impressive. A special panel discussion where enthusiasts can meet and talk to some of the legends of customizing has also being scheduled for Saturday, August 26. More details are available on the museum Web site (http://museum.nhra.com) or at www.customrodder.com.

Other upcoming NHRA Motorsports Museum exhibits include a display of drag racing photography from the 1960s, plus a celebration of American Racing's 50th birthday. According to Thacker, the exhibits represent a natural direction for the museum. "Over the last few years, the museum has been building momentum with new exhibits and attractions. I want to keep that going by adding more exhibits and events that highlight motorsports as well as the Southern California car culture. We have lots in store, so stay tuned."

Win A Goat For ChristmasOK, so it may not be a chopped Merc or a low-slung Impala, but we can't imagine any enthusiast turning down a free GTO. Now that Flowmaster is finished using its 2004 Pontiac GTO as a test mule for new products and a long hauler on the Hot Rod Power Tour, the company wants to give it away just in time for the 2006 holiday season in the Win The Flow's GTO Sweepstakes.

As you might expect, this bright red GTO sports a Flowmaster exhaust system featuring mandrel-bent 2.5-inch tubing, a Scavenger Cross-Over assembly, Super 40 mufflers, and stainless tips exiting in the stock location. The LS1 engine gets a bit more bite from a Centerforce clutch, K&N induction, and some GM Performance Parts goodies, while Budnik wheels, Nitto tires, Baer brakes, and Hotchkis let it turn and stop with grace.

There's no purchase necessary to enter; just log onto www.flowmastermufflers.com and click on the Sweepstakes link to sign up. The lucky winner will be announced between November 20-25, 2006.

CasicrAward WinnersEvery year during the winter show season, several Primedia magazine titles team up with Championship Auto Shows International-producers of the World of Wheels and Autorama events across the country-to sponsor a series of specialty awards. Custom Rodder has been pleased to be a part of this tradition, and once again sponsored the Custom Rodder magazine award at CASI events during the 2005-2006 show season.

While Custom Rodder staffers can't be on hand at every event to help select award winners, the CASI and ISCA crews do a fine job choosing representative cars on our behalf. Shown here are Lee Town's '60 Impala, which took the award at the Houston Autorama back in November, and Buzz Houston's '50 Olds, which won in Kansas City in March. These cars and other Custom Rodder magazine award winners can be see on www.customrodder.com.