TRJ Issue #17

Artist Profile: Thom Taylor
We take an in-depth look at renowned hot rod designer, Thom Taylor, and his illustrious portfolio. Perhaps no other illustrator and designer has had more impact on the hot rod scene in the last half-century or so than Thom.

Instant Classic
George Poteet, of the Memphis, Tennessee area teamed up with Roy Brizio and crew to build a Jack Morgan-inspired ’34 Ford Roadster. We also take a look at George’s ’46 Ford sedan delivery, which was fitted with Apple Green steelies that contrasted nicely with the dark green paint.

Striking Gold: The Joe Barnett Story
Surfer, explorer, hot rodder and prolific photographer, Joe Barnett shares his story of doing it his way. Fortunately, he trained his lense on some of hot rodding and customizing’s most iconic subjects from the 1950s and 1960s.

In Good Hands
The candy red, 1961 Corvette of “Big John” Mazmanian needs no introduction. Minnesota rodder and ‘Vette restorer Steve Hendrickson proved that persistence does indeed payoff in his quest for and the restoration of the Iconic Corvette Gasser.

Clash of the Coupes
Competition Coupes at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. A group of hot rodding’s most iconic competition coupes on display on the hallowed greens of the Pebble Beach golf course. Andy Kassa, the Chrisman Brothers, the Pierson Brothers, the Beach Boys’ coupe and the 554 ’34 were resplendent.

Kopy Kat Kart
A tribute to the Ray Anderegg ’27 Ford T Roadster by Von Franco. Von Franco may have started with a ’26 Ford body for his version of the ’55 AMBR winning roadster, but the results are spot on.

Ride ’Em, Wreck ’Em and Never Check ’Em
An event: The deconstruction of Pete Eastwood’s 1932 Ford three-window. This was an event that turned a mundane Saturday into a most memorable day of hot rod disassembly. Typical of late- ’70s shenanigans at Pete & Jake’s Temple City headquarters.

New Jersey Safari
Stillwater, New Jersey’s Lou Calasibetta brings a 1957 Pontiac Transcontinental wagon to the mild-custom world. Lou’s goal was to meld the comforts of a full-size late- ’50’s GM wagon with the aesthetics of mild-custom tradition. Writer Gary Minor offered his report and his approval.
Nebulous Theorem
Nearly 300mph while lying on your back? Yes! This is Jack Costella’s Flathead-powered Streamliner, capable of shattering Bonneville, El Mirage and Muroc landspeed records. We examine Costella’s innovative approach to age-old hot-rodding challenges.