TRJ Issue #19

A Tribute Custom
Lou Callasibetta restores perhaps the Alexander Brother’s finest effort to its former glory. The 1960 Pontiac was photographed in the studio with Michael Andrews writing the long twisting tale.

Photos by Bob McClurg
We highlight one of early Drag Racing’s most prolific photographers. McClurg had an innate sense of composition and a keen sense of the quarter-mile, which enabled him to capture some of drag racing’s most dramatic moments.

Matter of Mind
The 1932 Ford Cabriolet of the late Barry Lobeck. Built in his signature highboy style. Penned by automotive artist Thom Taylor, he discusses Lobeck’s inspiration, guidelines and attitude to hot rodding in general. We also take a quick look at the origins and precepts of the “Lobeck Look”.

Missing… Reprise
Jay Fitzhugh follows up from his original “Missing” article from TRJ #14 in his never-ending search for the fate of rodding and customizing’s most famous cars. Vern Simon unearthed his original Westergard-built 1936 Ford roadster that was assumed “missing”.

Amazing Speed Tales
We dive into the files of renowned artist, Keith Weesner. It is indeed hard to imagine the hot rod and custom car scene of the last three decades or so without the artwork of Keith Weesner. He just may be the illustrator of record for the contemporary hot rodding and customizing scene.

50 Years of the Detroit Autorama
A look back to Detroit’s hot rod and custom car show. It’s home to the Ridler award and a whole lot of history. We mix historic photos with coverage of the 50th Annual event to help tell the complete story.

A Coddington Comparison
Boyd and his son, Gregg, come up with a pair of lightweight, traditional-style hot rods. And that’s where the similarity ends. Gregg’s is based on an early Ford roadster body and a flathead Ford V8 while his father, Boyd, chose to fabricate a phone booth-style Model A from scratch out of aluminum.

Crafty Cragar
Southern California native Gene Skiles, better known as “Narod”, tells us that he can’t ever remember having more fun with an old Ford than he has with his banger-powered ’33 Ford pickup. The powerplant is based on a Model B block, has been fitted with a Cragar OHV head and a host of old-timey hot rod goodies.