Car Features

A 1948 Chevy Street Rod With A Story To Tell

Chevy’s 1948-1953 Series 3100 half-ton pickups are among the most iconic trucks ever built. These bull-nosed beauties ushered in a post-war redesign that set the standard for comfort and convenience. Wider doors, an expanded cab, and a newly introduced adjustable bench seat made these trucks more user-friendly than their predecessors. Under the hood, the early models came with a 216.5-cid six-cylinder engine, but by 1950, Chevy had upped the ante with the “105 Hi-Torque” 235.5-cid powerplant.

A Vision in Yellow 1971 De Tomaso Pantera ADRNLN

But dreams don’t die that easily.
Determined to honor her late husband’s passion, Cheryl Brickl vowed to see the Pantera fully restored. She took it to a local shop, hoping to bring Randy’s vision to life. A year later, the car still sat untouched. That’s when a friend pointed her toward Ringbrothers, the legendary Wisconsin-based custom builders known for their boundary-pushing craftsmanship. With a reputation for turning muscle car fantasies into reality, Jim and Mike Ring were the perfect duo for the job.

Reinventing a Legend

The Blue Bullet A Chevrolet Impala’s Ultimate Transformation

The Resurrection Begins
Finding a ’61 bubble top isn’t easy, especially in South Africa, where only a handful exist. That’s why this one was sourced off eBay, plucked from the dry Southwest, and shipped straight to Tim’s workshop in Arizona. The goal? A ground-up nut-and-bolt restoration, blending classic American style with modern muscle and precision engineering.

If This 1954 Chevy pickup Could Talk…

THE BUILD BEGINS
After hunting for two years to find the perfect classic pickup, Pieter wasn’t about to let this one slip through his fingers—especially since it was the desirable factory-fitted split-window model. He teamed up with Ettiene from Street Rod Factory in Pretoria, and together, they started ordering parts while stripping the truck down to a bare shell. From there, it was a no-holds-barred, ground-up transformation.

Chev SSplendour 1970 Chevelle

Brad had picked up the Chevelle from Ray Exton with dreams of building a street beast, but cash flow issues saw those dreams passed along to Leonard. His only regret? Letting go of his beloved ’57 Chevy truck to fund the deal – though he’s recently snagged another project to ease the pain.

BLAST FROM THE PAST Theo Crous 1969 Mach 1

Rewind to 2012: The Birth of a Legend 

From Scrap to Showstopper 1956 Studebaker

Carlos? He lived that nightmare. He even flirted with selling the project outright. But you don’t build a successful nightclub by giving up when things get tough. So he doubled down and went looking for a real pro. That’s when he found Simon at Old Mill Rod and Custom. Simon’s shop was packed, but instead of sending Carlos packing, he did the unthinkable—he referred him to a competitor. Enter Jacques from the West Coast, who was also slammed.

When Horsepower Is All The Inspiration You Need 70 Dodge Challenger

THE CHALLENGER THAT CHECKED A BOX 
For Richard Irwin, this ‘70 Dodge Challenger wasn’t just another car—it was another checkmark on the list of life’s hard-earned rewards. The man started with nothing and built himself a business that now fuels his passion for American muscle. While others collect watches or wine, Richard collects horsepower, and frankly, we approve of this vice 100 percent. 

From Rust to Rod: A Volks Rod Dream Realized

Breaking It Down: The Build Process

Starting with the Foundation 

Building a Legend The Story of the South African Nova

Photography by Stefan de Koker

By the 1970s, South African racing legend Willie Hepburn saw untapped potential in this compact cruiser. Lightweight? Check. Simple design? Check. Room under the hood for something mean? Absolutely. Hepburn turned the unassuming Nova into a dragstrip contender, wringing out every ounce of performance it had. The car made its mark on the South African racing scene, but by the mid-‘80s, it was ready for a new chapter. Enter Mick van Rensburg—the godfather of South African drag racing.

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