SC: What new trends do you see developing in the hobby?
Kyle Tucker, Detroit Speed and Engineering:
I think the most recent trends for everyone revolve around the level of creativity and details that are going into the builds today. Regardless of whether it is a Mustang, Camaro, or 'Cuda, the craftsmanship is stepping up every year. There are a lot of musclecars built to a level that outclass the OEM retro cars. Builders are using a lot of OEM technology and blending in the classic lines of the musclecars--lines that you do not have to customize for everyone to like; that is what makes this group of cars so hot today.
Gary Penn, Hardcore Racing:
Although to a degree it's always been true, more so today cars are being constructed from late-model vehicles. This is especially true among younger enthusiasts. Eight out of ten cars that come to our shop are less than 10 years old, and many are new cars with less than 5,000 miles on the clock when we take them apart. These cars are very high tech and very sophisticated.
Alan Johnson, Johnson's Hot Rod Shop:
I see more high-end modern musclecars being built. Cars that would compete with and in most cases outperform the exotic super cars from the U.S. and Europe. I see more focus on reliable, drivable horsepower, not just a fairgrounds or weekend cruiser that will only run on race fuel. These cars will hit the road and drive cross-country comfortably and reliably, and see track time on the road courses.
Chris Alston, Chassisworks:
The biggest trend is the demand for '60-'70s musclecar replacement chassis and suspension components that actually bolt on to the vehicle. In the past, customers were much more willing to do some fabrication. This new customer requirement will really start to be evident in some product lines, as the manufacturing skill required to make components that actually fit is well beyond a lot of the current players. The more sophisticated buyers have already figured out that the fitment varies widely between brands. This is the time that reputations will be made or broken.
John Hotchkis, Hotchkis Performance:
I see more well thought out and engineered project cars. Musclecars are rapidly becoming more expensive, the enthusiast is more demanding, and the successful performance aftermarket companies are striving to produce more innovative, effective, and efficient products. For instance, an LS1 engine and a T56 transmission are routinely installed in '67-'69 Camaros. Throttle-by-wire LS2 engines are now appearing in these cars. An LS7 from a wrecked C6 Z06 will find its way into a GM musclecar, and the bar will be raised again. An article appeared last month about the possibility of adapting the GM six-speed automatic trans into a musclecar. The GM guys say the transmission needs a computer, loads of sensors, and essentially can't be adapted to the aftermarket. I'm sure it won't be long before we read about a cool '69 Camaro with the six-speed auto.
Bill Mitchell, World Products:
The trend seems to be higher-dollar cars, those that people pay to have built instead of building themselves. I guess that's sort of like going to the dealership and buying a car; you just have to bring a lot more money. The economists say people have less money to spend, but those who have money must all be building hot rods. I think that's great for our industry, and I think that's good for the hobby. Today's cars are complex. Not everyone can build their own car. The trend is to dream a lot, read, think, plan, buy, not build.
Glen Grozich, Billet Specialties:
Big, wide wheels with large brakes and race-bred suspension behind them are the rage. Engines are cool again with serpentine front mount accessory drive systems, dressed with lots of bright work in a clean, computer-managed environment. The interior would have five-speeds in the console, bucket seats, and a billet steering wheel controlling it all.
Gary Heidt, Heidt's Hot Rod Shop:
Crate motors have definitely changed the way a guy builds a car. Bearing clearance or ring endgap are topics I have not heard in a long time. It seems that a guy buys a 502 crate motor, and he is king of the hill, so to speak, until the next larger or more powerful crate motor comes along. Please don't get me wrong, as the crate motor has definitely allowed the construction of some awesome cars by very talented home builders who may not have access to the engine shops in their towns; it made it very easy to get a lot of horsepower. But I miss the days when guys used to really "build" their motors, or have the famous builder in town build one for them, one that had some special cam grind or some other trick that would give them 20 extra hp. That was the true mystic of building musclecars--to say that "so and so" built my motor, so don't even bother trying to beat me at the late-night 1320 unless you had some real tricks up your sleeve.
Denny Terzich, ProRides:
The new trends for the hobby are in the total performance package. Before, body modifications seemed most important. Today, you are going to see clean lines and a much bigger focus on performance. Yesterday's race motors are almost commonplace in today's street machines. A car that is simple but clean is just as impressive as yesterday's car with a lot of "bling" or unique metalwork. The money does not change because performance takes money. However, it is creating a great ride with a very clean look.
Sal Solarzano, Total Cost Involved:
I see the Pro-Touring trend staying strong. The look, styling, and performance that this promotes are exactly what people want. Injected late-model engines that offer excellent fuel mileage and horsepower is another trend I see as continuing to stay strong. I have also seen a rise in bolt-on performance suspension and braking packages as a trend for future hot rod enthusiasts.
George Ullrich, Speed-O-Motive:
Increased interest in using newer technology in retro-fitting older cars. This is evidenced by the popularity of the LS1 and fuel injection.
Jeanette Ladina, Flaming River:
More of a tendency to go toward power steering and tilt columns for comfort and convenience. Having said that, there is also a measure of greater vehicle control and performance. The power steering systems, whether rack-and-pinion or a power steering box, deliver responsive steering, important particularly to the new generation of g-Machines that are increasingly important to the street machine marketplace. The other component--tilt steering --contributes by placing the steering wheel for driver comfort. This is important for the driver, whether cruising on Saturday night or on a long-haul touring situation. For the g-Machine, proper steering wheel placement also contributes greatly to vehicle control. Additionally, the tilt column and some steering wheels also make getting into and out of these cool cars a more pleasurable experience.Additionally, we have introduced aftermarket cruise control, which also is a measure of convenience. With high fuel prices, cruise control provides an added benefit--controlling the fuel costs when driving on long distances.
Brent Vandervort, Fat Man Fabrications:
We will continue to see the top echelon of cars become works of art, so much so that they are no longer practical automobiles. Some builders don't care about driving them, so they will continue to push the envelope. Some of them will perceive the folly (in their personal opinion) of that course, and will back off to a level of exceptional quality without totally sacrificing some utility. Everyone will pick his or her own place on this "radical versus practical" continuum. We will see more technically sophisticated engines that produce power with less sacrifice of reliability, and can still exist on $3.00-plus-per-gallon pump fuel. Chassis will continue to be improved so that our beloved hot rods can keep up with our wife's/daughter's/ girlfriend's late-model sedan on a twisty road. The sad truth is that most of the cars in the musclecar era have deplorable handling and brakes. Fortunately, this can be fixed with bolt-on parts. The driver level cars will do with the bolt-ons, and the reachers will go to totally new suspensions and even new chassis. (All this sounds an awful lot like street rodding, where this very situation already exists.)
Craig Morrison, Art Morrison Enterprises:
There has definitely been a shift away from cars focused strictly on quarter-mile performance. While the big-tire Pro-Street look is definitely cool, people are looking for more out of their cars. The Pro-Touring or g-Machine movement is definitely gaining ground with people looking to build their own "ultimate high-performance streetcar" or a street-strip car, but instead of the dragstrip it's the local road course or auto cross event.
Phillip Gerber, The Roadster Shop:
The biggest trend that we see is that people are getting away from the numbers-matching mentality, and showing some personal touches and creativity in hot rodding musclecars.
Bret Voelkel, Air Ride Technologies:
Computer-adjusted shocks and air suspension, drop-in A/C, and stereo systems, model-specific leather interior and seats, reproduction steel bodies, complete bolt-in chassis. I think in the near future there will be musclecar dealerships...you will be able to order a musclecar in your choice of color, drive train and interior options...just like ordering a new car. Anyone who builds upgraded creature comforts that are model-specific to these musclecars will do well. The market is getting older with more disposable income. Everyone remembers the Camaro, Mustang, Chevelle, Nova, etc., that they had in high school, but they forget about the poor braking, handling, air conditioning, and stereo, etc. They want their 35-year-old Chevelle to drive like their new Lexus.