We wanted to give you a sneak peek at our new issue. TRJ #83 has been printed and will be mailing to subscribers shortly. Within its 168 pages there’s a ton of exciting content, from a Model A Competition Coupe and a ’32 Ford survivor to a Midwest road trip and early custom car and ’60s show rod history.
After spending the better part of last year relocating, we’re settling into our new headquarters and gearing up for the year ahead. We’ve also got some big news we’ll be announcing later this week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here’s a peek into issue #83…
Our table of contents includes this long-lost snapshot of a '39 Ford convertible tastefully restyled by Jimmy Summers.
Jack Fuller is a hot rodder’s hot rodder. He builds low-buck early Fords in his Hampton, Virginia, garage, and in this issue we zero in on his trusty Deuce highboy and survivor ’32 three-window from the ’50s.
During the pre-war years, Jimmy Summers was at the forefront of the American custom car movement. But until now his story was somewhat of a mystery. That’s changing thanks to Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama. With the help of Jimmy’s family and their scrapbooks, he sheds new light on Summers’ life, cars and legacy.
We’ve always been intrigued by the famed ’60s show rod “The Uncertain-T,” so we were excited when we learned of New Zealand hot rodder Martin Bennett’s unbelievable tribute. With the help of the T’s original builder, Steve Scott, we’ve uncovered more history about the original—including some never-before-published images. When combined with the tale of Martin Bennett’s version, it makes for one wild story.
Lucky Burton started building his Model A coupe for Bonneville 14 years ago. Then, in 2018, things kicked into high gear. After a yearlong thrash he finished it just in time for 2019 Speed Week. We have the full story, which is complemented by Tim Sutton’s dynamic photography out on the dry lakes.
Jimmy Smith loves to push cars to their limits, and in this issue’s Artist Profile we enter his world of spindle-mounts, slicks, wild paint and wilder proportions. We highlight our favorite pieces from his portfolio and talk with him about his inspiration, techniques and ever-evolving ’37 Ford pickup.
Deadend shines a unique light on the world of customs, lowriders and hot rods in a way like never before. Founded by brothers Jesus and Juan Espinoza Jr. in 2004, it began as a website that quickly grew into a global brand. Our feature tells their story and shares some of the photography that’s come to define the Deadend style.
Nothing beats a road trip. Over the summer, we tagged along in 22-year-old hot rodder Michael Starr’s ’39 Ford Standard (not pictured) for a drive across Missouri to the H.A.M.B. Drags. It was a weekend filled with racing, rain and roadside Americana—and we capture it all in “Off to the Races.”
While we were visiting Jack Fuller to photograph his pair of Deuces, we documented his process of dropping Henry Ford’s I-beam axles. It’s a service he’s offered for years out of his backyard shop, Fuller’s Frame & Axle, and he was able to share some of the tips and tricks he employs when practicing this time-honored rodding tradition.
Cheers!
Your Friends at The Rodder’s Journal
P.S. Looking to subscribe or renew? We’ll be launching a sale later this week that we know you’ll love. Stay tuned!
