Ryan Johannsen's story is a familiar one to those of us who have been involved in the hot rod hobby all our lives. His dad got him interested in cars when he was little, and by the time his teenage years rolled around, performance had become an obsession. When he was 15, Ryan bought his first car, the '55 Chevy sedan delivery you see here. After fixing it up to acceptable standards, the young speed freak drove his Shoebox on a daily basis, and we can imagine the girls around Spencer, Iowa, became quite familiar with the sight of such an awesome car prowling around town. After nearly a decade of use Ryan and his father decided it was time to freshen things up, so they pulled the body off the frame and restored the wagon from the ground up. A new frame was fitted with Posies drop springs, and early American Racing straight-spoke Torq-Thrust wheels were bolted up to freshly rebuilt suspension. A '67 327 Chevy fitted with a trio of two-barrels ended up under the hood, and all that Mouse power is shifted through a Muncie four-speed. Paintwork was done at home and includes DuPont Centauri Eggplant Purple enamel covered with long licks of fire. Black tuck 'n' roll upholstery finishes off the newly reborn ride. Ryan also sent us some pictures of his newest project, a '53 Chevy 210 that he chopped 5 inches in front and 6 in back. The headlights will be '53 Merc, and taillights come from a '56 Packard. Young Guns like Ryan are the future of this hobby, because he looks to the past as he designs his rides of the future. Hopefully he'll be able to use a $400 gift certificate from Lokar toward completing the killer custom. Good job, Ryan, and congratulations!
Are You 30 Years Old Or Younger?Do you want the opportunity to win great stuff and see your picture in the magazine?
To join the club simply fill out this form, including the tech sheet found on our Web site at www.rodandcustommagazine.com, and send it off, along with a snapshot of your car, to:
Young Gunsc/o Rod & Custom Magazine2400 E. Katella Avenue, 11th floorAnaheim, CA 92806
Additional information:714-939-2442Or send us an E-mail with all the information and a digital picture to:youngguns@rodandcustommagazine.com
If so, you are a Young Gun. ROD & CUSTOM has started a club just for you, and the cost is zippo. ROD & CUSTOM is looking for Young Guns who are diehard rod and custom enthusiasts like you, so fill out the form on this page and fill out the tech sheet at www.rodandcustommagazine.com/youngguns to join the world's coolest car club. As a member you'll be eligible for great prizes like gift certificates and discounts from top manufacturers. Each month we will run a mini-feature of our Young Gun of the Month's vehicle and will award the winning YG a $400 certificate from one of our sponsors.
All entries must be accompanied by a picture of your ride, finished or not, and the Tech Sheet found on our Web site at www.rodandcustommagazine.com/youngguns.
| NAME | AGE |
| ADDRESS |
| CITY | STATE | ZIP |
| E-MAIL ADDRESS |
| OCCUPATION |
| SCHOOL (if student) |
| HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INTERESTED IN RODS AND/OR CUSTOMS? |
| WHO/WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN THE HOBBY? |
All winners must prove date of birth and vehicle registration prior to publication. Membership is for the calendar year.
For more information, see rules on page 94.