Battle Of The BulgeStuffing a Hemi in your hot rod? Trying to squeeze a tall induction setup under the hood? If so, you just might need some of these sheetmetal blisters from LimeWorks Speed Shop. Stamped from 18-gauge mild steel, the blisters measure 18x5.5 inches, have a depth of 3 inches, and feature a full-perimeter flange that's no less than 1.5 inches wide at any point. They're great for hood sides, hood tops, and other facets of hot rod construction. Heck, why not stick two together and make a mini bellytank! For details, contact LimeWorks Speed Shop, 7717 Greenleaf Ave., Dept. R&C, Whittier, CA 90602; (562) 698-1227; www.limeworksspeedshop.com.
Suicide SolutionPut down the pills and pick up your torch! AutoLoc's new hidden hinge system takes the self-mutilation factor out of converting your doors to suicide-style operation. The company's universal kit is easily adaptable to nearly any vehicle and offers CAD-designed, all-steel construction to ensure long life and smooth action. The kit comes complete for two doors, including hinges, braces, mounting plates, self-lubricated bushings, and detailed instructions. Like all AutoLoc products, it also comes with a limited lifetime warranty and reliable technical support. To get all the details, contact AutoLoc, 11975 S.W. Pacific Hwy., Dept. R&C, Tigard, OR 97223; (866) 866-1315; www.autothisworld.com.
Gimme An "A!"Shell Valley Companies is making it easier than ever to build and own an A-V8. This Model A roadster, the latest addition to the company's fiberglass line, is just begging to be built into your version of the ultimate hot rod. The body comes in a gel-coat finish and is reinforced with fiberglass matte, resin, and chopped glass, with Kevlar and steel molded into critical stress points. Additional features include a smooth recessed firewall, smooth dash, installed hinges, and working doors and trunk lid. The roadster body is available individually or as part of an affordable body-and-chassis package that needs little more than an engine, transmission, wheels, and tires to complete it. For details, contact Shell Valley, 23119 287th St., Dept. R&C, Platte Center, NE 68653; (888) 246-0900; www.shellvalley.com.
Glorious GrinGive your car something to smile about, like a custom grin from Glory Grills (a.k.a. JW Enterprises). The company's round- and square-tube grilles are similar to the bolt-on versions offered for many cars in the '50s, only these are more durable since they're built from better materials. One-off and phantom designs are also a specialty, meaning JWE can build a custom grille for just about any application. For more information, contact JW Enterprises, 2615 67th St., Unit C, Dept. R&C, Long Beach, CA 90805; (562) 602-1523; www.customgrills.com.
Calendar CarsYou've seen Rich Chenet's excellent photography in ROD & CUSTOM and other magazines. Now you can see it on your wall throughout the year. Chenet's '04 Hot Rod Calendar is chock full of great cars in glorious color. The large 12x12-inch format opens up to 12x24 and is printed on heavy-stock paper. Cost is $12.99, plus $4.50 for shipping. This is the fifth year for Chenet's Hot Rod Calendar, and it looks like one of the best. For more info, contact Chenet Photo, P.O. Box 409, Dept. R&C, Warrendale, PA 15086; www.chenetphoto.com.
The FreshinatorNothing's more of a drag than hopping in your rod for the first cruise of the spring and finding that it won't start because the fuel has turned to varnish after months of winter hibernation. That's why it pays to add Gold Eagle's STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer to your tank before your machine goes into storage. STA-BIL helps prevent fuel from oxidizing, keeping it fresh for up to 12 months. Its formulation also includes premium carb and fuel injector cleaners to keep your fuel system running clean, as well as a water remover that prevents condensation from corroding your gas tank and fuel lines. In short, it's just about the only additive a hot rodder needs. To find out more about this and other Gold Eagle products, contact the company at 4400 S. Kildare, Dept. R&C, Chicago, IL 60632; (800) 367-3245; www.goldeagle.com.
A Shift In TimeB&M has been building top-notch performance shifters for years. Now the company has merged its well-known toughness with a style that many rodders are after. The resulting Street Rod Shifter features simple operation and mounting thanks to a gate-style mechanism that bolts to the transmission and an adjustable mounting bracket. The shifter is engineered to fit the tight confines of vintage cars, and the bright-anodized, CNC-machined aluminum stick is available in 12-, 15-, or 23-inch lengths. A billet knob tops it off. For more information on the Street Rod Shifter and other transmission goodies, contact B&M Racing & Performance Products, 9142 Independence Ave., Dept. R&C, Chatsworth, CA 91311; (818) 882-6422; www.bmracing.com.