Pipe Dream
If you've ever tried to figure out how to cut tubing to fit perfectly against another piece of tubing, such as when fabricating a rollcage, you know just how hard it can be. Even cutting tubing to fit against a flat section at an angle can be awkward. No longer, though, thanks to Pipemaster's tool for perfect contour fits. Made using spring-tempered stainless pins and an aluminum outer shell, it allows you to transfer the shape of the cut perfectly, at any angle.

Selection Detection
It's all very well having a shifter that disguises an auto transmission as a manual, but oftentimes this leaves you guessing as to which gear you're in. That is unless you have a gear indicator, which these days will most likely be in LED form. Lokar's cable-operated billet-aluminum LED Shift Indicator unit is designed to enable it to mount to the transmission as shown, but also mount to the frame, floor pan, firewall, or inner fender. In fact, it can be mounted anywhere the 6 feet of cable can reach! There's also a remote mounting kit for locations like the trunk or behind the seat.

Wheel Deal
Ford fans have long been well looked after when it comes to reproduction parts, but what's been great to see in recent times is the increasing number of companies tooling up to supply other brands. Thanks to The Filling Station, you can now exchange your cracked and decidedly old-looking '31-40 Chevy steering wheel for a precise reproduction molded in hard rubber. There are three styles available, the '31-37 Master car and truck (except '37 Master Deluxe), a '33-36 Standard car, and a '38-40 truck wheel. In addition, The Filling Station can supply horn rings, horn buttons, and repair parts. For more information, contact The Filling Station at (800) 841-6622, or www.fillingstation.com.

Armed & Not Dangerous
As much as many of us like the look of '50s cars, their handling quality leaves more than a little to be desired by modern standards, which probably goes a long way in explaining the burgeoning aftermarket these cars currently enjoy. Classic Performance Products' 1958-64 Chevy Tubular Control Arm set provides the 5 degrees of caster required when running a modern power steering box; they can also run with as little as 11/2 degrees for manual steering. The arms come fully assembled with new billet cross-shafts and new OEM-type ball joints. CPP's unique pivot assemblies will never squeak, never need grease, and will last longer than any other bushing. They also have the added safety of interlocking pivot sleeves, unlike the originals, so these bolts will never come loose. The cold-formed spring pockets feature a helical stamped shape that securely locates the coil spring.

Dashing Good Looks
Think of all the aircraft influences seen on a number of rods recently. Seats, rivets, nose art, and gas fillers come immediately to mind, but one of the most striking airplane components, namely cockpit gauges, are always absent. That's not surprising when you consider they'd virtually all be of no use in a car, though we'd bet all you high-altitude rodders would like an altimeter!

(Led)Sleds
So you're mulling over what taillights to use on your hot rod-'46-48 Ford? Nah, too common, as are '59 Caddy lights.1948 Chevy perhaps, but they've been done to death too. You fancy teardrops but again they're everywhere. The shape's cool, though, so how about '38-39 Lincoln versions? Perfect, but where to get a hold of a pair? Well, funny you should mention that, as Technostalgia just introduced a recreation of the rare Zephyr light, incorporating 21 LEDs, guaranteeing ultra-bright performance and maximum visibility. The LED also features Technostalgia's RapidFire brake lights (the brake lights are pulsed rapidly three times within the first half-second of pressing the brake pedal followed by constant on).

Keep Your Cool
Heat has always been the number one cause of premature automatic transmission failure. Adding a trans cooler is the most effective way to keep your transmission cool and extend its durability and performance. TCI Automotive has just what you need with its new Max-Cool Transmission Cooler. Available in four different sizes, the TCI trans coolers utilize a special "plate and fin" design generates internal turbulence for highly efficient heat transfer, which reduces transmission temperatures by 33 percent over tube-style transmission coolers.The Max-Cool trans coolers

Gauging Opinion
A reliable set of gauges lets you know exactly what's going on under your hood, as well as in your gas tank, and can help prevent expensive or awkward breakdowns. Dolphin Instruments has made a couple of changes and additions to its range, namely the removal of its jumping dolphin logo, replacing it with the company name, and the introduction of the new EZ Touch speedometer that features one-touch programming for trip, hours, and a maximum-speed alarm. The full range of gauges including five- and six-gauge sets, and quad-gauge designs can be seen on the company's Web site. For more information, contact Dolphin Instruments at (386) 437-1944 or www.dolphingauges.com.

Wheel Neat AgainIf you're reading R&C, there's a strong chance you like your hot rod to lean toward the traditional style, and if so, this will reflect in the parts you choose for your ride. Juliano's is with you, and already offers numerous classic-style steering wheels, but the new Lake Wheel is a simple three-spoke, competition-style wheel for "those who yearn for hot rods of the early days."

Almost Blue
Do you use a general-purpose metal polish on your chrome? Tut, tut. You could be causing irreversible damage, as they contain abrasives that cut into brass and aluminum to remove contaminants. Deep Chrome is specifically designed for the delicate requirements of chrome surfaces, and can be used very aggressively yet never cause a scratch. It will, however, remove harsh chemical stains or clouding caused by wax-based polishes.

Under Pressure
The automatic transmission has reigned supreme in rods and customs since rodding shifted from "hot" to "street." But, as of late, there seems to be a return to using three pedals. Whether it's the rise in popularity of traditional rods, or simply a backlash against the increasingly reduced feedback a driver gets from even more automatic and electronic systems on daily drivers, we're not sure, but we're seeing a bunch of stick shifts lately. And, if your latest project has that third pedal, it follows that you'll need a clutch!

Smoother ChevyEven the youngest fullsize '55-70 Chevy is approaching 40 years old, and would most likely benefit from new bushings in the front suspension. If you're going to go to the trouble of replacing worn-out parts, why not fit components that will increase performance and handling? Makes sense to us, and to Classic Performance Products, who now offers Performance Plus Front End Rebuild Kits.

Shift YerselfIf your project car is anything like ours, it'll utilize products from many manufacturers. The folks at Gennie Shifter know this, which is why they've come up with the Lo-Dapt Shifter Knob Adapter. As its name almost implies, it allows you to fit a Gennie Shift knob-or pretty much any aftermarket shift knob-on a push-button Lokar-type shifter.

PumpedGB Engineering's new auxiliary fuel pumps are machined from billet aluminum with a highly polished finish, all created by Lou Senter from his original Ansen design. The pump is complete with an exclusive type of check valve that releases with minimum effort, yet positively seals at a very low pressure. It is designed for side mounting and comes ready to install. A trophy mounting base and custom engraving are available. For more information, contact GB Engineering at (714) 632-1554.

Climate control doesn't have to mean winding down the windows or cranking the windshield out another notch, as Classic Auto Air has an entirely new A/C and heater unit that has the capability of cooling a fullsize car. The Street Rod Cooler Deluxe is designed for custom applications where a smooth firewall may be desirable, as the A/C and heater tubes face the passenger kick panel rather than the rear of the unit.

Tri-Power
Been thinking about switching your Tri-Five Chevy from manual to power steering? Then the news from Borgeson about several new parts for just such a conversion should make you smile. How about a steering box based on a Delphi 600 gear, which is a direct fit into Tri-Fives? All Borgeson conversion kits include a new power 'box, pump, mounting bracketry, a double-belt pump pulley, hoses, rag joint, and floor mount. New column shafts are offered as well for those who wish to retain their stock column (ididit columns also available). If you don't need the whole kit, all components are available individually. For more information, contact Borgeson at (860) 482-8283.
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Shift Yerself
If your project car is anything like ours, it'll utilize products from many manufacturers. The folks at Gennie Shifter know this, which is why they've come up with the Lo-Dapt Shifter Knob Adapter. As its name almost implies, it allows you to fit a Gennie Shift knob-or pretty much any aftermarket shift knob-on a push-button Lokar-type shifter.

After acquiring Navarro Racing Equipment last year and making heads and manifolds that have not been made in 50 years, H&H Flatheads has reintroduced the most sought-after blower ever made for the Flatheads. The company's new S.Co.T. blower is an exact replica with the same great looks (including the original rear grease fittings), but with thicker castings, CNC-machined matching rotors, and sealed rear bearings. Now the complete bolt-on kit is available and includes the S.Co.T. blower and manifold, water pump pulleys, belt tensioners, upper and lower V-groove pulleys, and necessary hardware to bolt on the best-looking blower on the market. For more information, contact H&H Flatheads at (818) 248-2347; www.flatheads-forever.com.

Lokar Hand Operated Emergency BrakeLokar's Under-the-Dash Hand Operated Emergency Brake features a simple installation with a universal dash-to-firewall mounting bracket that is adjustable from 9 to 15 inches, requiring no welding. It has a pistol grip/trigger (available in brushed aluminum or chromed) for easy setting or releasing and a heat-treated gear plate and lock. No cables (connector cables sold separately) run through the firewall. The hardware is included.(865) 966-2269www.lokar.com

Remember those travel stickers you used to collect and plaster all over the station wagon or Airstream camping trailer when your family went on vacation back in the '50s and '60s? Artist John Bell is reviving the concept with a couple of hot rodding twists. First, he's depicting enthusiast-oriented destinations like Paso Robles and Bonneville. He's also adding pinup-style girls to the artwork to liven things up a little bit. Dubbed the Red Letter Girls series, the stickers have proven to be very popular and make cool additions to almost any hot rod or custom-car window. For more information, check out John's Web site at www.johnbellstudio.com.

Smooth Pedal ActionKeisler's newly engineered Generation III hydraulic clutch actuator is now available for all of Keisler's Tremec overdrive conversion kits, five- and six-speed. This high-quality, durable hydraulic system replaces the need for mechanical linkage and provides a dramatic, noticeable improvement in pedal motion. Keisler's hydraulic actuator works with linear motion along the axis of travel, utilizing concentric slave-cylinder technology, in turn reducing the mechanical losses associated with traditional fork and bearing setups. A new Keisler-designed line with integrated bleeding makes installation a snap. For more information, contact Keisler Engineering at (865) 609-8187; www.keislerauto.com.

E/T Wheels continues to expand its line of classic-looking, high-quality rollers. One of the latest offerings is the Dragway, which is available in several versions. It can be had in a cast, one-piece, 15x5-inch, spindle-mount configuration that fits on early Ford spindles (and will even accept Wilwood disc brakes). A cast, one-piece, 15x5-inch, bolt-on version is also available with a Ford or Chevy pattern. Finally, two-piece bolt-on versions of the wheel are offered in widths from 6 to 14 inches. The Dragway is available fully polished or with a cast-finished center, and 18- and 20-inch versions should be available soon. For more information, contact E/T Wheels at (510) 895-8880; www.etwheels.com.

Multiple carbs are cool, and Edelbrock makes it simple to get dual-quad performance in a single package. Edelbrock Dual-Quad Manifold and Carb Kits include nearly all you need to install dual-quads on a small-block Chevy with conventional or Vortec heads. This includes the new Dual-Quad Air-Gap intake, gaskets, progressive linkage, braided fuel line, and two Thunder Series AVS 500-cfm carbs (one manual choke, one electric). You supply a fuel filter and air cleaner(s) of your choice to finish off the induction improvement. The manifold and carbs are even available with a bright EnduraShine finish. For more information, contact Edelbrock at (310) 781-2222; www.edelbrock.com.

Inline is FineTriple-D Induction, a Barry Grant company, is redefining carburetors with the BadMan inline four-barrel. Combined with an Aero-ram manifold, the BadMan provides even fuel distribution, and its interchangeable venturi sleeves allow for airflow ratings from 500 to more than 1,000 cfm. This allows high-lift cams to operate at low engine speeds and improves low-speed idle, part-throttle drivability, and fuel consumption. Leaks are minimized by not having any gaskets under the float level, while two idle-mixture screws and one idle-speed screw streamline tuning. The BadMan is offered in "as cast" or silver powdercoat finishes, and is currently available for small-block Chevys. For more information, contact Barry Grant at (706) 864-8544; www.barrygrant.com.

Gear Vendors, Inc., manufacturers of the popular UNDER/OVERDRIVE brand of auxiliary transmissions has announced the availability of their new T-10 Manual Transmission kits. Chosen at SEMA as one of the best new Street-Performance products (runner-up), the kits make it possible to adapt a Gear Vendors unit for use on the ever popular T-10 trans. The Gear Vendors UNDER/OVERDRIVE is a 2-speed planetary gearbox that bolts to the vehicle's existing transmission allowing the driver a direct drive (1:1) or overdrive (1:1.286) option in any gear, at any moment. With manual transmission applications such as the T-10, not only does the Gear Vendors add a fifth gear of overdrive to your classic muscle car transmission, its gear splitting capabilities enables you to make full throttle, clutchless shifts into overdrive. Kits are also available for Muncie M20/21/22, Ford Top Loader, and Mopar 833 four speed manual transmissions. If you are tired of being beaten by automatics, this is the solution. You can now have the thrill of driving your muscle car with its authentic, original manual transmission and the added ease and quickness of clutchless shifting as well as increased fuel economy and a more pleasurable highway cruising experience. A race proven winner in CORR, the Paris-Drakar Rally, Baja 1000, Bonneville, and NHRA, all Gear Vendors come with an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee and limited two year warranty for any non-commercial application regardless of horsepower, application, or race usage.