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The Newest Street Rod Products - Christmas For Street RoddersFrom the December, 2008 issue of Street Rodder By Ron Ceridono Photography by Brian Brennan, Eric Geisert
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Each year dozens and dozens of new products are debuted at the world's largest street rod show, the NSRA's Nationals in Louisville. Besides having the advantage of being seen by thousands of rodders who attend the show, companies that showcase their products in this special room inside the great hall have the chance of being recognized as Best New Product in their respective price categories (Up to $100, $101 - $500, and $501 and Up). In addition to those three exclusive awards, there is also a Best New Safety Related Street Rod Product of the Year award. Below is a sampling of what was on display this year.  Based in Lula, GA, Timeless...  Based in Lula, GA, Timeless Rod and Custom showcased their new '32 Ford roadster package, which is basically all the parts you need to build a roadster (minus paint and upholstery) for about $27,950. You get to pick and choose from a parts list Timeless has created, and then finish the car the way you want to.  About the most expensive piece...  About the most expensive piece in the room was the new steel three-window '33/'34 Ford body from Steve's Auto Restoration, and it won the $500 and Up category. At $30,500, the body features die-stamped, 19-gauge electroplated sheetmetal and comes fully assembled with hung doors, latches, trunk lid, and more. (Look for a full story in the next few months in Street Rodder on this new body).  A longtime leader in helping...  A longtime leader in helping rodders with their shifting needs, Lokar Performance debuted their adjustable selector shaft, flange, and arm for the Ford AODE/4R70W transmission, which can be used with many aftermarket shifter assemblies, and sells for less than $50.  From Paul Horton's Welder...  From Paul Horton's Welder Series comes frame reinforcing plates (or "fishplates") for less than $3 a piece. They come with or without holes, which allows for routing of wiring or tubing. Time-consuming to make yourself, this item helps cut fabrication time way down.  United Pacific had their new...  United Pacific had their new Guide 682-C type headlamps in the New Products section, and they sell for about $350 a pair. With a gloss black (or chrome) housing and chrome ring, the headlamps are topped with a bright LED turn signal.  Any home welder knows the...  Any home welder knows the value of this product. Bob Drake now has a variety pack of 18-gauge welding discs, which makes filling holes in your steel body or chassis a breeze. There are 25 discs of each of the 8 sizes (1.25-inch, 1-inch, 7/8-inch, 3/4-inch, 5/8-inch, 1/2-inch, 3/8-inch, and 5/16-inch) in the packet, which sells for about $30.  At just under $500, the new...  At just under $500, the new Access 24/7 wiring kit from Ron Francis has a capacity of 24 fuses and it comes with 7 relays. One of the best features is the fuse panel is removable, which means you can reach under the dash and pull out the panel for inspection or troubleshooting.  Though it was entered too...  Though it was entered too late to be judged, Vintique showed their new block-letter, stainless steel, '61-72 Ford pickup hubcap, which can be used on any '40-56 Ford truck or '40-48 passenger car. They sell for about $30 each, and can be found at any dealer of Vintique products.  For about $60 per pair, you...  For about $60 per pair, you can get Kugel Komponents' shock/coilover mock-up tool-an easily adjustable item that takes the place of a shock or coilover during construction, which allows the builder to set different ride heights and figure out clearance issues.  Cooling Components has a new...  Cooling Components has a new slim version of their Slimline fan and shroud, which measures 2 5/8-inches at the top and runs out at 1 1/2-inches at the bottom. It sells for under $250, and was displayed with a Walker 3-inch-chop radiator they offer for '32 Fords.  D&J Street Rod Accessories...  D&J Street Rod Accessories showcased their new glue-on billet windshield trim, which makes a nice finishing touch to any of the many bodies it will fit (including '33/34 Rat's Glass, '32-34 N&N bodies, '33/34 Downs bodies, '32 Redneck, and more). It retails for about $275.  Juliano's Hot Rod Parts has...  Juliano's Hot Rod Parts has come up with another great design to add to their line of steering wheels. For about $350 you can get their nine-bolt, woodgrained, 15-inch wheel, which would look great in any hot rod or sports car.  Engineered Components Inc....  Engineered Components Inc. (ECI) displayed their newest offering: an under-floor brake and clutch system mounting bracket that allows for a more compact/staggered installation.  Billet Specialties now has...  Billet Specialties now has a billet aluminum, 140-amp alternator to be used with their Tru Trac serpentine belt systems. The alternator, made from 6061-T6, sells for about $500.  This is a product whose time...  This is a product whose time has come. Fatman Fabrications has released their Vintage Style radius rods, which come drilled or plain for the traditional rodder. Under $500 for the pair, you get the peace of mind that only new, strong, and expertly-built radius rods can give you, and they come with 5-degrees of caster built-in.  Classic Instruments has been...  Classic Instruments has been busy the last few years developing new gauge designs, and this year was no exception. Their All American Series of gauges (in nickel, tradition, and standard finishes) include a 5-inch speedo and a quad-set gauge, both for about $700.  Hard to see in this photo,...  Hard to see in this photo, the long, thin chrome blade in the foreground is a stainless steel rear bumper made for '36 Fords by Legens Hot Rod Shop. It retails for about $1,500, and Legens offers mini bumperettes for the front, too.  The Billet Specialties Legends...  The Billet Specialties Legends Series wheels, which this Apex-G wheel is a part of, features a cast, powder-coated center and a polished lip, and comes in 17-, 18-, and 20-inch diameters for about $375 each.  Sometimes the simplest design...  Sometimes the simplest design is the best. Flaming River now offers this telescoping roadster column as part of their Nostalgia Steering Column line. The telescoping version sells for a little more than $900, but they also offer a paintable, non-telescoping version for about $400.  Zoops Products had their $1,400...  Zoops Products had their $1,400 Posi Trak V-belt system in the New Products room, which is a compact front-mount system that includes chromed and polished pieces as well as an aluminum water pump and more for a small-block Chevy.  Winner of the Up To $100 category...  Winner of the Up To $100 category went to Bob Drake for their development of a flexible gas filler hose, which fits a wide variety of angles and applications, and sells for about $25.  The "Tattletale" pulsing panic...  The "Tattletale" pulsing panic stop brake light system won the NSRA's Best New Safety Related Product of the Year award. For about $90, the kit allows you to adjust how your brake lights will appear to those behind you-normal "on" with normal braking or pulsing when in a panic stop situation.  The Clean Wipe System is from...  The Clean Wipe System is from Newport Engineering, and won the $101 - $500 category of best new products. The system is a complete windshield wiper system for '32-34 Ford trucks that features one motor that drives two blades. The kit sells for about $350.
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