SEMA 2013 Coverage

We didn’t have a booth setup at the 2013 SEMA Show, but our neighbors at Coker Tire sent us some cool pictures to post here. Our guys in the Honest Charley Garage had a lot of work to do to help prepare Coker for its big SEMA event, so we were proud to see our…

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Watch Your Carbs

No, we’re not talking about your diet–we’re talking about carburetors. They’re an important part of making your hot rod run like a scalded dog, but we often interact with customers who are having issues from a carburetor they bought at a swap meet. We love scrounging for parts at swap meets just as much as…

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Fall 2013 Chattanooga Cruise In

We always know we’re in for a lot of work during the fall months, due to a number of events, and this year was absolutely the most action-packed September in our history. The Street Rodder Road Tour passed through on Thursday, the 5th, then we had the Chattanooga Cruise In on Saturday, the 7th, and…

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The Road Tour Passes through Chattanooga!

We gave you the inside scoop on the 2013 Street Rodder Road Tour car, as it was being fabricated, assembled and finished by Honest Charley Garage. And now, the ’51 Ford Custom is doing its thing, traveling from city to city and stopping at a bunch of awesome car shows and shops. The Road Tour…

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Charge It!

Charging systems are always a challenge on old cars. Regardless of your plans to restore it or make it a hot rod, you’ll likely want to get rid of the old six-volt charging system. Stepping up to a 12-volt system is quite simple these days, and you can even keep the same old school looks…

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World’s Greatest Hot Rod Coincidence

Yesterday, we were doing our thing in the Speed Shop…selling parts, helping customers and checking inventory…an average day at Honest Charley. Then, a couple of guests came through the door and they talked real funny, so we had to figure out where they came from. As it turns out, they’re from New Zealand, and they’ve…

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Street Rodder Road Tour–1951 Ford

Almost a year in the making, the 2013 Street Rodder Road Tour car is complete! We thrashed to get it finished in time for the Hot Rod Power Tour’s visit here in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and then put the finishing touches on it before it headed out to St. Paul, Minnesota for its first true outing.…

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Measuring Wheel Backspacing

We get all sorts of questions here at the Speed Shop, and one of our most common questions involves fitting custom wheels and tires. To get the right look, you really need to study your car, and make some important measurements. It’s also important to know the particular measurements if you’re planning to do your…

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Street Rodder Road Tour–Custom Trim

With the big stuff out of the way (top chop, body channel, and other body modifications), we could concentrate on some of the smaller details on the car, such as the side trim. In the Eric Black rendering, a thin piece of trim is shown running down the side of the car, with a stylish…

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Power Tour Leaves Its Mark(s) in Chattanooga

Wow, what a day! Thursday, June 6th, was quite a busy day here in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Hot Rod Power Tour came through town, with an official stop at Chattanooga State Community College. Thousands of hot rods, muscle cars and trucks came out to the campus, along with a number of parts vendors, including our…

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