On June 18, 1923, the first Checker Cab rolls off the line at the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Morris Markin, founder of Checker Cab, was born in Smolensk, Russia, and began working when he was only 12 years old. At 19, he immigrated to the United States and moved to Chicago, where two uncles lived. After opening his own tailor’s shop, Markin also began running a fleet of cabs and an auto body shop, the Markin Auto Body Corporation, in Joliet, Illinois. In 1921, a...

In the following days, much will be said about Vic Edelbrock Jr. The man left a lot of friends, family, and fans behind. Almost everyone in the industry will have their own Vic Jr., story, and there will be a cornucopia of stories because of the numerous relationships that Vic cultivated through the years.

It’s the love affair of the automobile, remember that! – Vic Edelbrock Jr.
He knew everyone and everyone knew him. Even if you had never met before, Vic treated you as a long-time fr...

Auto transport companies ship vehicles from one city to another, one state to another and even one country to another. Some reasons people need to ship a vehicle include:

Individuals making a cross-country move

Car collectors purchasing a classic car from out of state.

Small businesses purchasing a small fleet of vehicles for local transport or delivery services.

Cab companies that need to replace their entire fleet of vehicles.

No matter your reason for having your vehicle ship...

First Porsche Build in 1948

In 1948, a hand-built aluminum prototype labeled “No. 1? becomes the first vehicle to bear the name of one of the world’s leading luxury car manufacturers: Porsche.

The Austrian automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche debuted his first design at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1900. The electric vehicle set several Austrian land-speed records, reaching more than 35 mph and earning international acclaim for the young engineer. He became general director of the Austro-...

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on June 4, 1896, in the shed behind his home on Bagley Avenue in Detroit, Henry Ford unveils the “Quadricycle,” the first automobile he ever designed or drove.

Ford was working as the chief engineer for the main plant of the Edison Illuminating Company when he began working on the Quadricycle. On call at all hours to ensure that Detroit had electrical service 24 hours a day, Ford was able to use his flexible working schedule to experiment with his pet project–buildi...

The First Indy 500


On May 30, 1911, the inaugural Indianapolis 500 is run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. The 200-lap, two-and-a-half mile race has since become a Memorial Day weekend tradition. With the exception of a break in 1917 and 1918 for World War I and from 1942 to 1945 for World War II, it has been run every year since, and is now the largest sporting event in the world, attended by about 270,000 spectators annually.

When the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was desig...

The beginning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some 620,000 soldiers on both sides died. The loss of life and its effect on communities throughout the country led to spontaneous commemorations of the dead:
In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of their dead from the just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in a Vicksburg, Missis...

Ford Model T Last Day of Production 05261927

On this day in 1927, Henry Ford and his son Edsel drive the 15 millionth Model T Ford out of their factory, marking the famous automobile’s official last day of production.

More than any other vehicle, the relatively affordable and efficient Model T was responsible for accelerating the automobile’s introduction into American society during the first quarter of the 20th century. Introduced in October 1908, the Model T—also known as the “Tin Lizzi...

The 1974 Bricklin SV-1 was a contradiction in terms, a sports car that put safety ahead of style or performance. “Safety Vehicle 1” had fiberglass body panels and massive bumpers wrapped around a crash cage, side beams, and gull wing doors. The Bricklin did not have an ashtray or cigarette lighter to discourage smoking. The car came in five friendly safety colors: green, orange, red, white, and suntan. The added weight of all those safety features cut into the acceleration and speed, and the sa...

Simple battery maintenance

As we work on your hot rods and daily drivers performing routine maintenance one thing we do not spend much time looking at is the battery. Here are a few tips on what to look for and how to maintain your battery.


Always take time to inspect the battery terminals. These are either on top of the battery or on the side. The top ones are posts about an inch in diameter where the cables are held with clamps. Side posts have threaded spots where the cables bolt ...

More Cuban Chrome. Here is a collection of photos recently taken by my friend the Swede while on location in Cuba. As you can tell by the photos the old classic rides are a alive and well in Cuba. So many are used as daily drivers and taxis. While talking with the swede about his trip he said he would not be going back. A very poor country at best and very run down. ...

Mopar Junk Yard. What a great collection of old Mopars. Here are a few photos from a recent visit. So many great classics and parts everywhere. This man has quite a collection. When you are driving around take a minute and smell the roses. I am as guilty as the next guy being in such a hurry that I just drive on by in a hurry to get where I am going. You just never know what you might see. Thanks to the Swedes for the photos. Willie Moore StreetRodding.com...

StreetRodding Golf Day in Pearland Texas. Not car building but a great day to be outside. I played in a local tournament benefiting several local charities. What a great day and we had a great time. If you have an opportunity hit a few golf balls. I am not a great golfer but hit a good one every now and then. Made some new friends and when playing in a tournament the beer and food are usually included. So if you ever get invited I would recommend that you show up and have some fun. Willie Moore...

Pete & Jake’s Open House The Open House is this Saturday, which is May 13th, kicking off at 9 a.m. at their headquarters located at 401 Legend Lane in Peculiar, Missouri.
We hope you can make it if you’re in the area. It’s sure to be a great time! Call Pete & Jake’s at (800) 334-7240 or visit www.peteandjakes.com for more info. Remember—there will be free copies of The ...

The first tubeless tire

On this day in 1947, the B.F. Goodrich Company of Akron, Ohio, announces it has developed a tubeless tire, a technological innovation that would make automobiles safer and more efficient.

Pneumatic tires–or tires filled with pressurized air–were used on motor vehicles beginning in the late 1800s, when the French rubber manufacturer Michelin & Cie became the first company to develop them. For the first 60 years of their use, pneumatic tires generally relied on an in...

Quick and easy install in a small package.

Edelbrock Universal Micro Electric Fuel Pumps deliver maximum performance in a compact package. They feature a durable simple design that reduces the chance of vapor lock and flooding. In addition, they are easy to install and they operate quietly so you won’t know they’re there! Includes fuel pump, filter, mounting hardware and instructions for hassle-free installation. Available for gasoline and diesel applications.
For use with standard 12-volt ...

Willie Moore Lone Star Round Up 2017 Austin Texas . It has been a few weeks since we attended the Lone Star Round up in Austin Texas and what a great show. The weather was super and so many cool cars. The show over was great but the live music was not quite what it usually is. But what the hell I am here for the cool cars and pretty girls. We headed to Austin on Wednesday and stayed through Sunday morning. Kenny Daily and the Swedes were hanging with us all the way through. If you only make one ...

This April 17th, 2017 and June 30th, 2017 we’re giving a FREE CLASSICBRAID KIT with the purchase of any chassis or fuel injection harness!


To receive your free ClassicBraid Kit you must purchase any Painless Performance chassis harness or fuel injection harness from any Painless retailer between April 17th, 2017 and June 30th, 2017. The free ClassicBraid Kit offer applies to retail purchases by the end consumer of Painless Performance products only.

Click here for a list of retailers

...

Frontier Days Car Show Alvin Texas 2017 was this past Saturday. I was in Dallas and not able to attend. Here are a few photos from the show. The show is presented by the local Rotary club and is a great show. There are many folks supporting the show including

Ron Carter Automotive Center, Home Town Bank of Alvin,Texas Advantage Community Bank, Alvin Animal Clinic, CenterPoint Energy, Fairway Square Apartments, H.E.B.
Southern Global Safety Services, Stanton's Shopping Center, Inc, A C U of...

What a great year at the PATE swap meet 2017. We spent a few days with the Swedes, Melinda and Kenny Daily. We had a great time checking all the cool stuff and classic cars. The weather was great, The beer was cold and the swap meet was once again one of a kind. If you are not able to find it here you just do not need it. Willie Moore StreetRodding...

Inman's BBQ Marble Falls Texas What a great day with great folks in Marble Falls Texas. We drove up and visited with Billy at Inman’s BBQ and what a great time we had, the joint has been in business for over 50 years. Billy is the second generation BBQ cooker and what a great job he does. The business was opened by his father over 50 years ago. Billy has so many great stories about how things have changed over the years and he is such a great person to just sit and visit with. The BBQ was great ...

On this day in 1937, Craig Breedlove, the first person to reach land speeds of 400mph, 500 mph and 600 mph in a jet-powered vehicle, is born.

Breedlove was raised in Southern California, where as a teenager he built cars and was a drag racer. As a young man, he designed a three-wheeled, rocket-shaped vehicle powered by a surplus military J-47 plane engine and dubbed it the Spirit of America. On October 5, 1963, Breedlove became the fastest man on wheels when he recorded an average speed of mo...

StreetRodding at Top Notch Burger in Austin Texas. We were in Austin Texas last week for the Lone Star Round Up. What a great show and the weather was perfect. Here are a few photos from a local hang out Top Notch Burger. A great place with great food, Live music and a drive in movie when the sun went down. Next time you are in Austin Texas stop on by for one of the best burgers in town. Willie Moore StreetRodding...

Headed to the Lone Star Round up. We will be heading out this week for another great Texas event. We have made this event for the last 10 years. Always great weather and so many cool cars. I have been to shows all across the country and this is by far the best. I might be a little partial as I love Texas. We will have a tent set up at the show. Drop by Saturday and have a cold drink. Hope to see you there. Willie Moore StreetRodding...

Racing Legend Danica Patrick is born



On this day in 1982, Danica Patrick, the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race, America’s top level of open-wheel racing, is born in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Patrick became involved in racing as a young girl and as a teenager moved to England in pursuit of better training opportunities. In 2002, after returning to the United States, she began driving for the Rahal Letterman Racing team, owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champ Bobby Rahal and late-night t...

Racing alive and well in the South


The United States Motorsports Association (USMA) announced some initial data from their Motorsports Impact Report (MIR) as it relates to South Carolina on Saturday night during the Performance Plus Motor Oil 300, that also kicked off the 2017 racing season at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Research teams at Indiana University / Purdue University and the USMA have been conducting extensive and in-depth research into all forms of grassroots racing across the U.S. ...

Free Swap Meets through April 31. To help promote the swap meet section at StreetRodding the swap meet area will be free through April 31. If you have parts to list please email me at WillieMoore@StreetRodding.com and your ads will be free. Thanks Willie Moore...

List your Classic Car today for 6.95 At StreetRodding. Become a premium member today at StreetRodding and list your classic car, Muscle Car, Rat Rod or Street Rod for Sale. You will also receive 50 swap meet ads with your membership. Willie Moore...

Choosing the right water pump for your Street Rod


When you are building a Street Rod there are a just a couple basic things to consider when choosing the water pump for your build. Are you going to run a short or long style pump? Are you going to run a v-belt or serpentine? How much space do you have from the end of the water pump to the radiator? Typically the small block Chevy used a short water pump on ’68 and earlier passenger cars and light duty trucks. The SBC long water pump was ...

Volkswagen maker of the Beetle automobile, expands its product offerings to include a microbus, which goes into production on this day in 1950. Known officially as the Volkswagen Type 2 (the Beetle was the Type 1) or the Transporter, the bus was a favorite mode of transportation for hippies in the U.S. during the 1960s and became an icon of the American counterculture movement.

The VW bus was reportedly the brainchild of Dutch businessman Ben Pon, an importer of Beetles to the Netherlands, wh...