Bugatti Hot Rod
Mark DeLong told us one of the happiest days of his life was when he picked up the July '98 issue of HOT ROD and saw Lynwood Woods' GTO on the cover. He had helped Willie Rells and Richard Green build it the previous August. Of course, he also said it pushed him over the edge into radical car building. One of his latest is a rare '37 Bugatti four-door (above). The rough shell has had all the original internal wood support structure removed and replaced with stainless tubing and sheetmetal, the A-pillar has been laid back 12 degrees, and a metal roof has been welded in. For a better full-fendered effect, the original fenders have been widened and running boards have been grafted in. Of course, the style will still be very flamboyant '30s European, but the heart will be hot rod, since the original drivetrain has given way to one pirated from an '04 Cadillac CTS-V. The owner is eager to get the high-class hot rod on the road, so the car is expected to be done for next year's Goodguys at Del Mar show.- Christopher Campbell
A Badder Bullitt
Brent Jarvis and Performance Restorations (www.performancerestorations.com), creators of the "No Poseur" '66 Corvette (Feb. '06) have moved on to their next project with a vision of creating a 2006 version of Steve McQueen's famous Bullitt Mustang. Named Extreme Bullitt, it will wear a custom hue, similar to the original's Highland Green, with a black interior. The finished Mustang will look almost exactly like McQueen's car, with the only body mod being a '67 Shelby-style hood that's necessary to clear the fuel injection on the Roush Racing 427ci, 576hp engine. A road-race-prepped Richmond six-speed and a 9-inch Ford rear with 3:23 gears finish out the driveline. A Heidt's frontend with coilovers, dual A-arms, and rack-and-pinion will replace the shock towers, and a well-hidden 10-point 'cage will snake through the car to stiffen it with only the Shelby bar exposed for all to see. Getting the nod for the right look are 17x8 TTOs from American Racing with Michelin Pilots, but in plus size to clear the 13-inch Wilwood disc brakes on all four corners. Jarvis tells us he wishes McQueen were still around to take it for a spin when it's done.-Christopher Campbell
Thunderlane
Tim Riegel and his crew at Fast Eddie Hot Rod Shop said they were challenged by a local man to build a high-end car, preferably a Ford, but one of a less-common body style. Tim knew just the car and told him the plans for a '64 Fairlane 500 the shop had recently acquired. The customer liked the idea, and Riegel commissioned Kris Horton to put the design on paper
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