Hot Rods and Racing Cars #39

Todd Hamlin's pride in the Safety Kings hot rod club is tested when Jimmy Reeves rolls up with a sleek factory-built car and asks to join, leading Todd to dismiss him as just another square with a "creampuff." But Jimmy proves there's more under that hood than meets the eye, and a decisive drag race forces Todd and the club to reconsider their snap judgment about what it takes to be a true hot-rodder.

A tour of Texas's massive Freeway Drag Strip between Houston and Galveston showcases the serious infrastructure and regulations behind competitive hot-rodding in 1959, from electronic timing systems and thorough vehicle inspections to the weigh-in and classification process that precedes the races themselves. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how the Greater Houston Timing Association keeps the all-gasoline competition running at full throttle.

This practical guide walks you through the surprisingly straightforward process of dropping a newer Ford OHV engine into your pre-1954 jalopy, swapping out that classic Flathead V-8 for serious modern muscle. With just a few key modifications—mainly pushing back the firewall for clearance—you'll unlock a whole world of performance upgrades and compatible parts, potentially pushing your ride up to 400 horsepower for drag strip glory. Whether you choose a Merc or Thunderbird block, Ford's legendary interchangeability makes this engine swap a smart move for any hot rodder looking to breathe new life into their vintage ride.

When Sam Harden's Jaguar breaks down during qualifying for a European race, he seems finished—until Gordon Barnes, a custom car builder, offers him a sleek American-built machine to drive instead. Now Harden finds himself battling Alecci's Ferrari on a grueling course, but with his brakes failing and the Ferrari constantly pressing him, he'll need more than raw speed to stay ahead.

When Pop Lane brings his young friend to the quarter-midget races, he ignites a passion that threatens to pull Big Jim Hawkins back into the racing life he abandoned five years earlier—a decision made out of fear after a terrible crash. Now Jim must face what his wife has known all along: that both he and his son were born for the track, and that walking away was never the answer.

Bill Frankel, a young American racing sensation, finds himself locked in a fierce battle with Von Hess, a veteran European driver who harbors deep resentment toward Americans and knows every treacherous inch of the Nuburgring course. As the two push their cars to the limit across 650 dangerous miles, Von Hess employs every psychological and driving trick in his arsenal—but Frankel refuses to back down, even when provoked into a reckless showdown at the hairpin turn. What emerges from their collision is an unexpected mutual respect that transcends the bitter rivalry that started the race.