About TRJ
The Rodder’s Journal is a coffee table-style quarterly published for the traditional hot rod and custom car enthusiast. Launched in 1994, we created TRJ to showcase every aspect of hot rodding with the same attention to detail and accuracy enthusiasts give when building their cars. Now, thirty years later, TRJ is still considered the preeminent hot rod, custom and vintage racing publication, with in-depth editorial, lush photography, and rich production values like heavy, high-gloss pages and sturdy cover stock—all fit for a magazine readers collect and keep in their libraries for decades to come.
Subscribe Today
Issue #87
Let’s take a deeper look into what’s inside TRJ #87. Feature cars run the gamut of what we consider to be the very best of traditional rodding, customizing and racing. Our covers depict two of our favorite historic full-fendered Deuce roadsters. They first received acclaim on the California rodding scene more than a half-century ago when owned by L.A. Roadsters and Bay Area Roadsters members Ian Cusey and Bill Marshall. They are now under the stewardship of Texas rodders “Flat Top Bob” Owens and Steve Wertheimer, respectively. Of equal historic importance are Pete Eastwood’s “Samurai” Top Fuel Dragster, which was raced in Japan back in the 1960s, and Rich Hubbard’s Barris-built Tom Hocker Forty. We also explore Cody Walls’ concept custom ’49 Buick and Andy Volpini’s road warriors, a ’40 Ford coupe and F-100 pickup. We also attended our old friends Bobby Alloway and Gay Case’s relatively new event, The Triple Crown of Rodding, held in the Nashville, Tennessee area. Jay Fitzhugh delves into the detailed world of traditional hot rod hardware and fasteners and noted automotive designer Larry Erickson’s shares his take on Bonneville racing history. And in our Parts is Parts feature we showcase the aluminum heads and assorted pieces that Jack Chisenhall developed for the Red Ram Hemis.
Issue #87
The cover of TRJ #87A shows Bay Area Roadsters’ member Bill Marshall’s Deuce more than a half-century after completion. It’s now under the stewardship of Texan, Steve Wertheimer.
TRJ #87B showcases Pete Eastwood’s “Samurai” Top Fueler. It was raced in Japan back in the 1960s.
Other articles in TRJ #87 include;
The Bill Marshall Deuce is joined by the Ian Cusey ’32 Deuce roadster in our article “Texas Hold-Em”. The Cusey Deuce has also made its way to Texas. It’s now owned by “Flat Top Bob” Owens.
We attended Bobby Alloway and Gary Case’s event, The Triple Crown of Rodding, held in the Nashville area. It’s been a big hit right from the start!
In the 1960s Walt Zaveruka was a flight engineer for Japan Airlines and he campaigned a Top Fueler while in Japan. Don Long enlisted everyone from Tom Hanna to Dave Zeuschel and Tony Nancy to complete the build.
Rich Hubbard’s Barris-built Tom Hocker ‘40 Ford made its debut at Oakland in ‘53. It went through several iterations and even appeared in American Graffiti. It’s been restored by John Canepa.
Andy Volpini’s ’40 Ford coupe and F-100 pickup, have seen lots of miles. The Forty, a hot rod since the ‘60s, has over 300,000 miles on it since Andy acquired it in 1978. Originally powered by an inline-six, the ’53 pickup is now motivated by a nailhead.
They say, “The Devil is in the Details” and that is the title of this article. Jay Fitzhugh takes a deep dive into what rodders were using when assembling their cars back in the beginnings of our sport.
Cody’s Walls’ inspiration for his concept-custom ’49 Buick came from two sources. He wanted to tip his hat to the “Y-Job” concept car built by Buick in 1938 and wanted the exterior finishes and interior details to reflect the late- ‘50s.
Bonneville Speed Week has been going on for 75-plus years and tradition hangs heavy in the air on the salt flats. Larry Erickson is a Bonneville veteran and offers a unique perspective on just what makes this place so special.
In Parts is Parts, we showcase the aluminum heads Jack Chisenhall developed for the Dodge Red Ram. That’s right, brand new aluminum heads for “Baby Hemis”!