This is a very important bit of history in the development of Hot Rods in South Africa and the main player here is Derek Smith from the Bedfordview area.
Derek Smith had another angle on the Hot Rod dream and after tracking him down to his home in Sunningdale, he sent me this interesting story of the beautiful “STILETTO” Hot Rod sports car that he built. When I read his story, I can still hear the sound of his V8 roarin’ up van Buuren Avenue TBV. Thanks Derek.
Some builds start with a plan. Others start with a decision.
In this case, the decision was simple: don’t erase the past.
At first glance, this 1941 Chevrolet pick-up looked like a job well done. The stance was right, the steel body carried itself with confidence, and the proportions hinted at careful planning. Sitting on a custom-built chassis with Chevrolet 4100 suspension, a beautifully fabricated steel load bed, and a lightly chopped cab, the truck had presence. In many ways, the effort already invested was clearly worth it.
It usually starts with a simple idea. The kind that lives quietly in the back of your mind every time you pull up at a robot or a stop street. You’re sitting in an old, slightly rusty car. The guy next to you looks over, smiles politely, maybe even feels a bit sorry for you. Then the light changes, the wheels turn, and suddenly he’s watching dust and disbelief disappear down the road.
“In South Africa, rodding usually begins with a bunch of guys who find old, abandoned, rusted bodies and see potential.”
The first generation
South Africa was not a wealthy society in 1955 but there were countries worse off than us and many immigrants came to our shores for a better life.
One of them was a man from the Island of Madeira in the North Atlantic Ocean. This man was to become my father-in-law and his son would become the first guy to build a Hot Rod in South Africa. His name is Peter Jardine. Peter was born in Bedfordview and when he turned 22 he went on a trip to London.
What he found there had a profound effect on him and changed many of our lives for ever.
Does traveling broaden the mind…you bet!!
Some builds chase perfection. Others chase nostalgia. This ’56 Chevrolet 3100 lives in a different space entirely — one where scars are earned, rust is respected, and every mark tells a story.
Scott Bucknell’s love for cars started early. Like many of us, it began with anything mechanical that had wheels or an engine, cars and bikes shaping his world from a young age. Over the years he owned a few memorable machines, but this El Camino came into his life in a way that says a lot about the partnership behind the build. While Scott was away, his wife spotted the car for sale, sent him the details, did the homework, and ultimately pulled the trigger herself. It was a Holden-based El Camino, which made the decision even easier. Having a partner who genuinely shares the passion doesn’t just help projects like this happen, it elevates them, and Scott knows how fortunate he is.
For years, a persistent myth has circulated in the tuning world:
“Camshafts don’t make a difference on turbocharged engines.”
STK Performance has set out to disprove that belief — and has succeeded. With the release of the 252/262H Turbo Camshaft Set, the brand has demonstrated clear, repeatable performance gains backed by real-world dyno testing. These results confirm what experienced engine builders already know: turbocharged engines benefit significantly from optimized camshaft profiles.
Classic cars have a soul that modern vehicles simply can’t replicate — the mechanical chatter, the tactile driving feel, the unmistakable character. But one thing most vintage vehicles don’t excel at is ignition reliability. Worn points, inconsistent spark, hard cold starts, and constant adjustments can take the joy out of classic motoring.