Custom Car Magazine

28 September 2023

This month’s issue of Custom Car Magazine offers a feature piece titled: ‘Recouperation’ where we join Anthony Bushell, to discuss the result of his recent project, modifying a Deuce coupe. A distinctive 5 window car and bought as a clone in the style of Milner’s coupe in American Graffiti, the vehicle has been taken back to its roots in order to give it a new lease of life. There was nothing wrong with the components of the coupe – Rodline ‘glass 5-window body, American Stamping rails boxed with tubular crossmembers, dropped I-beam front axle with a transverse leaf spring, hairpins and a disc brake kit, and a ladder bar located, Hauser Racing prepped, Ford 9-inch rear axle with Strange shafts, bearings and studs, along with a disc brake conversion and Panhard rod – but it was necessary in Anthony’s mind to add his own flare and personality to the coupe, so that it could tune up to fit his needs. We take a deep-dive into the process of modification and experimentation, delivering you all the details of this Deuce coupe’s transformation. From a hot rod to a van, in our feature: ‘Burgers and Broads’ we drive out to Norfolk to join Chris Carr, his van named ‘Irene’, and the chain of diners he owns that all date from his birth year, 1976. Chris’ American diners are called Zak’s, and it’s safe to say that as the business has successfully expanded across Norfolk, so has Chris and his business partner’s personality within the business. By that we mean that a small fleet of Yankee vehicles have been added to the company, including a modern Ford Ranger decked out to look like a Sherriff’s pick-up, a ’78 GMC Sierra and a Chevy Step Van. And Irene. The pick of the bunch would have to be Irene, a 1976 Chevy G20 van, third-gen model, that Chris is passionate about to say the least. With paintwork that shows plenty of patina, and an interior of red, red, and redder, this van, powered by its original 5.7-litre V8, certainly has a story to tell. Read more about Zak’s American Diners and the fleet of American cars it uses in this month’s issue. If a vintage lifestyle event is more to your interests, then get ready to read this month’s feature on ‘Dragstalgia’. The event’s first day alone included a full day of RWYB action, followed by the first qualifying session of the weekend – ending with a new world record for a steam-powered vehicle when Graham Sykes clocked 6.718 / 161 on the Force of Nature drag bike. The event was a marathon of petrol head entertainment from start to finish. With everything from the nostalgia race and show car displays, to vintage drag bikes, and the CC invitational on track, this year’s Dragstalgia had a lot to boast about. We bring you details of the best cars of the weekend and all the important details, all in this month’s edition of Custom Car Magazine.