Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Tony Colombini |
Tony Colombini Joins the TV Show “My Classic Car” as Account Executive
Tony Colombini, who has served as both marketing director and art director in the automotive aftermarket, brings his passion and experience as a buyer to the account executive position at “My Classic Car” with Dennis Gage. Colombini also runs his own business, Blacktop Media—a marketing, design and publishing studio.
4 Wheel Parts Enters Into UTV Aftermarket
4 Wheel Parts has announced its entrance into the growing UTV aftermarket. 4 Wheel Parts has formed a multi-tiered alliance with the digital portal, UTVUnderground, that will include content creation, marketing collaboration and the launch of the “UTVUnderground Garage,” which will provide a retail resource to the UTV enthusiast. 4 Wheel Parts sales and distribution of UTV performance parts and accessories will provide consumers the opportunity to shop by phone, in-store and online. Retail sales and installations of UTV products will be first introduced to select Southern California, Nevada and Arizona 4 Wheel Parts locations as all 75 stores nationwide will subsequently be retrofitted with UTV focused displays and in-store inventory. UTV enthusiasts will have their first opportunity to see elements of this partnership at the official unveiling of the 4 Wheel Parts/UTVUnderground Garage, Friday, September 16, at the Sand Sports Expo in Costa Mesa, California.
 Quick Fuel Technology founder Marvin Benoit is retiring after 19 years. |
QFT Founder Marvin Benoit Retires After 19 Years
After 19 years, Quick Fuel Technology (QFT) founder Marvin Benoit is retiring. When he left Holley in ’97 to start up QFT, his goal was to sell small carburetor components to racers and fuel-system products that are easier to use, faster on the track and more affordable for the racer. It wasn’t long before QFT was building its own line of carburetors and equipping them so that they were ready to race out of the box. QFT’s product line evolved with fuel pumps, pressure regulators and most recently, EFIs. Benoit was awarded nine patents for fuel-system innovations over those 19 years. As a result, QFT now sells in excess of 50,000 carburetors per year. Benoit sold QFT to High Performance Industries in 2012.
Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels Launches Reward Program September 1
Beginning September 1–October 31, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels is offering consumers a $50 prepaid reward card on the purchase of a new set of four Trail Country tires, a $100 prepaid reward card on the purchase of a set of four Fun Country or Extreme Country tires and a $75 prepaid reward card on a set of four qualifying wheels. Eligible Dick Cepek tires include the new Extreme Country along with the Trail Country and Fun Country. Eligible Dick Cepek wheels include DC Terrain, DC Matrix, DC Blackout, DC-2 Black and DC Torque. For program details, visit www.dickcepek.com/offer.
 Dan Wathor’s ’37 Ford was named Goodguys 2016 Flowmaster America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod. |
America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod—Dan Wathor’s ’37 Ford
The metallic gold ’37 Ford of Rio Linda, California’s Dan Wathor captured Goodguys 2016 Flowmaster America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod during last weekend’s Goodguys 30th West Coast Nationals. After top-five finalist placings for Goodguys Street Rod d'Elegance and Street Rod of the Year, Wathor's sparkling ’37 was a decade in the making. Built by Kenny’s Rod Shop in Boise, Idaho, Wathor’s coupe is powered by a 351-cid. EFI Ford Cleveland V8 punched out to 427cid, with dyno readings north of 750hp. The exterior is painted in PPG Envirobase gold metallic. A closer look reveals custom fabricated inner fender wells (front and back) and custom running boards. The hood has been sloped while underneath lies a custom curved firewall. All exterior glass is curved. Boise’s Interior Revolutions stitched the vintage toffee leather interior and mohair headliner while the original ’37 dash is fitted with Classic Instruments gauges, Juliano’s ’39 Banjo steering wheel, a Flaming River steering column and a Lokar shifter.
HUBB’s High Performance Filter Wins the Gold in International Design Excellence Awards Competition
HUBB Filters has announced that its performance filter has earned a Gold Award in the 2016 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) competition—an initiative of the International Design Society of America (IDSA). The judging is based upon design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the client, benefit to society and appropriate aesthetics. The HUBB filter was awarded the Gold medal because it offers a significant environmental advantage by replacing conventional disposable automotive oil filters with an all-metal dual-filter washable unit that lasts a lifetime and avoids the need to dispose of used filters in landfills.
 The first-ever “Galpinized” vehicle—a ’52 Ford convertible. |
Galpin Motors Reveals Search and Reward for ’52 Ford Convertible
Southern California’s Galpin Motors—home to Galpin Auto Sports (GAS)—has announced that it is searching for its long-lost ’52 Ford Convertible—the “Galpin Custom”—its first custom car. Galpin’s recent discovery of one of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s first customs—a ’56 Ford F100—which was lost for more than 50 years, inspired Galpin to begin a search for its own missing custom. Galpin Motors believes this was the first time that a new car was ever customized at a dealership and then sold as a new car, giving it historical significance. The ’52 Convertible was first shown at the third annual International Motorama at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Pasadena, California, in November 1952. From there it went on to be featured on the cover of the June 1953 issue of Motor Trend. Galpin is offering a reward for any information that will help locate the car, including any photos, magazine articles, original parts or the convertible in its entirety in any condition. The convertible was last seen in Southern California’s San Fernando Valley in the ’50s. If found, the dealership plans a possible restoration. If you have any information on the Galpin ’52 Ford Convertible, contact custom@galpin.com or Jeff Skobin at 818-778-2255.
Yokohama Tire Corp. Launches GEOLANDAR Moab Adventure Sweepstakes
Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) is giving away the ultimate driving adventure. In the tire maker’s sweepstakes, the GEOLANDAR Moab Adventure, one winner and a guest will receive a guided, two-day off-road tour in Moab, Utah. Included in the grand prize are hotel accommodations, airfare and spending money. Participants can enter by subscribing to Yokohama’s email newsletter. The sweepstakes will run from September 1–16.
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