Rod Shop Tapestries
Description: Founded in 1964 in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwise was a chain of auto parts stores in the United States. In 1974, Nationwise partnered with Columbus-based engine builders, The Rod Shop, sponsoring a series of highly successful drag racecars. In stores, a Rod Shop section was created as kind of a speed shop inside of a parts store. In addition to go fast goodies from all the big names, Nationwise also sold Rod Shop branded performance parts. These parts were typically embossed with NRS (Nationwise Rod Shop), making them easy to identify by collectors, even decades later. The Rod Shop partnership ended in 1987, and less than a decade later, Nationwise became insolvent, and closed all stores on Sunday, October 15, 1995 at 3:00 PM.
Description: Very cool detailed vector illustration cartoon of a custom hot rod muscle car, popping a wheelie, huge chrome engine, diamond plate background, grungy distressed vintage look, with the words Speed Shop Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts and Service, sharp graphic for every car enthusiast
Description: Shelley's Auto Parts was an old school speed shop located in the Mission Hills area of San Fernando Valley. From the mid-sixties until the early '80s, they stocked a wealth of go fast goodies that any hot rodder or muscle car aficionado might need to make their ride go fast or just look like it.
Description: The first Hi-Rev Speed Equipment store opened up in Marshfield, Wisconsin in 1968. It was a traditional muscle car era speed shop with everything from mag wheels and side pipes to high-rise manifolds and four barrel carburetors. Hi-Rev also got into car audio and stocked an extensive selection of 8-track tapes. Additional stores opened in Eau Claire and Schofield, at which point they began using the name Hi-Rev Speed Shops. Hi-Rev claimed to be Wisconsin's largest speed shop, and who are we to argue with that?
Description: John Schlieper’s legendary Schlieper’s Speed Shop in Brookfield, WI, built engines for everything from modifieds and USAC race cars to top fuel dragsters and all out baja race trucks, but also turned out plenty of mills for the occasional hot rod and street fighting muscle car.
Description: Sun, sand, and superchargers collide in this retro-styled tribute to California car culture. “Coastline Speed Shop” channels the golden age of beachside horsepower, where palm trees sway and boost builds rule the boulevard. With bold aesthetics and a nod to Santa Cruz’s surf-meets-speed legacy, this design kicks off the Throwback Series with laid-back grit and high-octane charm.
Description: Weber Speed Equipment started out in 1945 as Weber Tool Company, making some of the first aluminum performance fly wheels. As the company continued to expand their speed parts catalog with cams, clutches, and heads, becoming increasingly popular with hot rodders and racers alike, they changed their name to Weber Speed Equipment. Aside from making high quality, extreme high-performance parts, one of their biggest claims to fame was their 'blow up proof' guarantee on their flywheels, something that was a big draw to those pushing higher horsepower and revs in the early days of drag racing.
Description: Built for the Badlands. Tuned for Trouble. This Austin tribute rolls Texas pride and turbocharged attitude into a matchbook-style design made for rebels and wrenchers. Lone Star Speed Shop channels the spirit of Hill Country highways, outlaw builds, and desert dust into a bold visual packed with horsepower and heat. It’s a nod to the gearheads who live fast, ride loud, and never back down.
Description: Based in Anaheim, Orange County Speed Shop opened its doors in 1949 as the post-war hot-rod craze was gaining momentum and quickly became one of the top sources for go-fast goodies on the west coast. They not only had a full-service retail business, but were quick to get into mail order and wholesale as well, distributing all the top brands to shops throughout the SoCal area.
Description: If any single shop could be credited with the 'Ohio style' of hot rod design, it would hands down be Lobeck's Hot Rod Parts. Beginning in the early '70s in Cleveland, Ohio, Barry Lobeck designed hot rods and custom parts that would define the new traditional look. From custom-designed rolling chassis to complete hot rods and more parts than you can shake a stick at, Lobeck's did it all for the better part of four decades, leaving a trail of builds that are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Description: While he had been making hot rod parts for several years prior, Bill Von Esser opened his speed shop at 3307 West Irving Park Road in Chicago back in 1947. He expanded his reach beyond the local scene through ads in national hot rod magazines that had people sending away for his first catalog in 1948. While he stocked go fast goodies from many manufacturers, his house machined parts were without question his biggest sellers. From high-performance heads for your flatty to custom Offy throttle bodies, Von Esser's parts were highly desirable, something that has only increased decades later.
Description: Hurst Performance, a legendary Pennsylvania-based performance parts company, began its journey in 1958 as a manufacturer of motor mounts for engine swaps and floor shifters. Throughout the 1960s, the company steadily expanded its product line, becoming a key name in the high-performance automotive industry. Among their iconic innovations were the Hurst wheels, Line/Loc systems, and Swifter Shifter gloves. The company also expanded its footprint by acquiring Airheart Brakes and the Schiefer Manufacturing Company, known for producing high-performance clutches and other driveline components. Hurst floor shifters became synonymous with precision engineering, reliability, and standout design.
