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From the Editor: Every now and then, we get the chance to combine two of our favorite things: scenic roads and great places to stay. This month, the DRIVE team hit the road and made the trek to one of the most talked-about spots in the Southeast, Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, North Carolina. If you’ve never been, let me tell you, it’s more than just a place to crash for the night. Tapoco Lodge sits right along the Little Tennessee River and has been welcoming travelers, adventurers, and gearheads since 1930. Whether you’re showing up in a muscle car, a lifted 4×4, a slammed truck, or even on two wheels, this lodge makes you feel like family the moment you roll in. We spent a couple of days there, thanks…
CHEVROLET C1500 SILVERADO & GMC SIERRA 1988-1998 REAR DRUM-TO-DISC CONVERSION WITH ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE Wilwood has engineered a new rear drum-to-disc conversion upgrade brake kit with an EPB (Electric Parking Brake) option. Designed specifically for 1988-1998 GM C1500 Silverado/Sierra trucks for a modern, superior disc brake setup. These conversion kits provide increased clamping force, enhanced thermal capacity, and improved pedal feel, offering more confident braking in daily street performance, as well as in heavy-use applications such as off-road, towing, hauling, and commercial workloads. Wilwood’s four piston rear drum-to-disc conversion brake kits come in four configurations to fit your application: Forged Dynalite caliper with 12.19” × .81” rotor to fit most 15” wheels; Forged Narrow Superlite caliper with two-piece aluminum hat/Spec37 12.88”×1.10” and 14.00”×1.10” rotor to fit most 17” and 18”…
When you spend your days behind the wheel and your nights dreaming of the next road trip, there’s a place tucked into the Smoky Mountains that feels like it was built just for folks like us. On a recent adventure through western North Carolina, we had the pleasure of spending two nights at the legendary Tapoco Lodge, a century-old hideout that’s as full of history as the engines roaring past it on US 129, better known as the Tail of the Dragon. Founded in 1930 as part of a hydroelectric project, Tapoco Lodge started as a private retreat for workers from the Tallassee Power Company (hence the name: TA-PO-CO). Today, it’s been beautifully restored and updated, but it still holds tight to its roots, solid craftsmanship, a riverside location, and…
The Tesla Model S Plaid isn’t exactly a car that flies under the radar. With over 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 time that embarrasses hypercars, it’s already an electrified monster. But for Anthony Pham, “fast” wasn’t enough. He wanted something truly unique—something that wouldn’t just turn heads but break necks. Enter his one-of-one widebody Tesla Model S Plaid, a forged carbon fiber-clad beast built in collaboration with some of the best in the business to create a full-fledged supercar killer with the stance to prove it. While most owners would be content with letting the Plaid's mind-boggling acceleration do the talking, he had bigger plans. A VISION TURNED REALITY Orange County, CA-based Anthony picked up his Model S Plaid in December 2023, and while most owners would be content with…
If you know Kyle Wardwell, then you’d be familiar with the string of rather gnarly Jeeps he has built over the past couple of years. Solidifying himself as a Jeep guy with taste (rare, we know!). This time though, he went with the EcoDiesel motor that Jeep offers which is the same turbo 3.0 V6 you’d find in the EcoDiesel Ram 1500s. After a few small mods here and there, he met up with us in Orange Beach to get a shoot at one of our favorite places to photograph. For such a big vehicle, it drives easily, rides nice, and shoots really well. Riding with Kyle to the shoot, the Jeep made all the right noises and sights we come to expect from your typical diesel build. The turbo…
OPENING A CUSTOM SHOP ISN’T FOR THE WEAK. It requires a drive to succeed and the passion to create rolling art. Our friend Chris Stafford over at Stafford’s Garage had been building and modifying vehicles in his spare time for a while but recently decided to take on the adventure of going full-time with it. Luckily, he had already lined up a 1957 Chevy 3100 pickup to fully revamp and knew it would be a good first vehicle to come out of the shop. This would be just the beginning of what’s to come, hence the truck’s name— Genesis. This truck belongs to Odie Hughes from Bogalusa, Louisiana, and Odie was excited to have his truck be the flagship for what will be a long line of custom vehicles to…
