Octavio “Topo” Villafana has turned his unique skill of transforming modern day pony cars into full-blown, wide-stanced, all-metal widebody muscle rides, which has become a highly sought after modification by many. It has spread throughout the country as a status symbol or necessity to have in owning a Mustang, Charger, Challenger and Camaro. Topo’s masterful widebody creations have also inspired other builders/shops to emulate his work and create their own version of the wide-hipped phenomenon.

One look at the artwork/airbrushing that Fred Sicoli does and for sure you’ll be blown away at the amazing talent he has. The intricate detail and precise airbrush work he puts into all of his designs is almost unreal, as they seem to pop up from their medium in a 3D way. In one word, they are killer; probably one reason why he named his shop Killer Kreations based out of South Philadelphia. The self-taught artist is blazing the airbrush scene with his superior talents and quickly growing into a hot commodity within the aftermarket/customization scene.

Melvin Murry remembers quite vividly the days he spent at the track, as his father drag raced when he was younger. It was his father who helped him develop his love of all things automotive and sparked his interested in customizing cars. “My father took me to car shows and got me interested in all types of cars—especially muscle cars—then we’d wrench on things since he was also a mechanic,” he remembers.

“Everything is Bigger in Texas,” is a popular colloquialism about the Lone Star State and it certainly applies to the state’s vast and growing car culture. Hack Shack is one of the state’s (and country’s) notable customization shops, known for their extraordinary jobs and superior service. Located in Garland (considered Dallas county), Hack Shack is a one-stop customization shop that literally does it all. “From air suspension to body drops, if your ride needs it, we can do it,” explains owner Jay Ivey. “The Hack Shack has turned out some of the most tricked-out rides in Texas.” That’s quite an accomplishment for the 10,000-square-foot facility that houses about nine employees and has been in business for the past nine years.

For Adam Genei, cars were in his blood. Having grown up near Detroit, America’s automotive capital, it was only a matter of time before he opened up his own shop. Having one grandfather who owned a Ford dealership, while the other was a supplier to the Big Three and a father who had his own shop, Genei was always inspired by the automotive industry. The influence of the Motor City was all around him, and Genei became a man of his passion and opened up Mobsteel in Brighton, Michigan six years ago.

It’s the little things in life that count, which is what Dreamworks Motorsports owner Adam Wolfe, 31, bases his business on. “It’s the small touches that we add to every car and the one-on-one relationships that we build with each customer that sets us apart from our competition,” he says in a Southern accent.

Normally, a visit to the local tire shop is something most don’t look forward to. However, the chances of feeling that way after walking through the doors of Action Tire Custom Lifestyle are slim to none. In fact, you’re likely to become delusional and think that perhaps you’re patronizing an upscale Manhattan lounge, Neiman Marcus, a spa, or a salon of some sort.

While it’s no longer a secret that the best kept secret in Houston is the back-to-back MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo, you can add another one to that list. After overcoming growing pains early on, the crew at 713 Motoring steadily but firmly entrenched the company’s name and influence on the local scene. And, with a winning formula that focuses on superlative customer service, striving for innovation and giving back to the community, 713 Motoring has quickly expanded from their South Houston roots and is quickly becoming a Texas institution.

New Image is more than just a name for the Dallas, Texas-based shop. Not only will co-owners Sean Flowers and Tom Jackson and crew build a “new image” for a client’s vehicle, they also offer access to the constantly expanding automotive lifestyle.

Down in the South, they do things different than anyone else. And if it’s one thing that North Carolinians are known for, it’s for holding their ground—as if they had tar on their heels. It is this sense of tenacity and endurance that has taken Dirty South Customs (Charlotte, North Carolina) to the top of the car game in the Appalachians and beyond.