What the 11-year-old Joe didn’t realize at the time is that the car he had fallen in love with was the impetus behind a brand-new car-building trend that would burn hot and bright to the current day.

Rick Dobbertin has it made. No, he doesn’t run a liquor store, nor does his family possess a chrome shop. It’s better than those. Rick owns a speed shop. Now Rick’s go-fast goodie gulch isn’t one of ...