Nearly Neighbors--We Visit the New Lokar Facility

You may not realize it, but there is a surprising number of automotive aftermarket companies based in the great state of Tennessee. We're holding down the Southeast corner, while other companies, like Lokar, Comp Cams, American Powertrain and more are scattered throughout the state. For nearly 30 years, Lokar Performance Products has been manufacturing shifters for street rods, customs, muscle cars and more. Now, the company builds more than just shifters, offering all sorts of accessories, including billet aluminum pedals, dipstick tubes, mirrors and much more. The company, led by Skip and Debbie Walls, recently moved into an awesome, new facility and opened its doors to help kick off the 2016 NSRA Street Rod Nationals South in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Lokar Open House featured a few hundred cool cars, and a tour of the new facility, including Skip's playhouse, which is a giant shop, packed with drag cars, hot rods and awesome equipment. We saw a bunch of great cars on hand, despite the wet and chilly weather conditions. We especially liked the Barillaro Brothers' creations--a slick Model A roadster and a Belly Tank racer, both of which roll on our bias ply tires. We snapped a few pictures while we were there, so check them out and stay tuned for more coverage from the Street Rod Nationals South. Also keep in mind that our actual next-door neighbors at Honest Charley Speed Shop sell the full line of Lokar products. [products] Our chariot for the adventure to Knoxville was this 1964 Chevelle four door. It's an 81,000 mile grandma car that has its original two-barrel equipped 283ci small block and Powerglide intact. We stuck a set of 14- and 15-inch OE steel wheels on it, and popped some dog dish caps into place for the right rolling stock to go with the lowered stance.