For most of us, building a dream car could simply mean getting the car we like the most, picking out a set of wheels, and doing a few engine mods to make it purr. We might hit up the interior and make it more comfy, maybe add an aftermarket steering wheel, get seat covers, carpeted floor mats, and we wax up the car on the weekend.

These cars are great for the average (and sometimes not so average) guy who simply loves driving his car. We rarely build a relationship with the guy behind the parts counter, or the shop that we bought our wheels from, because we usually don’t see those people very regularly. We might go in for wiper blades, oil and filters, other fast moving parts, but who can remember who they talked to last? We get our parts from online catalogs, like Summit Racing, or we can go to the many other performance shops that offer up their wares online.

But for the well to do; for those who demand the best and pay hard earned cash that would make most of us cringe to part with, they go to custom builders. They put their dreams into the hands of a skilled craftsman who can not only make their dream come true, but they build that dream in a way that nobody else can. Their car is going to be uniquely theirs, and nobody else on the planet will have the same car – it’s a true one-of-one.

One well-known builder in this arena is Troy Trepanier, owner of Rad Rides by Troy. Some of his builds have been included in the best of the best shows, the famed Ridler Award winners, Oakland Roadster Show winners, Goodguys winners, and then some. His craftsmanship is at the top of the ladder, putting his decades of knowledge into every build, and making it a build that the owner can be proud of.

Many of Trepanier’s builds have been cover cars, feature cars, and SEMA show booth displays. As the thousands of people walk by slowly, staring at themselves in the mile deep paint wishing they could afford their own dream build, there’s a partnership in many of those vehicles that doesn’t go unnoticed. Trepanier relies on that partnership to complete that dream; he relies on Billet Specialties. When it comes to billet wheels and accessories, Trepanier turns to Billet Specialites for the parts that help make that car unique, to make it stand out from everything else on the show floor.

While many show cars look great wear custom wheels from Billet Specialties, Trepanier goes to Billet Specialties for that one-off wheel that fits the overall temperament of the build. He knows that in order to get the right look he has to work with someone who can take his vision and mill out a billet wheel that will complement the overall look of the car – and Billet Specialties has come through for Rad Rides time and time again.

Some of the builds where this partnership has come together include: Joe Rogan’s Sick Fish – the 1970 ‘Cuda with the 528 cube HEMI; Bisquick – the 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne that Trepanier built for his parents; Hurricayne – Jerry Crews’ 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne and the 2007 Goodguys “Street Machine of the Year” finalist; Fast Forward – the 1967 Mustang built for eBay Motors; First Love – the 2007 Ridler Award winner built for Beth and Ross Myers; Blowfish – the insane 1969 Barracuda Salt Flat racer and World Record holder; Passion – the 1956 Chrysler 300B award winner at 2009 Detroit Autorama built for Nancy and Roger Ritzow, who called on Trepanier for their 32 Ford Roadster called “Ritzows 32”. This is just a few of the vehicles that Rad Rides has built with components from Billet Specialties, and together the partners have come up with winning combinations time and time again.

Other cars, like Notorious, Vision, and Cad Attack are also vehicles where Trepanier has called on Billet Specialties for one-off wheels, Tru Trac front drive systems, valve covers, steering wheels, or a host of other billet products that complete the dream. Keith Kern, Director of Sales at Billet Specialties, says it’s not just a one-direction partnership. “Troy helps us out tremendously with engineering and design, so we rely on him, too,” Kern said.

It’s these kind of long lasting partnerships that help builders, like Trepanier, and manufacturers, like Billet Specialties, to not only envision your dream – but to build it and make it come true. Whether you’re installing a set of billet wheels, dressing up your engine, or building a show winning custom, either company can bring a custom touch to make that car your very own.

Check out the Billet Specialties web site to see their complete line of billet dress up parts and wheels; and don’t forget to stop by Trepaniers’ site – Rad Rides by Troy – to see his past and current builds. Both web sites will have you dreaming about that special car – again.