Drive your old "beater" to a cruise-in and remarkable things can happen.

At least they happened to Adrian Puente and his 1931 Studebaker Model 54, which underwent an amazing, Cinderella-style transformation from rusted sedan to stunning show car.

Puente, 32, is the manager of events for southern California-based Toyo Tire U.S.A. He has modified several cars, building his own low rider and a front-wheel-drive drag racer, customizing a Volkswagen Jetta, modifying an old Mercury Comet.

A year ago, Puente was in Minnesota to set up Toyo's display at a car show when he heard a well-rusted 1931 Studebaker Model 54 sedan was for sale. He went to see the car, negotiated the sale and shipped it back to California, where he got it running and took it to the very popular weekly cruise-in at the Bob's Big Boy in Burbank.

At Bob's, Puente met Vince Lombardi, who with his buddy Carlos Marron launched The Choppin' Block Kustom Fab in Fresno, Calif., in January 2007. Though young (Lombardi only recently turned 21), Lombardi and Marron have been working on cars for years, and are quickly building a reputation for doing exceptional fabrication of suspension and other components.

Puente talked about some ideas he had for his Studebaker. Lombardi and Marron offered their ideas. One thing led to another and the car was on its way from L.A. to Fresno.

Four inches was chopped out of the car's top, which not only was lowered but was opened to the sky. A one-off frame was fabricated and fitted with a customized Air Ride suspension so the car can be lowered right to the pavement when parked.

Bomber-style seats were created, as were a custom grille, sprint car style cowl and other components. A 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet "crate" engine was customized and installed. Brushed finished Centerline Smoothies wheels -- 18 inches in diameter up front and 20 at the rear -- were bolted on and wrapped -- of course -- with Toyo Proxes 4 tires -- 235/40s in front and 275/40s in the rear.

The '31 Studebaker goes as well as it shows, running at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

Puente's customized Studebaker was on display at the big automotive aftermarket gathering -- the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, where, of course, it was parked at the Toyo display.

For more information on The Choppin' Block, visit www.choppin-block.com. For more information on Toyo Tires, visit www.toyo.com.