The bench seat was hand-fabricated at J&L complete with a flip forward backrest. Bill O'Donnel of Seattle, Washington, aptly handled the Connally leather for the seating and Mercedes Benz wool for the carpeting. The modified Deuce dashboard is outfitted with Classic Instrument's 5-inch Classic Series gauges. Co-conspirator in this project was Dan Peterson of Hot Rod Enterprises in Auburn, Washington, who also helped with the final assembly.
1937 Ford CabrioletSam Magarino of Sussex, New Jersey, with his Lobeck V-8 Shop (Cleveland, OH)-built '37 Ford cabriolet was another considered for the Street Rodder Street Rod of the Year, as it typifies everything "we" like about a street rod. There is craftsmanship, innovation, and drivability. What more could you want in your own street rod? (For the complete story on the '37 Ford cabriolet be sure to look back at your Oct. '03 SRM.)
At the 2003 Detroit AutoRama this rod managed to take home the following honors, Outstanding Custom Rod, Outstanding Display, Outstanding Paint, Outstanding Interior, and a first in class. It was also selected as a Great Eight finalist. Oh yes, it captured its Top Ten award at Goodguys Indy where the competition is always incredibly steep, as many of the summer's new cars are debuted at this show. It should then come as no surprise why this car received serious consideration as a potential Street Rod of the Year.
1932 Ford Five-Window CoupeGeorge Poteet of Memphis, Tennessee, is the proud, and we do mean proud, owner of this well-done and one-of-a-kind black '32 Ford five-window highboy coupe. The car was built by Dave Lane at FastLane Rod Shop out of Donahue, Iowa, and features both subtle and not-so-subtle medications. Having said that, probably the most interesting and noticeable (to some but not all!) feature was the use of Ford roadster rear quarter-panels on the coupe. The lines along the rear quarters are very pleasing to the eye and an outstanding touch. (Hmmm, how come Henry didn't think of this?) (For the complete story on the '32 Ford highboy coupe be sure to look back at your Winter '04 Street & Custom Rodding Illustrated.)
Without doubt a winner, this rod also picked up a Top 40 at the 2003 Holley National NHRA Hot Rod Reunion, as well as the Street Rod of the Year award from the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association at the Nationals in Columbus. All that remains now is to see George puttin' some miles on it. Maybe this coming summer we will find him on the road with wind in his hair and bugs on the windshield.
1934 Ford PickupPossibly the best street rods are the ones that start out as a dream and then come true. Such was the story for Paul Brewer of Hamilton, Ohio, as the completion of his red chopped and channeled '34 Ford pickup was certainly a realized dream. The pickup started "life" after Brewer attended a car show at the ripe old rodding age of 10. He saw a little chopped and channeled red pickup and the seed was planted. It was then only a matter of time. (For the complete story on the '34 Ford pickup be sure to look back at your Mar. '04 SRM.)
In 1983, that would be 24 years after seeing his "dream" for the first time, he purchased a cab and began collecting all of the obligatory parts. Hey, it only took two decades and hour upon hour to bring his lifelong dream to fruition, but here it is. We had to consider this truck for the Street Rodder Street Rod of the Year as it reflects the current nostalgia trend we are thoroughly in the midst of and because it displays extraordinary craftsmanship that rivals the best in the industry.