Detroit Autorama Extreme
The Street Rodder/Brian Brennan most original hot rod award
Each year I have the opportunity to select a hot rod from the basement that appeals to me. I look for a car that has originality (in the basement there is plenty to choose from) and just "floats my boat."
This year Bill Towers literally finished (well almost) his '31 Model A sedan out of the So What Speed Shop. Clearly the hot rod strikes you as shortened, which it is but upon closer examination you realize the Murray body with its laid back windshield post, arched window opennings, flush doors and drip rails (nearly identical to the Deuce) is something different and special. Oh, did I mention that the four-door sedan turned into a two-door has a sun visor, common for a Model A but not on the Murray body--although found on the Briggs version of the same car. Upon closer examination you realize the "Halibrand" looking wheels aren't. In truth they are '74 full-size Ford/Mercury passenger car artfully modified to represent a bygone era. Power comes by way of a lil' Ford Ranger four-banger with an auto behind it. Buggy sprung rear and you have the makings of both an original and well done hot rod. Congrats to Bill and So What Speed Shop for a job well done.