The first recipient of the...
The first recipient of the Best Ford in a Ford award for 2010 was John "Jessie" James and his XL27 highboy roadster.
The Detroit Autorama is known for a lot of memorable moments. The presentation of the Don Ridler Memorial Award, sponsored by GM Performance Division; the Pirelli Great 8 Finalists; Autorama Extreme, presented by 89X; Pinstripers Charity Auction, brought about by the Motor City Auto Art Mavens (who raise money for Leader Dogs for the Blind); and a handful of individual awards given out by a legendary customizer and car company, and two hot rodders who just happen to work for STREET RODDER.
Mike Alexander, one-half of the legendary tandem brothers (Larry and Mike) of the Alexander Brothers (or A-Brothers, as each or both are often called), is present each year to award the A-Brothers personal one-of-a-kind trophy to a custom car. As Mike explained it to me, he and Larry are looking for a custom built along the lines of something they might have found themselves involved with back in their day. It should be noted aside from building numerous customs, which include a handful of iconic efforts, the pair designed and built three Ridler award winners.
The tan interior complements...
The tan interior complements the brilliant orange hue while the Classic Instruments accent the dash ideally.
Larry was unable to attend but Mike, as enthusiastic and energetic as ever, did show up and walked the aisles many times until he settled in on Tony Feil of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, with his '40 Pontiac coupe, named "Super Chief." Other Jersey-based shops involved in the build are J&R Auto Body in Morristown for the paint and stitched at Master Upholstery in Newton. Ram's Rod Shop handled the construction at their place in Dover, Delaware. The Super Chief was customized using Pontiac parts from 1935-65.
Next up in the iconic category is Ford Racing Performance Parts as they enter their second year sponsoring STREET RODDER's Best Ford in a Ford award, presented by Ford Racing Performance Parts. This year the individual award winners will receive a custom jacket and a pair of FRPP valve covers.
The '32 chassis features a...
The '32 chassis features a torsion bar setup to ensure a great ride to go along with great "attitude" as the roadster sits on its painted steelies. A C-4 automatic and Ford 9-inch rearend also rest between the Deuce 'rails.
Taking home the honors at the '10 Detroit Autorama is John "Jessie" James, from Racine, Wisconsin, for his brilliant Competition Orange Shadow Rods XL27 highboy roadster. Its debut was a winner for his roadster as it shows off the 351 Windsor crate engine beautifully detailed through the liberal use of paint and brightwork.
Ron Lasker of East Aurora, New York, brought out his 1931 Ford Model A coupe that was just too good to pass up and not take home an Editor's Choice award from Brian Brennan. The five-window has all the elements of a traditional East Coast hot rod with the obligatory deep channel and top chop; look closely and you will see a rollbar peeking out of the top. Aside from the striking use of color and scallop paint, the folding soft top insert is an eye catcher.
The 351 Windsor is nestled...
The 351 Windsor is nestled beneath the three-piece hood and well detailed, making it an easy pick for Best Ford in a Ford honors.
The Flathead is fed by a pair of reversed Holley 94 carbs resting between Edelbrock heads. We asked Senior Editor Ron Ceridono about the intake and reversed carbs and he came up with the following information: "It appears to be a Hexagon Tool and Die intake. The advantage of turning the carbs around is they could be moved further forward for better-balanced runner lengths with the generator in the stock position."
Ray Williams of Rhode Island showed up for the Basement festivities with his five-window highboy Deuce coupe. You can never go wrong with a highboy '32 when looking for a hot rod and Williams' coupe gets the job done with the striking use of louvers-everywhere. Other hot rod attire includes hairpin suspension, a dropped axle, and Buick finned drums. We aren't sure how many louvers there are but our first guess is something north of 400 louvers punched into the hood, roof, and decklid. For his efforts he received an Editor's Choice award from STREET RODDER Senior Editor Eric Geisert.
Every year the Detroit Autorama is the place to go and see some of the greatest hot rods ever built. It is also the place to go and see great examples of everyday hot rods-something we can all identify with. It's also great to know that the efforts of everyday hot rodders are rewarded.
James sits comfortably in...
James sits comfortably in his freshly built highboy looking very proud, which he should be.
We just had to show this popular...
We just had to show this popular (in its time) "Fatman" steering wheel that popped out of the way allowing economy sized individuals to slip behind the wheel of their Model T.
Ron Lasker (left) of East...
Ron Lasker (left) of East Aurora, New York, took home STREET RODDER Brian Brennan's Editor's Choice award for his Model A, which is handed out to a hot rod from the Basement.
The Model A is all early hot...
The Model A is all early hot rod in appearance and components as it sits chopped (Darryl Stahura) and channeled over its frame. Of particular interest is the retractable soft roof insert.
A '49-53 8BA Flathead plus...
A '49-53 8BA Flathead plus Edelbrock heads and Holley 94 carbs reverse mounted on what looks like a Hexagon Tool and Die intake; Darryl Stahura gets the nod for the side exit exhaust and Holley 94 carbs.
The five-window features a...
The five-window features a nifty two-tone paint accented by its scallop presentation aptly handled by Jay Taylor and Ray Giester. They also get credit for the bodywork.
Tom King, Roger Atwood, and...
Tom King, Roger Atwood, and Stretch from the Detroit Poor Boys invested lots of time, effort, and creativity to produce this and many other Basement trophies.
Can you say channeled?! The...
Can you say channeled?! The body is channeled over the frame but the floorboard is also recessed allowing driver/passenger to sit between the 'rails and maintain some stimulus of comfort, thanks to the efforts of Rick and Brian of Upholstery Unlimited and Joe of Z-Best Upholstery.
Hiding underhood is a '74...
Hiding underhood is a '74 Pontiac 455 topped with '58 Rochester fuel injection, producing 500 hp and torque. The hardtop was removed and restyled as a Carson-esque top; A-pillars were chopped 4 inches and laid back 5 degrees. The hood was nosed and made into a single piece, filled cowl vent, and rear fenders extended, lowered, and re-contoured.
The wheels are the coveted...
The wheels are the coveted eight-lug from a '62 Pontiac. The front suspension is based on a Fatman's stub with power steering and disc brakes. Oh yes, Mike is presenting Tony Feil with the A-Brothers award.
STREET RODDER's senior editor...
STREET RODDER's senior editor was on hand this year to hand out his first Basement award to Ray Williams of Rhode Island for his '32 Ford highboy coupe.
Dirt track rear tires, military-esque...
Dirt track rear tires, military-esque wheels, loads of louvers, hairpin suspension, Buick finned brake drums, and, of course, the obligatory top chop make this five-window a winner before taking home the honors.
Mike Alexander (left) presents...
Mike Alexander (left) presents Tony Feil with the A-Brothers award for an Outstanding Custom.
Another of the Detroit Poor...
Another of the Detroit Poor Boys one-of-a-kind trophies was on display until handed out Saturday night.