The ’40 Willys coupe body rides on a ’37 sedan chassis. “Kiwi Kev” Perry’s ’60s Gasser is powered by a 283 with dual four-barrels and Moon stacks, backed by a T10 four-speed and ’57 Olds rearend with 4.56:1 gears. Nicknamed “Nasty Habit,” the Willys won the Best Hot Rod award at this year’s Suede Palace.
Best of Show honors went to...
Best of Show honors went to Marcus and Samantha Edell’s ’34 five-window coupe. Marcus built a beauty, running an 8BA Flathead with four 97s. The Ford Windveil Blue finish is accented with Tommy the Greek–style ’striping, including a black line down the beltline. The decklid is fully louvered.
A few spectators, upon entering the Grand National Roadster Show’s Suede Palace, expressed surprise at the fact that most of the rides inside weren’t finished in flat paint. The Suede Palace is dedicated to cars and trucks built in traditional style on a (relatively) low budget. “Suede” paint is not required.
The biggest difference between the Suede Palace and the other GNRS buildings (besides the live music and Trophy Girl contest) is the level of club participation. The Suede Palace has its own award program, separate from the rest of the event. Trophies are handbuilt and winning vehicles are chosen by clubs, not GNRS judges.
Despite that differences, many of the rods and customs displayed here would’ve fit right in inside other GNRS buildings. Alex and Celeste Idzardi have been organizing the Suede Palace since the beginning six years ago and are dedicated to keeping out the junk. Even the patina’d cars are remarkable. Any rough-looking rides are rough for a reason—usually because they are preserved vintage survivors with remarkable histories. Keep reading and you’ll see what we mean.
Jesse Loera’s chopped ’50...
Jesse Loera’s chopped ’50 Ford sedan was once a four-door coupe. Custom components include a ’49 grille, leather-covered ’66 Mustang seats, and a handmade center console. The copper paint is water base with a pint of pearl. Built by Jesse and his cousin Loop, this was the Best Custom winner.
We told you they have cool...
We told you they have cool trophies in the Suede Palace. This one, a futuristic flying bubbletop, was created and presented by the Helldivers Car Club from San Diego.
Proof that barn finds still...
Proof that barn finds still exist, this ’36 sat in a barn for 34 years before Ronald Keilwitz built it into this beauty. The engine is a tribute to Olds mills Keilwitz ran in previous cars. The four Strombergs, louvered top, brown tuck ’n’ roll upholstery, and black-face Stewart-Warner gauges add to the coupe’s appeal.
Dee Lush (right) and Little...
Dee Lush (right) and Little Bit (center) were lovely runners-up to the 2012 Trophy Girl, Laken Beltran, entering and winning her first competition.
Everything between the ’55...
Everything between the ’55 Plymouth grille and ’58 Edsel taillights has been modified on Roger O’Dell’s amazing ’57 Ranchero, built by previous owner T.J. O’Connor. The panel paintjob extends onto the dash. The seats, door panels, and headliner feature white and maroon pleated upholstery.
John A. Fulton and John W....
John A. Fulton and John W. Fulton captured the early ’60s with their full-fendered ’31 Model A sedan. Great paint by Circle City Hot Rods is set off by the white top and running boards, wide whites, and white-pleated interior. The Tudor is loaded with a Ford small-block and C4 transmission.
There are all kinds of great...
There are all kinds of great period parts all over Jerry Friedrich’s Deuce-grilled ’31 Model A, from the split wishbone suspension to the dirt track tires and rear push bar. Not to mention the Flathead’s Offenhauser heads, and Eddie Meyer intake and air cleaner. Best of all, it’s a sport coupe.
Lace paint highlights the...
Lace paint highlights the chopped top of Don Escoto’s ’53 Pontiac Chieftain. It started as nothing more than a shell, and has been customized with a ’50 Buick grille, Packard taillights, shaved panels, and frenched headlights—for starters. Don credits Dan Geiger with much of the expert metalwork.
The Corsairs Car Club contributed...
The Corsairs Car Club contributed to fellow member Gerson Rivera’s homebuilt hot rod. The blue and black chopped ’29 roadster is channeled over a custom frame, and is packed with hand-fabricated parts. The 331ci Cadillac engine is topped with an original ’59 Tri-power intake.
Timothy Cicora is passionate...
Timothy Cicora is passionate about building authentic, early style rods. He drove to the GNRS in his ’34 Ford coupe. The Flathead has Eddie Meyer Hollywood heads. Timothy recently added the rare Davies intake manifold with a pair of Winfield carbs, getting it dialed in just before the event.
Steve Patton built his chopped-and-channeled...
Steve Patton built his chopped-and-channeled ’31 Model A in traditional mid-’50s style, including the ’54 331 Hemi. The 2x2 Edmunds intake was modified for three Strombergs. Inside mods include a ’41 dash with a ’51 DeSoto cluster and a Plymouth Savoy steering wheel.
This hot rod Lincoln features...
This hot rod Lincoln features a ’48 Continental V-12 with new Strombergs on an Edmunds manifold, tied to a ’39 Zephyr three-speed. Frenchy Dehout’s ’32 highboy was shot in satin black with a World War II nose art–style pinup gal, “Miss Jacqueline,” on each cowl side.
This ’38 Chevy custom is another...
This ’38 Chevy custom is another resurrected gem, built (and chopped) in the early ’50s, and stored for decades. Larry Srigley did much of the work before selling the car to Bill Fowler. The GMC I-6, with three Rochesters and Fenton intake and headers, was built from a 1954 Popular Mechanics article.
Tony Carrillo’s been working...
Tony Carrillo’s been working on this ’49 Chevy pickup since his father gave it to him when he was 11. He chopped the top 3 inches and painted the whole truck in semigloss. Mexican-style ’striping decorates the nose, fenders, and tailgate. The engine is an inline-six and the upholstery combines pleats with replica hand-tooled leather.