Don Urbanczyk (left) with...
Don Urbanczyk (left) with his son, Paul.
Carol Urbanczyk
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Detroit Autorama was the perfect opportunity for STREET RODDER Editorial Director and Editor Brian Brennan to present the Best Ford in a Ford honors to the family of Carol Urbanczyk for their late-mother’s ’31 Ford Model A pickup. The mid-’50s–themed hauler nailed its traditional look with a combination of a perfect stance, vibrant paint, custom body mods, and signature big ’n’ little rollers, making it a great candidate for Ford Racing’s recognition of street rodders who install a late-model Ford engine in a Ford hot rod.
Showcasing a 302ci Ford crate V-8 linked to a Ford C4 transmission, Sucker Punch Performance of Almont, Michigan, upped the ante with an Edelbrock Performer intake topped with an Edelbrock 650-cfm carb that dumps spent gases through a set of Sanderson headers. Added dazzle comes from plenty of polished and plated accessories and a color-matched engine block and heads. Anchoring the power, a custom chassis with a transverse leaf spring and ladder bars out back suspends a Ford 9-inch rear in place while up front a 4-inch dropped axle, tube shocks, four-link, and transverse leaf spring help soften the bumps. A set of Wheel Vintiques 15-inch steelies with ’47 Ford caps wrapped in Diamond Back wide whites add plenty of cool to the mix. Classic good looks come from a 5-inch chop, bobbed rear fenders, shortened bed, and a rolled rear pan, combined with razor-sharp bodywork to showcase the hauler’s genie steel. Paul’s Custom Painting of Romeo, Michigan, freshened everything up with a vibrant coating of tangerine gloss while the interior received new threads by Don’s Auto Trim of Shelby, Michigan, who stitched up a winning combination of tan vinyl rolls and pleats. A Grant steering wheel helps set the course while a B&M shifter moves the power and Stewart-Warner dials keep an eye on everything.