Marvin Bok's exquisite '39 Ford convertible was awarded the Goodguys 2009 Street Rod d'Elegance award at the 9th Del Mar Nationals Sunday, April 5th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Built by Ben York's Roseville Rod & Custom in Northern California, Bok's Auburn, Indiana based convertible has been popular on the show circuit so far this year. It was selected by Chip Foose himself for the Chip Foose Design of Excellence Award at the Grand National Roadster show prior to sweeping the d'Elegance title here in Del Mar.
From the European style tan leather interior to the PPG candy Cabernet paint to the handmade chromed brass brightwork, Bok's convertible catches the eye from any angle. It also sports the subtleties we've come to expect from the Roseville Rod & Custom shop. The car's beltline was pie sectioned 1 3/4-inch and the windshield laid back 1 1/2-inch for a smooth appearance. The convertible top was chopped 2 inches. But the convertible's dash is perhaps its most striking feature. The dash template is from a '40 Ford but has been tastefully reconstructed to house the large oval speedometer from a 1935 Oldsmobile. The Roseville crew custom fabricated the entire dash including the tach and other gauges to match the vintage Olds speedo.
Under the hood is a throaty 4.6 liter supercharged Ford pumping sweet notes through the polished stainless exhaust. It rides low and smooth (make that really, really low) on an Air Ride equipped Total Cost Involved Engineering chassis with polished and chromed suspension components. The shiny chrome wheels with solid centers and classic Ford V8 insignia were made as one off designs by Evod Industries.
Another aspect of the car that catches the eye is the large stock '39 Ford rear license plate. It was hand painted to match the interior of the car.
Bok collaborated closely with the Roseville team throughout the duration of the build which took some two and a half years to complete. "To start out on a project like this and see it through was an amazing experience," Bok said as he accepted the award. "I've had street rods before but nothing like this. To have a car you built as a vision and dream to be appreciated like this is more than I can put into words."
The Goodguys Street Rod d'Elegance award is meant to honor an elegant and masterfully built 1948 and earlier street rod. The finalists for this year's award included Mitch Lanzini ('33 Ford), Jerry Kugel ('32 Ford "Muroc" Roadster), Marvin Bok ('39 Ford Convertible) Tom Smith (1936 Ford), and Charles Tachdjian ('32 Ford Roadster).