1931 Ford Model A Roadster: Hi-Boy Hot Rod Wins Gold

Brian George and Ben York of Northern California’s Roseville Rod & Custom have teamed to build several top tier street rods over a span of several years. Their latest venture, a dark blue ‘50s style hi-boy 1931 Ford Model A roadster has been winning awards across the country.

Two years ago, they set out with a plan to build a hot rod hi-boy for the express purpose of competing for Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year. “We built this car specifically with this award in mind. We wanted a car that honored the ‘50s and ‘60s of hot rodding as well as a car that paid tribute to the dry lakes roadsters of that era,” George said after winning on Sunday.

George’s roadster runs strong and looks fantastic, a testament to Ben York’s vision and craftsmanship.

The mighty 1931 Ford Model A roadster features masterful metal shaping with a reworked cowl, rolled firewall, DuVall windshield and a handmade Pines Winterfront grille behind E & J headlights. The hot rod’s heartbeat is a supercharged flathead‬ Ford ‎Ardun‬ OHV conversion by H&H Flatheads. At 375 horsepower, it’s as potent as it is pretty, polished to the nines by Sherm’s Plating in Sacramento. Inside the driver’s compartment is an era-appropriate brown leather interior by Dave Putnam. Handling and the stance are spot on with a dropped and drilled front axle and buggy spring rear end while the rod rolls on black steel wheels and Coker Tire Firestone bias ply tires.

Interestingly, George’s Model A was the first roadster ever built at Roseville Rod & Custom. Not bad for a maiden voyage! However, York and his team are no strangers to building pre-war beauties. In 2009, they won Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance honors as well as America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod with Marvin Bok’s 1939 Ford convertible.