2021 Great Northwest Nationals Builders Choice Top 10 by JF Kustoms
JF Launier is the talented Canadian builder behind JF Kustoms in British Columbia – a shop that has turned out a long string of award-winning rides, including a prestigious Ridler Award winner. He’s known for well-crafted and extensively detailed builds – and for not shying away from unusual makes or models.
He has also proven that his rides can perform at a high level, beyond looking pretty on the show grounds. JF’s Builder’s Choice Top 10 lineup reflected his wide-ranging tastes and his eye for style. From early rods to ’50s and ’60s cruisers, the picks were all extremely clean with strong themes, great details, and good performance and functionality.
“Ford didn’t make this” is what Bob Cummings says about his ’55 Ford wagon, a custom “what if” sport model built by Rocket’s Hot Rod Garage using the front portion of a ’56 Crown Victoria roof, a custom fabricated rear section, and a liftgate adapted from a ’60s-era Ford. The one-off wagon was built on a Morrison chassis with a dual-quad Y-block engine, AOD transmission, and Wheel Vintiques wheels topped with Lincoln Premiere hubcaps. There’s period-style blue leather upholstery with and vintage fabric inserts completing the theme inside.
Dave Verhey’s ’66 Fairlane is a serious street machine built on a custom chassis with air springs and packing the punch of a 514c.i. big block Ford backed by a six-speed Richmond transmission. The big power output is offset by equal braking performance from big Baer discs behind the Boyds wheels, while the shaved and refined body is bathed in bright red paint augmented by a satin gray hood. With custom leather covering the bucket seats inside, this Fairlane is the complete performance package!
The right stance can really make a vehicle, and Lyle and Esther Brown’s ’66 F100 is a great example – it even nabbed the Sooo Low Pick in addition to its Top 10. Dropped down using air springs on a custom IFS and truck arm rear suspension, the truck nicely tucks those five-spoke Americans and whitewalls. Turquoise-and-white paint adds to the classic look, with matching upholstery inside. Power comes from a 302c.i. small block backed by an AOD.
Rick Steele’s ’60s-flavored ’52 Chevy captured both a Top 10 and a Chevrolet Performance GM Iron Builder of the Year finalist spot for River City Speed & Kustoms. A Nova subframe updates the chassis, with a tri-carb small block providing period-style power. The body is shaved and smoothed, but it’s that wild panel paint with lace inserts and other embellishments that truly sets this striking Chevy apart from the pack.
Woodies always seem right at home in the heavily forested Northwest. Brad and Tamera Miller’s clean red ’50 Ford is a great example, with beautiful woodwork, body-color wheels topped with Ford caps, and power from a RamJet 350 GM crate engine backed by a TH400 with a Gear Vendors overdrive. The Millers stay comfortable inside thanks to a tilt column, ’40 Ford-style wheel, air conditioning, power steering, and custom upholstery.
Paul Wetherholt doubled up, winning the Restored Award and a Builder’s Choice Top 10 with his exceptionally nice ’50 Chevy five-window pickup. The former farm truck retains its 235c.i. six-cylinder engine, but has been upgraded with dual Edelbrock carbs and Fenton headers. The beautiful black DuPont paint is complemented by beige wheels, wide whites, and wood sideboards on the bed, plus an accessory Fulton visor and old-school window-mount Thermador air conditioner.
Josh Knopp’s ’56 Chevy hunkers down nicely over 18×7- and 20×10-inch American Racing wheels thanks to air springs outfitted on the original chassis. There’s plenty of power thanks to a 468c.i. big-block Chevy backed by a four-speed transmission sending power to the 9-inch rearend. The custom brandywine paint looks beautiful paired with a champagne two-tone, while finely stitched light beige leather upholstery covers the bucket seats and custom console inside.
Jim and Joyce Hoerling say their ’56 Chevy was built to drive, and we saw evidence of that earlier this year during the Hot Rod Cruise ahead of the RaceDeck Salt Lake Nationals. In Spokane, the bold copper and black two-tone combo caught JF Launier’s attention, not to mention the American five-spoke wheels and great stance courtesy of the Art Morrison chassis. A 480hp LS3 gets this classic Chevy moving, Wilwood discs help it stop, and custom leather upholstery keeps Jim and Joyce comfortable.
Tony DeMarco nailed the classic hot rod look with his ’30 Model A Tudor. A boxed frame with a dropped front axle and Z’d rear gets the body down low over chrome wheels with Ford hubcaps, while power is delivered by a small-block Chevy with triple carbs, finned valve covers, and plenty of polish. The 3-inch top chop looks just right, as does the bright blue finish and the custom upholstery that finishes off the inside.
Classic Corvette styling with modern power and handling? Yes, please! Lloyd White’s ’61 benefits from an Art Morrison chassis with an LS3 engine providing much more punch than the old small block. Brightly polished Schott wheels coordinate well with the two-tone silver-and-gray paint, with bright red leather upholstery adding a splash of color in the two-place cockpit.
Damon Lee began snapping photos at car shows when he was 10, tagging along with his father to events throughout the Midwest. He has combined his passion for cars and knack for writing and imagery into a 20-year career in the automotive aftermarket, writing for titles like Super Chevy and Rod & Custom and, more recently, working for respected industry leaders Speedway Motors and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.