2021 Pacific Northwest Nationals Builders Choice Top 10 by Morrison Performance
Making the Builder’s Choice Top 10 selections in Puyallup this year was a bittersweet experience. Art and Craig Morrison of Morrison Performance have historically had the honor of making these picks and handing them out with their trademark smiles. With Craig’s untimely passing earlier this year, the Goodguys event and media team stepped in to make the selections on behalf of the Morrison family. Having spent plenty of time with Art and Craig through the years, we like to think we have a good sense of the style and build quality they looked for in a Top 10 ride, and we’re confident the cars and trucks selected meet the standard of Morrison award winners.
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- The bright orange paint by Shawn McNally at Regenerated Rides looks fantastic on Paul Alderman’s ’55 Chevy Nomad, which rides low over Budnik wheels thanks to an Art Morrison chassis. Power comes from a 430hp LS3 backed by an overdrive automatic with push-button controls. Tony Miller at Stitches Upholstery gets credit for the custom interior, which incorporates bucket seats and a custom console.
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- This brilliant green ’67 Mustang belonging to Pat Thomas was fresh off a Top Five finalist finish for PPG Street Machine of the Year in Columbus. Built by Kenny’s Rod Shop with paint by Regenerated Rides, the modern muscle machine sports a Detroit Speed front suspension, custom rear suspension and frame, and a supercharged Cobra Jet crate engine backed by a Tremec T-56 six-speed. With a host of subtle body mods under the green finish and tasteful black upholstery inside, this “Untamed” Mustang is ready to run!
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- Mark Beatty’s ’58 Corvette now has the performance and handling to back up its sleek looks thanks to an Art Morrison chassis outfitted with a 480hp LS3 engine. A set of 18-inch Schott wheels is part of the package, complemented by Toyota Sunset Brown paint with silver coves. McFarland Custom Upholstery stitched the brown leather that updates the two-place cabin in fine style.
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- Mike Newman had Divers Street Rods put a modern spin on the Shelby Mustang concept with the “DSR 350” – a ’66 fastback equipped with Detroit Speed suspension goodies and a second-gen Coyote 5.0-liter engine backed by a 4R70W transmission. Five-spoke billet wheels and Wilwood disc brakes are part of the package, along with classic-style white paint with blue stripes, applied by Rich Thayer at DSR.
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- Check out the feature we ran earlier this month on Steve Peterson’s ’64 Corvette built by Chris Holstrom Concepts. Inspired by vintage road racing ’Vettes, this beauty is built on an Art Morrison chassis with a stack-injected LS7 backed by a six speed. The Forgeline wheels have a vintage vibe, while the PPG Russo Red finish is simply hot. Diamond-stitched brown leather upholstery helps complete the classic competition flavor.
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- Bill Raper continued his streak of Builder’s Choice trophies in Puyallup with another Top 10 for his gorgeous ’67 Galaxie. An updated suspension gets this big beauty down over polished Budnik wheels, while a modern Coyote V8 gets it moving. It’s that brilliant Crystal Red paint by Crazy Kenny that draws most people in, though, complemented by smoothed body panels and tucked bumpers. A ’60 Impala dash leads the way inside, with custom upholstery by Armando’s.
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- Mark Westrick’s Deuce roadster is just right on so many levels, from the killer stance and big ’n little wheels with dirt track rear tires, to the healthy 327c.i. small block backed by a Muncie four-speed and a Halibrand quick-change rearend. Add in the louvered hood tops, front-mounted Moon tank, and beautiful paint by Mick Mackley, plus black leather upholstery by Jeff Shelton, and you’ve got a classic hot rod that will never go out of style.
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- Brian and Valerie Fluetsh are just the third owners of this Ford Woodie, which was started by their friend Phil Price and has a boxed stock frame with a Heidts IFS, 9-inch rearend, and a 302c.i. small block backed by an AOD. Richardson’s Custom Auto Body and Chris Messano Woodworks did their respective work on the body, which was updated with side and rear door glass and a rear liftgate.
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- Bryan Thompson calls his ’34 Ford pickup “Serious Black” and has it channeled over a much-modified frame with a dropped and drilled front axle, wishbones, and a well-dressed 8BA Flathead with triple carbs, lots of polish, and open headers. The cab is stretched 6-inches and chopped 5-inches, with beautiful black BASF paint by Antone’s in Nampa, Idaho. The inside is adorned with diamond-stitched black leather by Andrew’s Upholstery.
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- We’ve been enamored with Bob Cummings’ ’55 Ford wagon since it debuted last year. Built by Rocket’s Hot Rod Garage, it imagines what an upscale Ford two-door sport wagon might have looked like and was built using the front portion of a ’56 Crown Victoria roof and a wealth of custom fabrication behind. It rides on a Morrison chassis with a built Y-block engine, AOD transmission, and Wheel Vintiques wheels topped with Lincoln Premiere hubcaps. Period-style blue leather and vintage fabric upholstery complete the theme inside.
