2021 Goodguys/Summit Racing Nationals Builders Choice Top 10 by Roadster Shop
From building world-class chassis and suspension components, to crafting influential ground-up hot rods and customs, Roadster Shop is one of the premier brands in the automotive aftermarket. The company has long been on the cutting edge of style and continues to incorporate the latest technology into its products and its builds, whether they’re slightly weathered Survivor Series cruisers, or clean-sheet custom creations.
Company owners Phil and Jeremy Gerber not only keep their fingers on the pulse of what’s happening in our hobby and industry, they also surround themselves with a talented team of enthusiasts who bring fresh perspective and creative ideas. They know quality and style when they see it and had no problem finding plenty of both among the thousands of rides in Columbus. Here’s a lineup of what caught the team’s eyes this year.
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- Jeff Betz’s ’57 Chevy two-door wagon was freshly finished and looking fine thanks to the flawless Glasurit Ceramic Gray and black finish applied over the tastefully modified body. Corvette front and rear suspensions with Z06 brakes give this classic agile handling and position it nicely over the Budnik wheels. With a smoothed and well-detailed LS3 for power and custom red leather upholstery inside, this ’57 is a well-rounded and well-executed custom cruiser!
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- Young Natalie Bolea’s Model A coupe was a finalist for the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year in Nashville and was still turning a lot of heads in Columbus. Built by Craftworks Fabrication, it’s based on a Roadster Shop frame with a Super Bell axle and wishbones up front, a four-link rear, and Dayton wire wheels. The LSX engine is dressed like a small-block Ford and topped with Edelbrock carbs. A four-inch top chop and custom rear quarter panels highlight the body mods, while maroon upholstery complements the Ceramic Matrix Gray PPG paint.
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- Yes, a truck with patina paint and a few bumps and bruises can earn a Top 10 award – especially when it’s as bitchin’ as this ’62 Chevy C10 built by Halo Super Cars in Michigan. Slammed over Raceline wheels using a Roadster Shop chassis, this vintage hauler also benefits from LS power and a well-detailed engine compartment, and incorporates modern conveniences like a tilt column, air conditioning, and more inside.
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- Joe Nichols was still riding the high of having his ’61 Impala selected as a Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year finalist in Des Moines when the Roadster Shop team selected him for a Top 10 in Columbus. Built on an Art Morrison chassis with an LS7 for power, the Impala is a tour de force of detail and custom touches, from the one-off Mike Curtis wheels, to the fantastic custom leather interior and owner-applied PPG paint. Check out the October Gazette for more details.
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- This wild ’65 C10 was built by Mark Giambalvo and his crew at Creative Rod & Kustom and has just about every trick in the book – a chopped top, shaved and smoothed body, custom bumpers, gorgeous PPG paint, and an eight-stack of staggered injector stacks feeding the 572c.i. big block Chevy engine. An Art Morrison chassis gets it nice and low over Schott wheels, while a ’59 Impala dash leads the way inside, complemented by custom leather upholstery by Bux.
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- The latest ride to roll out of Hilton Hot Rods is this drop-dead-gorgeous Deuce five-window coupe built for Chuck Wray. The Hilton-built chassis has the chopped coupe sitting just right on chrome reverse wheels and wide whites, while the Chevy 409 engine is detailed to the hilt and runs strong with a six-carb intake and custom stainless headers. House of Kolor candy red paint has the body glowing, while Mikey Seats stitched the period-style white rolls and pleats inside.
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- You might recall Jerry Rice’s killer ’70 Chevelle from the September issue, where it was featured for earning the GM Iron Builder of the Year finalist spot for builder Bobby Alloway. Like all Alloway builds, it’s got a bitchin’ stance over big ’n little Billet Specialties wheels, aided by an Art Morrison chassis. There’s a 454c.i. V8 under the hood, but it’s in a modern LSX configuration and sends power through a Tremec TKO five-speed. Blue leather upholstery by Steve Holcomb matches the SS-style stripes on the hood and trunk.
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- Owner Doyle Thomas and builder Mike Rutter kept the winning streak alive with this ’66 Charger, taking home another Builder’s Choice Top 10 in Columbus. The first-year Charger is updated with Reilly Motorsports suspension components and one-off wheels from Sage Speed & Custom. Oh, and there’s the fury of a 6.2-liter Hellcat engine rumbling under the hood! Painted with an Axalta Sahara Bronze finish and wearing tasty Paul Atkins-stitched leather inside, this Dodge continues to keep its charge.
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- Fred Hardee’s ’52 Nash Wagon, which also earned the GM Retro Iron Builder of the Year finalist spot for Paul Atkins Hot Rods, is based on a Roadster Shop chassis, the compact wagon has LS3 power, Boyd Coddington wheels, and a host of subtle custom touches under the two-tone green paint. Naturally, the Paul Atkins-stitched leather inside is just as clean and tasty as the slick exterior.
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- Jesse Barratt’s ’66 LeMans convertible is one of those cars you need to see in person to truly appreciate. Built on a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis, it’s got big-time Pontiac power thanks to an aluminum 535c.i. V8 built by Butler Performance, complete with a Trans Am shaker-style hood scoop. Boze forged wheels and a custom-machined grille by EVOD are part of the package, as is the gorgeous paint by Blue Sky Performance and leather upholstery by Bux Customs.
