2021 Spring Nationals Builders Choice Top 10 by All Ways Hot Rods
Mike and Randy Way have been consistently crafting high-quality rides at their All Ways Hot Rods shop for years; they’ve also been consistently selecting great Builder’s Choice Top 10 lineups at the Spring Nationals for years and we were happy to have them back again to lend their expertise. These guys know how to spot winners because they’re familiar with what it takes to build them!
Mike and Randy’s selections this year included everything from traditional-style ’30s hot rods to slick and contemporary ’60s and ’70s trucks. One consistent theme seemed to be an emphasis on clean style – cars and trucks that defy trends and will look good for years to come. Let’s take a look at what caught their attention.
-
- Before coming to Scottsdale, Brian Baker was able to show his custom ’50 Plymouth business coupe to his 92-year-old uncle Bob, who owned the car in the ’60s and ’70s. It’s a much-improved machine now, with a 5.7-liter Hemi, independent rear suspension, one-off wheels, and a host of subtle body mods done by Brian in his garage. Finished with beautiful maroon paint and leather upholstery, it’s easy to see how this Mopar earned a Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year finalist nod in Texas a month earlier.
-
- Jim Carr’s Deuce is a great example of how cool Fordors can be. A custom-built frame with a dropped and drilled front axle gets it sitting right, and those knock-off wheels by Pat McDonald are spectacular. They get rolling with power from an LT4 Corvette engine backed by a 4L70 transmission. Alan Swedberg gets credit for the fantastic metalwork under the gray paint, while Armando’s stitched the red leather upholstery inside.
-
- After first showing it off in Texas, Bill Raper brought his ’67 Ford Galaxie to Scottsdale and nabbed a Builder’s Choice pick. It’s powered by a modern 5.0-loter Coyote V8 and sits nice and low over Budnik wheels thanks to a chassis modified by Travis Customs. Beautiful PPG paint covers the smoothed body with tucked bumpers. A ’60 Chevy dash leads the way in the custom cabin, with beautiful butterscotch leather stitched by Armando’s Upholstery.
-
- Bathed in bright Torch Red Axalta paint, Ron Evans’ ’63 is sure to capture your attention. This beauty was built by Weaver Customs and benefits from a modern Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis, Wilwood disc brakes, 18- and 20-inch Budnik wheels, and a 525hp LS3 engine backed by a 4L70E transmission. Peek through the flush-mount glass and you’ll find beautiful tan Hyde’s Leather upholstery, plus Dakota Digital gauges and Restomod A/C.
-
- Ed Carlson’s stunning ’60 Impala is an owner-built beauty that looks right at home among pro-built rides. A modified stock chassis and air springs getting it sitting nicely over big-inch Intro wheels backed by Wilwood disc brakes, while an LS2 gives this full-size cruiser plenty of power and sounds great through MagnaFlow mufflers. The hot Viper Red paint on the body is complemented by custom red leather upholstery inside.
-
- Brewster Green paint is a distinctive and distinguished color for Gary Upton’s ’40 Ford coupe out of San Diego. Rolling on a TCI chassis with a four-link rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, Wilwood disc brakes, and Schott wheels, this fine ’40 gets plenty of power from a 427c.i. Ford engine fed by Borla stack-style fuel injection and backed by a 4R70W transmission. Gabe’s Custom Interiors made sure the leather-stitched cabin is just as nice as the exterior.
-
- It’s hard to beat a clean and traditional Deuce five-window coupe like Dan and Susan Wachtel’s Denim Blue beauty. Split wishbones locate the dropped axle on the ’32 Ford frame, with a Halibrand quick-change rearend out back and steel wheels all around topped with Mercury caps. Under the louvered hood you’ll find a ’49 Cadillac V8 backed by a LaSalle transmission and the interior is tastefully stitched in classic rolls and pleats.
-
- Fred Bishop is on a roll with his “El Diablo” ’71 F100, picking up a Builder’s Choice nod from Mike and Randy Way a month after becoming the LMC Truck of the Year Late finalist at the Spring Lone Star Nationals. This truck has all the goods – a custom-built chassis, Coyote engine, Intro wheels, and plenty of subtle body mods under that bright red PPG paint. It’s finished with red leather upholstery by Recovery Room that makes the inside just as hot as the outside.
-
- Willie and Cathie Fowler have owned this ’67 Barracuda for 41 years, but it’s safe to say it has never looked (or run) as good as it does now. A Schwartz Performance chassis gives it plenty of handling prowess and lowers it nicely over Forgeline wheels, but the real eye-opener is the Hellcat engine under the blistered hood delivering a potent level of horsepower. This fast fish is just as nice inside, with custom leather upholstery, AutoMeter gauges, and air conditioning among its many comforts.
-
- Andy Carlson’s ’69 Chevy C10 was an LMC Truck of the Year Late finalist in 2018 and still looks fantastic. Built by Barry’s Speed Shop, the clean cruiser is lowered over one-off 20-inch wheels and sports subtle body mods like sectioned bumpers and a hand-built grille. An LS3 V8 provides power and is backed by a 4L70E transmission. The beautiful maroon finish is complemented by equally exquisite leather upholstery inside stitched by Elegance Auto Detailing.
