2022 AMBR Winner! Jeff Breault’s ’34 Chevrolet built by Devlin Rod and Customs
The triumphant return of the Grand National Roadster Show this weekend brought with it a much-loved and longstanding annual tradition: competition for the prestigious America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. Eleven contenders brought their A-game to Pomona and on Sunday night the towering 9.5-foot AMBR perpetual trophy was awarded to Jeff Breault and his ’34 Chevrolet roadster built by Devlin Rod and Customs. The honor came with a $12,500 prize provided by ARP Bolts and put Breault and the Devlin Rod & Customs team in good company with legendary past AMBR winners like George Barris, Andy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, and Chip Foose.
Breault’s Chevrolet roadster was over seven years in the making. The project was visualized in an Eric Black illustration and is built on a custom chassis designed and built by Roadster Shop that features an innovative IFS system with cantilevered coil-over shocks mounted on the inner frame rails. A distinctive four-link rear suspension locates the Winters quick-change rearend. The custom knockoff wheels machined by Greening Auto Company evoke midcentury Indianapolis racing rollers.
The roadster’s LS engine was built by Keith and Jeff Dorton at Automotive Specialties Inc. to deliver maximum modern performance. To maintain traditional appearances, though, builder Tim Devlin worked with Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop on custom-machined parts like the valve covers and intake manifold for the stack-style electronic fuel injection. Even the cylinder heads have had custom machine work done to finesse their appearance. A Bowler-built Tremec transmission is employed behind the well-dressed LS.
The roadster body has been distilled down to its most basic shape, stripped of its fenders and channeled over the frame. A custom windshield frame supports a lower-profile cloth top, while a custom-machined grille by EVOD and bullet-shaped E&J-style headlights lead the way up front, with Chevy-style oval taillights mounted on either side of the license plate on the rear pan. The beautiful dark blue paint is complemented by small touches of chrome by Jon Wright’s Custom Chrome Plating.
Tavis Highlander guided the design on much of the interior, including the custom steering wheel, gauge cluster, dash insert and other parts that were custom machined by EVOD. Classic Instruments fill the center-mounted gauge panel. Chuck Rowland Interiors gets credit for the impeccable upholstery work, which features beautiful blue Relicate leather stitched in a clean and classic style.
Shop owner Tim Devlin summed up his thoughts on the win in a social media post. “Wow! What a huge honor this is for our customer, our team, and our shop,” he said. “First, I would like to tip our cap to all the AMBR contenders. They are all fantastic cars and wonderful people. Second, I would like to thank everyone with the Grand National Roadster Show; they did an incredible job putting this show on despite all of the roadblocks. Third goes to our customer, Mr. Jeff Breault, for always believing in our team and for giving us the tools necessary to build such an amazing car. Fourth to the Devlin Rod & Customs team. These guys put their heart and soul into Jeff’s car for over two and a half years. They never wavered, always believing in themselves and the guys around them. Last, to all our partners. You are responsible for making this car all come together and I thank each of you for all of your hard work and support. Thank you to everyone involved!”
Photos by Steven Bunker & Tyler Clemmensen
