Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

Phil and Debbie Becker’s 1932 Ford Vicky

Most of you probably remember Phil and Debbie Becker’s 1932 Ford Vicky, a cover car from the November 2019 Gazette and the Goodguys 2019 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year. The beautiful Deuce has gone on to win numerous other accolades, including Builder’s Choice Top 10 awards at most Goodguys events it has attended.

The car added to its trophy shelf in Des Moines, earning a Chevrolet Performance GM Retro Iron Builder of the Year Finalist award for builder Dave Lane of FastLane Rod Shop. It’s a fitting honor, as this was one of Lane’s last builds before closing his Iowa shop and moving to Arizona.

Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

The Beckers bought the Vicky in parts back in 1975 and built it as a street rod that they enjoyed for more than 30 years. A rebuild was started in 2014 that soon snowballed to create this showstopper, especially after Lane got involved.


The rebirth began with a Moal Coachbuilders chassis that uses torsion bars to suspend the 5-inch dropped front axle and Winters quick-change rearend. Lane finished off the suspension with custom vented front disc brake enclosures and Buick-style rear disc brake covers from So-Cal Speed Shop, plus 15- and 17-inch Dayton wire wheels wrapped in Diamondback tires and topped with custom Greening Auto Company knockoffs.

Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

The small-block Chevy looks elegant thanks to a smooth block and heads, custom valve covers and breathers from Pinkee’s Rod Shop, and Borla 8-Stack fuel injection topped with custom air cleaners designed by Jimmy Smith. It’s backed by a Bowler-built 4L60E.

Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

Dave Lane’s skill and experience really shines on the body, which received his full list of tricks, like straightening the front roof line reveal and lowering it 3/4-inch, chopping the windshield frame ever so slightly, and pie-cutting and lengthening the hood. Lane also recontoured the front fenders, modified the grille shell, and built custom curved spreader bars, among countless other tweaks. Headlight buckets from Greening and ’32 Chevy taillights make perfect finishing touches, while Adam and Tyler Krause at The Refinery laid down the flawless Axalta Nardo Grey paint.

Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

The well-integrated interior modifications include a center-mounted ’39 Lincoln Zephyr gauge cluster (restored by Classic Instruments) and corresponding glove boxes, plus a matching downsized Zephyr steering wheel. Lane built custom seat back panels and bases for the seats, which Schober’s Hot Rod Interiors covered in finely stitched black leather.

Phil Becker 1932 Ford Vicky

Subtle, understated, and incredibly well detailed, the Becker 1932 Ford Vicky shows why Dave Lane has been a top-tier builder for decades – and how he’s especially adept at crafting clean, timeless Deuces.

Photos by John Jackson

Editor, Goodguys Gazette

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.