Harold and Tracy Chapman’s “Pretty Penny” 1933 Ford roadster–a coach-built, copper-colored, full-fendered masterpiece–won the Goodguys 2013 Flowmaster “America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod” award.
The Chapmans, from Andice, TX, accepted the prestigious award in front of a packed house during the Goodguys 27th annual Flowmaster West Coast Nationals in Pleasonton, CA. The win capped off a big year for the roadster which has been shown at all the nation’s biggest events this season. It received “Best Rod” at the Detroit AutoRama and was a top 5 finalist for numerous other major awards this season, including America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance, and Goodguys Street Rod of the Year.
The roadster was a long time in the making. It bounced around unfinished in several high profile shops for at least ten years before Harold Chapman scooped it up. His in-house fab shop, Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, finished the project in time to debut at January’s Grand National Roadster Show, where it was one of the favorites for the AMBR.
Upon first glance, seasoned car guys can sense something unique in the roadster’s elegant flowing lines. The heavily modified top was moved back an inch and a half, and countless hours went into finessing the fit and finish before the PPG Pretty Penny paint was applied. Over 100 parts and pieces were custom-machined in-house for the project.
The underside of the car is a work of art. It features a boxed and dimpled frame, a one-off aluminum hairpin and dropped axle assembly, and a full custom four-link rear with a Currie rear-end. The brake system consists of Wilwood rear discs and modified So-Cal Faux Brakes up front. Evod Industries machined the dished, bronze-coated wheels designed by Jimmy Smith.
A Roush 427 Ford engine with custom-scooped TWN injection system and AFR heads lives under the hood. The transmission is a TKO-600 with a modified 1936 Ford shifter and one-off bezel.
The custom wrap-around dash is now two inches taller than stock and filled with a flipped Studebaker gauge cluster with custom internals by Classic Instruments. A Greening Auto wheel and column-mounted tach round things out. Chapman’s in-house trimmer, Jay Schuler, made the bench seat and stitched the custom pleated leather.
Drivability? Chapman is not the least bit afraid to test the car’s limits after a season of mostly showing off. He’ll join Goodguys Street Rod of the Year winner Ron Cizek and his Ridler Award-winning 1940 Ford among other high profile cars (such as George Poteet’s ’69 Torino) on the 2,000-mile Goodguys Texas Road Tour which heads from Pleasanton, CA to Ft Worth, TX later this fall.
For the big win in Pleasanton, Chapman will receive a custom toolbox from Snap-On, as well as travel accommodations to the Goodguys 16th Southwest Nationals November 15-17 in Scottsdale, AZ to join the “Champion’s Arena” display.
The Top 5 finalists for the Goodguys 2013 Flowmaster America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod included George Sepulveda (1938 Ford), Denny Olson (1934 Dodge Pickup), Caryn Gulas (1937 Ford), Ron Cizek (1940 Ford) and Chapman’s 1933 Ford.
Comments