LS1-Powered '32 Ford Highboy Wins Most Beautiful Roadster
The 71st annual Grand National Roadster Show bows with a new, LS1-powered champion.
Hotly Contested
Each year, the Grand National Roadster Show is home to one of the world's most prestigious automotive distinctions - the America's Most Beautiful Roadster Award. It's a hotly contested competition as well, routinely bringing out some of the most amazing builds you'll ever see. This year's 71st annual event was no exception. And once the dust settled, Hot Rod was on hand to capture the winner, this incredible '32 Ford, on film.
Photos: Hot Rod
Solid Foundation
Owned by Monty Belsham, this gorgeous '32 Ford highboy roadster was built by the skilled folks at Squeeg's Kustoms in Chandler, Arizona. Belsham purchased the car already finished but had a list of changes in mind after he brought it home. He had a solid foundation to work with, as the Ford was built using a steel Kugel Muroc body and Kugel chassis already in place.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Slick Appearance
The chassis contains independent front and rear suspensions with coilover shocks, as well as Corvette brakes at all four corners. The removable hard top was custom made from aluminum, giving the Ford a slick appearance. Especially with its old school PPG black paint job accented by orange and red flames.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Star of the Show
The star of the build, in our opinion at least, is the LS1 fitted under the folding hood. The modern powerplant was given a more traditional look thanks to a Hilborn stacked electronic fuel injection setup, then polished and detailed to perfection. The engine is backed up by a familiar 4L60-E automatic overdrive transmission.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Classic But Modern
The whole thing rolls on a set of one-off wheels wrapped in Dunlap SP Sport tires. Overall, it's a decidedly classic look, despite the presence of a host of modern components underneath. And we're digging every single inch of it.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Keep It Simple
Gabe Lopez at Gabe's Street Rods Custom Interiors handled the custom interior, which is stitched up in a blazing red leather. Simple is the theme here, with just a couple of bucket seats and a console, along with Dakota Digital analog gauges, a tilt column, and a classic banjo-style steering wheel.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
Right Mix
This gorgeous 1932 Ford highboy Muroc roadster is proof that you don't have to reinvent the wheel to take home one of the world's most prestigious awards. All you need is the right mix of parts, some top-notch attention to detail, and a solid combination of things that have always been (and always will be) cool.
Photos: Hot Rod
>>Join the conversation about this LS1 Highboy roadster right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
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