LOT #1313 – AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL ROADSTER: This 1934 Ford captured the custom car hobby’s most coveted award
November 19, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen
Built by Squeeg’s Kustoms, this 1934 Ford Custom Roadster (Lot #1313) was named “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” during the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show, the premier event of its kind. The head-turning vehicles will be selling with No Reserve during the 2020 Scottsdale Auction.
Whether you collect six-figure Corvettes or four-figure Corvairs, the same rule of thumb applies if you want to make a wise purchase: Buy the best example you can find of the car that stirs your soul, because in the long run, quality pays big dividends.
This can often pay off in pride of ownership, in enjoyment and in value. A not-so-good car can end up costing a whole lot more than one that was built to the highest possible standards.
At the 49th Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 11-19, buyers will be able to find truly spectacular examples of muscle cars, Resto-Mods, ’50s cruisers, sports cars from around the globe, stock and modified classic pickup trucks and so much more.
If your tastes run to 1930s Ford roadsters, there will be a very special one to watch and offered at No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson. This one, selling with No Reserve as Lot #1313, was named “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” during the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show, the premier event of its kind. Now in its 71st year, judges at the Grand National Roadster Show painstakingly evaluate a deep pool of amazing cars and from that group they pick out the one they deem to be the very best.
There is no higher honor for a hot rod than to compete and earn the title of “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.” Winning that crown means the car is one of the best of the best, with every detail striving for perfection, and a build quality and appearance that define what a master builder can create.
In this case, the master builder was Squeeg’s Kustoms, the oldest rod shop in Arizona. Founded by “Squeeg” Jerger in 1974 and now operated by his son, Doug, Squeeg’s Kustoms isn’t just the oldest rod shop in Arizona ‒ it’s one of the best in the Western United States. You don’t have to look too long or hard at this magnificent ’34 Ford roadster to see why a 12-judge panel awarded it the top honors at the 2011 show.
How did they make that determination? Among the many things the judges looked at were the overall lines of the car, fit quality, body gaps and how the doors sounded when closing, as well as visual detail, engineering, interior, engine, paint, chrome, undercarriage and display. The judges also each got to have 10-minute interviews with each finalist’s owner or builder. The bottom line is that no one ever wins this award on a fluke.
The talented craftsman at Squeeg’s Kustoms started with an original steel 1934 Ford body and chassis. From there, they went to work to create something truly unique. Starting from the ground up, there’s a boxed frame with Kugel independent suspension components, Aldan coilovers and Wilwood brakes. Out back, there’s a 4:11 limited-slip rear end to get the power to the ground.
In this case, the power comes from a Dart Aluminum 427ci Ford Windsor V8 engine, which inhales its fuel-air mixture through a highly efficient Hilborn fuel-injection unit. The engine was professionally assembled and utilizes JE pistons with SCAT rods and crank. A set of custom headers and a stainless-steel exhaust take care of the spent engine gases, while all that horsepower is harnessed by a smooth-shifting Ford 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission that’s great for cruising and hard acceleration alike.
For the body, the folks at Squeeg’s built a custom-crafted wedge channel and steel inner structure, with custom cowl lines, hood sides and top. A Dan Fink grille insert was added along with hood hinges and functional side scoops. To complete the classic looks, there’s a Boyd Coddington-fabricated hidden headlight stand and windshield frame, plus a set of custom handmade taillights by Squeeg’s.
To give it just the right stance, this gorgeous Ford rides on Real Rodders wheels.
The professionally done interior upholstery features a custom-stitched leather seat with matching door panels and a wrapped Nardi Torino steering wheel. The dash has a custom aluminum insert made by Squeeg’s filled with AutoMeter gauges.
This truly is “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster,” and it’s going to make its new owner very, very happy.
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles on the 2020 Scottsdale Auction Preview Docket, with more being added daily, click HERE.