Nearly 50 outrageously customized vehicles were invited to Scottsdale, Ariz., to compete for the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Cup.
On Saturday, Jan. 29, the show judges—award-winning builders Troy Trepanier and Bobby Alloway—named the 1936 Ford Roadster known as "Three Penny" as this year's "Ultimate Best of Show." Pinkee's Rod Shop, from Windsor, Colo., built the award-winning 1936 Ford Roadster.
The judges evaluate the entries based on craftsmanship, engineering, overall design—and how the builders transform the cars into original creations. The presenting sponsor of the 2022 Barret-Jackson cup is eBay Motors.
The judges selected the top five finalists on the show's first day. Then, the public voted for the "People's Choice" prize.
The Top Prize
The customized '36 Roadster features a ton of major body modifications. The list of mods starts with moving the front fenders three inches forward, thereby lengthening the wheelbase.
The builders chopped the windshield by two inches and dropped the top by three inches. The wizards at Pinkee's turned the hood into a custom four-piece unit with a center hinge.
The builder kept a "Ford in a Ford" by using a 315 cubic-inch Windsor engine with a TKO five-speed transmission - opens in new window or tab.. This car is no stranger to accolades. The Ford won America's Most Beautiful Roadster award in 2019 in Pomona, Calif.
The Ultimate Best of Show prize netted the builder a crystal cup, a Snap-on rolling toolbox - opens in new window or tab. (with artwork from the Barrett-Jackson Cup), and a check for $20,000.
People's Choice
The People's Choice was awarded to the 1963-and-a-half Ford Galaxie owned and built by Jason Graham Hot Rods from Portland, Tenn.
The Inferno Red Ford Galaxie has a 5-liter Coyote supercharged engine - opens in new window or tab. connected to a 6R60 transmission. The builder modified the bumpers for a smooth nickel finish, and he lowered the rocker panels on the Galaxie. Jason Graham widened the front end 2.5 inches to let the engine sit lower in the chassis.
The Other Three Finalists
The remaining three finalists were also extraordinary builds. The only Chevy finalist, a 1968 Camaro, was a brilliant silver Pro Touring - opens in new window or tab. model built by East Bay Muscle Cars. The builders widened the body by five inches.
The runner-up 1965 Pontiac built by the Roadster Shop is powered by a fuel-injected Mercury engine with a six-speed manual transmission.
A 1932 Ford roadster crafted by Streamline Custom Designs was also among the top five.
The car features a slick ZZ6 engine - opens in new window or tab. with a stack fuel injection - opens in new window or tab..
The winning builders can proudly display these prestigious awards next to their creations. The honor is an indication to collectors that the cars embody the highest standards of automotive artistry.
Considering these awards, it wouldn't surprise us to see these cars appear at an upcoming Barret-Jackson auction, most likely adorned with a "Sold" sign.
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