Troy Trepanier’s 1929 Ford Model-A Tudor sedan beat out two other finalists to win the 2017 SEMA Battle of the Builders competition during SEMA Ignited, the official SEMA Show after-party held at the conclusion of the 2017 SEMA Show.
All of the three finalists in the fourth annual competition were equipped with period-correct tires made or distributed by Coker Tire. Among the top three also included Alan Johnson with a 1932 Ford Tudor and Troy Ladd with a 1936 Packard roadster.
The annual competition, which featured nearly 300 entries from seven countries and 38 states, ultimately pitted a dozen custom vehicles vying for the coveted award. The three builders will be featured along with many other SEMA Show builders in a new episode of the TV special “SEMA: Battle of the Builders,” which will premiere on the Velocity Channel on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
Equipped with Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials from Coker, the 2017 Battle of the Builders-winning ’29 Ford Model A Tudor was developed by the Illinois-based Rad Rides by Troy, under the direction of the designer and builder Troy Trepanier. Owned by Dennis Mariani, the one-of-a-kind Model A is powered by an all-aluminum small-block with a five-speed transmission, and a modified original Halibrand quick-change rear axle. It’s highly customized body rides on a modified ’32 Ford boxed-in frame with a custom crossmember and an internal torsion bar suspension with RideTech shocks at the front and rear.
The runner-up 1932 Troy Ladd Mulholland Speedster is equipped with Firestone 6.50-16 whitewall tires supplied by Coker. Owned by Bruce Wanta and built by Ladd and his team at the California-based Hollywood Hot Rods, the one-off “coachbuilt” speedster started with a 1936 Packard 1401 Coupe and utilizes a hand built, figure-eight frame also designed by Ladd. The stunning speedster, which took six years to build, incorporates independent suspension that favors leaf springs over coil springs. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Winters rear end with inboard drum brakes.
Riding on Firestone Dirt Track tires by Coker, a Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop ’32 Ford Tudor owned by racer and collector George Poteet also landed among the top three “Battle of the Builders” finalists. Named as “Street Rod of the Year” in June at the 2017 Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, the Tudor was crafted at Johnson’s Gadsden, Ala. headquarters. Fitted with a Ford 312 Y-block engine that produces 412 hp and 405 lb.-ft. of torque, it features a five-speed Tremec TKO 600 transmission, upgraded by Bowler Performance. Wheels are magnesium Real Rodder’s Halibrand Indy Roadster units, detailed with Dow 7 aircraft-coated centers with show-polished rims. A complete steel surround was hand formed and structurally welded into the interior of the car.
“Each year, ‘Battle of the Builders’ brings out the wildest and most innovative hot rods, street rods and customs from the aftermarket world’s most innovative craftsmen,” said Corky Coker, CEO of Coker Tire. “We are proud that these top three finalists chose Coker to equip these priceless, one-of-a-kind vehicles with period-precise tires.”
Since 2015, the unique one-hour program has aired on the Velocity network, giving viewers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the SEMA Show, up-close footage of the vehicles and exclusive interviews with builders as they share their personal stories and journey to the premier automotive trade show in the world.
For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 2, 2018, visit www.sema.org/botb.
