While many of us think of classic cars in terms of Duesenbergs, Packards and Cadillacs from the ’30s, today there’s a new take on this aged craft as modern innovators push the automotive art to even higher levels.

In recent years this resurgence of hands-on expertise has led to the creation of numerous vehicles exhibiting a level of finish and imagination never before imagined or practiced by those who built these so-called classics of yesteryear. What’s more, a select group of builders has even made some of these creations available to the public, with limited production runs of particular cars.

While this might imply that rods are rolling off production lines and into dealerships, it hasn’t happened yet, and it’s not likely to in the short term. Then again, building two dozen cars around the same theme is light-years away from building a one-off in the garage. This kind of effort takes a great deal of commitment in terms of capitalization; the cash outlay to build 24 cars is, as you can imagine, immense. Those responsible must be of the belief that each of their limited-edition creations will find a home.

Fortunately, Steve Frisbie is strong on all counts, having built his share of six-figure ’30s classics along with equally pristine street rods that have set standards of their own. Since first opening the doors at Steve’s Auto Restorations (SAR), Frisbie has kept exceptionally busy restoring some of the great cars of today. Over the years, Frisbie has come to know the difference between the perception of quality and the reality of creating it. Now he has decided to qualify those differences with his creative Double Dozen project.

While several different rod builders have created limited-production vehicles, few handled every aspect of the construction in-house, mainly because they thought it best to team up with other craftsmen to create certain aspects of their cars. While this takes nothing away from the quality or beauty of the cars they created, it does say a good deal about SAR. By keeping every aspect of the construction process in-house, SAR has been able to maintain personally set tolerances and control the design theme at every juncture, yet still build each car as if it were the only one. And because each of the Double Dozens is offered simply as a “roller,” the final results of each still depend heavily on the imagination, talent and individuality of their owners. In the end, each of these cars will be special in its own right, and we’ll be showing them to you in the months and years to come.

Based loosely on the lines of a ’33-’34 Ford roadster, the SAR Double Dozen have a distinctly speedy appearance, which begins with the swoopy ’33 grille and shell and continues on through the hood sides, windshield, doors and side panels. Shaped over wooden bucks, creating the first body was its own challenge, but once accomplished, molds could be made to duplicate each of the various panels within tight tolerances. Because these lines have been pressed into the surface of 19-gauge A.K.D.Q. drop-quality steel, the contours are tight and the fit between the adjoining panels is excellent. This can be seen in the flowing lines of the hood sides with ever-larger louvers leading from front to back clear up to the doors. The cowl has been minimized to support the windshield alone.

The doors have little in common with other cars, with a shapely design integrated into this sleek body, with wide reveals flowing up to the dash. Special hidden hinges allow the doors to operate smoothly from one oversized rear-mount door hinge per door. These unusually stout hand-fabricated hinges maintain a tight door tolerance all around. Like most of the interior panels, the dash was fabricated from 16-gauge steel, with steel tubing reinforcing the entire area, just as it’s been done in other portions of the body. In back, the trunk lid is also surrounded with sloping contours that eventually flow into the adjoining panels, including a rolled pan fitted with twin exhaust openings. The rear wheel wells were shaped to follow the contour of today’s large-diameter tires and rims, and they look amazingly purposeful with just the correct amount of proportion. 

One of the more interesting and innovative aspects of the Double Dozen can be seen in the windshield frame and grille shell, each of which utilizes its own construction methods. While the grille shell is a bronze investment-cast design, the windshield frame was shaped in brass to mimic the appearance of a DuVall windshield. While this method of assembly may seem more complex than it means to be, it is an ideal way to achieve the kind of results that stand out.

It’s obvious from what we’ve shown you here that these bodies are first rate, and yet without the right chassis beneath it, there’s not much of a “roller” to put on the trailer, nor is there much for the home builder to go on once construction has begun. The fully boxed frame itself is formed from 10-gauge mild steel, and it’s been stretched to accommodate a 116-inch wheelbase. Round-tube reinforcements have been fitted over its length, and as you might imagine, the finish quality is top notch. The front suspension consists of a split-tube independent straight axle that will hang onto history, while improving on the handling in every situation. Out back, a 9-inch Ford rides between custom A-arms, control rods and coilover shocks, creating a unique approach of independence that will keep this roadster tight with the pavement.

To allow potential customers a large degree of individuality, the drivetrain options are wide open. You can choose between several small blocks or you can step up to a big-block Chevy or Ford, or even the latest Hemi from DaimlerChrysler. And when combined with any one of several transmissions on the market today, the journey for the Double Dozen will come full circle as the details become the discerning elements of each example. 

In creating the Double Dozen, SAR achieved several things, not the least of which is one of the sleeker designs we’ve seen in years. It is beautiful, in fact. SAR has redefined the concept of incorporating modern methods of construction in street rodding, and yet the overall concept still follows established standards. This is an amazing feat of balance, and SAR has made it possible to own something this special without having to purchase a much pricier one-off. In doing so, SAR has managed to lend a classic approach to our modern rodding age, and fortunately for the two dozen of you who will enjoy these cars the way they were meant to be enjoyed, you will have earned an important piece of rodding history.