TUNNELED, NOT FRENCHED
March 26, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
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Spotlighter
Goodguys 2025: Street Rod and Street Machine of the Year Bring the Heat to Columbus
Columbus Hosts the Ultimate Custom Car Throwdown
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
If you’re into big power, insane craftsmanship, and the kind of custom cars that stop people mid-sentence, then Columbus, Ohio in July is the only place to be. The Goodguys Nationals isn’t just a show—it’s the showdown. Since ’98, this event has become ground zero for the best in hot rods, muscle cars, and one-off customs that blend tradition with full-throttle insanity.
The big dogs here? Street Rod of the Year and Street Machine of the Year. These aren’t participation trophies. These are full-send, no-compromise awards that separate the good from the god-tier. For 2025, both winners delivered knockout punches that prove why the Goodguys stage is one of the most respected in the custom scene.
Street Machine of the Year 2025: 1987 Buick Grand National “GNXS”
Owner: Angelo Vespi
Builder: DutchBoys Hot Rods
DutchBoys Hot Rods—a father-and-son-owned shop known for original muscle car restorations and high-end custom builds—unleashed their most ambitious project yet with Angelo Vespi’s 1987 Buick Grand National, now known as GNXS. This build marks the shop’s first dive into the G-body platform, and they went all in.
With almost total creative freedom from Vespi—aside from a specific request on the wheel flares—the team transformed the Grand National into something truly special. “This is definitely our biggest build to date,” said lead builder Jason Mitchell. “It’s also the most custom work we’ve done on a single car.” Not a single inch was left untouched.
At first glance, the front end looks familiar, but a closer look reveals functional headlight inlets that channel air to cool the oil, power steering, and transmission through carefully designed ducts. The whole system is managed by a Holley Dominator ECU, running fans like a pit crew during a race.
Under the hood, the original turbo V6 is long gone. Instead, this beast roars with a twin-turbo 427ci LS7 pumping out a staggering 1,400 horsepower. It’s stopped by Baer 14-inch six-piston brakes up front and rides on a GearFX nine-inch rear end. The wheels are custom center-lock designs, created in collaboration with Greening Auto Company, giving it a race-ready stance.
DutchBoys chose to heavily modify the factory hood rather than replace it, maintaining the classic aggressive profile of the Grand National while elevating it with countless custom touches and flawless craftsmanship.
SMOTY Finalists
1970 Mercury Cougar
Owner: Randy Borcherding Builder: Painthouse Texas
One of the most unexpected and refined entries in the Top 5 was this stunning 1970 Mercury Cougar, built with precision and attitude by the team at PAINTHOUSE. Sprayed in a custom PPG hue called “Short Bus Pearl,” this Cougar blends old-school Mercury muscle with modern tech and track-ready hardware. Underneath, a Detroit Speed Aluma-Frame front suspension and JRI coilovers keep things tight, while a Whipple-supercharged V8 and TREMEC T-56 Magnum 6-speed make sure it moves with serious intent. A full suite of premium components—from Baer brakes and MagnaFlow exhaust, to Moore & Giles upholstery and Dakota Digital gauges—shows this was no rushed build. The attention to detail is everywhere, with Ringbrothers hood hinges, Summit plumbing, and a custom set of Evod Industries wheels sealing the deal. It’s not just rare to see a Cougar at this level—it’s damn refreshing.
1971 Plymouth Duster
Owner: Jordan Costello Builder: BBT Fabrications
One of the most refreshing surprises in this year’s SMOTY field came in the form of a sleek, ultra-white 1971 Plymouth Duster, built by BBT Fabrications for owner Jordan Costello. What started as a basic Hellcat swap turned into a full-scale reinvention once the team uncovered structural issues beneath the fresh paint. The result? A ground-up build on a custom chassis with 707hp of supercharged Mopar power stuffed between custom-fabricated inner fenders. The blown Hemi nestles tight under a custom scoop that mimics factory Mopar styling while accommodating the beast beneath. Inside, a fully hand-crafted interior mimics the factory layout—but nothing is stock, from the machined dash and emblems to the reshaped seats wrapped in dark blue leather. With a TREMEC T-56, Baer brakes, HRE wheels, and thoughtful, timeless touches throughout, this Duster blends OEM nostalgia with world-class execution. It’s a modern muscle machine that respects its roots without being trapped by them.
1970 Dodge Challenger “Relentless”
Owner: Steve Nettleingham Builder: Hot Rod Garage
Nicknamed “Relentless,” this 1970 Dodge Challenger built by Hot Rod Garage out of Oklahoma lived up to its name at the 2025 Goodguys Nationals, landing in the Top 5 Street Machine of the Year and taking home TMI’s Best of Show Interior award. Owned by Steve Nettleingham, this Challenger is a no-compromise street weapon riding on an Art Morrison chassis with Baer brakes and massive Forgeline Dropkick wheels—19s up front, 20s out back—wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Under the hood, it packs a twin-turbo 428ci Mopar small-block built by Nelson Racing Engines, backed by a Bowler-prepped 6-speed manual. The powertrain screams, but the interior—crafted by the legendary team at The Recovery Room—is what truly turns heads. It’s a perfectly balanced build: brutal in performance, refined in execution, and relentless in every detail.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette “XP-63”
Owner: Jorge V Builder: Eddies Rod & Custom
Eddie’s Rod & Custom brought pure creativity and supercar attitude to this one-off 1963 Corvette, a Top 5 finalist for Street Machine of the Year. This reimagined C2 is wider, lower, and sharper than anything Chevrolet ever dreamed of—hand-built body panels, carbon fiber aero, and a matte green finish that’s paint, not wrap. The chassis is a tricked-out Art Morrison setup with 15-inch Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, HRE wheels, and a custom widebody stance that looks factory concept-perfect. Under the hood, a Steve Morris-built LS3 cranks out nearly 1,000 horsepower on pump gas, paired with a custom-ratio Tremec 6-speed by Bowler. Inside, it’s pure futurism—Avant Garde Design 3D scanned and 3D printed the entire cockpit, wrapping it in leather and Alcantara. Flush glass, titanium exhaust, ABS, traction control, and front-lift system seal the deal. It’s a street machine with supercar execution and Corvette soul.
Street Rod of the Year 2025: The Myers Fenderless ’36 Ford Roadster
Owner: Beth & Ross Myers
Builder: Rad Rides by Troy
We already broke this one down in detail over in our GNRS 2025 coverage, but here’s the quick hit: The Myers Fenderless ’36 rolled into Columbus as a Grand National Roadster Show champ and left with another heavyweight title.
This thing is pure hot rod soul—no fenders, no fluff, just ultra-clean execution and clever engineering. It’s powered by a 312ci Ford Y-block topped with a ’57 McCullough supercharger, delivering that classic old-school punch. Shifting duties are handled by a Bowler 4R70W automatic transmission, with a Winters Quick-change rear end keeping things tight.
The torsion bar suspension is a handcrafted masterpiece, balanced with modern precision thanks to Ridetech adjustable shocks and Wilwood disc brakes all around—hidden behind vintage-look drum covers that keep the vibe authentic.
The entire body is hand-shaped, loosely based on a ’36 Ford, but nobody’s mistaking this for a kit build. It’s finished in Porsche Aventurine Green Metallic, with a custom hand-built interior featuring square-weave carpet and a lift-off top. Even the show sign got the full treatment with pinstriping by Kid Kustom Paint.
Rolling on custom wide-five wheels wrapped in Excelsior rubber, the stance is perfect and the attitude is all business.
SROTY Finalists
1933 Ford Pickup Roadster
Owner: Danny Shaffer Builder: Detroit Metal Shaping Co.
Danny Schaffer’s 1933 Ford Roadster Pickup is the kind of build that stops you mid-scroll and makes you lean in. It’s got that perfect blend of attitude and refinement—metallic raspberry paint so deep you could fall into it, and a thumping 511ci Roush-built Ford FE under the hood with a Borla eight-stack EFI setup that just screams business. Built by Detroit Metal Shaping with input from design heavy-hitters Mark Trostle and the Root Brothers, this beast rides on a custom chassis featuring Kugel independent front and rear suspension (IFS and IRS), plus a Bowler 4R70W automatic transmission to keep it streetable. The wheels? One-off Root Brothers creations that mash up classic Torq Thrust and Halibrand vibes like it’s no big deal. We first caught this killer ride at the Detroit Autorama earlier this year. (click here to see more).
1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe “Final Forty”
Owner: Penny Moyer (The Late Carl Moyer) Builder: Karl Kustoms
Carl Moyer’s 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe isn’t just another high-end hot rod—it’s the kind of build that punches you right in the feelings. This thing has soul. Believed to be the last ’40 Ford off the production line, it spent years as an unfinished shell from Boyd Coddington’s shop before Carl picked it up at Barrett-Jackson in 2015. It sat. It waited. But Carl never stopped talking about it. The man had a vision—deep blue paint, tons of polish, and just the right mix of classic cool and modern precision. He wasn’t just building a car; he was chasing a dream with four wheels and a flathead.
When the crew finally dove into the project, it turned into a no-compromise, blood-sweat-and-tears kind of build. Every panel was touched, tweaked, or reworked. Seventy pounds of lead got yanked out. An H&H-built, 278ci Ardun-headed Flathead V8 was dropped in, paired with a 700R4 transmission and custom exhaust. Billet components, redline tires, hidden radio, and a Dakota Digital dash—every inch was massaged to perfection. The paint? A custom mix called Deep Blue Diamond, laid down by Shane, just the way Carl envisioned it. He even helped bend the bumpers himself—tie off, sleeves rolled, smiling like a kid on Christmas. This wasn’t just a car to him. It was the car. And now it’s a rolling tribute to a man who lived and breathed the blue oval. Class, style, and a whole lotta heart—this is the kind of custom build that makes you believe in hot rods all over again.
1932 Ford Roadster
Owner: Scott & Stephanie Movic Builder: Ace Fabrication
Scott Movics’ 1932 Ford Roadster is pure hot rod craftsmanship—old-school style forged with modern performance, all wrapped in flawless execution. Hand-built by Chris Clark at Ace Fabrication, this isn’t just another custom—it’s a one-off hot rod that started life as a bare steel shell and now stands as a Top 5 contender for Goodguys Street Rod of the Year. The body has been expertly modified with raised rear fenders, a dropped grille shell, and a stretched hood, giving it an aggressive yet timeless silhouette. Every panel has been hand-shaped and customized for a seamless look that true enthusiasts will appreciate.
Under the skin, it rides on a Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop chassis, powered by an LS3 disguised as a Ford engine, which was painted by Show Me Rod & Custom. The powerplant features a stunning Borla 8-stack injection system, pushing out 450 horsepower. A Bowler-built Tremec 5-speed transmission handles shifting duties, delivering reliable performance with a vintage vibe. The custom firewall, engine mounts, and brackets are all one-off fabricated components, showcasing top-tier metalwork. Inside, a Recovery Room custom interior by Tracy Weaver strikes the perfect balance of elegance and attitude, while the removable hardtop adds both style and function. The car rolls on EVOD Industries wheels, completing the look. From its bare-metal debut to its final deep blue show finish, this ’32 Ford Roadster proves you don’t need a mega-shop to build a car that can hang with the best—just vision, skill, and relentless attention to detail.
1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe “Gracie’s Glide”
Owner: Beth Myers Builder: Iron Hill Hot Rods
Beth Myers’ 1932 Ford three-window coupe, better known as Gracie’s Glide, doesn’t just look classy—it straight-up oozes Bugatti-inspired elegance with a full dose of hot rod grit. Built by the team at Iron Hill Hot Rods, it’s the kind of car that makes you stare, squint, and then grin when you realize what’s powering it. The flawless paint, custom-machined wheels, and swoopy silhouette are all there—but the real story’s under the nose.
That’s where you’ll find a Mercruiser four-cylinder. Yeah, a marine engine. But don’t let that fool you—this one’s been hot-rodded with a P51 cylinder head from Jon Kaase Racing Engines and a crank-driven supercharger that sticks out past the grille like it’s daring you to ask questions. It’s only 220 cubic inches, but who cares? It’s weird, it’s fast enough, and it sounds like nothing else in the building. Gracie’s Glide is what happens when European coachwork meets American hot rod rebellion—refined, rowdy, and totally original. Just how we like it.
See more of Gracie’s Glide in our Detroit Autorama coverage (CLICK HERE).
