SEMA 'Battle of the Builders' winners have Coker connection

LAS VEGAS — The three finalists in this year's SEMA "Battle of the Builders" competition — which crowns the best custom builds shown at the annual SEMA Show — used period-correct tires distributed by Coker Tire Co.

This year's competition, the fourth annual such event, featured entries from seven countries and 38 states. Judges picked a dozen custom vehicles for final judging from among hundreds that were vying for the award, which was awarded on Nov. 3 at the conclusion of the four-day SEMA Show.

This year's winner was a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor designed and built by Manteno, Ill.-based Rad Rides by Troy, under the direction of the designer and builder Troy Trepanier. This one-of-a-kind Model A is powered by an all-aluminum small-block with a five-speed transmission, a modified original Halibrand quick-change rear axle and mounted on Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials from Coker.

Owned by Dennis Mariani, the car features a highly customized body riding on a 1932 Ford boxed-in frame with a custom crossmember and an internal torsion bar suspension with RideTech shocks at the front and rear.

Runner-up honors went to a 1932 Troy Ladd Mulholland Speedster, which was named "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" earlier this year at the 68th annual Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, Calif.

Owned by Bruce Wanta and built by Mr. Ladd and his team at Burbank, Calif.-based Hollywood Hot Rods, the one-off "coachbuilt" speedster started life as a 1936 Packard 1401 Coupe mounted on a hand built, figure-eight frame designed by Mr. Ladd.

The 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. It runs on Firestone 6.50-16 whitewall tires supplied by Coker.

Second runner-up honors went to a 1932 Ford Tudor, designed and built by Johnson's Hot Rod Shop of Gadsden, Ala. Owned by racer and collector George Poteet, the Tudor was named "Street Rod of the Year" in June at the 2017 Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.

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. It rolls on Firestone Dirt Track tires mounted on Halibrand Indy Roadster magnesium wheels and aircraft-coated centers with show-polished rims.

A complete steel surround was hand formed and structurally welded into the interior of the car. The interior floor is laser-cut aircraft-quality plywood, with 47 pieces bonded together to make one. Finishing off the bespoke interior is custom upholstery work, done in-house at Johnson's Hot Rod Shop.

"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," Coker Tire CEO Corky Coker said.

"We are proud that these top three finalists chose Coker to equip these priceless, one-of-a-kind vehicles with period-precise tires."

The three builders will be featured along with many other SEMA Show builders in an episode of the TV special "SEMA: Battle of the Builders," scheduled to air on Velocity Channel on Jan. 2.