Author: Ken Gross

Ken Gross is a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Chief Class Judge and a founding member of the International Chief Judges’ Advisory Group (ICJAG). He served as Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and his 15 critically acclaimed auto exhibitions have drawn record crowds at major fine-art museums nationwide. The author of 25 books, Ken has been contributing to SCM for more than three decades.

1955 Ford Thunderbird Custom convertible

2012 Detroit Autorama Don Ridler Award winner 2012 Goodguys Custom Rod of the Year 2012 SEMA Mothers Polish Excellence in Design winner 2012 Legend Cup winner Featured in Street Rodder Premium and AutoWeek 1150-hp twin-turbo V8 by Gale Banks Engineering  

1932 Ford Roadster

The famous ’32 Ford roadster that raced the quarter horse in 1944 Russetta Timing Association tag: 120.9 mph at Harper Dry Lake, 1944 Starred in several hot rod B movies in the 1950s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance “Best Historic Hot Rod” Named as one of the Most Significant 1932 Fords […]

1952 Allard K2 Custom

Modified by legendary California customizer George Barris Painted and pinstriped by the incomparable Von Dutch Updated for performance and reliability Previously owned by Hollywood actor Jeff Cooper Colorado Grand participant Displayed at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

1932 Ford 3-Window Drag Coupe

Inaugural 1954 ATAA World Series of Drag Racing Class AB Champion Same owner for more than 60 years; driven less than one mile since 1954 Built by Francis Fortman and driven by Kenny Kerr Competed in only one drag-racing event, then stashed away Documented with the title from 1952, vintage […]

1933 Ford 5-Window Custom Coupe

1951 Cadillac V8 engine with three carburetors GM 700R4 automatic transmission More than 60 years of documented history 1955 Ford Rotunda Custom Show Sweepstakes winner 1955, 1956 and 1957 Detroit Autorama award winner Awarded 32 trophies in 21 shows beginning in 1955 10 Best of Show Awards Built by Oliver […]

1932 Ford Tudor Street Rod

Less than 2,000 miles on a frame-off restoration 426-ci Hemi V8, headers and dual exhaust 700R4 automatic transmission Solid front axle/independent rear suspension 4-wheel disc brakes Custom two-tone red and beige paint with accent striping  

1929 Ford Boyd Coddington “Alumatub”

Called the “Alumatub,” this hand-crafted Boyd Coddington creation was built on the popular “American Hot Rod” TV series on the Discovery Channel. It has a hand-formed all-aluminum body by Marcel Delay on a specially constructed Coddington aluminum frame and chassis. It’s powered by an aluminum 350-ci Chevy engine, with Barry […]

1954 Chevrolet 210 Custom Hard top

Built on the hit TV show “Monster Garage,” this car was chopped and sectioned by Gene Winfield, Dick Dean and Bill Hines with frame and running gear by Fat Jack. The interior features a handmade skull in the dash by Norm Grabowski. The dash and headers were done by Jesse […]

1932 Ford Miller Automotive Roadster

This Highboy not only looks the part, it is the part. Built by Miller Automotive, of Chino, CA, it was timed at 142.97 mph at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats on August 21, 1954. Powered by the venerable flathead, with Offenhauser aluminum heads, three 2-barrel Stromberg carburetors, a Harman and Collins […]

Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

1960 Mercury Colony Park “the Lizard King”

533-ci big-block Ford V8, (estimated) 450 hp, modified for E85 fuel FAST ECU fuel injection, Edelbrock intake manifold Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission, disc brakes Air Ride Technologies 4-link suspension Built by Boyd Coddington and Hot Rods by Boyd Featured on “American Hot Rod” TV Series Boyd Coddington teamed up […]