I attended the "CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE" event today. Among all the Ferarri's, Porsche's, Jaguar's, Austin-Healey's, MG's, '50s American Classics, '60s-'70s Muscle Cars, Merc Customs, Street Rods, Foose' 1965 Impala, Dore's "After Shock", etc., etc.; I spotted a very Traditional Hot Rod ... Don Orosco's full-fendered Deuce Roadster. Unfortunately, I didn't have my Digital SLR with me, so these iPhone snapshots will have to do (i.e, they really don't do the car justice) ...
NOTE: The placard on the ground behind the spreader bar read: 1932 FORD MODEL 18 ROADSTER Don Orosco Monterey, California This beautiful ’32 Roadster is one of Don Orosco’s very best … it is all Ford (except for the motor) and all parts are 1957 or earlier (including the motor) – no reproductions. Don’s goal was to build a traditional car that “might have been an entry in the 1957 AMBR Award” (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster). “That might be my last restoration so I have thrown everything at it,” he said. And then offer it for the 2018 AMBR Award at the Grand National Roadster Show, Pomona, California. He started with an unrestored ’32 he found in Los Angeles and hired some hot rod “greats” to fabricate (Olli Eriksson), paint (Robert Hatchman), and upholster (Tom Sewell) and then installed a ’57 283ci Chevy Corvette V8 with Rochester fuel injection and a Duntov cam, ’39 Ford gearbox and ’34 “Culver City” quick change rear end. Perfection? Wait for Pomona!
Absolutely stunning! (for the 1957 era build-pre '63) It'd look like it drove right off the cover of a '57 Hot Rod Magazine if it had the yellow/black '56 plates.
Outstanding car, really captures the pinnacle of that early period when we East Coast kids lusted after the cover cars on the little books, waiting eagerly for each month's edition at the local United Cigar Store.
The guy has always shown a lot of class and style , this one is no exception to that. Beautiful car! Thanks for sharing it.
It is not about cubic money, I have met Don, he came from humble beginnings, and has done well. He is just an old time hot rodder that is able to do that which we wish that we could do.
Don has once again displayed his preference for '50 Merc wheels, caps, and stock stainless 'spats'. We have discussed these at length. I politely refused to sell mine to him, (I like 'em too!) Surprised to read this Deuce wasn't done by his own staff. Don's shop is quite adept, as illustrated by the Tony LaMas roadster and Duane Kofed's, both impeccable in-house restorations. His manufacture of the original Bell steering wheels, and other early speed products are an example of his expertise. Don built most of the SaveMart stores... Self made man. Nice guy, too.
I'm in lust,and don't get me wrong I love the look but does a roadster in California really need a Winterfront grille? HRP
And i thought i was the only one that has that particular turn signal switch . . . Beautiful automobile! Tom
Thanks for the compliment, but I must correct you ... Those 7 images were actually shot with an old iPhone 5s ... by no means would I suggest it is a "camera" ... plus the pics posted here have been resized to a much lower resolution than the original iPhone snapshot.
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