his year was the 70th America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award (correct, 70th award and the 71st show) and it went to the 1932 Ford Muroc fenderless roadster owned by Monty Belsham (Houston, British Columbia, Canada) that was reconfigured by Doug Jerger and his crew from Squeeg’s Kustoms in Chandler, Arizona. The 2020 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) held at the Fairplex in Pomona, California (17th year at this location), did bring us the latest in the long tradition of AMBR award winners.
his year was the 70th America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award (correct, 70th award and the 71st show) and it went to the 1932 Ford Muroc fenderless roadster owned by Monty Belsham (Houston, British Columbia, Canada) that was reconfigured by Doug Jerger and his crew from Squeeg’s Kustoms in Chandler, Arizona. The 2020 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) held at the Fairplex in Pomona, California (17th year at this location), did bring us the latest in the long tradition of AMBR award winners.
It was from here that Monty caught sight of the roadster and knew he wanted it … but there would be changes—lots of them! The car exchanged ownership a few times and, in the process, it was “driven” (nothing wrong with that!) and began to show some signs of wear and tear. Once Monty parked it in his garage it was off to Squeeg’s Kustoms where he and Jerger sat down and mapped out a plan that originally didn’t include going for the AMBR. However, plans, as life, have a way of changing.
The roadster lacked flames; however, this was a “must have” for Monty (he’ll tell you that everything he has is flamed) and it was around this premise that the rebuild began. Immediately the cockpit was extended 3 inches by moving it rearward toward the decklid to better fit Monty. He also wanted a removable hardtop, which is where Matt Tomb (also from Arizona) came into the picture as he fabricated the one-off top. The handmade top is shaped out of aluminum and features a 3/8-inch chrome trim around its perimeter. To properly fit the top, Squeeg’s had to modify the windshield.
It should be noted that the roadster was taken down to literally every last nut and bolt and then reassembled after the noteworthy changes, such as the use of 1937 Ford taillights, leading to fresh body- and paintwork, all handled at Squeeg’s. The roadster was repainted using PPG black with orange and red flames, featuring candy pink tips over white pearl “licking” rearward from the grille shell (which features a Dan Fink insert) as they flow just past the doors. Look closely and you will see flames spreading rearward on the underside of the hood … more detail. The flames were precisely laid down by Jerger while Moose (also Squeeg’s) handled the expertly sprayed-on black.
The Kugel chassis, which the roadster sits on to this day, features Kugel IFS and IRS that’s outfitted with coilover shocks and Corvette brakes at the corners. Nestled between the Kugel custom framerails is the powertrain based around an LS1 with Hilborn-stacked EFI that utilizes a Holley CPU. The V-8 is then matched to a 4L60E tranny that spins the horsepower back to the Kugel IRS. As one would expect, a roadster competing for the AMBR would feature copious amounts of detail and it’s stunning throughout. The engine itself is loaded with lots of highly polished aluminum by way of Russel’s Custom Polishing. When it came to achieving brilliant brightwork, the tip of the cap went to the “keepers of the tanks” at Ogden Chrome.
There’s no denying the talent required and the prestige garnered by packing up the replica AMBR trophy, although a “bit” shorter in stature. The perpetual 9-footer is retained by Rod Shows, the event’s promoter. Jerger and crew from Squeeg’s Kustoms are no strangers to the AMBR competition, having taken home the honors once before in 2011 with a 1934 Ford roadster. Who knows, maybe, just maybe, we will see Jerger and crew back again to try one more time!