Roy Brizio built this hot rod to prove a point — hot rods don't have to be trailer queens.
Twenty years ago, Roy Brizio built this car to prove a point. "B&M wanted to demonstrate the reliability of their (then-new) superchargers, Performance Automotive Warehouse (PAW) wanted to showcase the reliability of their engines, and we wanted to show the dependability of our cars," said Brizio of Brizio Street Rods, Inc., located in South San Francisco.
It worked. This year, when it was time to compile a list of the most significant 1932 Fords of all time, Brizio's '32 highboy made the cut. In addition, this car is about to become part of a Brizio section in the GMP Diecast model Vintage Deuce collection. If you want to see this piece of hot-rodding history, visit the GMP Diecast booth at SEMA (booth #24813).BRIZIO'S '32 HITS THE GROUND RUNNING
When the car was finished, it hit the road. "This roadster has been across the country more times than I can count," said Brizio. "We put more than 20,000 miles on it in just one summer," he recalled. After the car had been shown at 10 National Street Rod Association (NSRA) events and two Good Guys events, Brizio did the unthinkable—he turned the car over to 10 key hot-rod-type journalists across the country where even more miles were added to the VDO odometer. This car is no trailer queen; it's driven on a regular basis and has logged 62,016 miles.The body is a Wescott's fiberglass replica with hidden hinges and shaved handles and beads. The three-piece hood was aligned with a filled grille shell equipped with a DF Metalworks insert. The windshield is a DuVall design with a strong rake. Front headlights are 8-inch King Bee and the 1939 Ford teardrops are used for the taillights.
One of the things that makes this classic roadster memorable is the paint job. "Art Himsl shot the Camaro with blue and magenta scallops on the car," said Brizio. "The paint still looks great today."Tom Long of GMP Diecast plans to issue a 1:18 scale diecast model of Brizio's roadster and put the car on display at the SEMA Show. "It takes a lot of work to create an accurate representation of a car. We can spend days taking hundreds of photos, scaling, and measuring. Sometimes we have to disassemble pieces to get the correct measurements. Then it costs between $150,000 to $200,000 for the tooling," Long said.
The diecast model of Brizio's '32 highboy will have opening doors, an opening trunk, steering, an opening hood, and even a wired and plumbed Ford 351 Windsor engine—just like the real thing."We are targeting the hot-rod guys with this collection," said Long. "Some guys already own display cabinets, but for those who don't, we can sell them a display case."
Hot-rod parts manufacturers and distributors should anticipate a sales increase in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. The 75As baby boomers age and retire, they will return to their roots. If they had a hot rod or wanted one when they were young, they will now have the time and money to build or buy the hot rod they always wanted. Don't be surprised if your customers come in and ask for "parts like I saw on Roy Brizio's highboy hot rod." Make sure you and your staff are ready to supply them.
SOURCES
American Racing
Barry Lobeck Just-A-Hobby
B&M Racing and Performance Products, Inc.
Dan Fink (DF) Metalworks
GMP Diecast
Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts
Posies Rods and Customs
Sierra Racing Products
Weiand
