During the 17th BASF Nashville Nationals, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced their second Top 12 “Of the Year” winner. The Tanks, Inc. 2023 Hot Rod of the Year award was given to Coby Gewertz and his impressive ’34 Ford Coupe.
In order to receive the coveted award, cars must be manufactured prior to 1948, have driven at least 500 miles, and successfully complete a reliability test consisting of over 100 miles of picturesque Tennessee roads and a drag strip run. Additionally, the vehicle must possess a genuine Hot Rod spirit – and as evidenced by the eye-catching paint job, stance, and classic Hemi engine with fuel injection, Gewertz’s ’34 undoubtedly embodies this definition.
Gewertz refers to it as the Saint Christopher Coupe, which was originally just a body shell that he obtained from Mike Wolfe, known for his involvement in the TV show American Pickers. The vehicle was constructed over several years by South City Rod & Custom in Hayward, California. It boasts a number of traditional hot rod customizations, including a lowered roof, rows of louvers on the roof and deck lid, classic wheels, and a powerful 331 cubic-inch vintage Hemi engine.
As anticipated, the bold paint job done by Compani Color creates an instant impression. The vertical stripes are reminiscent of the paint designs on drag racing cars from the late 1960s, which aligns with Gewertz’s objective:
“I wanted to build a car that harks back to the days when drag racing was still considered cool. We essentially created a moving cartoon.”
Check out photos of Saint Christopher Coupe in the picture gallery below (all photos courtesy Goodguys Rod & Custom Association).
