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Del Mar, CA - Doug and Flo Hoppe have had a very happy and successful couple of years on the Goodguys event circuit. It just so happens they’ve produced some of the country’s finest automobiles in that time from their home in Sioux Center , Iowa . Last July their “Reactor” 1967 Mustang (built by the Ring Bros) swept the coveted Goodguys/Air Ride Technologies Street Machine of the Year award.
For the Hoppe’s, lightning struck again in the sun splashed paddock of the Del Mar Fairgrounds Sunday, April 6th. Their stylish green 1935 Ford three window coupe, built by Roger Burman and his team at Lakeside Rods, was crowned the Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance winner at the 8th Del Mar Nationals.
The coupe gets its stunning lines from the sketchpad of Northwest designer Jason Rushforth combined with the fabrication talents of the Lakeside Rods crew. To begin with, the coupe was lengthened three inches in front by stretching the hood, fenders and hood sides. The grill has been laid back an inch and a half to rest snugly under the pancaked hood. The fender wells were opened up and re-rolled. The entire profile of the car was cut and sectioned from zero to two and a half inches giving it a correct and eye pleasing natural rake and stance. The color is a very rare E-State green which came stock on a 1992 Ford King Ranch Pickup. Hoppe was driving on the highway one day and saw one of the pickups going the opposite direction down the highway. He instantly knew he had to have that color for the coupe and flipped a U-Turn, chased the pickup down and managed to get the driver to pull over and reveal the paint code. “I would have followed him to Chicago if that’s what it took,” Hoppe chuckled.
Lurking beneath the pancaked hood is the heart of the street rod – a highly polished and detailed Roush 402 eight stack engine pumping out an estimated five hundred and fifteen horsepower.
The one off wheels are a work of art. Designed by Rushforth and cut by Colorado Custom, they are designed in the tradition of late 30s era stock Ford wheels. Classy V8 emblems adorn the intricate center caps.
The masterful brown calfskin interior, which includes a basket weave pattern on the seats and painted feaux wood grain was designed and stitched by the team at Plattsmith , Nebraska ’s “Recovery Room.” Lakeside Rods and Burman hand fabricated the metal dash panel which secures the custom made Classic Instruments gauges.
The entire package is a subtle yet distinctive street rod with impeccable design and execution. We’ve come to expect nothing less from Burman and his build team, especially when it comes to 1935 Fords. It marks the second straight year a Burman built ’35 Ford has won the Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance crown.
When asked what he likes about the 1935 Ford models, Doug Hoppe explained “I’ve always been a big fan of fender cars. The ’35 Ford to me is a car that’s always had a real nice look to it. With our talented team, I think we improved on that factory look. Flo and I really enjoy showing the car and the hobby of street rodding. It’s been challenging and rewarding. It’s been a great ride!”
The Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance award is presented annually at the Del mar Nationals and is meant to honor an elegant and masterfully built 1948 and earlier street rod. The additional finalists for this year’s award included Joe Schott (1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe), Mack & Shelly Bernd (1932 Ford Convertible), Lou & Brenda Steiner (1937 Ford), and Sherri Nash (1933 Ford Speedstar).
Doug & Flo Hoppe’s 1935 Ford Wins Goodguys 2008 Street Rod d’Elegance!
Del Mar, CA - Doug and Flo Hoppe have had a very happy and successful couple of years on the Goodguys event circuit. It just so happens they’ve produced some of the country’s finest automobiles in that time from their home in Sioux Center , Iowa . Last July their “Reactor” 1967 Mustang (built by the Ring Bros) swept the coveted Goodguys/Air Ride Technologies Street Machine of the Year award.
For the Hoppe’s, lightning struck again in the sun splashed paddock of the Del Mar Fairgrounds Sunday, April 6th. Their stylish green 1935 Ford three window coupe, built by Roger Burman and his team at Lakeside Rods, was crowned the Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance winner at the 8th Del Mar Nationals.
The coupe gets its stunning lines from the sketchpad of Northwest designer Jason Rushforth combined with the fabrication talents of the Lakeside Rods crew. To begin with, the coupe was lengthened three inches in front by stretching the hood, fenders and hood sides. The grill has been laid back an inch and a half to rest snugly under the pancaked hood. The fender wells were opened up and re-rolled. The entire profile of the car was cut and sectioned from zero to two and a half inches giving it a correct and eye pleasing natural rake and stance. The color is a very rare E-State green which came stock on a 1992 Ford King Ranch Pickup. Hoppe was driving on the highway one day and saw one of the pickups going the opposite direction down the highway. He instantly knew he had to have that color for the coupe and flipped a U-Turn, chased the pickup down and managed to get the driver to pull over and reveal the paint code. “I would have followed him to Chicago if that’s what it took,” Hoppe chuckled.
Lurking beneath the pancaked hood is the heart of the street rod – a highly polished and detailed Roush 402 eight stack engine pumping out an estimated five hundred and fifteen horsepower.
The one off wheels are a work of art. Designed by Rushforth and cut by Colorado Custom, they are designed in the tradition of late 30s era stock Ford wheels. Classy V8 emblems adorn the intricate center caps.
The masterful brown calfskin interior, which includes a basket weave pattern on the seats and painted feaux wood grain was designed and stitched by the team at Plattsmith , Nebraska ’s “Recovery Room.” Lakeside Rods and Burman hand fabricated the metal dash panel which secures the custom made Classic Instruments gauges.
The entire package is a subtle yet distinctive street rod with impeccable design and execution. We’ve come to expect nothing less from Burman and his build team, especially when it comes to 1935 Fords. It marks the second straight year a Burman built ’35 Ford has won the Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance crown.
When asked what he likes about the 1935 Ford models, Doug Hoppe explained “I’ve always been a big fan of fender cars. The ’35 Ford to me is a car that’s always had a real nice look to it. With our talented team, I think we improved on that factory look. Flo and I really enjoy showing the car and the hobby of street rodding. It’s been challenging and rewarding. It’s been a great ride!”
The Goodguys Street Rod d’Elegance award is presented annually at the Del mar Nationals and is meant to honor an elegant and masterfully built 1948 and earlier street rod. The additional finalists for this year’s award included Joe Schott (1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe), Mack & Shelly Bernd (1932 Ford Convertible), Lou & Brenda Steiner (1937 Ford), and Sherri Nash (1933 Ford Speedstar).
