Norman Bradley’s Five Window ’32 Ford wins 2020 Tanks, Inc Hot Rod of the Year!
Norman Bradley’s five window ’32 Ford was a Top 5 finalist in the 2020 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year running back in July, but it was the Tanks, Inc Hot Rod of the Year title that was the goal in mind when Henry Richards and his Steadfast Hot Rods crew were crafting this rowdy rod.
Built to be driven, the Steadfast crew started from the ground up fabricating in-house a custom chassis using a 5-inch drop axle, Steadfast hairpins, a Durant leaf spring, and a Pete & Jake’s rear suspension locating the Winters quick change rear end. A tri-powered Aaron Blatter-built 383c.i. small block is saddled between the frame rails and is backed with a 700R4 overdrive transmission. Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop 16- and 18-inch wheels wrapped with Firestone tires put the rubber to the road.
A wedge-cut top, reshaped hood, and custom grille and roof insert highlight the body mods under the deep black PPG paint. Inside, M&M Hot Rod Interiors diamond stitched distressed leather over the seat, while Classic Instruments gauges, a custom steering wheel, and a trick louvered headliner insert complete the look.
Congratulations to Norman Bradley, Henry Richards and the Steadfast Hot Rods crew for winning the Goodguys 2020 Tanks, Inc Hot Rod of the Year title! Look for a more in-depth feature on Norman’s ’32 Ford in an upcoming Goodguys Gazette and be sure to come see the ride in person at the Goodguys 23rd Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals presented by Barrett-Jackson November 20-22 at Westworld of Scottsdale.
A lifelong car kid, Steven grew up around drag strips – his name may sound familiar because his grandfather is Bob Bunker, a Pro Mod pioneer who piloted the “Folsom Flash” ’55 Chevy from the ’70s through the ’90s. Steven’s father, Bob Bunker Jr., heads up Bunker Motorsports and is a regular in the West Coast racing scene, building chassis and race cars for more than 30 years. With genetics like that, it’s no wonder Steven has a passion for both cars and motorsports. In addition to helping his father and honing his fabrication skills at Bunker Motorsports, Steven began shooting photos at the drag strip and capturing the action with his Canon camera. He is now artfully crafting stories around the awesome machines at the shows, as well as the men and women behind them. When he's is not on the road covering events, he spends his downtime out on the water fishing, building his 1962 Chevy Nova, or cruising his 1987 GMC Suburban.
