PPG-Painted Custom Builds Take Major Goodguys Awards

A 1967 Chevelle and a 1961 Ford F-100 pickup—both painted with PPG products—earned top honors from the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association last week. The Chevelle, built by Jeremy and Phil Gerber and the crew at the Roadster Shop for owner Tom Demrovsky of Wadsworth, Ohio, received the 2016 Muscle Machine of the Year award. The Ford, owned by Todd Williams of Phoenix and customized and painted by Jason Graham, was named winner of the 2016 Goodguys Truck of the Year-Late award, with “Late” covering the 1953–1972 model years. Both selections were made by a panel of judges designated by Goodguys.

According to John Drummond, editor of the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette, the Chevelle and the Ford were selected as overall winners of their respective groups, with seven finalists each, from regional Goodguys events. “As always, these were tough competitors,” Drummond said. “Each car and truck that qualifies is a showstopper and picking just one for each award is difficult, but these two were genuinely outstanding and deserving of recognition.”

Demrovsky’s ’67 Chevelle was built at the Roadster Shop headquarters in Mundelein, Illinois. The shop’s skilled customizers and painters turned the car into a work of automotive muscle and art, pumping up its power—850 horsepower—and giving it a street-smart look. Appropriately named “Onyx,” the Chevelle sports a classic lustrous black finish. The impeccable paint job was achieved with several PPG products including DELTRON 2000 DBC DMD1683 Basecoat Black and GLOBAL REFINISH SYSTEM D8152 Performance + Glamour Clearcoat.

Williams acquired his truck from its original owner and turned it over to Graham to apply his talents. Working out of his shop, Jason Graham Hot Rods & Cool Customs, in Portland, Tennessee, Graham transformed the pickup into a stunning standout. After a considerable amount of body work, mechanical enhancements and performance upgrades, the truck was given a PPG finish. Graham created a deep, rich color he dubbed “mahogany pearl” using VIBRANCE COLLECTION products—VP2050 DTM High Build Primer and VP2100 Polyester Primer—and the Deltron 2000 DBC Basecoat and CONCEPT DCU2021 Urethane Clear.

With their awards, the Chevelle and the Ford have earned spots in the Goodguys Top 12 exhibit set for the Goodguys Southwest Nationals, Nov. 18–20, at Westworld of Scottsdale, Arizona.