Grand M A S T E R

America's Most Beautiful Roadster 2004

1936 Ford

Owner Charlie Lambetecchio

Builder Larry Ruth

The Grand National Roadster Show's 2004 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award recipient is Charlie Lambetecchio of Fresno, California and his 1936 Ford Roadster built by Larry Ruth Engineering of Deadwood, South Dakota. This beautiful silver and yellow all steel roadster was a “Ridler Award” contender last year at the Detroit Autorama and winner of Blackie’s Fresno Autorama’s 2003 Best Street Rod Award (see our event feature on the 2003 Fresno Autorama and the 2004 GNRS). While shooting the GNRS I ran into my good friend Blackie Gejeian who filled me in on the new custom wrap around rosewood dash with matching rosewood console Jessie Cortez of Fresno, CA had installed in the car since I last saw it. Just goes to show the creativity in this industry is non-stop!

Blackie and Charlie grew up together racing their Hot Rods on the streets of Fresno, CA. So, it was no surprise that Blackie would be right there cheering Charlie on as the winner of the AMBR Award was announced. " We made it, we made it!" Gejeian said.

The project got off the ground when Charlie saw the work Larry was doing on John Peelman's (Charlie's son-in-law) '47 Ford Convertible. Charlie asked Larry to build him a '36 Ford Roadster next. Larry completed a few concept drawings and once again Charlie liked what he saw. With confidence in Larry and his designs history was about to be made and the '36 Roadster project was on it way!

This car is an original 1936 Ford Roadster widened 3" with the "A" pillar moved back 6". The fenders have been peaked and the wheel openings altered. The headlights, hood, side panels, door skins, deck lid, firewall, floor, rear tubs, front inner fenders, core supports, door hinges, front and rear bumper brackets and running boards were all custom fabricated.

The hood molding runs through the center of the grill and is set at a 75° angle along with the grill bars, all handmade!

The handmade convertible top utilizes 2000 Corvette back glass and completely retracts behind the seat back for a very clean look!

The chassis was put together by Kugel, starting with a set of S.A.C. rails. Billet front and Corvette C4 rear brakes were used and Kugel Komponets suspension front and rear with a 3.50:1 differential. Steering is a rack and pinion setup and all the fastener hardware is polished stainless.

The engine is a completely polished 605 HP custom 406 Donovan with three piece aluminum valve covers and Weber Carburetors. The Toy Shop supplied the smoothed and polished 700 R transmission while a U.S. Radiator keeps it all cool!

Once the fabrication was finished, including the complete interior made from mild steel, the car was disassembled for paint. Mike's Paint and Body in Spearfish, SD shot the chassis in a Dark Grey PPG Concept Acrylic Urethane. The body was painted in BMW Sterling Silver Metallic and Custom Mix Yellow PPG Concept Acrylic Urethane.

The two tone leather interior was done in Larry's shop by Steve Michaels. Jessie Cortez of Fresno, CA added the custom wrap around rosewood dash with matching rosewood console.

If you would like a world class award winning street rod built e-mail Larry Ruth at LruthEng@hotmail.com

AMBR 2004

1936 Ford Roadster

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Fabrication & Assembly:

Larry Ruth, Fred Ruth, and Jeremy Grant - Larry Ruth Engineering - Deadwood, SD

Body:

Style.............................................................Original 1936 Ford Roadster

Design and Modifications.................................Ruth Engineering

Paint Type / Color...........................................PPG Concept / Silver and Yellow

Painter...........................................................Mike's Paint and Body - Spearfish, SD

Chrome..........................................................Western Chrome - Fresno, CA

Body Side Molding:

Fabricated From Ľ" x 1Ľ" Steel......................Ruth Engineering

Hood Molding & Grill:

Custom Fabricated..........................................Ruth Engineering

Convertible Top:

Custom Fabricated..........................................Ruth Engineering

Interior:

Custom Fabricated Steel.................................Ruth Engineering

Two Tone Leather Upholstery...........................Steve Michaels - Ruth Engineering

Handmade Rosewood Dash and Console .........Jessie Cortez - Fresno, CA

Gauges..........................................................Rod Gauges - Fresno, CA

Chassis:

Frame............................................................Specialty Auto Components

Steering.........................................................Rack Pinion

Front Suspension............................................Kugel Komponets

Front Brakes...................................................Billet Disc

Front Wheels..................................................Colorado Custom 17" X 7"

Front Tires......................................................Michelin 225/45/ZR17

Rear Suspension.............................................Kugel Komponets

Rear Brakes...................................................C4 Corvette

Rear Tires.......................................................Michelin 295/35/ZR18

Rear Wheels...................................................Colorado Custom 18" X 10"

Wheel Base....................................................112"

Differential.......................................................3.50:1

Electrical........................................................Haywire Harness and Panel

Engine:

Manufacturer...................................................406 Donovan 605 HP

Carburetors.....................................................Weber

Exhaust.........................................................Custom 2˝" Stainless

Headers.........................................................Custom 1ľ" Primary Tubes into 3" collectors

Transmission..................................................Toy Shop 700 R

Cooling...........................................................U.S. Radiator