When it comes to show cars, traditionally you’re looking at trailer queens that don’t get driven much, but this year’s Goodguys 2012 Tank’s Hot Rod of the Year Award winner is anything but. At the 2nd Wix Filters Speedway Nationals at Indiana Motor Speedway, Tom Gloy’s ‘32 Ford roadster took the acclaimed award, driving some 2,000 miles from Nevada for the designation of a lifetime.

Gloy’s hot rod was built by none other than Roy Brizio, hot rod guru and son of “RodFather” Andy Brizio, at his San Fransisco shop. Gloy wanted a channeled ‘32 but Brizio warned that channeling the famed Ford roadster usually resulted in a seating position that was too high and a body style that was wide and uncomfortable while the two were on a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. But Gloy insisted, bringing forth the challenge to have his channeled ‘32 built the right way.

Sitting on a custom chassis, the hot rod’s front end had to be redesigned for the perfect fit with a narrowed cowl, hood and windshield. The radiator was also sectioned 3 ½ inches.

Underneath, the hot rod is equipped with a Moal Coachbuilders torsion bar suspension and Magnum 5-inch dropped axle. Giving the car just the right stance and flare are 16 and 18-inch ET knockoff wheels with the rear hoops sitting close to the channeled body under smoothed quarters for a really sleek look. For stopping power, the car features calipers on custom machined brackets for a full wheel look and Wilwood brakes.

Powering this impressive hot rod is a 302ci Ford crate engine with Hilborn EFI. This is strapped to a Tremec 5-speed transmission for the ultimate driving experience.

To get the proper seating position for the driver, Brizio and his crew dropped the floorboards significantly inside the hot rod. This seating position compliments the low and fast attitude Gloy has lived his whole life by excelling in a racing career for over 25 years. Inside the hot rod, you’ll also find a custom red leather Sid Chavers interior which compliments the exterior done in a 50s Porsche blue paint scheme by Darryl Hollenbeck of Vintage Color Studio al completed with a subtle black top.

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This bright red interior stitched by Sid Chavers is the perfect compliment to the hot rod's Porsche blue exterior paint scheme.

Gloy’s hot rod is a mighty fine ride from the crisp lines to the perfect channeled design, and having it be a driver makes it an even worthier recipient of the 2012 Hot Rod of the Year designation. To prove the hot rod is not a trailer queen, Gloy drove the car all the way from the Lake Tahoe area to Indy for the 2nd Wix Filters Speedway Nationals to hang with his fellow rodders, including Roy and Andy Brizio, and collect his well-deserved award. Having spent a bit of time in Indycar racing, the trip was even more memorable as Gloy returned to Indy where he participated and came in 14th place at the 1984 Indianapolis 500.

Congratulations goes out to Gloy for the well deserved award from all of us here at Rod Authority!