“Shomad,” a 1957 Chevy Nomad station wagon, built by A&M Deluxe Customs in Oregon, was awarded Goodguys 2017 Street Rod Headquarters Custom of the Year in Pleasanton, California — a first for the builder and owner, Ron Maier — while Bruce Wanta’s “Mulholland Speedster” captured the 2017 Goodguys/March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance award in Del Mar, also securing a spot in the Top 12.
Maier had the two-door wagon for 30 years before he took it to the shop and the eight-year build process began. The wagon received an Art Morrison chassis that was customized for the project, new custom-shaped sheet metal, a fresh motor and tranny, and a complete overhaul of the interior.
A&M Deluxe Customs is known for custom metal work and the Shomad features their skills put to work with a lot of one-off components such as the hand-formed hood scoop and the front and rear wheel arches were raised a couple of inches to match the proportions after the top of the Nomad was chopped 2 inches.
House of Kolor custom mixed gold was applied atop the custom body, complete with a contrasting pearl white top.
The wagon is powered by an LS7 427 cubic inch engine with a 4L80E transmission. The engine features custom valve covers, smoothed block, and a handmade air intake. Stainless 3-inch tubing carries the exhaust all the way to the rear bumper.
The original dashboard was used but two gauges were added for a look close to the factory piece. The same stainless steel checkerboard material was used throughout the interior and is seen on the sill plates, center console, and on the doors. Custom leatherwork completes the look with natural fiber Sisal carpet.
The Mulholland Speedster arrived at the GoodGuys Del Mar Nationals fresh from winning America’s Most Beautiful Roadster honors at Pomona and taking the Legends Cup at the Chicago World of Wheels earlier this spring.
Wanta’s Speedster was a team effort between himself, designer E. Black, and renowned coachbuilder Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods, where the car was meticulously constructed over six years.
Inspiration for the build came from the grille of a 1936 Packard which led to the entire car and nearly 80 percent of the car’s exterior panels to be hand-formed around the grill.
The chassis was designed as a figure 8 structure and then welded up from raw materials at Hollywood Hot Rods. The suspension was handmade as well and features twin dropped I-beams in front with quarter elliptical springs. The rear suspension was set up with a Winter’s quick change on custom I-beam arms with quarter elliptical springs.
The roadster is powered by a flathead Lincoln Zephyr V12 engine with a set of Winfield Double D carburetors and a vintage Latham supercharger.
Atop the custom body is a shot of the “Mullholland Merlot” paint. Concours-style tobacco leather upholstery completes the interior.
Goodguys heads to North Carolina for Goodguys 3rd North Carolina Nationals set for April 28-30, meanwhile Shomad and the Mullholland Speedster will be seen again in Scottsdale in November for the Goodguys 2017 season-ending Southwest Nationals where it will share the spotlight with the season’s other Goodguys Top 12 award winners.
