By SEMA Editors
 Mothers 2014 Shine Award winner: ’32 Ford Fordor Sedan “Y’D Open,” owned by Don and Carolyn Smith, Mansfield, Texas, and built by Jeff Kinsey at Hot Rods by JSK, Cumby, Texas. | |
This year, the 14th annual winner of the Mothers Shine Award was selected from hundreds of the world's premier cars on display at the 2014 SEMA Show. An international panel of respected members of the automotive world, including seasoned builders, paint specialists, journalists and previous Shine Award recipients, were tasked with selecting a winner. Judging is based on overall appearance, fit and finish, attention to detail, integration of custom and stock elements, creative vision and execution of concept.
Aftermarket industry veteran and Shine Award judge John Naderi returned to host the ceremony this year, which was held at the Mothers Polish booth.
After much deliberation, the judges awarded the 2014 Shine Award to Don and Carolyn Smith of Mansfield, Texas, for their ’32 Ford Fordor Sedan “Y’D Open.” Jeff Kinsey and his team at Hot Rods by JSK in Cumby, Texas, built the Deuce, which took more than three years to complete. The Smiths have a number of Deuce Fords in their collection, and this Fordor seamlessly blends a traditional approach and appearance with the feel of a more contemporary bespoke build. This build also won the 2014 Goodguys Street Rod of the Year and was a Great 8 finalist for the Ridler Award at the 2014 Detroit Autorama. Other honors at the SEMA Show included Ford's Design of Excellence “Best of Show,” and it was a finalist in the Battle of the Builders competition as part of the SEMA Ignited event.
JSK started with its own custom chassis featuring Posies quarter elliptical springs and a Winters quick-change rear end with a traditional rear-wheel arch treatment. It's been wedge-chopped 2 in. in front and 1.5 in. out back with a 1-in. channel. The suicide rear doors hide the B-pillar and open to reveal a postless design. JSK painted the ’32 using Axalta's ChromaPremier Single Stage Orange Crush 5146N and ChromaPremier 72500S Premium Appearance Clearcoat.
JSK smoothed the 312-cid Y-block from a ’57 Thunderbird adding chromed Lake-style headers with shorty pipes and an EFI-converted Hilborn injection system. JSK added even more custom cues inside with subtle touches, such as a custom pedal assembly, steering column and gauge cluster as well as leather seats and trim by Paul Atkins.
Mothers Choice Award trophies were presented to the following finalists prior to announcing the Shine Award winner:
- ’14 Custom "Mariani Streamliner"
Owner: Dennis Mariani Sr., Winters, California
Builder: Troy Trepanier, Rad Rides by Troy, Manteno, Illinois
- ’14 Nissan GT-R Premium Edition
Owner/Builder: Paul Garcia, Apple Valley, California
- ’67 Ford Fairlane
Owner: Ed Chalupa, Dallas, Texas
Builder: Steve Strope, Pure Vision Design, Simi Valley, California
- ’15 Kia Smitten Ice Cream Soul EV
Owner: Kia Motors America, Irvine, California
Builder: Scott McKenna, Gallagher Designs, Portland, Oregon
- ’32 Ford Fordor Sedan “Y’D Open”
Owner: Don and Carolyn Smith, Mansfield, Texas
Builder: Jeff Kinsey, Hot Rods by JSK, Cumby, Texas
- ’14 Ford F-150 Platinum 4X4 SuperCrew "Extreme Sports"
Owner: A.R.E. Accessories, Massillon, Ohio
Builder: Trent Vanarsdalen, Trent's Trick Upholstery, Baltimore, Ohio
- ’61 23 Window walk-through VW Microbus
Owner: AJ and Kate Bos, Bakersfield, California
Builder: Scott Laitinen, SicChops, Lake Havasu, Arizona
- ’47 Hudson Pickup
Owner: Jason McPike, Spring, Texas
Builder: Randy Borcherding, Painthouse, Cypress, Texas
- ’15 Ford Mustang GT
Owner: Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan
Builder: 3dCarbon – Air Design, Newport Beach, California
- ’66 Chevrolet Chevelle "Recoil"
Owner: Chris McPhie, Akron, Ohio
Builder: Ringbrothers, Spring Green, Wisconsin
The full history and photo gallery of the Mothers Shine Award and Mothers Choice winners is available online at www.shineaward.com.