Pirelli and GM Performance sponsored Ridler award, is given out every year at the Detroit Autorama. This year, the award went to Dwayne Peace from Tyler, TX, owner of the ’55 T-bird. One week later, while at the Chicago World of Wheels show, the T-Bird won the Legends Cup award. The car is a cumulative effort between Greening Auto Company and Torq’d Design Lab. Dwayne Peace and his sons Johnathan and Matt Peace dreamt up the European style of the car and its image. The Transformation started in Tyler, Texas by Johnathan Peace and his company Torq’d Design Lab. After 1 yr with Torq’d it was whisked from TX to Nashville. That’s when the T-Bird found its way through the doors of Greening Auto Company. There it would live with Jesse/Jeff Greening and crew for the next 2.5 yrs. Yes it takes 3.5yrs to build these cars if you want to win such prestigious awards.
It was in Nashville where the car would start to get all of its jewelry applied. Greening Auto Company is a full fabrication Hot Rod Shop specializing in award winning Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. These awards are familiar territory for Greening Auto Company. GAC made the Directional wheels, Grill, Tail Lights, Side Trim, Steering Wheel and all Chrome Cock pit trim on the T-Bird. All the final prep work and paint was applied at GAC as well. Since GAC has a full CNC shop inside their hot rod shop they are able to make one off pieces for any builder or enthusiast. Dwayne’s T-Bird kept the CNC mills working over time. Once the machine work was done the parts were sent to Steve Tracy at Advanced Plating who applied all the chrome plate. Steve also Chrome plates the Ridler Awards itself. Paul Atkins finished off the car’s leather interior with that breath taking European exotic sports car look. There is even a Movado watch in the center counsel to keep time with. Speaking of keeping time this bird is by no means a slouch. With a Banks Twin Turbo small block tucked away under the hood and it’s1150hp / 900 ft lbs of torque, you shouldn’t be late for that next Dentist appt. So Congratulations to Dwayne Peace and Sons on such a beautiful award winning automobile. Congratulations to Greening Auto Company on their Second Detroit Ridler award winning build.
Grant Salter
Cafe Fabrications
Photo credits go to John Jackson of www.notstockphotography.com.
