It is always gratifying to win an award, but when you take home the ultimate prize for something that has been your life-long hobby and passion, it takes on special significance.

That is what happened recently to Phil and Debbie Becker when their 1932 Ford three-window coupe was named the Goodguys 2011 Street Rod of the Year, at the prestigious PPG Nationals held July 8-11 in Columbus, Ohio. The PPG Nationals is an annual gathering of over 8,000 hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, street machines and trucks through model year 1972. Only forty to fifty cars were entered into the final street rod competition, Becker's ‘32 Deuce being one of them.

Becker's entry was built by Dave Lane of Fastlane Rod Shop, in just  a little under two years.

“Dave only works on one project at a time, is a perfectionist and extremely driven and focused,” explained Phil.

There are also several distinct design attributes that Phil conceived, (sometimes in the middle of the night as his wife Debbie points out).

Becker’s deuce was designed with a subtle 3/4” chop and  the rear window positioned so it leaned forward slightly. The hood was pie cut, slanting inward, and the spreader bars  were curved to match the body contour, requiring a complete reshaping of the gas tank. In addition, the tail lights were repositioned and customized with retooled lens holders. The dashboard cluster was also customized.

Now that the car is award-winning, the Becker's life will become extremely hectic. The unique car has become an attraction and was placed on display in the Builders Showcase at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville this past weekend (August 5-7.) Later in the year the car will be at a show in Arizona and will be part of a studio photo shoot in California. “With all the travelling, we may need to hire someone to mow our grass,” jokes Phil.

In addition to being named the Goodguys 2011 Street Rod of the year in Columbus, the car was also selected as one of ten from the show to compete for the title of “Street Rodder of the

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year by Street Rodder magazine. Over the course of the car show season, 100 street rods will be chosen to compete in the 2011 PPG Street Rodder Top 100.

This isn’t the first time a car of Becker’s has won an award. In 1982 their 1932 “Vicky” took home a similar trophy. “But things are different now,” according to Phil. “Cars, builders and processes are more sophisticated. This win is more satisfying.”

One of Phil’s acquaintances has described the car as the most “proportionately correct” car he had ever seen and another depicted it as a “rolling work of art”. Phil likes to think of it as a “traditional” car with a  “one-of-a-kind” uniqueness.

“This is a long way from the first car I bought for $50  when I was 15 years old and then sold for $35,” Phil reminisced. “I’m thankful to all my great friends and customers through the years that helped me get to this point.”

     “People ask me if I’m still on cloud nine,” commented Phil. “But actually, I’m not even down that far, it’s more like being on cloud thirteen or higher. We were happy with making it to the final five, but winning it all is a dream come true.”

So, in the next few weeks if you see a “caramel” yellow ‘32 Deuce tooling around town with a two smiling people inside, give them wave and say high. They’re just couple of the “goodguys”.