Steve and Sheri Tracy, of Tennessee’s Advance Plating, commissioned this multiple award-winning ’32 Ford Highboy Show Roadster, which is best known to its many fans as “Chromezilla.” Greening Automotive, of Coleman, Alabama, completed the build to impeccable, show-quality standards, with the project overseen by Jesse Greening. At first glance, this smooth Deuce appears like any other impressively built show rod, combining the best elements of modern and period hot rod cues and construction techniques. That, however, is where the similarities end.

The car’s multitude of remarkable and subtle details begins with the boxed and reinforced Deuce-style frame, which includes custom-fabricated tubular cross-members. The frame and all chassis components were then finished to an incredibly high standard, allowing for the car’s extensive chrome plating. In fact, nearly 2,500 of the car’s components have been chrome plated, appropriately giving rise to the car’s “Chromezilla” moniker. In addition, over 900 bolts and fasteners were hand-fabricated for the car, along with logos and nameplates that extend to the instrument faces, steering wheel, and even the brake calipers, giving the finished product a level of cohesiveness and detailing matched by few, if any, of its show competitors, past or present.

A tubular front axle with a five-inch drop provides the menacing “hot rod” stance, while the rear coil-over suspension is a work of art in itself, based on a Tiger quick-change center section. Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes provide stopping power, while rolling stock consists of beautifully chromed custom wheels and low-profile radial tires. The hot 454-cubic inch Chevy V-8 mounts a unique Inglese induction system with four Weber dual-choke carbs and is mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic. Countless chromed, painted, and polished components round out the engine bay.

The Brookville steel bodywork was painstakingly prepared prior to the application of the black finish by Jeff Greening, with the sculptured green flames first outlined with pinstripes by Josh Hughes and then filled in by Wade Hughes. Greening then applied and buffed the clear coat, with the car’s mirror-like finish a tribute to the fastidious preparation of the underlying bodywork. Paul Atkins fitted the striking green interior. The overall result is simply stunning.

Once completed, Chromezilla dominated the hot rod and car show circuit, beginning with the 2005 Detroit AutoRama, where it captured major awards, including Best Altered Rod, Best Chassis, Best Detail, Best Engine, Best Engineering, Best Upholstery, and the Yosemite Sam Radoff Sculptural Excellence Award. Chromezilla was also named the Millwinders Award Winner for 2006 by the International Show Car Association (ISCA). In fact, Chromezilla was the subject of detailed features in magazines, including the July 2005 editions of American Rodder and Street Rodder, the September 2005 Street Rod Builder, and the cover for the Winter 2007 edition of ISCA’s Showstopper.

Chromezilla has been preserved in outstanding, show-quality condition, providing an exceptional opportunity for the new owner to resume its show-winning ways.