At the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade-show, Axalta Coating Systems displayed a custom made 1932
Ford Sedan called Y’d Open at its booth. The car took home
Ford’s Design of Excellence “Best of Show,” Mothers Shine
Award for Excellence in Detail and Shine, as well as the honor
of being one of three finalists in the SEMA Battle of the Builders.
The hot rod reminiscent of a late ‘50s, early ‘60s design was
fabricated and painted by Hot Rods by JSK. It has a traditional
look even down to the paint color – Axalta’s Orange Crush
ChromaPremier basecoat.
When asked what was the key to success with this three-
year project, Jeff Kinsey, owner Hot Rods by JSK responded,
“I took my time and found the finest materials to use every
step of the way. It has been a privilege to partner with Axalta
at SEMA 2014.”
This is not just an old Ford restoration, as every piece
has been newly fabricated from scratch. The brilliant
Axalta color may shine on the outside but Y’d Open is
flawless underneath as well as inside and out. The body re-
sembles a Deuce Fordor sedan, but it is built with a custom
frame with an S arch over the rear wheels. The back doors
open like suicide doors on this four-door car because there
is no B pillar to inhibit entry. This allows for easy access
to the interior.
The hot rod runs on a bored and stroked Thunderbird
312 cubic inch real Y block V8 engine with chromed Laker
style headers that flow into short pipes that come out of
each side. The rare Hilborne fuel injection unit has been converted with modern-day digital controls. And for maximum
drivability JSK used a T- 5 Chevy five-speed with a custom
designed shifter. When owner Don Smith of Mansfield, Texas
hits the road in Y’d Open, maybe Axalta should change the
name of its ChromaPremier paint color from Orange Crush
to Orange Lightning, the company said. CW
SEMA 2014 Award-Winning Car
Painted With Axalta Brand-ChromaPremier
