HACKETTSTOWN – Phoenix Rod & Custom, LLC, a custom auto hot rod and restoration store in Hackettstown, took first place in the Radical Custom Coupe class at the 50th Annual Cavalcade of Customs Auto Show in Cincinnati, Ohio, earlier this this month.

The winning car was an extremely green 1937 Ford Coupe dubbed “The InstaGator” which was restored and customized by the professionals at Phoenix Rod & Custom. The InstaGator is owned by one of the clients of the Hackettstown store.

“This year’s Cavalcade of Customs featured a record 500 vehicles on display, and we are very proud to have stood out from such a large and impressive fleet of vehicles,” said Glenn Smith, owner of Phoenix Rod & Custom . “Our car not only won the best in its class, but it also won the award for best interior. These awards also made InstaGator one of six contenders for the Squire’s Cup, which is awarded to the overall winner of the Cavalcade.

The car also won an award at the prestigious AutoRama show in Detroit in 2009.

The Cavalcade of Cars, which is sponsored by Championship Auto Shows, was held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati and brought together over 40,000 fans of custom vehicles. At the annual show, custom hot rods, muscle cars, motorcycles, imports and various related exhibits were on display. Exhibition at the indoor auto show is by invitation only. Smith noted that dozens of cars his workshop has restored and customized have won top awards at numerous auto shows across the country and have been featured in national publications for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Smith has been restoring and customizing automobiles for over 25 years and opened Phoenix Rod & Custom in 1998. The store, located at 112 East Avenue in Hackettstown, specializes in creating custom hot rods and muscle cars, from concept to design. production. Its professionals also build, service and service all makes and models of classic automobiles, and provide restoration services for classic, vintage and special interest automobiles. For more information on Phoenix Rod & Custom, call 908-979-3070 or email [email protected]