David, of Westmoreland, Tennessee, took home trophies Saturday with a First Place in Best Pre-'48, Street Rod Custom; a First Place in Under Construction; and a Best Pre-'48 Street & Custom award on Sunday. | 
Tony Lyles, also of Westmoreland, Tennessee, brought his sharp-looking, modular-powered, '65 convertible to Bowling Green and took home a Top 20 Ford award on Saturday. | 
We loved the right height/stance of Tony's Mustang, and the wheels really set off the car. |
Mustang & Fords
Editor's Choice Award
Joseph Hooper, Bowling Green, KY
'59 Thunderbird convertible
There's a lot to be said for keeping history intact. Joseph Hooper is one of those numbers-matching guys who has always owned nice, restored examples. His '59 T-bird, which he has owned for over two decades, was in the midst of being bounced to yet another shop when a friend recommended he take it to D&D Specialty Cars in Van Buren, Arkansas. Joseph wanted to restore the 'Bird, but D&D kept hinting at better things, so Joseph finally came around-and boy did he ever.
The '59 sports a complete Air Ride system, a custom interior, Boyd Coddington 18 and 20-inch wheels, a 428 Cobra Jet FE under hood, and more. The car caught not only our eyes, but those of the judges and spectators, too, with the following awards:
Director's Choice-SaturdayMustang & Fords Editor's Choice-SaturdayBest Thunderbird-SundayBest Interior-Saturday and Sunday (popular vote)Top 20 Ford-Saturday and SundayBest of Show-First PlaceWe were lucky to have enough time to do a complete photo shoot on Joseph's T-bird, so look for a full feature on this way-trick '59 drop-top in an upcoming issue.