VENTURA, CA – August 19, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Unlike most fine artists who are content to have their sculpture displayed in museums, courtyards and public parks, Chip Foose is much happier when his finely sculpted shapes are rolling down the highway usually above the legal speed limit. One of his latest creations, Jerry Magnuson’s “Magnitude” a ’32 Ford – based Muroc roadster won the prestigious Goodguys 2010 Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year.
As with most works of art, the Muroc started as a vision commissioned by long-time hot rodder Jerry Kugel, designed by Foose and entirely hand formed by metal craftsman Marcel. The result is a custom body that is longer, lower and sleeker than a ’32 Ford, but one that retains the all of the character of that iconic roadster. Ten Muroc bodies were built, one was purchased nearly eight years ago by Jerry Magnuson to create the Magnitude. The body rests on a Kugel custom chassis with independent front and rear suspension, powered by a Magna Charger supercharged LS1 Chevy engine backed up by a Tremec manual six-speed transmission.
Many of the mechanical systems were designed and fabricated by Jerry Magnuson at his supercharger company, Magna Charger that builds superchargers for cars and trucks like Corvettes, Camaros, Hemi Challengers and Hemi Rams. Magnuson’s early background included working on Dan Gurney’s Eagle Indy cars, so his ability to design, fabricate and integrate mechanical systems is second nature. Unique items like the remote actuated hideaway headlights give the Magnatude sleekness and function. The innovative air inlet scoop feeds the Magna Charger supercharged engine that is monitored by a custom billet dashboard. All were engineered and fabricated at Magna Charger.
When the Magnatude was finished mechanically essentially a blank canvas it was turned over to Chip Foose at Foose Design for the all-important paint, interior design and the Foose one-off signature billet wheels. Chip selected a two-tone butterscotch pearl paint with champagne metallic overtones. The buckskin tone leather interior was fabricated by Jim Griffin Upholstery and provides the perfect contrast to the paint. The subtle but artful details such as the hand-form moldings around the Carson top and body, a Duval-style split windshield and the copious amounts of plated and polished components set this ’32 Ford roadster apart from all others. The roadster rides on huge Pirelli Scorpion P-Zero tires.
Jerry Magnuson and his wife Maureen recently accepted a challenge from the editors of HOT ROD magazine who dared them to drive the Magnatude on the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour, a 1370-mile cruise that encompassed eight days and seven impromptu car shows. The Magnatude fresh off the California indoor show circuit made the trip without incident. HOT ROD readers were thrilled to see this Foose creation in person.
After the Power Tour, the Magnatude was taken to the GoodGuys event in Columbus, Ohio where it was critically judged against four other finalists including Brent Scheider’s 1937 Ford Cabriolet from Pleasanton, CA, Harold Schrader’s 1935 Ford from Franklin, NJ, Scott Burton’s 1933 Ford from Draper, UT, and Jim Eckford’s 1933 Ford from Arroyo Grande, CA.
In accepting this prestigious award Jerry Magnuson stated, “my wife Maureen and I knew from the start of this project that we wanted to have Chip Foose’s fingerprints all over this build. The results speak for themselves. We couldn’t be happier with the way the Magnatude turned out. Chip is truly an artist that is making his mark on the automotive world.”
For more information please contact Bob Roese at Magna Charger, 1990 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA 93003. Phone: 866-535-5192, or visit Magna Charger on the web at www.magnacharger.com.
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