battle of the builds header image garage no text

Who Built It Best? Meet the Champions of BFGoodrich Tires’ Battle of the Builds

Car Culture is far from monolithic. BFGoodrich Tires’ "Battle of the Builds" — held on our social channels at the end of 2023 — was proof that there are endless perspectives from which to channel creativity into unique car builds. Building a custom car is a science and an art — and no two projects are alike. This year, three great cars #BuiltOnBFG rose to the top.

These standout vehicles captured our audience’s imagination and votes through a bracket of Instagram story matchups. Each build displays a unique blend of heritage, innovation, and artistry that defines today’s enthusiastic custom car culture.

melissa marschke s 1968 ford mustang coupe


Semi-Finalist: Melissa Marschke's 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe

Melissa Marschke’s passion for classic cars shines through her turquoise 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe. Growing up watching car shows with her father, Melissa has poured her heart into personalizing her Mustang, and voters took notice. She loves taking her classic V8 Ford out for rides along the mountainous curves where she lives in Austria. Her modifications include a self-designed honeycomb grill and carefully chosen BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, enhancing both the car's performance and historical integrity. "With the BFGoodrich tires, you immediately notice that there’s much more grip on the road and even in the curves." She adds that "tires with white lettering make the look complete."

legend motor co s signature series 023

 

Finalist: Legend Motor Co.'s Signature Series 023

Nick Panos, James Frauenberg, and Sawyer Carpenter from Legend Motor Co. took customization to the next level with their Signature Series 023. The truck, whose shape is based on a 1983 Chevrolet Defender, is a modern marvel built entirely from the ground up — a new chassis, motor, BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires and body, sidestepping the limitations of traditional restorations.  "We didn't want to follow any trends at all," says James, "we wanted to set our own trends."

Their innovative approach is not just about craftsmanship. They built a vehicle that maintains the nostalgic essence of the Defender while infusing it with modern capabilities, ensuring easy maintenance. “A big part of our design philosophy is ease of ownership. So, you can take our truck to a Chevy dealer and have it worked on, oil change, and everything.” This commitment extends to every aspect of their vehicles, ensuring they are as practical as they are beautiful. Their interiors reflect this, using high-quality materials and elegant designs that enhance the vehicle's historic charm— without overwhelming it with modern technology.

See more of Legend Motor Co’s beautiful builds at their website.

andrew pappas 1968 chevy short bed

 

Overall, Winner: Andrew Pappas' 1968 Chevy Short-Bed

Andrew Pappas captured the hearts of enthusiasts and became the overall winner of Battle of Builds with his meticulously restored 1968 Chevy Short-Bed, a vivid teal masterpiece with a pristine white interior and striking green accents. A seasoned car dealer from Orange County, Andrew has carved a niche in blending timeless aesthetics with modern enhancements, ensuring each vehicle he touches reflects both his passion and precision.

"That truck is everything I love about old vehicles," Andrew beams, recounting his journey with the Chevy that started when he acquired it from a fellow enthusiast. Under his stewardship, the truck underwent significant transformations — custom bumpers, a luxurious interior overhaul, and a harmonious color scheme for enhanced appeal. More than just cosmetic changes, Andrew upgraded its functionality with a new Fox suspension system, improving the ride without altering its authentic charm.

He chose BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires for their iconic look and dependable performance, a decision that underscores his commitment to marrying form and function. "It's iconic for American classic trucks, in my opinion. I love KO2 tires, obviously, and that's what I put on most of my builds."

Andrew continues to influence the custom car community with his blend of historical reverence and contemporary flair. Beyond celebrating automotive heritage, his work sets an exciting benchmark for future restorations. You can check out more of Andrew’s builds on his Instagram page. 

group image

Celebrating the Culture of Car Builders

The "Battle of Builds" is a showcase of personal expression and a testament to the evolving art of car customization. With a community as diverse and dynamic as ours, the road ahead promises excitement, innovation, and many more beautiful builds.

Is your current project #BuiltonBFG? Tag your build on social media for a chance to be featured in a story.

Related content

A Fabricator's Guide to Buying a Car

We sat down with Rodger Lee of Ironworks Speed And Kustom, one of America’s most celebrated fabricators, to learn how to shop for a car like a pro.

SEE THE STORY

What We Were Building for in 2022

It’s a time to ask: What are you building for? Join us as we look back on a few of the builders, racers, and adventurers we spoke with in 2022.

SEE THE STORY

2021: A Year of Building

In 2021, we asked you, "what are you building for?" Here are the results. Explore the best car builds of 2021 from the BFGoodrich community!

SEE THE STORY
You are using an unsupported web browser
You are using a website browser that is not supported by this website. This means that some functionnality may not work as intented. This may result in strange behaviors when browsing round. Use or updgrade/install one of the following browsers to take full advantage of this website