A selection of famed hot rods from the Petersen Automotive Museum collection will go up for sale at the Mecum Glendale 2026 auction on March 20. The five Fords include several America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) winners. The overall sale has already started, and runs until March 21.
This 1932 Ford Roadster is known as ‘Orange Twist’, built by Ermie Immerso, and won the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster title in 1988. Immerso was already known within US hot rod circles for highly detailed fabrication work, particularly through his company IF Speed & Custom. Rather than restoring a Deuce roadster using established aftermarket parts, Immerso approached the project as a ground-up build, reworking or replacing most of the original structure. Powered by a 284ci Mercury flathead V8 topped with Ardun OHV cylinder heads and six Stromberg carburettors, it’s got more than 32,000 miles on the clock – proving that hot rods can be driven and enjoyed on the street as well as admired under show spotlights.
‘Passion’ was designed by Thom Taylor and built by Boyd Coddington in the late 1980s, based on a 1932 Ford Roadster. It was Coddington’s first all-aluminium car, created for Butch Marion. Billet parts were used as structural and functional elements, such as for the dash architecture, control interfaces and mounting hardware. It’s powered by a 348ci L98 tuned-port-injected V8, paired with an automatic transmission.
This 1932 Ford Model B Hi-Boy Roadster was built by the So-Cal Speed Shop, and styled in the ‘nostalgia rod’ manner of 1950s hot rods. It has coilover rear suspension, and power is via a Chevrolet 350ci V8 crate engine paired with a Weber carburettor, Holley Performer inlet manifold and GM Vortec Bowtie rocker covers.
Known as ‘Possessed’, this 1933 Ford Model 40 Roadster is the most recent AMBR winner to go up for sale at the Mecum Glendale 2026 auction, claiming the title in 2010. It was built by Scott’s Hotrods ‘N Customs and painted by Palmer’s Customs Paint & Body. The interior came from Ron Mangus Custom Interiors. It features one-off billet wheels and bespoke luggage, and has Breitling-style aviation gauges. It’s powered by a 392ci fuel-injected Ford Racing V8 and has Kugel Komponents independent front suspension.
The final car from the Petersen Collection of hot rods to go up for sale at the Mecum Glendale 2026 auction is ‘Impact’, the 2001 AMBR winner and the work of Chip Foose and Barry White of Street Rod Repair Company. Constructed in steel, it was notable for its European-inspired look and helped to define the smooth rod look. The inside was designed by Chris Brown and crafted by Gabe Lopez. It has independent front suspension, SRRC DynaRide independent rear suspension and one-off billet wheels. It has an LS1 V8 and a GM 4L60E transmission.
Away from the Petersen Collection, further highlights heading to the Mecum Glendale 2026 auction include this 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Bugazzi. Among just 12 cars designed by George Barris’ Hollywood Coach Builders in the 1970s, this example is believed to be one of only two surviving. It was custom built for Joe Conforte, owner of the infamous Mustang Ranch, and originally painted by Art Himsl at his California studio, later refreshed by David Pygeorge and Joe Ballion.
The finish is a PPG blend of Gold Pearl clear with added Ice Pearl. Power comes from a 460ci V8 paired with a C6 automatic transmission, and the car has recently been mechanically sorted with new belts, hoses, spark plugs and wiring. Inside, it retains a period-correct cabin trimmed in Peanut Butter leather with gold brocade fabric, complemented by a granite console.
This 1935 Buick 60 Series Custom Sedan is powered by a 1974 Buick 455ci V8 paired with a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It is equipped with Vintage Air climate control, 1976 Corvette independent front suspension, a custom dual exhaust system, bespoke power steering using an S10 box plus a 1970 Buick power brake booster and pedal assembly. Cooling is handled by a custom-built heavy-duty radiator, while an adapted 1984 Impala rear-end assembly completes the drivetrain. Electrical systems are managed via Ron Francis wiring and switches, and inside there’s full custom upholstery by Lynn Goins.
This 1950 Studebaker Champion Custom ‘bullet-nose’ coupé is a unique build powered by a Chevrolet 383ci stroker V8 featuring a polished-aluminium intake and Edelbrock dual four-barrel carburettors, complemented by chrome custom headers and a dual exhaust system. It is paired with an automatic transmission and a Lokar shifter, plus an Impala custom-fitted dashboard.
More details on the Mecum Glendale 2026 auction can be found here.
