Sacramento Autorama 2023 Custom d’Elegance Winner

Cody Walls Takes Home The Prize With His 1949 Buick Sedanette At The 72nd Annual Sacramento Autorama

By Brian Brennan   –   Photography By John Drummond

Readers of Modern Rodding should sense a familiarity with Cody Walls of Lewes, DE and his 1949 Buick Sedanette. It was back in the March issue of this year that we featured the sectioning metalwork story on Cody’s 1949 Olds. Now with the custom completed and, on the road, it is bringing home the 72nd Annual Sacramento Autorama Custom d’Elegance and the $5,000 check from ARP Bolts and trophy that accompanies.

- Advertisement -

04 2023 sacramento autorama arp custom delegance cody walls 1949 buick sedanette

Read More: Sacramento Autorama 2023: The Best Of The Cal Expo Car Show

This is an impressive award for this newly finished custom. It was back in the day, in 1953, that the first award of this kind was awarded to Joe Bailon. How’s that for provenance and recognition? Since we are speaking about customs, we should touch on some of the masterful metalwork that was performed by Cody at his shop, Traditional Metalcraft, back in Milton, Delaware.

- Advertisement -

01 2023 sacramento autorama arp custom delegance cody walls 1949 buick sedanette

The 1949 Buick Sedanette, complete with a nicely detailed Nailhead V8, sits a full 15 inches lower than stock, the roof is pancaked and chopped 1-inch, and the B-pillars are leaned back 5 degrees. From here the body is sectioned 2 inches and the front wheel arch is reshaped. Other custom touches include shaved door handles, custom tail lights were added and in a unique twist the headlights were removed. The fender and guards are reshaped and tucked.

03 2023 sacramento autorama arp custom delegance cody walls 1949 buick sedanette

Read More: 2023 Detroit Autorama The Great 8

- Advertisement -

The complete build, which includes metal fabrication and finished bodywork was all handled by Cody at his Traditional Metalcraft shop. From here the paint, and what an amazing gold color and finish, was handled by Richard and Brandon Glymph, Laurel, Del, and Cody himself. The interior was stitched by Mikeyseats while the chrome plating was accomplished by Ogden Chrome.

FOWC6572

This Buick is no stranger to winning awards having won the Cody went home with both the Triple Gun Award of Excellence and the George Barris Memorial Kustom D’Elegance Award at the Grand National Roadster Show to start the year off. The Buick also took home Outstanding Custom at the Portland Roadster show. What a great way to start off this customs life. MR

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Search Our Site

More Modern Rodding

Traditional & Timeless ‘32 Ford Roadster

Don Brennan’s Deuce Roadster With Nailhead V8 Power &...

Deuce 5 Window Coupe

Old School Style and Modern Performance By Brian Brennan   - ...

Auto Shop Tackles Model A Rear End Swap

Flathead High School’s 1928 Model A Tudor Project Car By...

Completely Custom 1951 Chevrolet

Charlie Built a Better Bel Air By Gerry Burger   -  ...

Two Timeless Model A Hot Rods

Gas Axe Garage Built Ford Highboy Coupes By Chuck Vranas...

Parting Shot: Bo Zolland Designed Convertible Buick Riviera

1963 Buick Riviera Convertible That Should Have Been Built By...
More Modern Rodding

1937 Chevy Pickup With Street Rod Style

This LS Swapped ‘37 Chevy Pickup Has Plenty Of...

The Art Of Shaping A Roll Pan

Shadow Rods’ Perfectly Proportioned Roll Pan Method By Ron Covell  ...

1971 Barracuda Built For Speed

Kuck Motorsports’ Menacing Twin Turbo Mopar Muscle Car By Gerry...

Parting Shot: The Early Days of NSRA Nationals

A Nostalgic Look Back at NSRA Nationals’ Finest Hot...

Boss 429 Powered 1963 Ford Fairlane

Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop Built The Way Ford Should...

How To Prep Your Car For Paint

Paint Preparation Prevents The Need For Costly Paint Correction By...