Lee Bettencourt needs no introduction to the automotive community; he has been around since the conception of hot rodding in the Valley. Lee grew up here in Fresno and has worked in many trades. If you know Lee personally you know he is the best at everything he does. He is a prominent retired firefighter, state champion tile layer, professional machinist, and one heck of a hot rod builder. Lee is also a dedicated member of Fresno's very own Pan Dragger Car Club. He has proudly represented the club for decades and continues to be a very important member that keeps the group thriving.
Lee’s 1932 Ford three-window is almost as nice as it gets and it’s a great reflection of him as a craftsman. When I first laid eyes on the car I was stunned. Everybody knew Lee was building something but this vehicle blew our minds. The bottom of the car may be cleaner than the top. From the pictures you can see that Lee took care of every detail. The exterior of the car was prepped and sprayed by Dave’s Custom Paint in Clovis, Ca. He did a great job getting the black to look flawless so that the flames could layout perfectly. The 350/350 power train is very tastefully done with a ton of chrome and red accents. You really get a retro feel when gazing into the engine bay. But don’t let all that detail fool you, this coupe can flat out throw you back into your seat. Don’t judge this car as a “Trailer Queen” either, Lee puts serious miles on his customs. You’ll see this ’32 collecting many trophies but you’ll also see it racking threw the gears at a few miles over the speed limit.