What do you expect to see when you look in the engine compartment of a 1932 Ford roadster, a Ford Shoebox custom, a Galaxie street cruiser, or a Falcon built for drag racing? Our experience tells us to expect a small-block Chevy, but our interest keeps us hoping we'll see Ford power in Ford cars. STREET RODDER made a big step to encourage that when we teamed up with Ford Performance to create the Best Ford In A Ford (BFIAF) award.

The criteria for BFIAF is simple and straightforward. Rule One was that the vehicle had to be a Ford (obviously). Rule Two was that it had to be powered by a later Ford engine. We love four-bangers and Flatheads, but BFIAF is all about later powerplants, either out of a donor car or from a crate fresh from Ford. Rule Three is that the vehicle had to be extraordinary, well-done, imaginative, and cool.

The five BFIAF winners below are some of our favorites from the past few years. Each one of them definitely meets Rule One and Two. We think each one of them also excels in Rule Three. See if you agree.

Come back for more outstanding Fords in Part 2 and Part 3 of this series.

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

1937 Ford Coupe, Jim Bridgewater, Paradise Valley, Arizona

Full story at 2019 Grand National Roadster Show Best Ford In A Ford Winner

Jim Bridgewater's 1937 Ford coupe was spotted in the main building of the 2019 Grand National Roadster Show. Randy and Mike Way at All Ways Hot Rods in Phoenix performed the build, keeping the exterior close to Ford's original vision and dressing things up with a Quicksand-colored paint job and EVOD wheels. A Total Cost Involved chassis carries the coupe. The rebuilt bench seat was covered in leather and cloth. Under the hood is one of the best-looking Ford Coyote engines around, customized with one-off airboxes, coil covers, and induction tubes. Read all about it at here.

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

1961 Ford Starliner, Mick Parkerson, Burleson, Texas

Full story at Hot August Nights—This 1961 Starliner Won The Best Ford In A Ford Prize While Cruising The USA

This light green and gold 1961 Starliner, owned by Mick Parkerson and built by Marc's Customs in Fort Worth, got our attention at Hot August Nights in 2018, where it competed for a Summit Racing Equipment Show-n-Shine award. Highlights include the Art Morrison Enterprises chassis, dark tan leather interior, and Billet Specialties Legacy wheels. The expansive Starliner engine compartment easily houses a Ford 5.0L Coyote modular engine. Even better than a Ford-powered Ford is a Ford-powered Ford that gets driven a lot. Mick's Starliner wins in both categories. Read all about it here.

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

1955 Ford F-100, Shane Sonneveldt, Bethesda, Maryland

Full story at 2018 Detroit Autorama Best Ford In A Ford

Here is another Coyote-powered classic. Shane Sonneveldt's 1955 F-100 was one of several we came across at the 66th Detroit Autorama. The truck was originally built decades ago by teenaged Shane and his father, and it was rebuilt recently with the intention of winning our Best Ford In A Ford award. Brian Moat and his team at All Speed Customs in Muskegon, Michigan, did the work this time around, adding a TCI independent frontend and a four-link rear. Wheel Vintiques steelies and Silvertown whitewalls complement the timeless black paint, contrasted by the red leather and suede cockpit. Read all about it here.

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

1950 Ford Custom DeLuxe, Mark Daley, Medford, Oregon

Full story at Medford Rod & Custom Show Best Ford in a Ford Award Winner!

The Pacific Northwest has a bunch of great Ford-powered Fords. We picked Mark Daley's daily-driven Shoebox custom as our favorite at the 2019 Medford Rod & Custom Show. Shorty's Lowrider Shop in Houston laid it on the ground with the help of RideTech and Fatman Fabrications suspension goodies. Classic custom details include the 3-inch chop, frenched headlights, wide whitewalls, Caddy hubcaps, spotlights, white tuck 'n' roll interior, and shaved body panels finished in pearlescent baby blue paint. The 302 Ford engine is fed by triple Autolite two-barrel carburetors. Read all about it here.

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

See all 21 photos

1957 Ford Custom, Jay Gribble, Sanibel, Florida

Full story at Medford Rod & Custom Show Best Ford in a Ford Award Winner!

From the opposite corner of the country, Jay Gribble's custom 1957 Ford caught our eye at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. The team at Dream Cars of Naples made the custom modifications, which include a tucked front bumper, reformed rear bumper, Schott wheels, frenched headlights, shaved hood, reworked tailfins, and custom grille built from two 1957 Ford grilles—all riding on an Art Morrison Enterprises chassis. A full-leather interior dresses up the insides—and Ford power is provided by a supercharged Shelby GT 500 engine backed by a Tremec six-speed transmission. Read all about it at here.