Rick Lance's 1932 Ford Hiboy Coupe

 

 

Rick Lance's 1932 Ford Hiboy Coupe (from Volume 28, Issue 345) story by owner Rick Lance, photos by Michael B. Kelly

I started building cars many years ago, with the first being a Monza that I bought that was under construction, but never finished. Then I found a 1972 Vega Wagon, which was titled as a truck, and made a Pro Street car out of it back in 1984. It had a 400 cubic inch Chevy engine with a Muncie 4-speed transmission, and I drove it everywhere, including as far as Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Next came the “blue truck” as it was called, a Pro Street 1951 Chevy Pickup. When I bought that truck it was in terrible shape, and I actually built it twice - first with a ‘69 front frame, then next with a Martz front frame and a complete tube chassis. In its first incarnation it had a Top Fuel style rear wing, which was then replaced with a Pro Mod style wing, and it was featured in many national magazines. Over the years I also built a red 1948 Chevy 4x4 Pickup that was used as a mud truck, and a 1948 Chevy all aluminum bread delivery van that was lowered and powered by a small block Chevy. My most recent big project was a 1947 Diamond T, which I still have and enjoy. I originally built it as a flatbed, then later I hand made a more traditional style pickup bed for it. Recently I decided that I wanted a 1932 Ford. The more that I looked at them, the more I liked the 3-Window Coupe styling and the fenderless look, so I found the car you see here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is named the “Copperhead Special” because of exterior color. The car has a 400 Chevy engine bored .030 over, making it displace 406 cubic inches.....which is why that number is on the doors, making it look like an old Bonneville salt flats car. The 406 motor has a powder coated sheet metal intake with a Quick Fuel 750 carburetor, aluminum heads, and an aluminum radiator to keep the car running cool. Power is routed back thru a 350 automatic transmission to a Frankland quick change rear end, which also adds to the salt flats theme, as do the solid style Rocket wheels (which are 18-inches in front, 20-inches out back). The front end is a 1937-48 3-3/4 inch axle that was drilled, has radius front arms, and everything was powder coated black. The rear suspension is a ladder bar style with coil over shocks, and disc brakes are used on all four corners. The hood has lots of louvers as does the rear decklid, the front windshield opens at the bottom, and it now has ‘37 Ford LED taillights. In addition to the lettering and old school pinstriping you’ll also find a copperhead snake painted on the front grill shell, as well as a skull with racing goggles and a bomber helmet on the decklid. The car was built by Sam Woodard in Oklahoma, and I’m impressed with his workmanship and attention to detail. Entering in thru the suicide doors you’ll find a two-tone leather interior that was stitched up by Tim Rein, along with vintage style black faced gauges mounted in a ribbed aluminum bezel for a classic hot rod look. Since buying the car I’d also like to thank 2.0 Race Cars in DeLand, Florida, which has helped with some issues including the pedals and master cylinders, along with Byron Koury Jr. who helped straighten a few issues with the motor. Of the many old vehicles I have had over the years this is the first one I did not completely build myself. But I have been enjoying it very much, hitting up lots of car shows and cruise-ins around the central Florida area, and making more friends and memories along the way. CN

 

Gary Wolcott's 1951 Ford Victoria Hardtop Custom

 

Gary Wolcott's 1951 Ford Victoria Hardtop Custom (from Volume 19, Issue 238)

Gary Wolcott has one outstanding custom in this 1951 Ford Victoria Hardtop, which he built entirely himself. It is the culmination of 60+ years of honing his skills, one car at a time. You see, Gary got his start back in the 1950’s while growing up in Olean, New York. Though the frigid winters brought snow that would sometimes drift up to the roofline of the house, Gary sought refuge in a garage that had a big oil stove in it. It was at that time he started tinkering with cars, and being the 1950’s custom cars were the big thing for him. While he didn’t know what he was doing at the onset, he soon enrolled in auto mechanics class in high school, which taught him the basics. However, nobody taught him how to paint, weld or fabricate....he just learned those skills by himself through doing it over the years. While starting out he didn’t have a lot of know-how, the best tools, or enough money, but he did have plenty of drive. So he improvised a lot, and if a mistake was made Gary just tore everything up and started over again. His first project was an ambitious and unusual one, especially for the time. He took an old Volkswagen Beetle body, mounted it on the shortened frame of a Ford truck, and bolted in an Oldsmobile engine up front. It turned out pretty good, Gary drove it for a few years, then sold it for more than he had put into it. This formula has stayed with him in the 55 or so years since, as Gary has usually had one finished creation that he is driving, while working on another in his home garage. When the one in the garage is finished, he sells the one he had been driving for a profit to finance the next project, and upgrade his tools and equipment. Obviously his level of expertise has also grown with each project, which by now has been dozens of cool custom creations in those 60+ years. His latest is the 1951 Ford Victoria Hardtop you see pictured here. As usual, Gary did all of the work himself in his garage. It is an amazing custom car, and is even more striking in person.....where you can more fully realize just how low the roofline is as you stand beside it. The low look is the culmination of many modifications, which also give it sleek styling. The roof was chopped 4-inches, shortened 10 inches, and the 3-piece rear window roof section was replaced with a coupe section and glass. The rear deck was extended, and a 5-1/2 inch section was removed out of the body to help give it that low profile. The front fenders have been extended 3-1/2 inches, have ‘53 Mercury headlight rings frenched into them, and the rear quarter panels were modified to fit ‘56 Olds taillights with ‘52 Ford trim. A Mercury style grille opening was fabricated, with a modified ‘54 Chevy front bumper over ride used for the grille bar. Custom made flush mounted fender skirts were added, the hood corners were rounded, and the antenna frenched. Once Gary got everything laser straight, PPG light metallic pewter paint was applied, accented by ‘55 Chevy 210 side trim, and a set of ‘53 Caddy hubcaps with Diamond Back whitewall tires. The bumpers are ‘49 and ‘50 Ford units, with the rear utilizing a ‘55 Pontiac rear bumper over ride, and the exhaust tips exit through the rear bumper. Underneath the stock frame was notched in the rear, and utilizes 4-bar suspension. Up front the frame was Z’ed and uses an S-10 clip, with air ride suspension at all four corners allowing the car to sit extremely low at rest, yet be raised for safe driving. Gary has been using late model drivetrains for many years now, so that he has the peace of mind that while traveling long distances to some car shows he can always pull into a dealership if repairs are needed. This car is powered by an LS-1 engine fitted with custom fabricated exhaust manifolds and Smithy glass packs. A Lokar shifter is mated to the 4L60E overdrive automatic, giving the car long legs on the highway. Inside you will find black leather and vinyl upholstery, and a custom fiberglass headliner. Gary used 2002 Trans Am seats, and fabricated a custom fiberglass console to go between them. The dash is a modified ‘55 Olds unit, now fitted with Auto Meter gauges, and the steering wheel is a cut down ‘55 Chevy piece. The cabin is cooled by a Vintage Air system, and filled with the sounds of music thanks to a Custom Autosound radio. The project took 4 years to complete, working 4 days a week. Every panel on the body has been modified, and the results are simply amazing. It recently took an award at the Goodguys Spring Nationals in Kissimmee during April of 2014, and that is certainly not the only time it has received recognition at a car show....in the way of an award, or admiring onlookers. Gary told us that this is probably his last project....but he has said that before, too. Only time will tell if he will craft another great automotive creation in that garage of his, but we certainly do know that he is enjoying this one to its fullest! CN

Chopped 1951 Ford Victoria by Gary Wolcott

 

 

 

 

 

Story and photos by Joe Greeves

While a lot of car guys claim that “old guys rule,” others let their rides do the talking. Just ask Gary Wolcott, who has been building cars since his teens, and is now in his golden years. Early on, his projects consisted of mild customizing and de-chroming, but soon expanded to upgraded horsepower and engine conversions. But he didn’t do any serious body mods until about 20 years ago, self-taught and learning through trial and error.

Chopping the tops on a ’49 Chevy pickup and a ’48 Caddy Sedanette turned out well, followed by a modified ’32 Ford roadster and ’39 Lincoln Zephyr coupe. While those rides were fun, he always wanted to do an old-school lead sled and was specifically intrigued with the idea of a sectioned Ford Shoebox.

When it was time to begin in earnest, he found a funky 1951 Vicky hardtop in North Carolina and hauled it to his home in Seffner, Florida. He felt it was better to start out with something rough in case he ruined it. But as evident in the photos, there was no need to worry.

“After four years and a lot of mistakes, it didn’t turn out too bad,” Gary says — but with one qualification: “For a backyard, first-attempt section job.” 

In fact, sectioning was just one of many metalworking techniques that he applied to the Ford. The process actually began by creating a firm foundation. The Z’d and notched S-10 subframe uses the factory front end, and incorporates a four-bar suspension in the rear. Chevy Blazer disc brakes handle stopping chores, while the Goodyear air bags on all four corners provide an altitude adjustment. Even though the air suspension brought the old ‘Box down, removing 4 inches from the top and 5.5 inches from the body brought it down even more.

With an eye toward establishing the correct long and low proportions, he shortened the roof 10 inches, and the three-piece Vicky rear window was replaced with metal and glass from a coupe. He also extended the rear deck and modified the rear quarter panels to accommodate ’56 Olds tail lights, accented with ’52 Ford trim.

Up front, Gary lengthened the front fenders 3.5 inches and fitted them with frenched ’53 Mercury headlight rings. After rounding the hood corners, he designed a smooth, Mercury-style grille shell with a ’54 Chevy front bumper override used as the center bar. Both ends are protected with ’49 and ’50 Ford bumpers, with a ’55 Pontiac rear bumper override used out back. Exhaust tips exit through the rear bumper.

 

 

 A few final exterior touches include shaving the door handles, fabricating flush-mounted fender skirts that hide the rear tires, and applying ’55 Chevy 210 side trim as a style line. The car rolls on Chevy Blazer 7 x 50 rims, wrapped in 70-Series Diamond Back whitewalls and highlighted with ’53 Caddy hubcaps. While the staggering number of body modifications would challenge a full-time professional, Gary’s backyard build was just hitting its stride over a four-year period. The black leather and vinyl interior sports a custom fiberglass headliner along with a modified ’55 Olds dash with AutoMeter gauges. He sourced the seats from an ’02 Trans Am, separated by a custom-made fiberglass center console that waterfalls from the rear seats to the dash.The cut-down’55 Chevy steering wheel actuates a modified rack and pinion, also from a ’55 Chevy. Creature comforts inside include power windows, Vintage Air, and a Custom Autosound radio. Motive power and paint were the final steps, with Gary choosing an GM LS1 V8, supplying plenty of beans in stock form. While a Blue Oval engine was his initial choice, he discovered that the Ford mill was too tall for the sectioned engine compartment. And Gary has a soft spot for the General’s mechanicals since, “They are plentiful, reasonably priced, and hold up well,” he feels. Power from the LS1 flows through a 4L60E transmission with a tall Lokar shifter. For the appropriate performance rumble, Gary custom fabricated exhaust manifolds and the system is quieted (almost) by a set of Smithy’s Glasspacks. The final step was paint and Gary sprayed the car himself (who else?), choosing PPG Light Metallic Pewter. Has the car been a success? Judging by the fact that it was a Goodguys Builders Choice and a George Barris Best of Show, we’d say that’s affirmative. Is Gary eager to build another award-winning custom? Well, yes and no. “My next project is a ’51 Studebaker Business Coupe with a new Ford Coyote motor. The only body modification is the installation of a ’50 Ford dash. I think I’ve had my fill of metal fabrication for a while.” After all, he sure doesn’t have to prove that old guys rule.

Power from the LS1 flows through a 4L60E transmission with a tall Lokar shifter. For the appropriate performance rumble, Gary custom fabricated exhaust manifolds and the system is quieted (almost) by a set of Smithy’s Glasspacks.

The final step was paint and Gary sprayed the car himself (who else?), choosing PPG Light Metallic Pewter.

Has the car been a success? Judging by the fact that it was a Goodguys Builders Choice and a George Barris Best of Show, we’d say that’s affirmative. Is Gary eager to build another award-winning custom? Well, yes and no.

“My next project is a ’51 Studebaker Business Coupe with a new Ford Coyote motor. The only body modification is the installation of a ’50 Ford dash. I think I’ve had my fill of metal fabrication for a while.” After all, he sure doesn’t have to prove that old guys rule. 

A few final exterior touches include shaving the door handles, fabricating flush-mounted fender skirts that hide the rear tires, and applying ’55 Chevy 210 side trim as a style line. The car rolls on Chevy Blazer 7 x 50 rims, wrapped in 70-Series Diamond Back whitewalls and highlighted with ’53 Caddy hubcaps.  

While the staggering number of body modifications would challenge a full-time professional, Gary’s backyard build was just hitting its stride over a four-year period. The black leather and vinyl interior sports a custom fiberglass headliner along with a modified ’55 Olds dash with AutoMeter gauges. He sourced the seats from an ’02 Trans Am, separated by a custom-made fiberglass center console that waterfalls from the rear seats to the dash.

The cut-down’55 Chevy steering wheel actuates a modified rack and pinion, also from a ’55 Chevy. Creature comforts inside include power windows, Vintage Air, and a Custom Autosound radio.

Motive power and paint were the final steps, with Gary choosing an GM LS1 V8, supplying plenty of beans in stock form. While a Blue Oval engine was his initial choice, he discovered that the Ford mill was too tall for the sectioned engine compartment. And Gary has a soft spot for the General’s mechanicals since, “They are plentiful, reasonably priced, and hold up well,” he feels.

A few final exterior touches include shaving the door handles, fabricating flush-mounted fender skirts that hide the rear tires, and applying ’55 Chevy 210 side trim as a style line. The car rolls on Chevy Blazer 7 x 50 rims, wrapped in 70-Series Diamond Back whitewalls and highlighted with ’53 Caddy hubcaps.  

While the staggering number of body modifications would challenge a full-time professional, Gary’s backyard build was just hitting its stride over a four-year period. The black leather and vinyl interior sports a custom fiberglass headliner along with a modified ’55 Olds dash with AutoMeter gauges. He sourced the seats from an ’02 Trans Am, separated by a custom-made fiberglass center console that waterfalls from the rear seats to the dash.

The cut-down’55 Chevy steering wheel actuates a modified rack and pinion, also from a ’55 Chevy. Creature comforts inside include power windows, Vintage Air, and a Custom Autosound radio.

Motive power and paint were the final steps, with Gary choosing an GM LS1 V8, supplying plenty of beans in stock form. While a Blue Oval engine was his initial choice, he discovered that the Ford mill was too tall for the sectioned engine compartment. And Gary has a soft spot for the General’s mechanicals since, “They are plentiful, reasonably priced, and hold up well,” he feels.