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 |
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