Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
350 cubic inch GM crate engine / 290 horsepower
T5 5-speed manual transmission / Hydraulic clutch
Custom all-steel body
Custom vinyl interior
Custom frame
Custom suspension
John's Industries 9-inch rear axle / 3.55 gears
Lake-style headers / Mellow Tone mufflers
House Of Kolor Goldmine Pearl paint
16-inch steel wheels
What do you get when you combine the aesthetic traits of a
show-worthy street rod with the drivability of a modern hot rod?
This all-steel Ford 5-window! With the universal appeal of high
dollar eye candy, and the road going prowess of a late model
cruiser, this slick '31 coupe is a professionally built custom that
provides its owner the best of both worlds. And what's better: you
can have your show stopper and drive it too for a fraction of the
money and time it takes to complete a ground-up build. If you're an
anxious buyer who's tired of the 'garage furniture' culture that
seems to pervade the classic car hobby, this stunning Ford is the
coolest road-ready hot rod your money can buy!
BODYWORK/TRIM
This hot coupe's smooth, all-steel body began life as a
run-of-the-mill Model A that was destined to roll through years of
dry sunsets. When the car's current owner took possession of its
straight and solid shell, he promptly contacted Mills & Co. in
Marietta, Georgia to arrange a celebrity-style restoration that
included a 3-inch chop and 3-inch channel. Once those custom cuts
were laser-straight, Customs & Color in Powder Springs, Georgia
added a spectacular coat of House Of Kolor Goldmine Pearl. When
that killer 2-stage had been buffed to a spectacular shine, veteran
artist Bill Abrams created a filigree of stylish pinstripes. And
today, this Ford is a banner showpiece that mixes the skill of
experienced fabricators with the integrity of Dearborn's storied
product.
Naturally, since it's a Mills & Co. creation, everything on this
Ford is exceptionally well-done. The car mixes just the right
amount of pre-war charm with high quality, 21st century detailing
to produce spinning heads and gawking fans. At the front of its
body, Satin Black frame horns center a 1932 grille shell between a
chrome 'bullnose' cap, sharp Guide 682-C headlights and a bright
blue "Ford" emblem. Behind that grille, a chrome-trimmed firewall
anchors a tilting windshield between correctly mounted doors and a
removable Haartz top. Behind that windshield, smoked glass rides
above a factory decklid that's complete with a traditional trunk
handle. And below that decklid, '48 Chevrolet tail lights
illuminate small, center-mount exhaust tips. The car's profile
combines the clean, simple look that's typical of classic,
fenderless hot rods with a number of traditional touches, including
correct door handles, a Ford fuel cap and old school bear claw
hinges. And overall, its top notch build integrates the greatest
attributes of both old and new into a single, unifying vision that
establishes a lasting impression.
ENGINE
Check this custom's color-keyed engine bay and you'll find a mean,
350 cubic inch GM crate engine that's good for 8.5 to 1
compression, 290 horsepower and 350 lb./ft. of tire-twisting
torque. At that top of that Jet Black small block, a trio of chrome
air cleaners forces wind into a trio of Rochester 2GC carburetors.
At the base of those carburetors, an aluminum Offenhauser intake
hangs a proven Mallory Unilite distributor between finned, cast
aluminum valve covers. At the base of those valve covers, high
quality Taylor plug wires snake around ceramic-coated, lake-style
headers. And in front of those headers, an old school generator
spins behind a large electric puller fan and custom, 5-row
radiator. Aesthetically, both the monochromatic mill and its
assortment of bright accessories seem right at home inside their
smooth, color-keyed frame. And details like polished fuel lines and
a fresh Delco-Remy voltage regulator ensure this coupe runs every
bit as good as it looks.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
In keeping with its 'impressive but functional' theme, this first
class Ford rides a double Z'd chassis, 4-inch up front and 8-inch
out back, that's been fully worked and professionally
powder-coated. The smooth 350's power flows into a rugged T5
5-speed that spins stout 3.55 gears via a tough hydraulic clutch
and proven John's Industries 9-inch. At the head of those heavy
duty components, a 4-inch dropped axle, Posies reversed-eye spring
and Vega-style steering box ride between early Lincoln drums,
familiar Pete & Jake's hairpins and modern Pete & Jake's shocks.
Opposite that rack, Pete & Jake's ladder bars and a second set of
modern Pete & Jake's shocks sandwich a second Posies reversed-eye
spring between two Ford 10-inch drums. At the center of the car,
ceramic-coated, true-dual exhaust funnels a deep roar through
throaty Mellow Tone mufflers. And all this fully sorted hardware
rolls on 16-inch painted steel wheels, which spin staggered
Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls around snazzy Ford center
caps.
INTERIOR
Take a look inside this custom and you'll find a spectacular street
rod interior that, like the car's waterproof roof, was
professionally installed by Burt Litton Interiors of Marietta,
Georgia. At the center of the cockpit, industrial bomber seats wear
Morbern Carrera Buck Vinyl between sturdy, 2-point seatbelts. In
front of those seats, a custom dash hangs crisp Stewart Warner
'wings' around authentic Gibson Guitar accessory knobs. Below that
dash, like-new carpet floats amid Wilwood hydraulic foot pedals,
thick Dynamat insulation and a simple, vintage shifter. At the edge
of that carpet, Haartz side panels hang traditional chrome handles
below glossy pearl frames. Above those panels, a tight Haartz
headliner frames a delicate mirror just ahead of beautifully
stained roof bows. In front of the driver, a LimeWorks column
anchors a beefy Stewart Warner tachometer behind a speed-drilled
LimeWorks wheel. And behind the passengers, an appropriately
upholstered trunk backs a modern battery and small storage
nook.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
A stack of component manuals
This striking Ford 5-window is a nicely finished classic that was
built to be driven AND seen. It uses top-notch components from some
of the best names in the business to create a unique car that mixes
killer personality with awesome curb appeal. If you're looking for
a road ready hot rod that's guaranteed to draw a crowd wherever you
go, your search is officially over!