Vehicle Description
1932 Ford Roadster
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/6Y8nEX
Custom-built from the ground up by So-Cal Speed Shop
Award-winning and featured in Issue 32 of The Rodders Journal
Custom 392 Hemi V8 engine built by Ray Zeller
One owner since new
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
Ferrari Fly Yellow paintwork
Famously known as one of the first hot rod parts store in Southern
California, So-Cal Speed Shop was founded by Alex Xydias who now is
a motorsports legend in his own right. With a history of building
amazing salt flat and drag race cars that pushed the limits of what
was thought to be possible, So-Cal Speed Shop for many years only
sold performance parts. In 1997, Pete Chapouris, a legendary
builder, revived the So-Cal name and began a partnership with Alex,
creating and delivering turn-key hot rod customs to clients around
the world. With the speed shop's instantly recognizable name and
Chapouris' hot rod vision, the pair would become a tour de force in
the hot rod world, producing customs that would grace countless
covers of magazines.
In 2005, an idea began to form with who would become the first and
only owner of this So-Cal built roadster. Wanting a car that was
built with amazing craftsmanship, attention to detail, lots of
power but ultimately reliable to use on long trips, he chose the
builders at So-Cal Speed Shop in Pomona, California.
Building from the ground up everything starts with the chassis,
which So-Cal decided to use their own stepped box 1932 chassis.
Suspension consists of an I-beam axle with hairpins, and the rear
suspension is a traditional Posies A-style rear cross member
employing a transverse spring. In order to accommodate these new
mechanicals in the rear, the trunk floor was raised. All the
welding beads were recreated to look as though they were stock.
Underneath the car the Vintique fuel tank was reshaped in order to
clear the Winter Champ quick-change rear end, with the front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes covered by Buick-style polished finned
aluminum covers. The chopped traditional style windshield was
chrome plated for that classic look, with the Aero-style headlights
directly from the So-Cal Speed Shop. No award-winning hot rod would
be complete without an amazing paint finish, and Paco Castell of
Los Angeles, California was the man for the job. Responsible for
the laser-straight bodywork, he also sprayed the PPG Ferrari Fly
Yellow paint.
With much of the suspension and chassis done, it was time for
So-Cal to begin with the American V8 that would power the roadster.
Introduced in 1957 and would prove to be a natural choice for the
build, the 392 Hemi was chosen for this, with a large displacement
but extremely drivable from day to day. Custom built by well-known
California engine builder Ray Zeller, the motor was balanced, blue
printed, and then assembled along with the Hilborn injectors
converted to EFI. The stock firewall was modified to fit this large
engine, and the car was built to have an open side panel hood to
show off the Hemi. A Tremec 5-speed manual transmission was used
along with a Weber clutch, ensuring an excellent shift every time
and all power going to the rear wheels. Rod Sexton fabricated and
polished the stainless-steel headers and cleverly routed them
through the frame rails.
Spending quite a bit of time on the interior yielded a subdued but
refined interior complete with black leather everywhere. The dash
was custom fabricated to accept an Auburn-style dash insert,
old-school style Stewart-Warner gauges were installed with all of
the work being done by Ryan Reed. A Mullins steering column and a
Budnik 15" Corvette-style steering wheel were installed along with
a custom column drop. The black leather interior and black wool
carpet with its custom lift off top was all done by Gabe's Street
Rod Custom Interiors, a well-known shop in southern California,
which yielded an award-winning interior that is comfortable both on
short spirited sprints or long travel days.
Completed and ready for use, the owner would spend some time with
his roadster taking many trips in it. Driving from his residence in
Los Angeles, the roadster would make the trek to Pleasanton a few
times and even going north to Vancouver. He would add 5,681 miles
to the car since 2005, and this hot rod shows its immaculate
attention to detail as freshly today as it did when it first rolled
out of So-Cal's shop.
Upon arriving at Canepa, the roadster was inspected from front to
back. Bruce took the car for a quick drive and determined that it
was a fantastic driver with plenty of power, dialed in and ready to
go. In already amazing condition, the car was put through the
"Canepa Difference" process for that extra added attention to
detail that Canepa has become known for. Completely washed
underneath and ensuring all the tiny areas that most wouldn't ever
see were cleaned, the undersides presented as new. Lowered down and
inspected, the engine bay was hand cleaned to where the Hemi looked
as though it was just installed for the first time. With the rest
of the car in an immaculate state, this Ford roadster is ready for
its new owner. Just as capable on the show lawn as it is on the
street, this So-Cal Speed Shop built roadster carries a feeling
that this roadster is just a little extra special over so many
other hot rod builds.