Vehicle Description
Gorgeous Award Winning Custom - Rebuilt '38 Ford Flathead/3 Speed
Manual - Original All Steel Body - 3.54:1 High Speed Mercury Banjo
Rear End -
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Garage Kept Motors)
1931 Ford Model A Coupe
"The Class of '59"
Built as a tribute to early traditional hot rods of the 1950s, this
national-award-winning custom is a work of automotive art. Its
beautifully hand-painted name and... er, um... figure gracing the
car's flanks, and tasteful-but-intricate hand-painted pinstriping
only hint at the overall quality here. The high-quality
black-and-maroon paint scheme complemented by matching custom vinyl
interior, meticulously executed flathead V8, and show-stopping
stance further establish this as a one-of-a-kind automobile. It's
no wonder the car was chosen by Street Rodder Magazine as a top-ten
finisher selected from 100 candidates in 2015 (and wears this
distinction on a front-window decal). And not long ago, the car was
included in the nationally recognized Gilmore Auto Museum's display
honoring original hot-rod creators, George Barris, Gene "Windy"
Winfield, and more. It is no exaggeration to say that "Wow!" is the
most common expression heard when this beauty rolls into view.
The approach to this 2013 build was to create a tribute to early
hot rods originally brought to life by returning Word War 2 vets in
the early Fifties. (The artistic influence of combat-aircraft "nose
art" is evident.) Parts and component-sourcing concentrated on only
the best-available choices. The builder was a multi-award-winning
shop and began with a perfect-condition, rust-free 1931 Model A
Coupe acquired from the estate of a college professor. The front
axle was dropped four inches while the car's original 1931 frame
was kept intact. The motor is a smooth-running (be sure to
watch-and listen to-the video at GarageKeptMotors) rebuilt 1938
Ford flathead V8, stock except for the two chromed carburetors and
a few other tastefully chromed engine bits. The 3-speed manual
floor-shifted transmission, originally from a 1939 Ford, is married
to a 3.54:1 high-speed Mercury banjo rear end. Steering and front
brakes came from a 1951 Ford F1 pickup.
Outside, the body is stock with the sole exception being the
chromed and beautifully pinstriped Chevy headlights. The body and
fenders are original steel.
Inside, the maroon-and-black vinyl upholstery would have been a
hot-rodder's dream. Black carpet, chromed garnish moldings, an Art
Deco 1941 Plymouth dashboard featuring a vintage tachometer, lovely
"Ford V8" period steering wheel featuring burled-wood accents, and
complementary, multi-colored, intricate hand-painted pinstriping
across the dash and window sills all make for a stunning driver's
compartment. All lights-including the turn signals-function as they
should.
Since it was built, this hot rod has traveled fewer than 1,000
miles. A labor of love, it has never before been offered for
sale.
