1929 Ford Mod A Closed/Tall Cab Street Rod Pickup
All original Henry Ford steel, no patch panels, no wreck, no rust, Fullerton, California pickup
12-year rotisserie restoration by Jerry Conway
Chassis:
“TCI” model #1011R / Coil Overs, 4-link with Pete & Jakes 4” dropped front axle set up by the late Eric Sanders, iconic hot rod builder. 1940 Ford backing plates and brakes with original 1957 Buick finned polished aluminum drums and air scoops.
Motor:
1952 Mercury Flathead V-8 with Isky 400 jr. cam. Edelbrock heads, Edelbrock triple deuce intake with 3 Stromberg 97’s built by the late Rod Furtado / San Jose, California.
Transmission:
Ford C-4 Flat-O-Matic with kickdown
Rear-end:
“Hildabrand” Quick Change narrowed to 57” 31 spline, Dana 44 plug in axles by “The Dutchman” Gear ratio 4.22/3.78 Crown Cut gears set up by “The Hot Rod works”.
Wheels/Tires:
Gary McLean “52” Spoke Custom Wire Wheels with Firestone Grooved 5.00/15 Front, and Firestone Ribbed Dirt Track 8.20/15 Rear. Ford V-8 Center Caps.
Paint:
Art Hobbs / Shasta City, California
Pinstriping:
Jimmy Carmickle / Eugene, Oregon
Interior:
Scott Stanley / Cottonwood, California
1929 Tall Cab Truck History
Jerry Conway purchased the truck from Lisa Watts on March 23, 1998. Lisa is the daughter of the late Guy Osborn. Guy purchased the pickup back in march of 1955 in Fullerton, (Orange County) California. At the time, Guy and Larry Payne were in the service. Guy brought the 29’ Truck to Eugene, Oregon in 1958 when he went to work for the Southern Pacific railroad. Guy restored the pickup running the Original Flathead for two years. Guy was won over by the new Chevy OHV and switched out in 1957. Guy drove it until 1964 when he sold it to Wayne Loesch. In 1967, Wayne completed a full restoration including paint, interior and a motor swap to a 327ci. Wayne aggressively showed the truck up and down the West Coast winning many Trophies.
Wayne and Guy had a 5 year buy back agreement which Wayne honored and Guy purchased the truck for a second time in 1971. Guy continued to show the truck winning more trophies and in 1974 Street Rodder Magazine came knocking and featured the truck in the March 1974 Street Rodder Magazine. TALL TRUCKIN’ was the feature title. As of March 1974, the truck had won 67 trophies from Canada to San Diego. The truck went thru many changes most of the work was performed by the late Eric Sanders who owned a speed shop. Guy Osborn passed away in 1993.
Lisa Watts, Guy’s daughter inherited the truck. She wanted to restore the truck the way Guy wanted and did not want to sell it to anyone who might not do that. Jerry Conway wanted to restore the truck the same way as Guy so she offered the truck to my Dad. Dad had always wanted that truck and spent twelve years restoring it. Dad told Lisa he would show it in Guys honor when it was done. Dad showed it at the Eugene Roaster Show March of 2010 thus fulfilling his agreement with Lisa.
Jerry Conway showed the truck many times winning several trophies. Goodguys featured the 29’ Truck in the April 2014 issue after dad won the “Timeless Tradition” award at Goodguys 24th annual Autumn Get-Together at Pleasanton, Ca. The 1929 Tall Cab Pickup has won “72” Trophies to date. Jerry’s inspiration to Hot Rodding began in the mid 1960’s when he first met Guy Osborn. He began hanging around local “older cool guys” like Guy, Larry Payne, Phil Swaggart and Roger Sowers among others. This “gang” of Hot Rodders was some of the first to tear up the streets of Eugene, Oregon including the beginning of weekend cruising on Willamette Street “The Gut.” Jerry Conway’s 1929 Tall Cab Pickup was instrumental in starting Eugene, Oregon’s car culture.
Bob Kellison of Kellison Automotive Restoration of Creswell, Oregon recently completed a full service on the truck including all fluids, carb rebuild and tune up. The pickup runs and drives perfect. I have verified the provenance of the truck adding my Father’s name to the history. Completed May 2019 a 200 plus hour nut & bolt detail to include clocking bolts, cut and buff paint and refinish wood bed and side boards. Complete polish and detail of undercarriage, frame, aluminum and chrome. Everything top to bottom was touched and detailed. I am willing to bet there is none nicer and with more provenance on the planet. This is a high end build and deserves to be in a high end collection.
