For Sale: 1929 Chevrolet Custom in Ft Worth, Texas

You either get rat rods or you don't. They aren't built to be pretty, but they are possibly the most accurate reflection of early hot rodding's roots. Cars like this 1929 Chevrolet Custom, which in fairness is way more thought-out and well-executed than some cobbled together junker, was definitely built to walk its own path. Featuring a squared-off steel body (think T-Bucket meets panel wagon meets 1920's chimney), matte-black paint, a surprisingly spacious interior, and a powerful 350 V8 drivetrain, it's one of the more unique hotrods we've ever seen, but as far as handmade creations go, it's one of the better ones too. In a world filled with 'me-too' plastic coupes, something like this stands out everywhere it goes.

Obviously satin/flat/matte black is a mainstay of the rat rod movement, and it works exceptionally well on garage-creations like this Chevy. No-nonsense, low maintenance, and designed to show off the builder's custom touches, it has a timeless look that will not go out of fashion. Familiar pre-war style can still be seen, particularly with those swooping fenders and running boards, the big radiator shell up front, and those King Bee-style headlights that light the way. The tall, stovetop-style body is certainly one-of-a-kind, and we wouldn't exactly call it streamlined, but with that forwarded-canted roof over the cabin, big firewall cowl, and angled rear pan, you can certainly see the hotrod inspiration in the build. Space for two passengers and extra storage was obviously a priority during the build, and they were able to maximize it on the otherwise diminutive '29 Chevy design. Other whimsical touches include long-tube headers that run through the front fenders, the bright green exposed engine and front suspension, and LED taillights that frame a small rear door out back, somewhat like the flower wagons from the era. Elements from different styles are seen throughout, and although we've never quite seen them joined together in such a bespoke fashion, we're certainly intrigued by this super-cool concoction.

It's pretty austere inside but that doesn't mean it's not comfortable and functional. They cleverly dropped in a simple bench seat, so it has ample room for two, and despite the bare accommodations it still feels comfy inside, something most rat rods cannot boast about. Durable carpet lines the inner walls and floors, the door panels were finished to match, and the simple dash was built to include a plexi-glass panel that houses a full set of gauges, switches, and even a sporty, wood-rimmed Pilot steering wheel. Fun details include a digital tachometer mounted to the left of the wheel, a rockabilly skull knob atop the shifter for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission below, and side windows that attach via Velcro. And like most well-built rat rods, this one is fully functional and safe to drive, not just thrown together for effect. That matters.

Power comes from a 350 V8, but with lime-green paint and some custom parts, it's tough to recognize one of the world's most popular engines. Most visible are all the performance parts from Edelbrock: the dual 4-barrel carburetors, the high-rise intake, and the chrome valve covers, but you also a couple unique air cleaners, steel-braided lines, and a chromed-out alternator that all add style and added pop to this powerful small block. Block-hugging headers feed into a custom dual exhaust that sounds absolutely wicked, and with power front disc brakes and a modern front clip, it's actually a great driving streetrod as well. No rod is complete without a killer stance and a flashy set of wheels, and the 16-inch ProComp Xtreme alloys wrapped in beefy rubber do a great job finishing off the look of this sinister Chevy.

Old school, the next best thing, or simply a traditional rod that's ready to rock? How about all of the above? Call today!