Vehicle Description
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!
