Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up restoration
350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior / Air conditioning / Modern audio
All-steel body / Maroon cloth top
Rumble seat
4-wheel power disc brakes
Rack-and-pinion steering
15-inch wire wheels
10-bolt rear axle
Dial up a Google image search for "1936 Ford" and you'll be greeted
by pages of elaborate customs. Indeed, the De Luxe Ford is right up
there with Willys and Bel Airs when it comes to hot rodding's
greatest cultural icons. And, while we're all about creativity and
radical builds, this classy convertible truly feels like a breath
of fresh air. Founded on the proven tenets of street rodding, the
car was fully revitalized during a detailed, ground-up restoration.
With Henry Ford steel, timeless aesthetics and a clean leather
interior, its basic specs could describe a relatively stock car.
But a few minutes of deeper examination reveals otherwise, as, from
trick wheels and 350 cubic inches of Chevrolet V8 to cool air
conditioning and a modern automatic transmission, choice
modifications start adding up to one impressive ride. If you're an
enthusiast who enjoys a near perfect mix of vintage hardware and
modern convenience, here's a classic that delivers in every
way!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The car's smooth body began life as solid Henry Ford steel that was
maintained, driven and paraded for most of its existence. During a
gradual, ground-up restoration, that old school metal was stripped,
sanded and kept as intentionally original as possible. That classy
fuselage stretches rich Maroon 2-stage under Maroon cloth that's
finished with a glass backlite. And ultimately, this De Luxe rolls
as a fetching classic that walks a fine line between traditional
street rod swing and outrageous SoCal flair.
Maintaining that balance tends to be much easier when builders
stick to factory bolt-ons. Even 80 years after its creation, this
hot rod's restored yet traditional trim serves as excellent
detailing. At the front of the car, a polished, "Ford" branded
grille backs polished Twolite headlights, King Bee driving lamps
and a guarded bumper. At the sides of the car, a pinstriped profile
founds elegant mirrors and traditional handles on sculpted doors
that float between a stainless-trimmed hood and stainless-trimmed
fenders. At the top of the car, a Greyhound V8 hood topper leads a
chrome-trimmed windshield, which fronts a power antenna, a polished
"V8" fuel filler and an old school rumble seat. And out back, a
traditional spare tire carrier shadows polished blue dot Duolamps,
a second guarded bumper and polished "V8" exhaust tips.
ENGINE
'Keep it simple' is a good philosophy when it comes to performance
and reliability. And the builders of this clean classic did exactly
that by equipping the car with a steady, 350 cubic inch Chevrolet
small block. At the top of the fully sorted mill, a polished
Edelbrock Performer EPS intake stacks a polished B&M air
cleaner and coated Edelbrock carburetor between a stylish bowtie
spinner and proven Lokar linkage. That intake pushes air and
mechanically sourced fossils through tough Vortec heads that are
capped with polished valve covers and polished breathers. At the
back of those heads, an MSD points distributor sequences spark
between a chrome MSD Blaster coil and loomed Accel Ferro-Spiral
Core plug wires. Opposite that distributor, polished serpentine
components spin a polished alternator next to a coated AC
compressor. And in front of those pulleys, quick electric pusher
fans cool a beefy aluminum radiator that's topped with a "V8"
branded cap. Aesthetically, the Jet Black mill rides in a glossy
engine bay that's finished with a massaged firewall and polished
hood supports. And items like a polished expansion tank, braided
fluid lines, a Holley fuel pump, a polished oil pan and a polished
filter canister provide a perfect combination of form and
function!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Every good street rod has a solid foundation. Flip this Ford upside
down and you'll find a roster of mechanical improvements that mix
classic looks with modern mobility. Behind the small block, a
chrome-trimmed 700R4 4-speed, equipped with a finned cooler, spins
power to a chrome-capped 10-bolt axle. That stout drivetrain rides
an upgraded chassis that's fitted with tubular control arms and
beefy coil-over-shocks. Modern rack-and-pinion steering is a
welcome addition. Braking is solid, thanks to a floor-mounted
booster, a rail-mounted proportioning valve and four large discs.
There's an aluminized exhaust system that connects coated block
hugger headers to dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers. And everything
rolls on stainless-trimmed wires, which spin two 185/65R15 BF
Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls and two 235/70R15 BF Goodrich
Silvertown whitewalls around bright yellow paint and ornate "V8"
center caps.
INTERIOR
Pop the doors and you'll find a clean leather interior that's much
nicer than traditional factory fodder. At ground level, plush
carpet floats color-keyed floor mats between custom kick panels,
billet foot pedals and a custom console that centers a small Quartz
clock in front of a long Lokar shifter. At the center of that rug,
deep leather seats, which appear to be modern GM units, sport
requisite lap belts. In front of those thrones, a faux wood dash
seats modern air conditioning and stylish Classic Instruments
telemetry between a trick mirror, a Guide traffic light viewer and
modern Pioneer audio. At the corners of that ledge, custom side
panels center thin armrests and small door handles between power
windows and faux wood toppers. And in front of the driver, a
polished, Banjo-style steering wheel spins a faux wood rim around a
polished, tilting column.
The street rod scene is huge! And, looking over this Ford, it's not
hard to see why. The car's clean, unaltered lines are enough to
draw any enthusiast, and the rumble of its stout small block is
more than enough to keep folks smiling. Have you forgotten what
it's like to actually drive a car? To drive a car you actually
enjoy? To drive a car that'll inspire joyous memories for years to
come? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte and grab the wheel
of this impressive drop-top!