Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Ground-up build that was completed in 2013
406 cubic inch GM V8 / Holley fuel injection
GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior
18 and 20-inch Intro wheels
Bebop's Glass Works fiberglass body
Ford differential / 3.50 gears
Rack-and-pinion steering / Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes
Custom suspension
Sale includes restoration receipts
Some cars are just destined for good things. This 1933 Ford project
started life as a concept build for a television show, ended up
being partially built by a NASCAR crew chief, and was finally
finished and sorted by a lifelong paint and body man. Any one of
those sources could have turned out an impressive car but the
combination of all three resulted in something truly special. With
a distinct focus on performance and driving experience, the final
product offers timeless aesthetics, a rock-solid powertrain based
around a 406ci V8, and a masterfully finished interior that lets
you focus on enjoying the ride. If you're considering adding a
street rod to your fleet, why settle for something less when you
can have this amazing roadster for a fraction of the build
cost?
BODYWORK/TRIM
To answer your first question, the body is a fiberglass piece from
Bebop's Glass Works. There aren't exactly piles of Henry Ford steel
bodies waiting to be cut up, so high quality alternatives like this
are always a welcome sight. As with any fiberglass body,
considerable time was invested in straightening out the details,
and that work shows throughout. The roadster's subtle curves show
well from all angles, uninterrupted by common flaws such as waves
and misaligned panels. The top coat is split between a rich layer
of black which covers the lower portions of the body, and a
metallic silver that works from the belt line up. The 2-tone is
split by a clean red pin stripe that adds a splash of color to the
classic color scheme. Walking around the car, it's hard to find
fault in either the color choices or execution. Just look through
the images - there are crystal clear reflections visible in many of
the shots.
Beyond the impressive paintwork there are plenty of high-end
details to admire. The nose features a swept aluminum grille from
Alumicraft that's framed by a pair of deceptively simple round
headlights. Take a closer look and you'll see they offer both
integrated parking lights and turn signals for full functionality.
The windshield is another impressive piece - low slung, uniquely
shaped, and color-matched, it suits the roadster's style perfectly.
The profile is devoid of anything that distracts from the
paintwork: No door handles, corner markers, or trim of any sort.
Follow the sloped trunk to find a rear outfitted with a nicely
integrated LED brake light. Below, the license plate holder is
framed by tidy turn signals that, like the license plate holder,
can disappear with the flick of a switch. Overall, the car offers a
clean high-end look that will impress anyone willing to stop and
look.
ENGINE
With its NASCAR pedigree, it's safe to expect some power on tap.
Between those tapered fenders, a 406 cubic inch V8 provides plenty
of motivation for the lightweight roadster. The core is a 400 cubic
inch GM small block that's been bored .030 over and filled with
pieces like forged Speed Pro Pistons, a SCAT crank, SCAT I-beam
rods, and a custom Crane hydraulic roller cam for a rock solid
foundation. The visible hardware is equally nice. At the sides,
aluminum heads reworked by Tri-State Cylinder Head frame a polished
Weiand intake manifold while fuel delivery is handled by Holley
electronic fuel injection. There is certainly no lack of polish
here either - the valve covers, air cleaner assembly, and breathers
are finned and polished, held in place by polished hardware. At the
front of the engine, polished aluminum pulleys and brackets turn
only the most basic accessories while, across the way, an aluminum
radiator works alongside a single electric fan to keep the bay
cool. An MSD ignition system gets things moving while spent gases
are swept out through a ceramic coated exhaust system. Despite
tight quarters, everything is within reach and the engine
compartment shows just as well as the exterior.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
The show continues underneath the car where more painted and
polished pieces match the seriously high standards set up top.
Behind the 406, a GM TH350 3-speed automatic is bolted in place,
dressed with a finned aluminum pan and flywheel cover. Combined
with the stainless oil pan, it's an impressive view under the front
half of the car. At either side, the aforementioned dual exhaust
system spans most of the undercarriage, rounded out by Hushpower
mufflers and polished stainless tips. Follow the polished
driveshaft back to find a locking Ford differential packed with
3.50 gears. The cast bits are painted black while a polished Pete &
Jake's inspection cover completes the look. The rear end is located
with a polished triangulated 4-link which is paired with polished
coilovers for equal doses of good looks and performance. The front
end is equally clean with a chrome drop axle and a second set of
coilovers in place. The suspension's supporting cast consists of a
manual rack-and-pinion setup and Wilwood brakes with polished
calipers and braided lines at all four corners. On the driver side,
the polished brake booster and master cylinder are tucked neatly
out sight. A combination of 18 and 20-inch Intro wheels wrapped in
new general tires introduce the impressive chassis to the
asphalt.
INTERIOR
In a car like this roadster, experiencing the joys of open air
driving is priority number one. That's why you won't find many
distractions inside - just more tasteful design and high-level
execution. At the ground level, black Mercedes Benz carpets cover
the floors, protected by custom matching floor mats. A hand-built
console rises from the middle, offering space for the Lokar
shifter, ignition, and a pair of switches. While they look like
simple power window switches, they actually control the power deck
lid and license plate holder which can be tucked out of sight while
the car is being shown. Seating is provided by a plush
leather-wrapped bench seat which is surrounded by plainspoken
leather-wrapped door panels and feature a simple design. In front
of the driver, a polished Ididit tilt column is topped by a digital
Holley readout and a leather-wrapped billet steering wheel. The
dash remains as stylish as the rest of the car with nothing more
than a set of Auto Meter gauges occupying its sleek silver surface.
Under the dash, accessory controls are tucked neatly out of sight
but remain within reach. Lighting controls sit just to the left of
the column, while releasing the hood requires pulling one of the
billet handles on either side of the car. Behind the seats, a
surprisingly large trunk offers more black leather and upscale
carpeting.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
Restoration receipts
Component manuals
Hot small blocks, 2-tone paint, and tasteful leather interiors are
all classic pieces of street rodding tradition. While trends may
come and go, this '33 Ford is set up for graceful aging and a whole
lot of fun on sunny weekends. If you're ready for a street rod that
doesn't need 12 TV screens and yellow paint to catch your eye, take
a second look at this subtle roadster - it might just be your new
favorite cruising companion.
