1937 Ford Custom

The top is unchopped, but restyled with an enhanced peak, which begins at the front of the molded and smoothed factory hood. The V'd one-piece windshield keeps that line intact. The bumpers were removed and the front fenders were widened and extended in front to bring them lower. The hood side molding and long horizontal louvers were replaced by seven large vertical louvers, curved to match the shape of the original grille. Headlights are original with a halogen conversion and turn indicator lights. The trunk handle was removed, and 1939 Ford taillights with LED lensed were frenched into the fenders. Chrome is limited to the grille trim, headlight bezels, and side mirrors. The fenders are filled to capacity with 195/60R15 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires in front and 235/75R15 BFG Long Trail T/As in the back. The polished five-spokes are 15-inch Boyd Coddington Smoothies.
The coupe rolls on the factory frame rails, which have been strengthened with boxing plates from Progressive Automotive plus a modified X-member to handle the AOD transmission. I turned welding chores over to Just Another Welding Shop (JAWS) in Pleasanton, California, while building the chassis. Total Cost Involved provided many of the Mustang II style independent front suspension components, including spindles, 2-inch drop coils, and antiroll bar. The rack-and-pinion steering and brakes (including 11-inch front discs, master cylinder, and pedal assembly) are also from TCI. Toxic Shock shock absorbers installed front and rear add to the quality of the ride. An antiroll bar plus parallel leaf springs from TCI were installed in the rear. I purchased the rearend assembly from Aerial Group International, including the 8.8-inch housing, differential, axles, and Ford 10-inch disc brakes. The gear ratio is 3.55:1.

From the start, I wanted the 1937 to be all Ford, inside and out. Fitting the 351 Cleveland into the engine compartment, however, turned out to be one of my bigger challenges of the project. As you can see, that challenge was overcome. It has an Edelbrock 600-cfm four-barrel carb and manifold combo topped with an aluminum scoop from Summit Racing. Tech Machine in Livermore machined the 0.030-over engine and assembled the long-block. Ceramic-coated Sanderson headers tie to 2-1/4-inch exhaust pipes were built by Minute Muffler in Dublin, California. Summit Racing mufflers provide the right sound. The Ford AOD transmission was custom built by Phoenix Hard Parts with gears selected by a Lokar Performance floor shifter.
Frank Zucchi at FZ Restorations in Livermore shot the elegant finish. David Lima at FZ did much of the sheet metal prep and polishing to show off the House Of Kolor Kandy Brandywine paint. The interior is a mixture of early and late looks. A 1940 Ford dash replaces the original. The Deco Gauge Cluster is manufactured by my company, DC Street Rods, and the panel is filled with gauges from Classic Instruments' Vintage Series line. Vintage Air controls are concealed under the factory radio grille. A Pioneer audio system above the windshield, plays through Infinity speakers. Painless Performance Products wiring keeps everything operating.

The seats are modern Honda Accord buckets on Acura MDX pedestals, but conform to the streamlined Deco design of the car, thanks to Sergio Morales' beige two-tone upholstery. The seats are covered in leather, with vinyl used on the custom door panels. The 1940-style steering wheel is from the Lecarra catalog.
"Vinny" Was featured in the August 2015 issue of Street Rodder Magazine