Our old buddy Dave came to us with his reoccurring problem once again. For the 4th time, he cannot get his new project in the shop and his wife insists on parking her car in the garage. Too many bodies, not enough space to keep indoors! So, Dave being the practical guy that he is, brought the oldest of his recent builds down for us to find a new home. Winters are cold and wet in Southern Oregon, Dave holds up in his shop making magic, drives his newest vision for the season and it is off it goes to Automania. We could set a clock on his schedule.

Dave started with the frame, a Riley Automotive Hot Rod Model A Frame, Z’d 4” in front and 8” in back, which they are famous in the industry for producing. He then added a ’32 Heavy Ford Axle supporting ’39 Front Spindles. You can see the scoops on the ’39 Lincoln Front Brakes that are guided by a Vega Steering Box supported by Poise Taper Springs. Many hours were spent drilling and sleeving the ‘40 Split Bones that locate the front end, adding a visual sign of the subtle custom details that are everywhere on this build. A 1932 Ford Grill was chopped 4” along with the powder coated Grill insert. A 4” shorter special Walker Z Line Radiator was chosen for the task of cooling the brand new motor. The back of the car was supported by a Ford 9” running 3:55 gears and a True Lock Posi-Traction center section. Holding it up are Poise Tapered ’40 Springs located by Pete and Jakes Ladder Bars.

The engine, based on the 241 Dodge Super Red Ram Hemi, is the heart of the car. We have receipts on the engine for over $10,000 spent building it which was done by Peckham Machine in Grants Pass. A brief look shows 0.60 over Ross Pistons, Hotheads Stainless Steel Valves, Chet Herbert Cam, Hotheads 340 Oil Pump, Hotheads Dampener, Hotheads Chevrolet Water Pump, Tri-Power by Hot Roads Car Carbs, Offy Manifold and filtered by a remote Oil Filter setup under the chassis. Behind all of this is a new Tremec 5 Speed Manual Transmission chasing Corvette Flywheel.

Dave started with a steel original 1930 Ford Model A body that he chopped 4” from the top. He blended a ’32 Dash, which was Engine Turned, into the Model A Dash Rail, mounting Stewart Warner Gauges right in front of the driver. Attached to the Limeworks Steering Column is a Limeworks 1940 Ford Steering Wheel. Willwood supplied the Swing Pedals operating the throttle, brake and clutch. Being a little older and concerned, a full Roll Bar was added behind the driver and passenger seats. Greg’s Upholstery of Grants Pass did the Tuck and Roll Interior and Door Panels with all new Body Wood underneath and it looks great as usual! A set of Reverse Chrome Wheels by Wheel Smith have 5.50/16 Front and 7.50/16 Rear Firestones mounted. SoCal Shock Mounts allow things to be smoothed out a bit and Original Guide 682C Head Lights are mounted on SoCal Headlight Stands. Dave painted the car in Glasurit and gave it the distressed look with many hours of sanding and shaping. Don Tippet followed up Hand Pinstriping the car, reflecting the distressed theme with his work. As the images show, the presentation is awe inspiring.

Driving the car is outstanding. The Hemi is all Engine and the car is all Hemi! Drum Brakes will always be drum brakes, but the car handles well and drives as it should. Be warned, if you are tall, this is not going to work out. I am 6’2” and do not fit as the roof is low. The car sounds great, the drivetrain perfect, what a hell of a ride!!!!

Miles are 1,572 and the VIN# is 355572. The selling price is $36,575. For other interesting bikes and collectable vehicles, visit our web site http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 or come by and see us at 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97526. Oregon Dealer DA1287.

Automania is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Classic Hot Rods, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, MG, Packard, Porsche, Rover, Shelby, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen and any other vehicle of interest