Rodding USA Issue# 32

1936 Ford roadsters This issue presents a contrast of styles when it comes to building 1936 Ford roadsters from “old school” powered by a flathead to “state-of-the-art” with a fuel injected 392 Hemi under the partial hood. One was built in the early 1990s, the other was completed a few months ago, and just in time for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition at the Grand National Roadster Show. Old School’ suspension consists of a dropped I-beam axle and a Ford 9-inch with lowering blocks and parallel leaf springs while “State-of-the-Art” features a custom independent front with rack and pinion and a Ford 9-inch with coil-overs and air ride. Old School was restored in Southern California and then moved to Michigan where Jack Pieknik totally rebuilt and customized it in the…

When you acquire your first Ford Model A at 10 years old it’s probably a given you are going to spend your life as a car guy. Jack Pieknik grew up in Michigan and his dad had a filling station which also sold used cars. Jack paid $20.00 for the 2-door sedan and proceeded to brush paint it. This of course was the beginning of a life-long love for hot rods and customs. Jack and his wife Pam spent many vacations attending car shows and events across the country and were in the market for a 1936 Ford roadster. One day in Hemmings Jack saw a fairly stock ’36 which was “for sale” in Beverly Hills, California. A few months later in June 1995 while attending the L.A. Roadster Show…

OWNERS: Jack & Pam Pieknik – Mesa, Arizona. CHASSIS: Stock frame. FRONT SUSPENSION: 4-inch dropped Super Bell axle, split radius rods, 1937 Ford steering box, bolt-on front shock kit with chrome shocks, 1940 Ford brakes. REAR SUSPENSION: Ford 9-inch rear end, parallel leaf springs. WHEELS & TIRES: Steel wheels with Cadillac hubcaps, whitewall tires. ENGINE: Motor City 8BA Ford Flathead, Eddie Meyer early style heads, EM dual carb intake manifold, Stromberg 97 carburetors, Fenton headers, full race cam, Mallory electronic distributor. TRANSMISSION: World Class Ford 5-speed manual. BODY: Louvered side panels, lowered headlights, ’39 Ford taillights, Cal Custom bull nose, 1937 Desoto bumpers, R&M acrylic paint by the owner, Carson style top. INTERIOR: White roll & pleated vinyl, 1939 Ford Banjo steering wheel, Stewart-Warner gauges. ACQUIRED: 1995.…

Founded in 1973 by the late Bill New, brothers Scott, John and Brad now run the very successful Boise Roadster Show. For the last 46 years the show has been held at the Expo Boise Show Grounds attracting close to 200 entries from all over the western USA and Canada. Chip Foose made a guest appearance on the Saturday and answered fans questions as well as signing posters or whatever people put in front of him. Spiderman also showed up on Saturday for photos with the younger ones. The quality of the bikes, cars, and trucks on display was extremely high. After the ISCA (International Street Car Association) judging was done, 9 ISCA Street Achievement awards were presented. Another fifty-one Special Awards including People’s Choice, the Foose/Reister Pick, Master Builder,…

Deuce Days Northwest Deuce Days Northwest, the largest 1932 Ford show in the world is just around the corner and show chairman Al Clark wanted to let the readers of Rodding USA know that registration has opened as of May 1, 2018 for the July 18-21, 2019 event. Al mentions, “although we were not planning on another Deuce Day, we have been persuaded to hold it again.” Friday July 19: Tours have been arrange to famous Butchart Gardens, whale watching or dyno testing at Camosun College Auto Shop. The tours are optional with additional fees. In the evening, there will be a welcoming party with a no-host bar at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Saturday July 20: The very popular Poker Run will depart from Clover Point at 10am and in…

Mid-America Street Rod Nationals May 25th, 26th & 27th, 2018 Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Springfield, Missouri Street Rod Nationals East June 1st, 2nd & 3rd, 2018 York Expo Center York, Pennsylvania Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals June 22nd, 23th & 24th, 2018 Colorado State Fairgrounds Pueblo, Colorado Street Rod Nationals ® August 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2018 Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, Kentucky Street Rod Nationals North September 7th, 8th & 9th, 2018 Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground Kalamazoo, Michigan Northeast Street Rod Nationals September 14th, 15th & 16th, 2018 Champlain Valley Expositio…