Rodding USA September/October 2019

Spring to fall is the busiest time of year for car shows, which means it is also the busiest time of year for myself and our contributors. This spring/summer I have personally attended Goodguy’s in Scottsdale, NSRA Western Nats in Bakersfield, L.A. Roadster Show, Deuce Days in Victoria and the Nats in Louisville. Each show offers outstanding cars along with thousands of enthusiastic rodders. It’s the rodders who make the shows so unique, and I always enjoy meeting so many of our subscribers. It’s always nice to hear your comments on the magazine. Traveling to car shows around the country is fun, and now that Malena can attend more of them with me, we always try to find something unique to do which is not directly related to the event.…

Chopping a ’36 Ford five-window coupe is not a project for the faint of heart. Few people have tried it, and most have failed. The Northwest part of the USA is endowed with many beautiful things, and the quality of workmanship is one of them. Owner Doug Beattie fabricated many of the cool innovations on this coupe, but knew when he should consult someone with the eye and the skill to chop this ‘36. Donn Lowe, the master metal mover, is an east coast transplant with the talent to make a pile of tin into a masterpiece. As you can see in the images, he nailed it. Donn also welded the fenders to the body for a perfect fit with no welting. While he was at it, he also inset…

OWNER: Doug and Diane Beattie - Vancouver, Washington CHASSIS: ’36 Ford frame. FRONT SUSPENSION: Heidts IFS, R&P steering, and Wilwood disc brakes and QA 1 shocks. REAR SUSPENSION: Parallel leaf springs, QA1 shocks, 9” Ford rear axle. TIRES/WHEELS: Coker wide white radial tires 205x15, Coker wheels 15”x 6”. ENGINE: ’57 Cadillac 365ci, mild cam, dual quad 500 CFM Edelbrock carbs, El Dorado cast iron manifold. TRANSMISSION: GM 350 transmission. BODY: 1936 Ford 5-w coupe, chopped by Donn Lowe, fenders welded to the body, ’40 Ford gas door, Lincoln Zephyr bumpers. Body trim by the owner. INTERIOR: Stock seat, Euro leather tuck-n-roll by Dave Feeken, Brush Prairie, Washington ’37 Lincoln Zephyr dashboard shortened, Classic Instruments, ’40 Ford steering column, 1953 Ford Crestliner steering wheel.…

Goodguys Columbus, officially known as the 22nd PPG Nationals, was another perfect storm of great weather, people and incredible rides. As the biggest Goodguys event of the season, this event brought in cars and trucks from all over; showing more great execution in building said cars. With such a selection at Goodguys Columbus, you’d be hard-pressed not to find one or two you’d want to drive home. There was no shortage of photogenic rods and customs, and we grabbed a bunch of them for you. All told, there were more than 6000 amazing rides there, making Ohio the center of the Hot Rod Universe – for at least a few days. Next year’s show dates are July 10-12, 2020, so make your plans to attend. Maybe we’ll catch your car…

I was immersed in the custom car culture growing up in Placerville, CA, (which is located 50 miles east of Sacramento) in the ’60s. My older brother Tom always had neat cars, and that interest instantly rubbed off on me. Placerville had many hot rods, but the one which stood out the most was “Hosfords T”, a red 1927 Model T roadster pickup, full fendered with a tall white top, wide whites, and a ‘48 Ford flathead engine. It was one of the few “finished” hot rods in town which really made it stand out. It was owned by Ray Hosford and was a daily driver during his high school years. All my grade school buddies and I “loved” the ”T.” My brother worked with Ray at the local Standard…

OWNER: Blake Phipps – Placerville, California CHASSIS: Custom-built by Model T Shop using 2&3-inch tubing. An original front crossmember which was fabricated in 1957 and a Model A rear cross-member. Wheelbase lengthened 2-3/4-inches. FRONT SUSPENSION: Originally built with a 1940 I-beam axle which was replaced with a ’37 Ford tube axle. 1942 hubs and 1956-64 Buick brakes. REAR SUSPENSION: Originally had a ’38 Ford banjo rear axle assembly with a Model T spring and ’40 Ford brakes. Blake replaced it with a stronger 1941 rear and added a Winters V8 quick-change, Model A spring, 1942-48 hubs, and Buick brakes. ENGINE: 350ci Chevy/290hp, 3-Rochester 2bbl carbs by Larry Fulton at Automotion. TRANSMISSION: GM 700R4 with Gennie Shifter and e-brake. BODY: Patch panels were added to all four corners, recessed the firewall…