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My '33 at Cruisin Grand

Joe has been around hotrods since his mom first let him drive her '49 Ford.  Since then Joe has had a number of nice cars including a '50 Chevy, '34 Ford, '69 Roadrunner and now drives this really hot '33 Ford sedan.  This car has it all, air-bag suspension on a TCI Chassis, leather interior, Chevy crate motor and an awesome paint job. 

I purchased my 1964 GTO (tri-power version) in 1967.  I had just returned from Vietnam and used the money I had been sending home to purchase this incredibility quick car.  I later traded it for a motor cycle (who knew?).  I’d sure like to have the car now.  The car needed no modifications.  It was plenty fast enough.  Those three-two’s did the trick.

My 34 ALL-STEEL Fordor Sedan was quite an undertaking.  I picked it up from an Encinitas fire fighter who finally decided he knew just enough about building a car to completely destroy it.  The very tired 283 and 350 trans was held in place with plumbers tape, as was the rear end.  I actually drove it home to Vista where the engine and trans broke free from the plumbers tape and landed on my garage floor.  The car was completely disassembled, the original chassis cut apart and reworked, all wiring and plumbing replaced.   This is where I discovered the extent of aftermarket suppliers.  Eighteen months later, after replacing almost everything and turning my garage into a paint booth, the car was on the street where I drove it everywhere.  It was a no frills car… no air or heat, no radio and power nothing… and the back seat was limo size.  White is great for hiding all those imperfections.  I eventually sold the car for a bit more than I had invested.  Last I heard, the car is cruising the streets of Los Angeles.

The '49 Ford was my first car, actually my mom’s car that she let me drive while I saved up for my very own car by cleaning tables and washing dishes at Oscars in Clairemont (the local weekend hangout for cruising and just hanging out).  My official first car was a 51 Chevy, purchased in 1962, which I immediately cut the front springs, rebuilt the engine, installed a floor shift conversion kit and added a set of glass packs and scavenger pipes.  Prior to the 51 Chevy, the 49 saw a lot of action… at local Friday night (illegal) drag races and many drive-inn movies with my friends.  The 51 Chevy is long gone; however, the 49 Ford lives on and is now owned and loved by a former Little Guys member (another Joe).

 

 

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