It all started in 1986 when Paul purchased a 1932 Ford Roadster from Mr. Miller in Baltimore, MD. Mr Miller owned the car since new and the car had been in storage reportedly since 1949. By the early 90's Paul had decided to fully restore the car and he went eyeballs deep and created a stunning, multiple show winner.
He started with the original frame, it was boxed, all necessary brackets for the 4-link rear, the ZZ3 Chevy crate 350 V8, the GM TH350 auto trans and other misc bits were welded on, all welds were ground and filled, looking under this car, all you see is the beautiful burgundy paint, no bulbous welds.
A fiberglass body was sourced from Wescott as were pretty much every stainless steel bolt, washer and grommets. The ivory leather interior was designed and stitched by Tea's Design in MN.
The burgundy paint on the body and frame was laid on by PJ's Paint and Body in Maryland, it is mirror like.
Starting at the front and working back, I'll list out as many of the parts as I can;
Billet Specialties front light/blinker bar. Brembo front disc brakes (Calipers and master) with Billet Specialties "dust" covers. Aluminum radiator surrounded by a Wescott 32 grill and Billet Specialties stainless grill bars. The front suspension is standard Model A transverse leaf spring with Maeco tube shocks and everything up front is chromed. The headlights are chrome 32 buckets. Steering is via a Flaming River column and rack system. The engine is a 335HP, 385 lb/ft ZZ3 Chevy V8 crate engine, she is an early model and does have the inherent "dieseling" they were known for. All accessories are chromed (water pump, pullies, brackets, 100 amp alternator, starter, etc.) or from Billet Specialties (valve covers, air filter (K&N), trans pan), the headers are Jet coated Sanderson shorties. The car and engine have roughly 6500 miles since the restoration/build was completed in the early 2000's. The transmission is a TH350 which is shifted via a Lokar shifter, linkage and cables and a B&M Torque converter.
The windshield is stainless and features a 2" chop. The dash panel is also Billet Specialties and it is filled with Classic Instrument gauges.
There is no radio as the only music you'll want to hear is the sound of the 350 purring/growling through the dual stainless exhaust.
The fiberglass doors are opened via an inside only stainless handle.
The custom leather touches continue into the trunk where a Summit racing fuel cell and the Optima battery share space, the battery hidden away in a custom Coke cooler. A master shut off switch is also tucked next to the cooler and a chromed locking lift piston hold the fiberglass lid in place.
Bringing us fully to the rear, the rear is a Ford 8" unit, also completely ground, filled and painted, hel in place by the 4 link and supported with chromed, adjustable coil-overs. The gears are 3.50 and feature a limited slip. Brakes out back are drum.
Taillights are from a 39 Ford. All bushings are polyurethane, all brake and fuel lines are stainless, any soft lines are braided stainless and the fuel lines under the hood are Earl's.
The wiring is a complete Ron Francis set up.
Wheels are ET III's featuring a knock off spinner and lug cover, they're wrapped in BFG 285/70/15 Radial T/As in back and Falken 175/65/15 radials in front.
She does have a folding canvas soft top, also done up by Tea's with stained ash wodd and stainless steel for the frame.
That pretty much takes you from front to back of this wonderful, beautiful roadster street rod.
The electronic ignition fires her off almost immediately, even at a cold start. She settles into a very smooth idle and just rumbles and grumbles with glee.
Settling into the very comfortable leather seats and shifting into drive sets you off on a driving adventure. The nearly 400 lb ft of torque sets you back in the seat instantaneously, the big rubber barking as the trans shifts gears. Hold on tight though as the rack and pinion steering is tight and quick. She accelerates in a straight line and does very well soaking up bumps, despite her steering and strong suspension, she is not a sports car though. She is an awesome cruiser and will still win awards as evidenced by the shelves filled with them.
In my time with her I saw two defects in the paint, both literally pointed out in the photos. There are also two minor rubs on the leather in the trunk. That is all I could find "amiss" with the awesome piece of automotive machinery.
The current owner purchased her from Paul in late 2020 and put less than 400 miles on her in the last 4 years. He has decided to pare down his collection and focus on one car that he'll drive a bit more regularly.
This car is near perfect and is a fully custom build, although not put together by someone famous, this work of art is no less valuable.
The asking price is $59,900
Any questions, to schedule a time to see her in person, or simply to make an offer, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for the interest!
Please scroll down for several hundred photographs and video.
AutoArcheologist - Dave@AutoArcheologist.com
Middletown, CT
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