The Discovery of a Classic Chevy Master Deluxe

While cruising down an old Southern Virginia back road some 38 years ago, Ted Hayes, along with a couple of local friends, happened upon a well-worn ’37 Chevy Master Deluxe coupe. Now, mind you, it looked nothing like the gem here. It had original paint, and the interior had seen better days, but it was complete and running. At some time during its life, the Chevy had received a 327 and a four-speed trans, a familiar combination for a vintage car during the 1960s.

Early Modifications and Road Adventures

Hayes, who was in his early 20s, purchased the coupe and proceeded to drive the car around town, tearing up the streets. He also spent time modifying the old Chevy over the years, adding such conveniences as A/C, a 350 small block, and an automatic transmission to improve the car’s driveability. During this time, Hayes updated the ’37 by adding a Mustang II front crossmember to the vintage Chevrolet frame. After several years of attending local rod runs, the ’37 finally gave up on him, leaving Hayes and his wife, Runella, roadside. It would be over two decades before the car would be driven again.

A New Beginning with Larry Griffey Hot Rods

Enter Larry Griffey, owner of Larry Griffey Hot Rods in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hayes and Griffey had become friends over the years, and conversation always turned to the old Chevy and the time when Hayes would one day pull the car out of the garage and put it back on the road where it belongs. After several discussions, Hayes finally made the decision to enlist the guidance of Griffey and his expert team of rod builders.

Preserving the Exterior with Custom Touches

Over the years, Hayes had gathered some pretty rare parts from around the country to revitalize the Chevy’s beautiful stock trim. Hayes knew that since the Master Deluxe coupe is rare, the exterior of the coupe should remain mostly stock but with a few modern upgrades, which would include better fit and finish of the panels.

Metal Restoration and Custom Bodywork

Since the ’37 had seen plenty of time outside in its younger days, moisture had taken a minor toll on the vintage sheetmetal. Griffey quickly got to work stripping the coupe to bare metal and repairing any problem areas to prevent further damage. While working on the sheetmetal, Hayes decided to have Griffey remove the unsightly gas filler on the passenger-side quarter panel. Griffey relocated the fuel filler to the driver’s-side doorjamb. After completing the arduous task of hiding the fuel filler, Griffey removed the front and rear bumpers.

Upgrades to Frame and Suspension

After the metalwork was complete, Griffey began modifying the original framerails to complement the beautiful exterior. Up front, a Heidts Mustang II-style IFS was installed into the framerails, complete with polished tubular upper and lower control arms, stainless steel Carrera coilover shocks, 2-inch-dropped spindles, and Flaming River power rack-and-pinion steering.

Rear Suspension Overhaul and Wheel Enhancements

To address the rear suspension, Griffey C-notched the rear framerails and added a beautifully polished Heidts Superide IRS to the chassis. The addition of the Heidts IRS required Griffey to open up the rear wheel wells for the large-diameter rollers. And speaking of rollers, with the chassis now complete, Hayes purchased a set of Billet Specialties 15×6- and 17×8-inch Vintec Dish wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle GT 195/50s and 235/55s. Visible through the front and rear wheels are the killer polished Wilwood twin-piston calipers with drilled and slotted rotors.

Engine and Exhaust System Upgrades

Before calling the car complete, Hayes picked up the GM Performance Parts catalog and ordered something a little more potent than the factory inline-six or even the small-block 327. Hayes ordered up a GM 383 stroker complete with a forged bottom end and a set of GM aluminum fast-burn cylinder heads. To top the long-block package, Hayes purchased an Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold and 750cfm Barry Grant carb. To rid the 383 of burned gases, Griffey welded up a custom stainless steel exhaust complete with Stainless Specialties mufflers for a sweet-sounding exhaust note.

Final Details and Interior Transformation

With all the fabrication and fit and finish of the car perfected, Griffey blew the car into 1,000 pieces and began smoothing out years of dents and dings. Since all the trim would be reused, it was sent to be re-chromed to better-than-new condition during the paint phase. With the bodywork complete and the chrome awaiting reinstallation, Griffey applied a flawless coat of a deep PPG custom red mix. After the paint was allowed to dry, Griffey color-sanded and polished the exterior finish to within an inch of its life. Finally, the chrome trim was reinstalled, and the body was rejoined with the chassis and drivetrain. All that remained was the final interior work.

Crafting the Interior with Precision and Style

To complete the package, Bobby Griffey Upholstery in Knoxville combined parchment-colored leather with imported wool carpet for one breath-taking interior. Bobby Griffey began by stitching up custom door panels and kick panels and treating the Wise Guys seat to a beautifully handcrafted cover. Griffey also stitched up a matching leather steering wheel wrap for the Billet Specialties aluminum wheel. Once the stitchwork was completed, Griffey finished up the interior with a Custom Autosound head unit, Vintage Air A/C and heat, tilt steering, and VDO instrumentation.

A Classic Reborn and Ready for the Road

Since its completion only four months ago, and having made its maiden voyage to the Nats South in Knoxville, the car has taken home several trophies after attending events throughout the Southeast. As the old saying goes, “Old hot rods never die—they just get rebuilt.” And so it seems the old beater that Hayes purchased nearly 40 years ago has received a new lease on life.