STREET DREAMS
April 8, 2024
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Inversely Proporsional
One of the most misunderstood performance components on any engine has to be the camshaft, or camshafts in the case of our overhead-cam 4.6-liter Ford engine. The difficulty is only compounded when you add forced induction to the mix. From an anatomical standpoint, the camshaft can be likened to the brain, as the cam profile determines how effectively (when and where) breathing takes place.
Interior Design
When Jorge Torres was young he would help his father around his shop. Named after the senior Torres, Armando’s Custom Upholstery in San Jacinto, California, opened in 1989 when Jorge was still in high school. In 1992, he began working full time with his father and brother, Armando Jr. He stared doing old cars and went to a few shows to promote their work. During this time he mentioned to his dad that he wanted to build a 1969 Chevy pickup. It turned out that his dad had a friend who owned one, but he was told that the truck was in pretty rough shape. All Jorge heard was that the price, at $1,500, was in his range.
FLAMIN’ HELL
It seems to more than the occasional observer that there are about five Fords that make up the heart of the super rodding and custom car culture: the ’27 T pickup; the ’32 roadster; the ’33-’34 Ford coupe; the ’40 coupe; and the ’49-’51 “Shoebox” Ford, in all of its deviations.
Spotlighter
The Loud Pedal
In Tune With the Old Times, and in Time With the New Tunes
Author
Dale Moreau
Story & Photography
A Wild Ride with a Classic Hot Rod
We scream out of the driveway (or was that me screaming?) and careen across the road sideways, bias-plies searching for grip. First gear loses steam almost instantly, and sometime between gears one and two things don’t mesh. Everything seems to lock up and we slide crossways onto a side road, making an unplanned turn and none too soon of a stop.
My ears are ringing from the lack of mufflers, and my heart is pounding from too much adrenaline. This scene didn’t happen years ago when I was a kid, as you might think, but only recently, as an adult. Just when you think you will never experience those kinds of wild, foolish rides again, guys like Gary Baker II give you a little tap and say, “Let’s just go down the road, you know, see how she goes.”
Ally Night with the Slo Poks
It’s Ally Night, the little get-togethers that the Slo Poks of Vancouver, Washington, have been doing every Friday night for more than 50 years. We are at Nick and Pat Nicholson’s spread, and Gary’s ’34 Ford is one of a bunch of very cutting-edge vehicles. Unscathed, we limp back with a few growls and groans. Geez, what a night! As I take a closer look at this hot rod truck, I soon realize that it is very well done and has quite a few unusual tricks that make it a way-cool piece.
The Unique Build of Gary’s ’34 Ford
First off, the frame is from a ’36 Ford that has been shortened 4-1/2 inches and narrowed 6 inches, with a Model A front crossmember added to the chassis. All kinds of classic parts have been used, such as ’39 Ford spindles and ’40 Ford brakes on the ’39 Ford front axle and spring. The ’39 gave up the rear thirdmember, and the steering was lifted from an old VW. Mad Max of Vancouver then slid a hot GM 383ci small block between the rails, with rowing by four-speed. The V-8 has been slightly massaged by Scott Peterson, also of Vancouver, with a Holley intake, an Edelbrock carb and Sanderson headers.
A Labor of Love
Old Mad Max then whacked the top of the cab 4-1/2 inches and spread flat black paint all over his very smooth bodywork. For over a year, Gary worked nights and weekends putting this hauler together, with a lot of pride and forethought as to the end result. At this point, the custom dash that Mad Max had rustled up was wired to the Stewart Warner gauges, and the hottie was ready to fire. Jim Anderson, stitcher extraordinaire, was waiting with bated breath to let fly on this timely black and white tuck-’n’-roll interior.
A Timeless Hot Rod
All the pieces came together in a harmonious package that speaks of classic times to those of the present. This is not often accomplished in car builds, where, for various reasons, owners often get going in too many directions and end up with “mixed metaphors”—old-time hot rod on the outside and billet and burlap on the inside. They just don’t dance together.
Take a cue from Gary Baker II; check out his traditional truck and see how it should be done. If you need some of those alloy ribbed bumpers for your sweet ride, contact Gary. He owns the company and would be glad to set you up. Gary Baker II is most definitely in tune with the old times, and in time with the new tunes.
