Coast to Coast Cool

If this car looks familiar, know that what you’re seeing is an amalgamation of many cars from many points in time. A little bit original, a lot outrageous, it captures a feeling that lots of people are finding to their liking.

Building the Dream with Coast to Coast Street Rod

So it is with Sandy and Bob Millard, two Florida-based rodders who realized this car was right in line with their dreams, which soon became their reality after calling the good people at Coast to Coast Street Rod. Before long, they had the makings for this wild child in hand and soon it began to take shape.

Thanks to Jerry’s Custom Cars in Clearwater, Florida, Bob was able to rent some space that allowed him the opportunity to do a substantial portion of the work himself. Over the following year and four months, Bob worked about two days a week to bring this car to completion. He also looked to the talents of other craftsmen, including Ted Pulsifer, who lined the interior, and the folks at Street Seats in New Port Richey, Florida, who handled the wiring. He also brought his son Brian in on the project to build a stout motor and transmission.

A Rare Original: The Coast to Coast ’39 Ford Convertible

Part of the rarity of this car comes in the fact that this is one of the first 12 original Coast to Coast ’39 Ford Convertible bodies to be built. Since that time, a second-generation body has been developed, and while some changes have been made, the overall look is very much the same, and for good reason. While this design certainly captures the appeal of an original ’39 Ford convertible, it also captures the look of the Chip Foose-designed Smoothster built by Hot Rods By Boyd. It’s sleek, it’s innovative, and, unlike the Smoothster, it’s a truly affordable way for the Millards to arrive in style.

Custom Details and Power to Match

This particular example benefits from an absolutely stunning surface coated in red BASF paint, as we mentioned earlier, by Ted Pulsifer. It’s also unique in that, unlike the other Coast to Coast bodies you’ll see, this one has power curved-glass windows. The windshield is also special in that it was cut down from an ’82 Toyota Tercel, as is the grille and adjoining lighting, which was specially adapted to this car. The same hot finish can also be found on the bottom side of the fenders, and it follows to the engine compartment, a nicely detailed 350 Chevy and the adjoining drivetrain and chassis. Other special touches include billet valve covers and a matching air cleaner, and equally brilliant hardware elsewhere.

Ride, Stance, and Performance

The chassis is another exciting part of this car, as it makes use of a Dale Jurdy independent front suspension with tubular A-arms, Aldan coilovers, Ford rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes. At the other end, an 8-inch Ford with 3.08 gears and drum brakes joins with a four-bar and two more Aldan coilovers to provide a ride to live for. The final detail comes in with a set of Weld Glider wheels carrying 275/65-16 BFGoodrich T/A radials aft, and smaller 195/60R15s up front.

A Refined Interior with Hot Rod Style

Opening the suicide doors reveals the contrasting beauty of sand-colored Ultra Leather laid out by Street Seats. The same material covers the dash, and matching wool carpeting is found below. Auto Meter gauges are located above and between Vintage Air A/C controls and vents, and a full-length center console flows back with an audio system and an analog clock mounted just below. Add a pair of Jeff Phipps door handles, a Cadillac tilt-tele steering column with a Weld steering wheel, and you have the makings for a wonderful journey.

Coast to Coast Style Across the Nation

As you’ll see elsewhere in this issue, these Coast to Coast ’39 Ford bodies are really catching on, and while this one shares many things with the others, it also stands out with its own kind of cool!