Dalton Boydster

The Beginning of Our Publishing Journey

When we first began publishing back in 1999, I wrote about my friend’s ’32 Vicky. That car, and a ’57 Chevy, was photographed by Scott Killeen and graced that issue’s cover. This helped serve as our coming-out statement for our company—the rest is history.

Jim Dalton: A Key Figure in Our Growth

The owner of that car was my dear friend Jim Dalton. Many of you know him, as he has so willingly worked our subscription booths at many of the rodding events during those more formidable first years. This was before Garry McWhirter came aboard. McWhirter has been a relief to Dalton, taking most of that show duty, allowing Dalton now to schedule and arrange the coordination of our new 18-wheeler. Thanks to Dalton and his crew, we’ve come a long way in four years.

Dalton’s Unexpected Role in Our Team

I tell you this because it relates to the car pictured here, and because it is interesting that Dalton is a working part of our group at all—although he sat in on the initial what-if conversation I held when I asked a few close friends their opinions on whether I should embark on such a massive and risky undertaking. If memory serves me correctly, Dalton advised against me embarking on my second publishing career. He did so not because he questioned its potential commercial success, but because he wanted me to enjoy life, spending time with my cars and friends. He understood that we would become slaves to the never-ending demands and the 24/7 work schedule that these publications command. Dalton was correct on all counts, but rather than say anything as trite as, “I told you so,” he instead rolled up his sleeves, cast his private life aside, and has devoted as much time, emotion and hard work to us as anyone else involved. It has consumed Dalton, too!

Dalton’s Dedication to the Craft

No one asked Dalton to give up his own retirement or his life on his ranch in Vista, California, to work a full-time job, and then some. How could they? There could be no justification for such a conversation. This is something that simply occurred, and it happened more on account of our travels together than his involvement being a real job. We are living an existence that entails getting the word out. From the beginning, it’s been about the cars, and that is what bonded Dalton and me, and now to us.

Dalton’s Versatile Contributions

Dalton’s contribution to us cannot be thoroughly defined here; he fills so many roles, plays too significant a part in all that we do, even when it is not expected of him. The projects that we have undertaken have all occurred because of him, including this one. Being an individual who can build anything out of nothing in particular, he has a way of getting things done. He has the ability to round up all the elements to get a job done, and often very creatively. Dalton is perfectly capable of doing most if not all of the work himself—even though he is a master at selecting the right people for the right job on all our projects. His position as “Editorial Development” is loosely defined because it has to be. He brings to us as many editorial opportunities as he does in-house projects, so we have grown dependent upon his insights, as well as on his ability to accomplish such great projects as the Dalton Boydster.

A True Car Enthusiast

Dalton is, if not an editor, a true car guy. He has owned, built, bought and swapped more cars, trucks and motorcycles than an entire club of automotive enthusiasts. And, unlike those of us who sentimentally attach ourselves to our cars, when Dalton is done with his, if he outgrows it, he has no compulsion when it comes to selling or trading it, moving on to his next automotive love affair. I admire the fact that he is able to do this. I have much more difficulty in this area, and as a result, I listen to his advice.

The Birth of the Dalton Boydster

Because Dalton has been involved in every project we have done thus far, his personality can be found in each. When we learned of Boyd Coddington’s plans to offer fiberglass replicas of his Boydsters, Dalton and I discussed the possibility of building one. We both agreed that these ’32s truly represented modern rodding. They are about the prettiest, best-proportioned roadsters, and they are affordable. So, while we did no more than discuss what could be, unbeknownst to me, Dalton set out and made his own arrangements with Coddington, and what you see here is the result of these efforts.

The Build Process

This is, however, one car that Dalton did not build himself. He had a hand in the basic decisions of what would make up the car, including its looks, its color and interior, but he allowed Coddington’s shop to build the car. Dalton assembled the parts Coddington would need, beginning with a 320hp 302 Ford crate engine, topped with an Edelbrock manifold, Demon 750 four-barrel and MSD ignition. His reasoning for not putting a 351 or 396 in the little car was simple—he thought the car would perform well enough as is and would be fun to drive and, above all, dependable. He has been right on all counts. The car drives and handles as well as any we have driven. He also felt that if the car needed more spunk, a set of bigger cylinder heads, a camshaft and induction would quickly fix that. He is correct there, as well. He finished the engine installation with Zoops pulleys, Sanderson headers and Borla stainless exhaust and mufflers.

The Chassis and Components

The chassis is Coddington’s, with Coddington’s billet independent front and rear suspension. The transmission, an AOD TPI unit, includes a 2,200-stall-speed converter, controlled via a Lokar shifter. Ford Racing dress-up items finish the engine. Goodyear 175/55-15 front rubber rides on 7-inch one-off Boyd Coddington wheels. At the rear we also find a matching pair of knock-off-style Coddingtons, 17×9.5 inches wide, wrapped with 255/55-17 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. The coilovers are Carrera adjustables. Final drive is 3.70:1 rear gears, with positraction.

A Factory-Level Build

The car is as you would buy it from Coddington, if you were to have his shop build one. There is a “factory” at his shop to turn these things out in a personalized manner, and this allows you upgrades and wheel and tire choices, leaving only color, engine type and interior as alternatives. The BB incorporates Boyd’s unique IFS, which is mostly hidden by the sweeping front fenders. This car actually began life as a highboy, to better showcase the beautiful work that has gone into Boyd’s new design. However, early on, Dalton altered his plan to incorporate fenders, and we’re glad he did. The full-fendered version is just awesome to look at. To add to the swoopiness, Dalton incorporated flush-mount Precision Rodware LED taillights, so nothing protrudes on the body.

The Signature Boyd Red

The car was going to be red from the outset, so Dalton went with DuPont and ordered—what else?—its infamous Boyd Red. He then made a trip to Gabe Lopez’s upholstery shop and had the color matched for the leather used on the interior. Lopez created the interior design after discussing its details with Dalton.