BIG BLUE
December 23, 2006
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
FINALLY, A JON MOSS SPECIAL EDITION
Over the years, Jon Moss has been one of the few staunch supporters of the Chevy Bow Tie image, even when there wasn’t much to get excited about. Here’s a guy who took it upon himself to argue the fact that a company such as Chevrolet, which built its considerable reputation on performance and racing, continues its domination within this high-profile segment.
BOSS!
In 1969 and 1970, Ford produced a pair of unique vehicles designed with only one purpose in mind: to take back the SCCA Trans-Am series crown from Chevrolet. After stunning success with the ’65-’67 Mustangs, Ford lost the title to Chevy’s Camaro in 1968, and many felt that the car’s “tunnel port” engine was the culprit. Ford drastically rethought its engine program and came up with a legendary solution.
Almost Twins
Two of a kind? Not quite. Chip Rhodes’ ’68 Nova SS clone and Donnie Childers’ ’66 Chevelle are as different as they are similar. Different body styles, small block vs. big block, SS vs. non-SS—but, my, there is a family resemblance: pale yellow in color, each with a black vinyl top, black interior and gray five-spoke wheels. Fraternal twins, then?
Spotlighter
NEIGHBORHOOD SEDAN
Sometimes It’s Best To Buy Locally
We’ve all heard stories of fellow street rodders who have searched far and wide for that special car. Weeks are spent on the Internet, days are spent stumbling through hot, dry, cold, wet, dusty or muddy swap meets, and even more time is spent at major rod runs, car corrals and cruise nights. Even with all that effort, time and expense, often times you still don’t find a particularly special car. Of course, you could do what Cecil Watts did and walk next door while your neighbor is having a barbecue for the hot rod club and say, “I didn’t know you were going to sell the Fordor—I’ll take it.” It was really that simple, and the best part is that the car is really special.
Author
Gerry Burger
Story & Photography
The Role of a Neighbor
Of course, to pull off this easy purchase plan, it helps to have a neighbor like Gary Moore. Gary is one of those guys who seems to come across more good-looking hot rods than the average guy, and when he sees the right car, he buys it. There’s little wonder how Cecil Watts had the confidence to slap leather that day. It didn’t hurt that the ’66 427 Corvette that was once in Cecil’s garage had been sold, leaving a rather large void in his garage.
A Very Nice ’32 Ford
The car we’re talking about is a very nice ’32 Ford. Done in basic bone and blue (yes, this car is dark blue), the Deuce has a great hot rod stance and is so tastefully done that many hot rodders remember the car. This is noteworthy because it is such an understated car. Oh yeah, and one more thing—this is not your average Deuce. This Deuce hot rod is based on the least likely of body styles, the Fordor sedan.
Origins and Acquisition
The car was originally built at Street Rods by Michael in Shelbyville, Tennessee. After the car was driven for a couple of years, Gary Moore came across the car in the swap meet at the NSRA Nationals. He purchased the car, brought it home to Melbourne, Florida, and parked it in his garage, which, of course, is right next door to the Cecil Watts residence.
Minor Fixes and Road Readiness
The Fordor was in need of some minor fixes, and Gary felt that a set of wires he had from an earlier hot rod would look great on the car. After powder-coating the wheels in a tasteful tan, he bolted them onto the car, and the Fordor was once again ready for the open road. It proved to be a great road car with a timeless look, one that Cecil just couldn’t resist.
Chassis and Suspension
The sedan rides on a Street Rods by Michael chassis that includes a 3-inch dropped Super Bell axle, Pete & Jakes shocks, and a Posies spring. A Vega-style steering box completes the front suspension. The 8-inch Ford rear is mounted with a set of parallel leaf springs and a second set of Pete & Jakes shocks. The wire wheels are from Vintique and measure 14×6 in front and 15×7 in rear, and the car rolls on Goodyear rubber that measures 195-70R/14 in front and 235-35/15 in rear.
Powertrain
Power for the Fordor comes in the form of the tried-and-true small-block Chevrolet connected to a 350 Turbo transmission. The ’85 Chevy engine has been bored over 0.030, bringing it out to 355 ci. An Edelbrock intake and carburetor feed the small block while an aluminum breather and valve covers dress up the engine. Ram’s horn exhaust manifolds exit through Flowmaster mufflers for a pleasing hot rod rumble.
Design and Body Work
One of the keys to success on this Fordor is the simple design. Using a Fordor, it was important not to get too flashy, so the body was left basically stock with simply the elimination of the rear-mounted spare tire, the filling of the roof insert and the substitution of a SoCal nosepiece on the grille shell. The body was rock solid to begin with, so Street Rods by Michael spent untold hours fitting the body and getting the panels laser-straight. When the body was finally prepped, it was covered in Mercedes Blue/Black. The color is so dark that virtually everyone mistakes it for black, but in the bright sunlight, blue highlights bounce off of the rounded panels.
Interior
The bone leather interior was done by Paul Atkins, and once again in keeping with the theme of the car, the interior was kept simple. A custom lower valance was built under the dashboard, and VDO gauges monitor the small block. Vintage Air provides heat and air, and the overhead console helps to keep the dashboard clean.
Timeless Hot Rod Technique
The end result is a fine Fordor that is memorable because of its classic good looks and the great restraint that was exercised while building the car. This is one of those cars that pulls into a cruise night and turns heads coming and going. It’s a lesson in timeless hot rod technique whereby the inherent good looks of the ’32 Ford are allowed to shine through the mile-deep blue paint.
The Deal Between Neighbors
And so the deal between neighbors was struck, the car moved west exactly one driveway, and it is now parked where a big-block Corvette was once found. To prove that this is one really good car, the two neighbors are not only still talking, but they also cruise to events and enjoy the sport of street rodding together. When it comes to good deals, it doesn’t get any better than this.
As with much of the rest of the car, Paul Atkins kept the interior design clean and fully functional. The bone leather and deep brown carpets work well.
The rear seat is a custom-built unit from Paul Atkins, and clean and simple are again the orders of the day. Note the basic and functional armrests built into the side panels.
Street Rods by Michael formed the attractive lower valence under the dashboard; it houses the A/C and drops down around the steering column.
A combination of painted and polished parts top the engine while the Edelbrock intake and other items were left cast for easy maintenance. Once again, beauty lies in the overall simplicity.
The overhead console houses courtesy lights front and rear, along with stereo controls.
Both doors meet in the middle on a Fordor, and the stock handles work just fine, thank you.
Henry Ford had a lot to offer in 1932, and most of it remains on this car. Cowl lights, headlights and hood hardware keep the character alive on this car.
A basic 3-inch dropped axle from Super Bell provides a righteous stance, and since the entire chassis and suspension have been powdercoated a medium gray, the car is easy to maintain and fun to drive.
Stock goodies like taillights, bumpers and the gas tank all look perfect on this Deuce.
The addition of wire wheels seems to really give this car character. The wheels are from Vintique, and the tires are Goodyears.
Restraint is something that works well with hot rod sedans, and this Fordor has a stock-height top. The roof insert was filled with a ribbed roof from a station wagon, and the look is just right.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Paul Atkins Interiors
1369 County Road 649
Hanceville, Alabama 35077
256-352-9608
Street Rods by Michael
120 Deery Street
Shelbyville, TN 37160
