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Those who know Ottawa, Kansas Roger Ward are almost certainly aware of his dry wit, his candid demeanor and his unique ability to create understated cars, one after the other. His talent in applying the most understated details to relatively unsung vehicles provides a lesson for us all that the best way to make a strong statement is to say as little as possible and do it your own way.

While his daily duties revolved around reworked body panels and refining those efforts with a paint gun, his lifelong hobby has focused those skills on a series of cars that exudes the same laid-back character which can be enjoyed in this extremely subtle, yet equally eye-?catching, 64 short-wheelbase Chevy pickup. As with so many trucks of this era, previous owners didn’t worry too much about retaining its pristine originality. Dented and rusty, this truck had been through the proverbial ringer, which made this conversion that much more difficult to achieve. Then again, Ward’s particular talents have made a great deal out of lesser vehicles, so this would simply be another test of his talents and another example of the skills he wields.

HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

Looking at the Stallion shows the influence of Unique Performance on Foose’s design. Actually, once you really sit down and look at the car, it appears to be a collage of design features from classic Mustangs, all herded together on the same car. The new front fascia replaces the stock headlight buckets with a large round light and smaller driving light, and this arrangement looks very similar to that found on the Unique G.T.500E. Horizontal billet bars replace the stock honeycomb mesh in the upper grille, shaped very much like the original ’65 grille, down to the offset Foose badge in place of the stock Mustang emblem. The lower grille contains another pair of round lights and more billet bars.

SUPER BEELIEVER

While it may be somewhat of a surprise that muscle cars have become some of the most highly prized cars on the market today, the prices people are paying for them really have enthusiasts reeling. With some cars easily surpassing the million-dollar mark at the Barrett-Jackson auctions and others swelling in value in the wake of it all—well beyond the prices paid for the most treasured of European exotics—muscle cars have been transformed into commodities. That’s a good thing and a bad thing.

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STUBAN’S STATEMENT

Top Craftsmen Unite to Create a ’32 Like No Other

Author

Stephen K. Anderson

Photography: Josh Mishler

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If you think you’re particular about your street rod—the quality of the build, the effectiveness of the drivetrain and chassis, and the aesthetics of the entire effort—consider what it must be like for someone who has specialized in high-level manufacturing for most of his life.

So it’s been for Joe Stuban, a lifelong car enthusiast who has been closer to the source of automotive invention than most us will ever have the chance to explore, creating tens of thousands of stampings and assemblies for every imaginable vehicle that’s rolled out of Detroit over a period of 25 years. Yet, while his experiences have certainly been a blessing, in that he knows what it takes to achieve greatness, it’s that much more of a challenge to attain those goals building the cars he loves so much.

Over the years Stuban has been able to explore his automotive passion with a number of exceptional Chevys and an impressive string of street rods, including some that have graced these very pages. As before, the motivation for this slick Deuce roadster came from his predilection for perfection, which continually pushes him to reach beyond previous achievements in search of something better.

Starting with an insightful array of Eric Brockmeyer’s inspiring illustrations, each based upon ideas gained through lengthy conversations with Stuban, the project started taking shape almost three years ago. It was then that Neil, Jeremy and Phil Gerber at the Roadster Shop began assembling the underpinnings for this ’32 convertible roadster with the intended goal of creating a ground-hugging stance, as well as a great-handling driver. Yes, that’s right: Stuban plans to be driving this ’32 by the time you read this!

To get things started, the frame was lengthened 4.5 inches, pushing the front wheel forward on a 112-inch wheelbase, which, again, was based on the length-versus-stance ratio exhibited in Brockmeyer’s drawings. After all, while low is cool, it’s easy to undercut function when the frame drags on the pavement. To achieve the perfect balance, Stuban turned to Air Ride Technologies to create a ShockWave system that could be tucked neatly behind the grille and beneath the floor in back. The rear portions of the framerails were also kicked up for more clearance above the 9-inch Ford rear axle carrying well-detailed rims. These 20×10 Dayton triple-cross wire wheels feature Brockmeyer-inspired black spokes laced between chrome hubs and rims framed by 295/40ZR20 Kumho gold-stripe radials that stand out against the deep-black body panels.

In front, the frame was Z’d and fitted with another set of airbags positioned just ahead of the radiator to manage flawless independent front suspension components from Heidts. Wilwood calipers and rotors were utilized front and rear, and a Sweet Mfg. manual rack-and-pinion steering unit joined with ididit’s “shorty” steering column topped with a special wheel. From there, Stuban can maintain those beautiful 17×7-inch Dayton wheels fitted with 205/40ZR17 Kumhos.

While several engines were considered at first, history led Stuban to an ’05 5.7-liter Chrysler Hemi from Street & Performance that unites a combination of carbon fiber, chrome and slick black paint detailing for a look all its own. It also benefits from Momar’s LS1 coils, harness connectors and modified cam trigger, and MSD’s crank-trigger wheel, which required a special indexing key enabling external mounting rather than the stock internal positioning.

To give this modern Hemi a vintage look, the second set of spark plugs, which simply assist cold starting, was disabled without any detrimental effect on driveability, thanks to the expertise of Mike Petralia at Hardcore Horsepower. He also dialed in every aspect of the drivetrain, including the custom Momar fuel injection system from Acme Technology, which utilizes sleek air intakes from Greening Auto Company that add to the appeal, as do Greening’s milled two-piece valve covers, wire supports and oil pan.

Farther back, a GM 4L60E automatic transmission is suspended from specially made bracketry just ahead of a specially made driveshaft from Inland Empire. To accommodate the gearbox, along with a purpose-built Rock Valley Antique 15-gallon fuel cell divided in two segments, Jeremy at the Roadster Shop carefully formed portions of the floors and rear inner wheel wells around those contours. As a result, clearance around the chassis and the twin exhausts is right in line with the low overall stance.

Next, the car was off to Greening, where the remaining metal finishing was completed. Then the steel Dearborn Deuce convertible body was lengthened to suit the chassis, while every panel was taken to the next level of exceptional. From there, Greening shaped the floor enclosures, cockpit and trunk areas, rear rolled pan, radiator cover, lower cowl, slimmed grille shell and the three-piece hood. Attention then turned to reconfiguring the convertible top with a flush-mounted brow and repositioned center bow to give the top a speedier rake. Next came the installation of Greening’s threaded headlight rings, taillights, molded exhaust exits, parking lights, signals, doorsills and other cool touches that complete a level of detailing few cars have equaled.

Then came the color decision, and while many combinations were considered, Stuban followed Brockmeyer’s lead once again and decided on black with some accents, but not just any black. Celebrity shooter Charley Hutton teamed with DuPont’s Ron Skyrme in choosing Hot Hues Jet Black Chroma topped with a ChromaPremier clearcoat that looks fantastic. Soon after, it was decided that a Gold Frost Pearl stripe would begin with a flamed flourish extending rearward in a 0.25-inch pinstripe, and as you can see, it finished things off nicely.

With the body painted and positioned on the chassis, it was time to decide on the interior details, and as before, this important step benefited from the combined expertise of several visionaries. It’s not every day you can access rodding legends such as Hutton and the Greening crew, and Stuban took full advantage of their input, eventually deciding on a combination of “basketball” orange and black Porsche leather united in a special way by Wayne and Pam at M&M Hot Rod Interiors. Great care was employed as they blended these colors, with thin orange accent lines running through the black panels in the seats and door panels, a touch that follows to the steering wheel, column knobs and trunk.

Other interior touches add to the appealing leather, including a beautifully accented dash insert (also from Greening) fitted with Classic Instruments gauges, while a simple package tray provides storage beneath the dash. The custom console also offers its own clever touches, including Retrotek Speed’s push-button Smart Shift system, which does away with conventional shifters. In keeping with this advancement, a push-button ignition system has also been utilized within the confines of a sleek console, creating a clean and effective transition into the modern era of street rodding. Still more controls are concealed beneath the console door, including controls for the Air Ride system and a well-concealed Pioneer audio system that easily makes its presence known. With Greening’s stylized billet aluminum pedals, billet steering wheel and other clever touches, there’s no mistaking this environment.

Since the car was finished, Stuban has gone to great lengths crediting the many talented individuals who enabled him to realize his most adventurous vision to date. He also brings attention to companies such as Advanced Plating for perfecting the chrome and, again, DuPont’s Hot Hues, whose products have enhanced Stuban’s favorite rides for decades.

Having debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show, this exceptional roadster has also enjoyed the praise of countless enthusiasts at numerous events throughout the nation in the months since, and now you can enjoy it here.