THE RIDLER LOVE AFFAIR

The Challenge of Creativity and Criticism

It’s been said that in a perfect world, creativity would flourish without criticism. Most attempts to reach a certain artistic understanding are generally met by some degree of judgment, and sometimes offhanded ridicule. Call it a misunderstanding, envy even, but the bottom line comes down to outrageous personal expression, whether some understand the need for it or not.

Passion, Commitment, and the Cost of Creativity

Let’s be objective here. What we are discussing is the passion and commitment to go to the extreme, in every way, and that takes time, and time is money.

The Thrill of Innovation

For some, the idea of creating anything entirely new provides the juice—the excitement—and, most important, the satisfaction of doing what others have not done. Let’s face it, rod builders and owners have centered on the refinement of existing ideas by creating new versions of old favorites ever since Henry decided to build more than one car for one person. Then there are people like Ron Whiteside, whose intention was to alter and refine one of the most familiar shapes in rodding today.

The Appeal of Unique Design

It is not unusual for people like Whiteside to choose a particular car to build specifically because of the unusual or delightful aspects of its design. When done right, a righteous approach can bring added appeal to a car that otherwise would be just another collectible old car. And when you start with a car that has previously established itself as a favorite among the masses, achieving a top level of attention can be far more challenging, even when the efforts put forth are considered extreme.

The Competitive Nature of Car Shows

Standing out at a local rod run is becoming more and more difficult—car builders have become that good. Consider, too, the level of quality exhibited in so many street rods these days, right down to the everyday drivers. But to walk away from a top indoor car show with top bragging rights is an entirely different challenge, and an accomplishment akin to winning the Miss America pageant. In these lofty arenas, the way to the top can be as much subjective as objective, because it’s a lot like judging fine art.

The Journey to the Ridler Award

Spend five minutes at setup time at the Cobo Hall Detroit Autorama and you will instantly recognize the level of commitment and creativity that goes into some very fine cars. Spend a few days looking, and you begin to comprehend just how difficult it is to make a powerful statement with any one vehicle—there are just so many other beautiful examples looking for the same honor.

Whiteside’s Journey with the ’34 Ford Coupe

It’s a daunting task to be sure, and if Whiteside had fully understood what lay ahead when he began this project, we can’t be sure that he would have taken on the challenge in the first place. But then, that’s the interesting side of Whiteside. His adventure with this ’34 Ford coupe (dubbed the “Mercury Stallion”) began long ago and far away from the show circuit. Actually, his love affair with his ’34 began some 30 years before, in a place far removed from the kind of detail so commonly found at Cobo Hall.

Early Days of the ’34 Ford Coupe

As a youngster, Whiteside had a strong interest in drag racing, even though his skills had yet to approach those of his brother; it was this relationship that led to their lifelong friendship. Back in the late 1960s, Whiteside’s ’34 Ford was anything but flashy, in its gray primer, with narrow chrome-reverse rims up front with wider versions and cheater slicks stuck beyond the confines of the rear fenders. One look at the tattered tuck-and-button vinyl interior, and that small-block Chevy fitted with ’57 Chevy fenderwell headers, said plenty about the times, although other changes would follow. Those included a straight-tube front axle and a small gas tank positioned at the bottom of the front grille—both considered hot stuff in the day.

Evolution of the Drag Racing Machine

As time went on, the car began to take on a slightly more serious appearance, eventually sprouting a pair of Holley 660cfm four-barrels on a tunnel ram, a top-loader Ford four-speed with a Doug Nash kit, and an Olds locker rearend with 5.86 gears. In this form, the ’34 coupe could run 10.70s at 130 mph.

Renewed Effort in 1985

Many years were to pass, along with a military stint, before attention was turned back to the coupe. This was prior to a renewed effort in 1985, when Whiteside decided to take another route with his favorite Ford. This time he wanted to build a cool-looking street rod, although this, too, would go far beyond what he ever intended it to be. The idea centered on a few “basic” body mods, an updated chassis, as well as a reworked interior and new paint. As it turned out, “basic” was soon forgotten.

Body Modifications and Challenges

The shop he was working with at the time convinced Whiteside that certain body changes were in order, not the least of which centered on wedge-cutting the body. The top, too, was chopped. The problems came when a circular cut was made around the rear fenders that would allow the body to be raked forward. In removing the pie-shaped segments, the body lost most of its support. As you can imagine, this added a fair amount of frustration in the months that followed.

Metal Fabrication and Body Reconstruction

In an attempt to keep the overall shape of the body intact, Don Maki took over. Highly reputed in metal fabrication after spending much of his life restoring European classics, Maki quickly engineered a way to bring this coupe back into shape, and his process was under way. First, a new infrastructure was shaped from rectangular tubing to provide support for the newly modified body panels. A die was created to stamp a reshaped body reveal for the bottom of the body and doors. From there, the body was once again realigned. Little else was done on the car for the next seven years, until it was taken to Boyd Coddington for completion.

Collaboration with Boyd Coddington and Chip Foose

Once at Coddington’s, designer Chip Foose began working with Whiteside in finalizing the different elements that would take this car from weekend warrior to showstopper, although no one realized at the time the final destination in this 30-year journey. Everyone involved was hoping for greatness, but the idea of winning a Ridler was but a faint and distant dream.

Challenges and Setbacks

As it turned out, that dream was still some five or six years away, as many other developments would slow the construction process, often to a near standstill. While in the midst of a number of involved modifications, Coddington’s companies fell on hard times, which left Whiteside’s project between a rock and a hard place. Fortunately, it was all settled over time, and the little ’34 was again on its way to completion, only this time in Foose’s brand-new shop.

The Chassis and Drivetrain

The chassis took shape around a pair of trick SAC Hot Rod Products framerails pinched 3 inches at the rear. SAC is well known for its spectacular frame work, especially among top builders who have relied on SAC for many of their top cars since SAC opened its doors back in 1978. This one-off SAC work was done to allow added clearance for some fairly fat rubber, without having to step the frame, ending up with an unwanted Pro Street look. An ’82 Corvette rearend was fitted, while a ’96 version of Boyd’s independent front suspension enhances the front. Carrera shocks were used all around. A Fiat rack-and-pinion unit was added, along with Wilwood disc brake calipers and rotors showing through a set of Foose Nitrous Thrust wheels with real knockoffs and Nitto rubber (205/75-16 fronts and 255/50-17 rears).

Engine and Transmission

A basic ’96 Chevy LT4 V-8 was fitted in front, with a 700R4 gearing down the horsepower, and while we could go on about the various kinds of details it exhibits, we will save that discussion for later in this story. For now, we’ll simply say that while the drivetrain is fairly basic, considering the alternatives, it takes on an entirely different appeal in this car.

Bodywork and Final Touches

With the chassis and drivetrain in place, the focus shifted to the body, which was already on its way thanks to the efforts of Maki, who had already done wonders saving the body and reshaping certain aspects of this coupe. With that work already completed, Foose looked to the talents of his Foose Design crew, including Steve Greninger, as well as Doug Petersen, Bryan Fuller, and the good folks at Marcel’s. Their combined efforts brought countless changes together in a seamless fashion that belies all the hours that went into its creation.

Subtle and Unique Modifications

For most people, including many longtime rodders, one would think this car shares a great deal with other chopped coupes of its kind, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Position this ’34 side by side with another example, and you will soon realize the number of changes that go sight unseen. But once called out, you begin to appreciate all the extremely subtle modifications. Some of it can be seen in the amazing fit between the various body panels, the carefully bobbed front and rear fenders, the thinned A-pillars. Check out the revised hood line, the custom PIAA headlights, the custom grille, and the beautiful engine cover. You can see it in the larger picture, too, where the lengthened and tapered shape lends movement to the car’s look, although this is easily missed because of the