WHO NEEDS THE LOTTO?

Bob O’Conner’s Big Idea

Bob O’Conner, the Irish kid from Syracuse, is a guy with a good idea. In his wisdom, O’Conner perceived that there were many rodders in his area and that they needed an event schedule of their own. He created an outfit called the Right Coast Association, whose concept phrase is “cool cars and hot happenings.” O’Conner and the other two guys in his organization (who are both named Bob, by the way, so they saved a ton on monogrammed T-shirts!) have created a series of events that have staggering attendance. The Syracuse Nationals last July drew in excess of 6,500 participants and 70,000-plus spectators. Those numbers top many left-coast events.

The Giveaway Car Concept

A well-organized, fun event is always a great draw, and the Bobs knew how to add to the appeal: they give away a car, and not just any car. This year’s prize was the fine handiwork of Dave Tucci, chief cook and bottle washer at Tucci Engineering.

Tucci’s Custom ’37 Ford Pickup

Tucci needs no introduction to most super rod enthusiasts. Working out of his home shop in Marcy, New York, the young rodding mafioso designs and builds some of the swoopiest cars on today’s scene. The Right Coast giveaway ride this year was a ’37 Ford pickup unlike any other. This truck is low and mean looking, with a passenger-style nose that never had a home on a commercial vehicle in Henry’s day.

The ’glass body started life at the Wild Rod Factory in Canada. Taking an old car and moving it beyond its time seems to be a specialty at the Tucci shop. Space-age and still all hot rod is a close approximation of the credo at the T-man’s shop.

Chassis and Suspension Upgrades

California Dreamin’ Hot Rods in North Tonawanda, New York, was the shop of choice for the chassis fabrication. A ’37 Ford frame was utilized as the basis of the project, and from there it’s all new. Keeping the Ford theme intact, the underpinnings are Mustang front and rear. A 4:30 ’68 Mustang rearend was narrowed 5 full inches and hung with ShockWave springs. A Scott’s Hot Rods front end with a 2-inch drop utilizes Mustang II spindles, and steering and is cushioned with Air Ride Technologies springs and shocks. Holdup duties are accomplished with stainless steel brakes front and rear. The wheels really set the proportions for this car. Colorado Custom 20×9.5s at the rear tilt it down to the Colorado 18x7s under the nose. Grippage is by Falken, both fore and aft.

Powertrain and Engine Specs

Choosing Ford all the way keeps the theme, and builder Tucci stuck to his guns with a fresh ’04 347-inch fire-breather. Actually, a crate motor, the “little” stroker, receives its sustenance from an Edelbrock carb and intake combination. Portions are regulated by a Crane cam, and the 10.5:1 pistons, the heads and the crank and rods are all from Ford Motorsport. A Mallory ignition sets it all on fire, and Edelbrock valve covers and air cleaner provide the aesthetics in the engine bay. Street & Performance headers route exhaust to the Flowmaster Hush Power mufflers. The powerplant buildup was done by Riverside Performance in Tucci’s home stamping grounds of Marcy, New York. The balanced beast makes a respectable 375 horses at a max shift point of 5,500 rpm. The FoMoCo auto trans was dialed in at TPI in Griffith, Indiana. It uses a Lokar shifter and has a custom 2,800-rpm stall-speed converter. A finned aluminum trans cooler maintains functional temperatures.

Body and Paint Details

The extensive body rework and subsequent paint job were performed by Mike Blair’s Custom Paint in Marcy. The unusual color is PPG’s Citrus Yellow, which looks as if it’s been color-shifted just a little by Blair. The only areas that Blair didn’t paint are the undersides of the body, fenders and running boards. They were finished in a color-matched spray-on bed-liner material by East Coast Truck Accessories in nearby Whitesboro, New York. Bumper free, the truck relies on ’37 Ford-style headlights and custom-made taillights for safe illumination.

Interior Craftsmanship

Inside the cab, pilot and passenger cruise in comfort, seated in Glide Engineering custom seats that were covered in a creamy tan vinyl by Auto FX in North Tonawanda. The custom dash originated at the Wild Rod Factory and is the repository of Haneline instruments. The wiring is by American Autowire. The final interior touch is provided by a Colorado Custom steering wheel. While primarily assembled by Tucci Engineering, the finished project is really the result of the collaborative efforts of suppliers and craftsmen who donated time and effort to the giveaway car.

Meet the Lucky Winners

What of the recipients of this fine prize? That would be Mike “Mr. Lucky” O’Brien and his wife, Connie, of Collinsville, Connecticut. The O’Briens own a shop in New Hartford called Time Was, where Mike builds hot rods and customs and does automobile restoration. O’Brien was a participant at the Syracuse Nationals and was thereby eligible for the prize. He is a car fanatic and owns a few other cool rides, including a ’51 Chevy custom that is a replica of one of his cars from high school. He also has a restored ’57 Chevy and a ’23 T-bucket. Connie’s daily driver is a ’73 Vette, and Mike also built her a ’34 Ford cabriolet hot rod for when she just wants to feel cool. The lady takes a back seat to no one when it comes to autosports enthusiasm.

Luck on Wheels

Apparently, the O’Briens have never won a dime playing the state lottery in their home state of Connecticut. However, we’re thinking that Mike is a pretty lucky guy. Not only was he chosen to receive the big prize giveaway car, but his wife also loves hot rods! That, friends, makes Mike O’Brien one of the luckiest guys on the planet.