Features The Ott Family Deuce 5wd Coupe: A Reunion Story

The Ott Family Deuce 5wd Coupe: A Reunion Story​

In 1954, 19-year-old Charlie Ott (of Santa Maria California) purchased a yellow 1932 Ford Model 18 (V8) 5-Window Coupe … less its flathead … for $60.

Charlie & his girlfriend, Dottie Canfield (of Los Angeles) were married the very next year (1955) . . . and by 1957, the couple decided to "Hot Rod" their Deuce 5wd Coupe.

Charlie painted it black and had the upholstery done in white & black tuck ‘n roll . . . he grafted several components from a 1956 Chevy onto the Deuce frame . . . including the:

• Independent Front Suspension
• Rear Leaf Suspended Rearend
• Front & Rear Hydraulic Brakes
• Firewall Mounted Master Cylinder
• Parking Brake

. . . and he installed a 303ci Oldsmobile V8 engine mated to a LaSalle top-loader transmission.

The next few years saw a couple “engine upgrades” for the Coupe . . . Charlie swapped out the 303 in favor of a 324ci Olds . . . and then a 371ci Olds.

Sometime in 1960, Dottie Ott was driving the Coupe in town (with their 2-year-old daughter as a passenger) when another motorist cut her off and she was forced to come to a very abrupt stop . . . which caused the toddler to hit her head on the dash/windshield.

Soon after that incident, the Ott’s ‘32 Coupe began 32+ years of "gathering dust" . . . It was parked in the family's Santa Maria home garage from ’60 thru ’72 . . . in Charlie’s mother’s Santa Maria home garage from ’73 thru ’93 . . . and then back into the family's Santa Maria home garage.

In 1995, Charlie decided it was time to get the neglected Deuce 5wd back on the road . . . so he dropped in a stock 283ci SBC and a TH350.

In 1996, the Ott's decided it was time to sell their ’32 Coupe . . . and it was purchased by Car Club member, John Bade (of San Diego California).

The Ott family lost track of their Deuce 5wd . . . until a decade or so ago when their son, Chuck Ott (of Livermore California) was shown a photo of his parent’s old Coupe in a 2004 "coffee table" book by Dan Burger, Robert Genat, & Dain Gingerelli entitled :

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Chuck attempted to reach out to the current owner to inquire if he would ever consider selling it . . . he left a voice message . . . but the gentleman didn't return his call ☹.

Fast forward to December 26th 2022, and Chuck @Ott's Garage Ott received a text from John @Papa Bee Bade (who now lives in Lemoyne Pennsylvania).

John’s text revealed that he had indeed received Chuck's voice message a decade ago but never replied because he had no intention of ever selling the 5wd . . . but that he had kept the voicemail all these years “just in case he ever decided to let the car go” . . . and was wondering if Chuck was still interested in the car.

Of course, Chuck was still interested! . . . and arrangements were made for him to purchase the car . . . but rather than ship or trailer the car to back to California, (our mutual friend & fellow Hot Rodder) Doug Caldwell suggested they DRIVE it back!

Due to the crazy weather the country was experiencing in January, February, & March, it was decided that Chuck & Doug would fly to Pennsylvania the first week of April.

What follows are the road trip photos (and captions) that Chuck & Doug posted on their pages … Enjoy!

 

DAY 1
Thursday April 6th 2023​

AM post:

So our journey begins, Day 1 with Doug Caldwell.

For those that haven’t heard, I bought back my Dad’s old ‘32 Ford 5 window coupe that he built around 1957, and it’s still basically the same today.

Today starts the adventure bringing it home, from Pennsylvania to California.

​

New tires, an oil change and lube, then back for a few more things…

​

PM post:

Day 1 starting our adventure is in the books. Put in a heater, packed some wheel bearings, wired in a couple of accessory ports to keep the Garmin and phones charged and we were off. Definitely have to be on your game behind the wheel but cruises good, 65 (easy), 75 and it purrs! 300 miles down and a few more to go! Cheers and thanks for the comments, likes and interest in our epic trip!

John (the previous owner) and I


heading out to drop off the rental


another stop for fuel​

 

DAY 2
Friday April 7th 2023​

AM post:

Good morning from rainy Virginia!

2 big guys in a tiny ’32, 1 windshield wiper and Rainex.

Its gonna be a great day!

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PM post:

Day 2 is done, toasting Coors Lights to a great friend and then bed. 542 miles, heavy rains, rolling hard, getting wet and laughing- doesn’t get any better. And yes the picture this morning out the windshield was the actual speed (go back and zoom in LOL).

Made it thru Nashville, got some cool pics (I’ve never been there, Doug has and was the guide). Marathon Automobile plant/mall, Marathon auto display, Antique Archeology store (American Pickers TV show store), Broadway cruise (that place is crazy!), and the Grand Ol’ Opry. oh and a stop at Bootlegger Harley Davidson store in Knoxville.

Truckers tootin' horns, people videoing, waving and commenting- Too much fun!

Enjoy the day, don’t put it off and love the ones in your life, cause life can change in the blink of an eye.

Cheers

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DAY 3
Saturday April 8th 2023​

AM post:

Day 3 started leaving Nashville area heading to Oklahoma City. As you can see not much leg room for two guys, 6’-3” and 6’-4” tall. Fuel stops every 125-150 miles just to out and stretch!

Last pic is temporary heater rigged up on a toggle switch with a shop vac hose for the defroster- sure came in handy yesterday!

Hope you all have as great a Saturday as us!

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PM post:

Day 3 is finished and our bodies are on agreement!

Thankfully its only a 12 gallon tank so we have to stop for gas and gives us time to stretch amd walk. Wow took a walk 5 times today so stayin healthy too!!!

Made it to my sisters and brother in laws for a visit, home cooked dinner- makes our trip even better.

Stopped on Memphis to see Beale Street, and why not stop by Graceland Mansion too while here?

Arkansas freeways were good, Oklahoma's not so good.

570 miles down, 4-1/2 tanks of gas and love the 75 mph speed limits (who ever drives the speed limit? Not us!) Put 1st quart of oil in too.1418 total miles so far!

Thanks again for following along on our journey!!!
 

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DAY 4
Easter Sunday April 9th 2023​

AM post:

Day 4 begins with Easter sunrise service with my sister and brother in law.

Top off the tank, grab some coffee and grub, back to I40 - westward bound!

Thought I would share interior pics of the car. Yep same interior my Dad did back in ‘57… Believe me when I say our butts can attest to sitting on a 67 year old seat!

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PM post:

Wow, day 4 is a wrap and we think we found our groove and our bodies aren’t screaming too bad tonight.

Moore, Ok to Arizona, thru 2 time changes and by my guess 13 true hours on the road with a few stops besides gas…

Giant cross and bronze figures of Christ in Groom Tx, luv bug VW Ranch, who cant stop at the Cadillac Ranch?, Cadillac RV Park (cause why not?).

Pics of an incredible sunset over the hood of a Deuce!

Stopped by the Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook Az for the for a pic and another place for the night . . . Look close at last 3 pics to see today's loss

We drove 774 miles, avg 13.8 mpg and 110 miles per tank. Switching off driving every tank fill kept us fresh, more alert and saved our bodies (that 67 year old seat isn't what it used to be!). Plus we were at dodging the potholes and horrible roads in NM.

Hopefully get Doug home tomorrow and me Tuesday…

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DAY 5
Monday April 10th 2023​

AM post:

Day 5 begins! This morning was a bit of maintenance since the back of the car has been increasingly splattered with oil- 2 quarts down in 2200 miles and engine started missing. Plus our mileage has been getting worse (but maybe that’s rolling at 80 mph?). Changed plugs adjusted carb and also found choke wasn’t all the way open- DOH! A suitcase full of spare parts and tools comes in handy!!! Speedometer cable started making noises so bad had to disconnect- thankfully Doug’s GPS has our backs!

Quick stop in Winslow Az for pics and now we are off to Doug’s home in the Bay Area.

Happy Monday!

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PM post:

Day 5 ends with the ‘32 making it to the final stop (on its own motivation) til I trailer it home tomorrow (don’t crucify me! . . . There’s reasons for it).

845 miles and 12 hour 50 minute drive today for a total of 3034 mile trip thru 11 states.

Early stop in Winslow, Az. otherwise it was hammer down and roll- had to get Doug home!

I have to give incredible respect and words of admiration to my Dad! He built this car in about 1957. He added IFS before it was a thing. He added rear leaf and “late” model (at the time) rear end. Juice brakes with a firewall mounted MC, (even the emergency brake) all out of a ‘56 Chevy. He dropped in a stock 283 SBC w/th350 that he built in ‘95 and sold the car in '96.

This amazing car made the trip with NO issues and we are both blown away how well it rides, we made it in one piece, we survived and are still great friends! Thank you Doug for doing this trip with me, sharing the adventure and the memories we made are priceless!

Pics of the sunset are as we dropped into the Bay Area, which was a perfect ending to the sunset of our adventure!

Proof of driving are bugs on a windshield and finally the little deuce coupe parked in Doug’s driveway.

Many thanks for following along on this journey!!! We have had a blast doing this and sharing, showing it can be done and greatly appreciate the comments, likes and messages!

Thanks again, I am beat, need a few beers and bed… Smiles for miles! Keep on Roddin!

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DAY 6
Tuesday April 11th 2023​

AM post:

Sadly day 6 is truly the end of the journey and due to logistics I have to trailer the 32 the last leg home. But before we loaded the car, Doug took his grandson for a ride around the block.

I will post again with pics with my folks for the reunion after 27 years later.

Cheers and thanks again for following us!!!

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PM post:

So heres the last post, end of Day 6 of this incredibly fun road trip.

The little Deuce Coupe, parked in its new home with new friends- personally I have the 2 most inconic cars Ford ever developed (ya i am biased and this is my belief so not trying to start a debate nor argument!).

My most heartfelt thanks to Doug, for suggesting we drive her home plus sharing his time to actually do it and to my Dad for an awesome build 67+ years ago (he actually bought the car in ‘54 if recall correctly).

I don’t think I will ever get over the fact that this car, sight unseen to us for 27 years, made this 3000 mile trip with no failures. WOW!

Until the reunion post, Cheers All!

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REUNION DAY
Thursday April 13th 2023​

Today was “reunion day” with my folks and the 32 that my Dad bought around 1954 and finished hot rodding around 1957.

Pretty special!!!

As we walked around the car talking about it, he said: “These running boards were NOS (new old stock Ford parts) when I bought them for $1.00 each!”

The history, the stories and his memories are priceless.

This made the 3000 mile journey even better and so worth it!

Charlie Ott reunited with the Deuce 5wd Coupe he Hot Rodded in 1957


Charlie & Dottie Ott with the '32 Ford he bought in 1954 when they were dating​

 

CARS & COFFEE
Sunday April 16th 2023​

Sunday morning drive down the Central Coast in the '32 to meet Dad at Cars 'N Coffee in Orcutt:

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Dads ‘33 Skirtless Vicky along side his 1st hotrod . . . Pretty cool after all these years! :

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LOCAL TV NEWS STORY
Wednesday April 19th 2023​

The local NBC affiliate, interviewed Chuck Ott (& his daughter Kendall) about REUNITING his parents with their old Hot Rod:

In this heartwarming and hard-to-believe story out of Paso Robles, a local man embarked on a cross-country road trip to reunite his parents with their family car.

"This is a 1932 Ford five-window coupe that my dad bought in 1954," said Chuck Ott. "He hot-rodded the car in 1957, he painted it, did the upholstery work, and the way you see the car, other than the wheels and hubcaps is exactly the way he built this car in 1957."

"It was the first car when my grandparents first met, that my grandfather was building as they were starting their family together all the way back in the 50s," said Chuck's daughter, Kendall Mello. "I think it spurred that hotrod excitement."

However, Ott's father sold the car in 1996, and roughly a decade ago, Chuck stumbled upon an image of the exact car in a catalog for collectors. He says he contacted the owner to ask if he could be notified if the car ever goes up for sale, and this past winter, Chuck's plan began taking shape.

"He sent me a text the day after Christmas, that said, 'I saved your voicemail after all these years and I didn’t have the heart to call you back then and say, no, I am not ready to sell it. But I am ready now, and are you interested?’' Ott recalled.

And when Chuck Ott learned that the family's classic Ford had been moved across the country to Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, he and a friend quickly booked a one-way plane ticket out there to pick up the car themselves and drive it back to the Central Coast.

"It was a total of 3,034 miles, five days of driving, a lot of sightseeing," Ott said.

He says he drove the 91-year-old Ford through Oklahoma to see family he hadn't seen in years, along with stops in Nashville, Texas and Arizona.

"It was tough coming across the Mojave Desert, 90-degree weather with a car with no air-conditioning, no radio, windows down, the air vent open," Ott admitted. "The back window rolls down so you can get airflow through the car, but it was still 90 degrees outside."

He says the trip had been put off for weeks because of the many storms that hit California earlier this year, but that it was all made worthwhile when he finally pulled the Ford into the driveway of his parent's home.

"Dad’s first hotrod. Getting it back was mind-boggling and I never thought it would happen…and just to have his legacy, his first car. It is pretty awesome," Ott said, holding back tears.

He says aside from one lost hubcap, his dad's car endured the entire journey from Pennsylvania to Paso Robles. The family is planning to take the car to car meets and showcases, and long-term, keep it in the family.

Ott says he was also active on social media throughout his road trip, where he grew a big following from car fanatics across the country who offered up their homes and businesses as pit stops during his 3,000-mile drive.​

NOTE: I was unable to embed the video in this H.A.M.B. thread . . . but you should be able to watch the News story in its entirety by clicking HERE.

 

Epic trip, thanks for the photos and especially the day to day commentary !

 

Golly Gee!
Amazing story from many decades and many miles.
Happens that I have made that trip more than a few times.
Glad you made the effort and share it here.
WoW

 

One of the best all time posts ever! Thanks.

 

Heartwarming !
Thanks for posting. Enjoyed reading the history and journey.
God Bless your dad and family !

 

Super wholesome!

 

That is a great story and post. Thanks for sharing it with us!!

 

Great story. Thanks for letting us come along for the journey.

 

I enjoyed a good tear jerking story!

 

Yep, great story. But, but , but. Did you notice it was a GM car with a Ford body???.
Still wondering why the trailer the last leg.

Ben

 

Wow. The trip alone was epic. The reward on the other end is priceless. Well done.

 

Great story, made my day!

 

Great story. I really like the early IFS swap because the best local hot rod of that era also had bumps in the front fenders to clear a 1957 Plymouth IFS. Period correct and unusual at the same time.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Congratulations on getting your dad's old hot rod after so many years, it is amazing that the car hasn't changed and the cross country trip is a testament to how well the car was built.

The photo of your dad with the car is epic, again congratulations on the homecoming. HRP

 

Many of us have driven our '32s cross country. But to do it in your Dad's 1957 built Deuce......PRICELESS! Thanks for the great story and pics.

Lee

 

And credit should go to John Bade(stubby) for keeping it the same, preserving it and contacting the original builders son when he decided to sell it

 

Made may day! Thanks for sharing your story. Great history and the cross country trip too? Awesome!

 

What everybody else said times 2!

 

Wow, great story, and the trip coverage was awesome!
KK

 

Man great post. I’ve never said it but thank
You for all the work you put in aggregating all these adventures and builds they are posted off site and building “bootleg” threads for them. I really appreciate the effort and the quality of what you do