When I was young I would've thought, "man they need to get rid of that column shift pronto". These days I dig column shifters. Even my younger self would've have admitted; they're pretty damn fun to drive.
Great car… First look/glance at pics wondered about big bright red floor shifter…. Duh, zoom in to see a gas can on floor. Homer Simpson moment, laughter at myself
That is the car that defines timeless. I've been looking at photos of it for over 60 years and it looks every bit as good and maybe better than it did then. The signiture headers have always been my way of knowing that it was "that" car though. As far as "Traditional" I'd say it is one of that group of reference cars for what a traditonal car is. As far as I know it was never "Updated" and then put back to the original build as many cars have been.
Iconic or should I say ICONIC! Not just a "top 75" car either, a top five pick in my view. I tend to be a bit more contemporary in my view of the perfect deuce roadster but the pedigree of this car is unquestionable. With the proliferation of recreations, clones or just restorations of so-called traditional cars from "days of old" I have seen boatloads of black cars with steelies/caps, etc. still love them, just (kind of) had my fill of them, then the Stewart car surfaces, so basic but missing nothing, even the hood to grill shell stainless band just looks right on this car. Was also a time when I thought the high roll seat back seemed so outdated but again on the right car such as Axles' it would look wrong any other way. It's all there!
I have literally known this car my entire life. Bob and my father were lifelong friends both starting life in San Diego. I have ridden shotgun in that roadster for thousands of miles, worked on it both in the shop and on the side of the road. I have decades of memories around that car. The roadster is amazing, the quality, the fit, the finish is top notch. The car is just as nice under the carpet and in the trunk under the upholstery as it is on the outside. John is the best caretaker for the car because he actually will take it out and drive it and use it for the fun it should be used for. Bob wanted that way. Ed and Bob in the roadster
Thanks Ryan for finding the time to bring it here. Iconic fer sure. The headlight mounts seem changed from the pic above. The car is perfect either way. I have the column in my garage going into my coupe
Can't remember what magazine is was featured in after Lil Axle rebuilt it but I studied that article for hours, over and over. Great car.
Here's some pics of Ed "Axle" Stewart's Roadster from my 1932 Ford Historic Hot Rods @ 2022 PBCd'E thread: Bob Stewart in Ed "Axle" Stewart's Deuce Roadster at the START of the 2022 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance image by @John D'Agostino image by @Chopperken Gross images by @V8RPU image by Jeff Romig
@chryslerfan55 This was MY best friends coupe. Alex “Axle” Idzardi This is a different “Axle” but both knew each other because of my family’s connection. Kinda ironic that my fathers best friend and my best friend both had the nickname Axle.
The door hinge things were done in the ‘40’s by Ed. Bob removed them when he redid the roadster. I don’t know specifically when Bob removed them but there was about a 30 year span of rebuilding the car with many starts and stops from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. The roadster now has hidden hinges that Bob created using ‘56 F100 door hinges. That in itself is an amazing work of art.
I could be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time) ... but I somewhat remember hearing (or reading) that John Vesco: ... did the "faired / frenched" door hinges: ... for Ed.
Damn straight. You're living the dream Joey! Really appreciate your work. Good luck on your Winters venture.
The Jalopy Journal
