Hot Rods Survivor hot rod 36 Ford coupe Turlock info?

I’m looking for late 40s early 50s dry lake photos and info on this 36 ford coupe I bought awhile back from the Modesto Turlock area. Maybe somebody knows somebody that was around that remembers the car or people. Thanks.

I bought this 1936 Ford coupe awhile back from a friend of Joe Forte who owned the coupe since 1954. The friend I bought it from was in his late 80s and purchased it from the estate when his buddy p***ed away in 2020. He gave me a little history on the car when I purchased it. He said that the car had the hottest flathead in the Modesto and Turlock area in the early 50s and was well known and street raced heavily. He was in the military with Joe and stationed in Turlock at the time. He said once ohv engines started taking over and the 265 came out Joe decided to pull the flathead out and install a new 265 this was in the middle of 1956 and the conversion was never completed and the car has sat since 56.

After bringing the car home a friend called and told me he knew more about the car and that he grew up next door to where the car was originally stored since the 50s. Jeff informed me that prior to Joe Forte purchasing the car in 1954 Frank Denis owned it a well known guy in the area that owned dealerships since the 50s. After some research I called one of his kids and he said that his dad always had fast cars and attended dry lake meets in the late 40s early 50s in his coupe and he sold the coupe to his buddy Joe in 54 and always tried buying it back over the years till he p***ed.


The 36 Ford coupe is untouched since 1956. Starting from the front the car has had the front fenders and horn panels leaded and smoothed together. Stock front axle with flattened spring. Has Ansen converted front hydraulic brakes where they took the mechanical ‘36 backing plates turned them upside down and drilled holes to install 1940 Chevy wheel cylinders. Has the full Ansen kit from 1950 including pre bent brake lines and pedal with master cylinder. This kit cost $95 in ‘50. Has aftermarket engine mount kit. 265 that was never ran or barely. The oil is still clear, Breather cap looks brand new, and no carbon in the exhaust manifolds. Engine is adapted to a 40 side shift trans also has 40 steering column. Has spotlights, chromed dash and garnish moldings, and leather seat dated 51 underneath that was dyed/painted body color. The rest of interior is original. Has 19,000 miles on odometer. Original 1956 registration on visor. White top insert. Has 39 tail lights, 41 ford gas door, and 41 ford bumper. Rear has 40 backing plates, tube shocks, 6” shackles, and panhard bar. Decklid and spare tire mount is shaved and trunk lid is on a choke cable to rear package tray. Has old water slide decals on windshield and rear window. I have the Evan’s heads from the race flathead that was in it and also the original 36 21 stud flathead with matching vin number on the deck surface. Here’s some photos. Thanks again

 

Great story, don’t see the photos, sorry.

 

Photos

 

Photos 2

 

Bad ***!!
Great find. Don’t change a thing.

 

Just when I think there can’t be another amazing story of finding an old hot rod, another one pops up here! What a COOL 36! Congrats on a great find!!!

 

Damn.

 

Congratulations on being the new caretaker. What are your plans for it?

 

Fantastic find, congratulations

I will make the pictures bigger by clicking big image.

 

What a great find of a time capsule.

 

WOW! Um - - WOW!

 

Cool! I can't help you with an I.D. but I sure am jealous. Congrats

 

A quick search yielded Frank Denis Jr (1951-2022) from Turlock, so it looks like his dad, Frank Denis Sr, was the builder.

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUPER, DUPER NOSTALIC FIND.
Rear tubular shock conversion is a good solution.
That 49-51 Mercury accessory steering wheel is an added bonus. Now very expensive ($3000+) and rare.

 

yes unfortunately I was talking to Jr. before he p***ed. He was the son that provided the information and was going to ask other friends and family about the car and search for photos.

 

My plans with the car are just to go thru the mechanicals and get it on the road. Which has been slow progress.

 

Great pictures, nice ride. Greatest looking headlights, and what a steering wheel. Will be following along.

 

Goodness Gracious, What a Find! Wish I was closer, I would help you get this ready to Cruise.

 

Incredible time capsule find. Congrats on being the next caretaker!

 

Thanks I got the brakes pretty much finished up just waiting on front hoses and started installing a new wire harness.

The old timer I got it from started to pull some wires out to hot wire the car and made a mess. His plans for the 36 after he got it from the estate of his friend who p***ed was to take it down to his buddy’s shop to have it mustang II , sbf and auto and a 8 inch installed. He recently just did the same “upgrades” to his high school hot rod a 34 3 window coupe that had a chrome dago dropped axle and chrome banjo rear with a hopped up flathead. I asked what happened to those parts and you don’t want to know the answer.

 

41 super deluxe rear bumper and guards. Looking cool.

 

Dang near perfect. And only needs a bath

 

Wow! Impressive!.....Nice save...keep us posted.

 

NOOOOOOO.........
At least you got to the '36 before anything happened.



$9.00..............?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

So glad you saved this car from ruin!

 

Yep he paid $9 in registration fees in 1954 that equals $102 in todays money. Seems pretty expensive for back In the day.

 

Who ever did the gas door and tail light install did a great job. Would be neat to find out that Winfield had a hand in it with him having a shop in Modesto during the same time and the original owner having money.

 

i'll bet anything gene would remember if so!

 

yea that’s a good idea I’ll call him and see.