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History Anyone know this 1936 3-window?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by streetrodder51, Jan 12, 2024.

  1. Hey all!

    Just curious if anyone knows the back story of this '36. I know some of the history of the car back to maybe the 80s? Some parts are still fuzzy.

    Here's what I have. My grandpa was building his '38 Chevy in the mid 80s. when my uncle brought a friend over and said that his dad has a hot rod too. The kid ( I think his name was Derek.) brought the magazine over to show him. Which I have pictures below. My grandpa told Derek if his dad ever wanted to sell it he wanted first chance and Derek left the Magazine with my grandpa.

    What I kind of know:
    The car was brought to Janesville, WI by a guy named Lynn Dowdy. In either the late 70s or early 80s. It bounced around a few unnamed owners in Janesville. Then ended up in storage near Richland center, WI until 1999 or 2000.

    What I do know.
    Around that time Derek, called my grandpa up and wanted the magazine back. Derek had said that he had a couple buyers for the car and wanted the magazine back. My grandpa and Derek ended up making a deal on the phone and he bought it site unseen. My grandpa had possession of it until 2013 ish when it was sold to a family friend. From 2013 until September 2023 it was with him. The family friend put less than 20 miles on it in 10 years. In September of 2023, He called me up and said he is done with the car and I should come and get it if I want it.

    What I would like to know.
    If the guy who built the car, or knew the car back when it was first finished in Odessa, Texas (According to the article in the magazine.) is still around so I could talk to him. or anyone that remembers the car from when it was done.

    Thanks everyone!

    Feel free to tell me your thoughts on the car.

    1936-1.jpg 1936-2.jpg 1936-3.jpg 1936-4.jpg 1936-5.jpg
     
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,673

    alchemy
    Member

    A very distinctive car which I remember from magazines back then. Sorry I can’t help with any ownership though. Not many hot rods/customs that look exactly the same 50 years after built.
     
  3. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,625

    brady1929
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I love it.
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  4. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,374

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    Wow...that louver pattern on the hood is SO cool!!
     
  5. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,853

    goldmountain

    I remember the article. Hard to forget the vinyl top.
     
  6. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,042

    catdad49
    Member

    Wow, that thing was well cared for. Enjoy!!
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  7. Thanks for the replies guys!
     
  8. Sweet car !!!

    what are the wheels off of ?
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  9. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 5,032

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    I think a guy named Henry owned it at one time .
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  10. The wheels are just a stock steel wheel with a cover.
    Unsure what the wheel covers are off of. They are made up of individual little chrome rods. Haven't seen any others like them.
     
    VANDENPLAS likes this.

  11. That’s what I was asking about the wheel covers . Well , what ever they are off of , there perfect . Just like the rest of the car !!!
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.

  12. Thanks!
     
    VANDENPLAS likes this.
  13. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,957

    pprather
    Member

    The magazine article gives Ed Farmer of Odessa, Texas credit for the build.
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  14. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 3,881

    SS327

    Early 70’s Ford LTD or Corvette?
     
  15. rustydusty
    Joined: Apr 19, 2010
    Posts: 2,510

    rustydusty
    Member

    Great find! This car is a “time machine”…
    So many “found” cars on this forum have been left out in the elements and sadly neglected…
     
  16. I've done some google and Facebook searches with no luck.

    Figured I may find someone on here that was from the area that may point me in the right direction.
     

  17. I've looked online. Find a lot that are similar. But not exact. I'll try and get a close up picture of them.
     
    SS327 likes this.
  18. It makes me want to say "coo-pay".
    .......And I mean that in a good way. It's like it's dressed up to go to town and not a more minimalist "coop".
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  19. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,214

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I always get nervous when I see vinyl tops on cars that did not have them from the factory. I can see only two reasons for them. Either bad taste or bad bodywork. Lets hope it's the Former, although the fact that it's chopped is not encouraging.
     
  20. Those sure aren't the same "motorcycle" taillights.
     
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  21. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,957

    pprather
    Member

    upload_2024-1-15_15-28-46.jpeg

    These with a different cover over the center cap? 68-69 LTD.
     
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  22. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 20,249

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    The LTD covers have the fins/rod bending the wrong way. Real close though.


    What a rad 36!
     
    streetrodder51 likes this.
  23. Bluestreak-PA
    Joined: Apr 14, 2012
    Posts: 86

    Bluestreak-PA
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Erie, PA

    From April 13, 1975 issue of Odessa American (Odessa TX)
    1975.04.13 - Odessa American (Odessa TX).JPG

    From April 13, 1975 issue of Odessa American (Odessa TX)
    1975.04.17 - Odessa American (Odessa TX).JPG
     

  24. Holy ****!

    Where did you find that?

    That's awesome! Thanks for sharing!
     
  25. Just went and took these tonight.

    The center Ford caps were machined at the shop my grandpa worked at before he retired.

    1936Cap2.jpg 1936Cap1.jpg
     
    VANDENPLAS likes this.
  26. ronzmtrwrx
    Joined: Sep 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,454

    ronzmtrwrx
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm wondering if it was some kind of aftermarket wheel cover. You can see in the earlier photos that the centers were different. Interesting. Very cool car by the way.
     
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  27. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,957

    pprather
    Member

  28. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,957

    pprather
    Member

    After doing some searching with Google lens, I would guess it's an aftermarket hubcap.
    Are those 15" wheels?
     
  29. They are 15"s

    I was leaning toward an aftermarket cap as well. They aren't solid. You can look between the bars and see the wheel.
     
  30. WiredSpider
    Joined: Dec 29, 2012
    Posts: 1,287

    WiredSpider
    Member Emeritus

    They look like the cover on an oscillating fan to me
     

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