Projects Long Island ‘36 Ford 5W Rescued after 50 years

You sure didn't lose me over the transformation. I totally get it. Very similar to my current 40 Coupe project. Typical 70's "Street Rod" and rock-solid car, well, except for the collision damage. The repairs led to removing everything "Street Rod" related including the Red velour high back buckets. and bringing it back to a true Hot Rod from the 60's. Best decision I've ever made. Make yourself happy and start with the best you can find. You've done well!

 

Great job saving the car and making it safer to drive. Plus looking a whole lot better. I thought I saw a T-5 in the one engine install pic, that's a good choice for a driver. No such thing as too low for a custom IMHO. Nice work, I'll be watching for progress pics as you do more.

 

What a transformation, the guy that did all those "modifications" should never be allowed to use a cutting torch or welder again! It must feel good in removing all that butchery. Keep posting pictures on your progress, nice job.

 

I know of a '36 that is stashed in a local home by me. I have not seen it in years, no idea if the car is still there.

Another old time hot rod local, he took a '37 Ford coupe back to showroom stock. And painted gloss black. The man is an artist.

My buddy sold him a Ford truck flattie around 1978. He gave us the tour of his shop. Lots of Model A stuff in good shape.

 

My buddy shared this build with me, love your 36 Coupe. I'm building a Custom as well.

 

Great job
Nice car
You’re like a groom on his honeymoon

 

You got it safe to drive , reliable and ready to cruise when the sun is shining. Very Kool

 

Too cool.

 

So Cal 1958

Hello,

Going back in history is what I have been doing a lot in recent times. Being in our old age years, there is plenty of history to peruse. But, ever since I saw a 36 Ford, it has always been there locked into the brain from teenage hot rod years to the current meddling brain actions. It always got pushed aside and stored, until something makes it surface and take center stage.

I recently saw an old ad from 1958 about Ed Pink and his Pink’s, Inc. Automotive Spe******ts shop in West Los Angeles. It was an active shop during those early racing times. This portion of Los Angeles had hot rod shop located in the area known to a lot of So Cal residents. From Compton to the South to San Fernando to the North, they were generally clumped in this Central Los Angeles area.

Over the years, it has closed, opened as other businesses. Mainly motoring activity of all sorts. Once established as an auto shop, the next owner or business moves right in place. The area is a few blocks from the current Peppermint Petersen building.

The location on Pico was a popular area. During our 20’s era, my wife and I were usually wandering around the discount record shops for the latest rock music album at very low cost versus the cost at regular record shops through out So Cal at the time. A $9.99 album in other big name stores and popular record shops was now priced anywhere from $2.99 to 5.99 tops. So, saving money as 20 somethings was important and this was one way to develop our record collection and save money at the same time !!!

When I saw this version recently, it took me back to those late 50’s time period of early hot rods and drag racing in So Cal.

Ed Pink was well known in the drag racing world. His early endeavors involved a Tahitian Red modified 36 Ford coupe. The painted shape on the rear quarter panel was/is a tribute to his dad’s Paint shop "Pink's Paint" from the early days.

Two versions of old artwork showing street use and compe***ion use.

The total rebuild and present day version:

Jnaki

The sightings of Ed Pink Engines and history in drag racing are one of those engines we see and wish we had them sitting in our own hot rods. This 36 Ford was a portion of his hot rod life that most have not ***ociated with the name and involvement. YRMV

Here are some of the old hot rods I liked and tried to draw for a Friday Art post. Not street rods, not “restomods,” just hot rods in my eye.
Manuel Reyes
A car show version with early scallops turned to flames, with pinstriping.
A mild chop + rake with Purple paint and Claw flames.

Even to a radical chopped coupe set up for the vintage hot rod division of the El Mirage Dry Lake Races and/or Bonneville when it is not flooded.

Not only did I go a little overboard with a different design, I made a custom RPU for those that did not just like Model A RPU builds. This one had an extended bed and cab that would fit two teenagers comfortably.
But, they are all hot rods and nothing else. No labels, no categories other than a mod here and there to accommodate the builder/driver(s) YRMV

 

Every picture tells a story, nice progress.

 

Great score! I thought the car as you found it with the hot 283 was very cool, but really like that you are going turning into a taildragger, it has a timeless appeal. It looks super solid.

 

I was concerned that the frame could be ruined as you got it, but I think you saved it. Nice work. The FH and T5 is a good choice. I have one suggestion; repair the battery hole in the firewall (like a '40) and put the battery in the trunk. I'll be watching.

 

Still a cool car that I keep coming back to. When you found it - those look to be 60 series tires- are they 15 inch? Do you think the rear fender is original, or was it trimmed for clearance? Thanks in advance.

 

NICE! Interesting interior choices. Post progress pics, please.

 

I’ll have to double check but I believe they are 15”. I don’t think the fender was trimmed at all, that part appears original. The only modification on fenders is where the running boards had been mounted before was smoothed, and possibly extended a bit.

 

Not much progress lately, but hopefully that’ll change soon!

One of my main goals was to be able to use a mechanical fan on the flathead. I despise electric fans (and aluminum radiators), and since the X member and firewall are hacked up anyways, I’m going to fit everything to my liking. Motor will be set back a fair amount from stock. Possibly going to use a pickup firewall to help clear everything



Also tracked down some running boards, old fender skirts and the missing 49-51 Mercury gas filler door! Unfortunately I haven’t had any luck with local paint shops to mix the correct ‘68 Cadillac Madeira Plum Firemist paint

 

Window stickers and decals are priceless ! Best of luck with this jem!

 

You know what might be cool? Make a filler piece to go between the modified fender and and the running board.

 

Shaun, you found yourself a great hot rod - yours is very similar to my '31 in that I too, found mine in Long Island, NY (read page 1 on my build thread) built in the late 60's and sat from '76 till I bought her in 1995, still wearing the 1976 registration proudly on the windshield!

Your '36 has the look that is spot-on 50's and your progress is impressive, with only a few months into her! Subscribed and watching eagerly - keep up the great work Shaun!

 

Nice work on a cool car. I'm not a fan of the skirts though. Living on Long Island, there are a lot of old cars still here in finished and unfinished conditions. Some are reasonable and some not so much.

 

I know of some from over the years, packed away in garages, largely forgotten with junk stacked on top of them.

I was following a '51 Merc for years, a real '60s chopped hot rod. Rumor was that the owner was locked up for a long time. It was in his mom's garage. One day I p***ed the house, garage open... no car.

I was trying to buy this '63 Falcon with a 460 Ford in it... the owner refuses to part with it. He also has vintage complete funny cars on the premises.

 

What a great find , take good care of it and maybe see you at a show one day !

 

WOW WOW,,,,nuff said

 

You like flatheads, I like SBC’s…otherwise I like where you are going with this. The 36 won the lottery, when you bought it! Nice save, cool custom.