This 32 coupe was originally built by Vern and Keith Tardel in the 90s for Keiths Bonneville roadster partner Larry McKenzie. The car ran around the West Coast for quite a few years so will be familiar to many of you (first pic is the car when I got it). Originally it was flat black with a cream firewall. I was lucky enough to buy this car from a fellow hamber Eric a while ago and I know he had second (and third) thoughts about selling it, but a big public thanks he didnt need the hassle of selling to some mope from New Zealand, but I certainly appreciate it. There were a couple of non-period things about the car 8 inch, glued in screen etc, so I made a few changes to get a consistent late 40s So Cal lakes style (with the exception of the safety items). - Culver City quickchange (thanks to Squeak Bell), with 9 inch Ford axles (after I bent a drum and an axle puller trying to get the orig axles out!) - Wilson Welding 39 Lincoln brakes, late model Vette dual m/c + new lines - Louvered Hood - Windshield frame - Steel deck lid and shaved handle - Stewart Warner gauges and Bell Auto pressure pump - Seat upholstery - Pontiac taillights - 40s (6 inch) Hollywood licence light - Redid the back half of the exhaust to get it exiting down the rails - Licence plate in New Zealand we can make personal plates up to 6 letters/numbers and amazingly this wasnt taken. I was always going to run a 32 CA plate, but then lucked out and found 3W1920 and xxxx32 from the same guy so cut the two and welded them together + a bunch of small details (correct door handles, removed radio antenna and door mirror, changed the front wishbone tie rod ends, covered front shocks, threaded the fuel cap etc) including a number of things required by NZ law (high level stop light, drive-shaft loop, dual m/c) Motor is a 49 Merc, 3 5/16 bore, mild port, 400 jr, Reds adjustables, old Mallory dual point. 39 Box, open drive. Mor-Drop 3 ½ inch dropped front axle, Rear hung on 36 radius rods, A rear spring. F100 steering box, 40 column and wheel. Tires 450/475 and 750.
yeah, Eric misses it! but hes got another in the works, (hopefully i'm talking of the same Eric.) JEFF
The nicest 32 on New Zealand roads. Without a doubt. Can't wait to kick your ass at the Nostalgia drags Rob! Dale
that thing turned out great.........i know you've worked long and hard on it and been patient to unveil it here....... thanks for keeping me posted over the years....
yeh New Zealand has a fairly comprehensive certification process a modified car has to pass to get on the road and for a recent import like this, a third brake light is required. Also, no welded or bent steering components, all welding and fabrication checked + things like Z'ed chassis needs to be properly supported, driveshaft loops, brake and fuel lines secured every 12 inches, split pins everywhere, return springs on pedals etc
very ok .................now that period lic plate is from ???? looks like 3wlarrys twin sister without the tatoos and piercings ..and she din't party with the bad crowd til dawn
The Jalopy Journal
