Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I own a 1917 Ford Touring hot rod that was, I believe, built by Fred Gerhardt in Fresno around 1953. It has a 53 Buick 322, Dynaflow, 3 97s, 32 front and rear axles, a sectioned 49 Ford dash, and a unique tube frame that incorporates stock front and rear crossmembers. The body is channeled over the frame. The rear doors are welded shut and the steel body is mounted integrally with the frame. The suicide perch is mounted between the spring and the axle. The car has a perfect stance and it handles well, not surprising since it was built by a well-known race-car fabricator. The car spent most if its time in Fresno where it apparently went through two or three owners. But it spent most of its time in storage, so it survived intact. It looks like someone had a naugahyde interior professionally fabricated in the 1960s. The car was registered in California in the 60s and I have the black plates. Anyway, when I got the car it was all there but it took quite a bit of work to get it running dependably. Once sorted out, though, it has been a very dependable and fun rod, and I drive it as much as I can. Three years ago, one of the axle shafts sheared where the taper enters the hub. This, again, is a 32 V8 rear end. I had trouble finding an 18 tooth axle shaft. I did find a good 16 tooth axle (from a later year banjo) which has the same taper and keyway. I had my 18 tooth inner mated to the new outer by rifle drilling, slugging and welding. The repaired axle ran true. Well, last weekend - a few years and a few thousand miles later - that weld broke. I pulled it all apart today and it looks like the weld had poor penetration and it also seemed like the drilling/slugging was inadequate. So, now I need to find a good 18 tooth axle. Alternately, I can have my pieces again spliced together, as there is still plenty of meat, but this time it would have to be done properly. A third option is to have my rear modified to use modern hubs so that I eliminate the tapered ends. This is the strongest but it is not authentic to the way the car was built so I doubt I will go this route. The 32 rear is kind of weak for this application, but with the Dynaflow the rear does not see shock loading. Also, the car is light and the rear 7.60 x 16 Firestones are not that sticky. I should be able to continue using the rear that is in the car. It is important that I keep the car as original as possible. Nowadays folks call it a rat, but it was no rat when it was built. There are many custom-facbricated parts, many of them chromed, and no billet. This car was built to the standard of the day by a pro. I appreciate its 55 years of patina. I installed safety brackets the first time the axle broke. These are the type that bolt to the wheel cylinder and wrap around the drum. As a pure bolt-on, I can accept this even though this is not original to the car. I am glad that they were on the car, though, when that axle let go again. I'd appreciate it if anyone can help hook me up with a good 32 V8 axle (18 teeth), or if you can recommend someone who can properly repair my axle, or if you have any other ideas.
I worked for Fred in 1967 in Fresno building "Indy" racers and have a hard time visualizing him as a kid in that kind of rig. Id love to see pictures of it. I would imagine that there are a lot of very special custom pieces on it. Email pictures if possible to claudeb@montereybay.com Thank you Chief Silver Cloud
Hi Chief - I was told that after building it the car was stored in the rafters of his shop. In the early to mid-60s it was sold to someone else in Fresno - perhaps you remember seeing the car? It was originally yellow - the same pale yellow seen on the 'Ol Yaller' cars. Interior was tan. Car is now black/black. Here are a couple of shots. Do you recognize it? John
I never did see this. I was there in 1967. Thanks Chief Silver Cloud "If you can't forgive, don't ask to be forgiven"
Thanks, Fish. Chief, by 1967 this car was back in the barn. At that point it was either owned by the second owner (the person who had the present interior installed). From the California registration info I have, this was in 1963 to 1965. Apparently the car went into the barn at that time. I don't know if this was the same (the second) owner or if it went to a third person. However, the car remained in Fresno. I got the car from the estate of the person who owned the barn. Apparently there were quite a few cars in there. The estate was liquidated by someone else in Fresno - I believe he ran a salvage yard out there. Long story short is that the fact you did not see this car in 67 lends credence to the barn story I have pieced together from the various folks I've spoken with and the do***entation that came with the car. Are you still in touch with anyone in Fresno that might know this car? BTW I added the lake pipes. The original headers (four straight pipes out, then down, then to a large collector/muffler with outlets pointing to the rear that ran the length of the body) were badly rusted. I removed them and will some day either repair or duplicate them.
Hey, Fish, is that your 50 Dodge? At 16 I dropped a 283, Super T10 into my first car, a 50 Plymouth. In college I had both a 50 Pontiac 2 door and a 50 Dodge 4 door. I found a 49 Dodge for parts, only it was better than any of them so the 50 became the parts car for the 49. I drove that 49 for a long long time, then p***ed it to my sister, then she p***ed it to her daughter, and she blew it up! More time goes by and I track down my actual 49 Dodge, badly restored but running. It is safely tucked away and I want to chop it but undecided as to what motor to use. That's another discussion for another time. Anyway, nice to see your nice 50.
Very cool car. Hope you find some more history on it. You should re-post this on the main board...you will get more response. Thanks for sharing. Neal
Welcome aboard! I too have soft spot for the early tubs. While mine is built from a huge pile of un-wanted leftovers and has no history currently. Yours is cool and exactly the feel I am going for, I'll dig around and see if I can find any axles for you. No promises though as I tend to be more in the juice brake rears, but I'll put the word out. Thanks, Tim
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