Projects BIGREDTODD'S 1951 FORD CONVERTIBLE, AND MEETING A 1950'S GEAR JAMMER CLUB MEMBER

About 6 weeks ago, I suffered the total loss of my '67 Olds 442 (not a HAMB car, obviously). On the quest to replace the 442, I was continually derailed by scammers, flakes...generally a miserable experience. During the search, I stumbled across a '49 Ford (by accident) that was identical to one that we had when I was a kid - a project I had sold over 10 years ago. It turned out to be garbage, but prompted a search of 1949-1951 Fords. I guess the rest is history. I found this older restoration, and though the color is not original I fell in love.

About a week later, I took a handful of cash and met a supremely cool cat who was a member of the Gear Jammers CC out of San Jose, CA in the 1950's. My buddy and I ended up spending a couple hours with him, chatting about everything from ex-wives to hot rods to politics to why he likes the diner where he took us to lunch.













The car is pretty good. Immediate needs are to lower the rear end down to reverse the rake, a little bit of paint detailing, and tightening up the front end. The stock 8BA burbles perfectly through Fenton headers and dual glass packs. I am REALLY looking forward to logging some miles and getting the car out this summer.

Side note, while we were checking out pictures in the extensive hobby room where he kept the '51, he pulled out a September '58 Car Craft. He says this is my car that I built back in the day:

 

Good looking beast !!!! Great story as well !!!

 

I just wanted to show how my '51 is now looking & sitting...I have put a few hundred miles on it now, and have the stance how I want it. Dropped uprights & springs in front, dropped springs and 3" blocks in back with air shocks. Paint correction, thorough cut & polish, restored '54 Chrysler caps, a fresh 6V battery and a PowerGen alternator keeps everything else happy.