Hot Rods I want a California Kid driver

Saw this one and thought of you and this thread, it was s Mecum Auction I believe in Portland last month. It went for $54k I believe. Can’t tell you if it was steel or not, but it was running a 33 Grille Shell. No exposed hinges lead me to believe it’s a glass body as the CKII,
The CKII had already been sold when I posted it. Keep on looking, how’s your build going? Post some pix....

 

thanks for the continued interest in the California Kid!

The body has been completed and is awaiting shipment. We have a REAL 1934 Ford chassis, with title. It was under another hotrod. Ford 9 inch, Small Block Chevy and stick with overdrive. We are contemplating a five speed and going with the new Holley fuel injection setup on the engine.

The body is obviously fiberglass. Will have cowl vent!

 

Looking forward to the build !!!! Hope it has exposed hinges as well as the leaned back posts.

 

Yes, stock style hinges and door handles. Same style chop. I was definite about wanting the cowl vent, so no A/C.
Did go with power windows, but will actuate with window crank.

 

Who’s body did ya chose?

 

JPM Hotrods

 

Sounds like you are right on track Bob. Looked at their website.....body looks spot on!

 

Same molds as Gibbon & the Ca Kid Chop.
Good going
#1-Cal Kid In Glendora Day of Purchase
#2 - Bond - Gibbon Fiberglass Nebraska
#3. & 4. JPM Gibbon Molds Body S.D.

Do make sure that the latches are exactly in the same location as I’ve noticed that they use bear claw latches and the location is lowered and back on the door. I had a glass body with a stock set of latches and regulators and every detail & a steel structure that a steel body would’ve had. It was heavy......but solid.... miss that one......

 

thanks Kevin. We are not going for a spot-on tribute car. But then again, what really was the car? Ford or Chevy engine?

 

Good for you, Bob. The only way to get what you want is to get what you want. I still love that 55 Olds you had (several times).

 

and I have the 55 Olds AGAIN!

 

Pete’s 34 Coupe before movie fame and into the present is powered by a Ford,
The magic of the movie world is that since when the hood on the Coupe is initially opened a Windsor engine is exposed for an instant with a unusually long air cleaner.
Magically in the engine close up it becomes a GM powered 4 carbed hot rod that powers “The California Kid” which John Milner must have sold to Michael McCord in order to avenge his younger brothers death with. I’m sure Milner was done with that one as he “Took them All” @ Paradise Road and would surely build a Hot 327 at Ray’s Automotive to continue his reign as “King of Valley (or maybe it was Michael McCord that sold it to John Milner since The California Kid movie is set in 58 and American Graffiti is set in 62????)..
So if you’re building Pete’s Coupe, then, The Windsor, if your building the Movie California Kid prop then either would suffice. !!!!!!!!

 

we are going for the "either"

Chevy small blocks are plentiful, cheap to repair and easy to replace

 

I always loved that car too. This is the best pic I have seen of it.

 

I am leaning towards the red steel wheel look

 

Hopefully the slightly wider rear wheels will have a slightly deeper dish than front wheels.
(More back space on the front wheels and less back space on the rear wheels)

 

Good call Bob!!!!!

 

How’s the build coming along Bobwop? Hoping during this you’re able to continue on you quest? Here’s another shot of inspiration. .

 

The Kid body is "curing". Chassis is pretty much together. Engine and transmission are in waiting.

Verno30 is on the job, but ran into a life changing situation with the unexpected passing of his Father.

I am in no rush.

 

Last report was the “Spring Update” The body has had plenty of time to cure so perhaps a “Fall Update” with pix can be done? This is most likely a never before seen shot of the P&J’s Coupes at John Byron’s deuces coming out party back in 81, roughly about the time that Pete got the car back from Cris.

 

I remember you saying you are 6' 4", Martin sheen is 5' 7"

Gonna be a tight fit. HRP

 

I’m 6 ft 220 lbs and can sit in the drivers seat with a toddler on my lap just fine. Cars got great ergonomics

 

Building it accordingly

 

We have stalled

 

Is that the Lobeck/Coonan/Meyer '32 roadster behind Jake's coupe @Cyclone Kevin?

 

Need some Starter Fluid,
Perhaps a jump start?????
Maybe a new fusible link?
.

 

I think that it may be P-Woods????????

 

Stalling isn’t good...get back on it, Bud. Just a couple of hours a week...and it is no longer “stalled”!

 

Who is Chris, and why did he have Pete's car?

 

Cris Carrier bought Pete’s 34 “The California Kid” about the time “Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Repair” became a business The “Hair Pair” needed capital in order to get equipment. Several years later Cris offered it up to Pete based on their ”Home of the California Kid” tie in. It was owned by Cris during this photo shoot & SRM Feature in 1977.