After years of drag racing, Eddie Pearson and his wife, Diana, decided to explore other ways to spend their time and money. They proceeded to sell their race car and most of the parts and bought a Corvette. Two years passed and the couple again decided to make a change. Eddie's brother-in-law had been involved in street rods for years so they decided to give it a go as well.
It was while at the National Street Rod Association's Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, that they found what they were looking for. After spending two days looking at all the different bodies available, they kept finding themselves returning to the Downs Manufacturing display and, more specifically, their '33 laidback Vicky. "The look from the front was awesome!" Eddie said, and they sealed a deal with Jamie and Vicki Downs on that exact display model on one condition: the Downs take the car back with them and continue the build, which they agreed to do.
While work was getting underway at Downs Manufact-uring on both the body and the chassis, Eddie turned his attention to the engine and transmission. Given his drag racing history, this was certainly one thing Eddie could handle. Eddie started with a 1970 400ci small-block Chevy that had been sitting in his father-in-law's garage. Once he removed the motor from the clutches of the garage, he brought it to Mike's Speed Shop for the usual once-over. After the block was bored, honed, and decked to perfection, it was assembled using TRW pistons, stock crank and rods, and a COMP Cams Xtreme Energy bumpstick, while aluminum Edelbrock heads, water pump, and intake were used to top off the motor. Eddie backed up the small-block with a TH350 trans he rebuilt using TCI components. From there, it was off to Downs to drop up the fresh drivetrain to be installed into the eagerly awaiting chassis.
Back at Downs, the motor was fitted into the chassis, consisting of a Ford 9-inch rearend hung on a polished stainless four-link and sprung on Aldan coilovers, while up front a Heidt's independent suspension swung on Aldan shocks. Wilwood disc brakes handle the stopping duties at all four corners, where Boyd Coddington Wheels also reside. Flaming River products are used throughout the frontend, including the box itself, mated to an ididit column and topped by a Billet Specialties steering wheel.
About a year passed before the car was ready to head to the Pearson garage, where it received wiring and a few modifications. A few short months later, and it was off to Krist Kustoms in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where Shawn Krist was to install a custom interior in the car. Shawn made the custom bench seat and then covered it and the rest of the interior in Garret leather and Wilton biscuit wool. The car was ready to roll the Friday preceding the 2005 Street Rod Nats and Eddie and Diana debuted it there that Wednesday. Eddie said it's been two years in the making and they're lovin' every minute of it! That's his story and we're stickin' to it!
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 Between the framerails resides...  Between the framerails resides a 406ci Chevy under a sea of polished aluminum. A Billet Specialties Tru-Trac system keeps the Powermaster alternator and the Sanden SD7 compressor nestled up tight to the block. |
 Downs Manufacturing provided...  Downs Manufacturing provided the backdrop for the Auto Meter gauges, Billet Specialties steering wheel, and custom center console wrapped in Garrett leather by Krist Kustoms. Also residing in the console is a Lokar shifter, Vintage Air climate controls, and an Alpine stereo. |
 Plenty more aluminum goodies...  Plenty more aluminum goodies reside in front of the motor in the form of an aluminum radiator by Griffin Thermal Products and the Cool Flex hoses. A Maradyne electric fan helps keep everything running cool, while a polished overflow tank is there to catch any fluid that might burp up. |
 Note how well the Boyd Coddington...  Note how well the Boyd Coddington wheel tucks into the fender. That's an 18-inch wheel out back, wrapped in Z-rated Ventus rubber. A 17-inch wheel rides on the same hides up front, although slightly smaller than the rear. |
 Krist Kustoms also fabricated...  Krist Kustoms also fabricated and covered the door panels using the same material as the center console. Wilton wool covers the floor, while the custom bucket seats, also by Krist Kustoms, received a wrap in the same high-quality leather as the rest of the interior... |
 ...Seatbelts from Juliano's...  ...Seatbelts from Juliano's Hot Rod Parts are mandatory safety items in the Pearson Vicky. |