1937 Chevy - Garage Scene Keith Goettlich

Personal influences are probably one of the most significant impressions that can help evolve a young mind as it begins to form a road to adulthood. Growing up in the early '60s in Willimantic, Connecticut, sure left its mark on Keith Goettlich. While waiting for his dad to lock up the shop every day after school, Keith would often wander next door to the local Texaco station and the Windham Diner, where members of the Rear Gears car club would hang out working on their cars, always leaving Keith in youthful awe of their creations. With memories of mile-high straight-axle gassers, wild T-buckets, and even a propane-powered highboy T touring, you can imagine the impression that began to feed the fire in Keith's mind.

It was during this time that Keith began to hone in on his own personal inspirations while reading countless magazines that easily overwhelmed his mind thanks to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Tommy Ivo, and a multitude of fuel dragsters. Starting with go-carts built from scraps found at the junkyard, he later progressed to powered carts, and then finally onto his first project, a '41 Ford panel truck. From there it was off to the races, as he was bitten by vintage Harleys, having built countless nostalgic bobbers 'til about six years ago, when the lure of the hot rod and custom world finally started knocking again. Keith got back into the swing, taking on a '51 Merc sled project that had initially been built in the '70s. He put his own personal touches on it until he moved onto his most recent chopped and channeled '33 Ford pickup and a viscous '31 Ford sedan, both powered by stout Nailheads, an obvious influence from Ivo. Having a passion for both the street and strip, the Fords have seen countless road miles and loads of action at New England Dragway, where they have been regular participants on nostalgia drag events. Being able to take on all the projects in his well-equipped home garage, Keith was now able to express his own personal style and creativity in a way that led him toward his most recent undertaking.

Having been a fan of late-'40s and early '50s mild customs, especially those built by Westergard, Keith went on the prowl to locate a suitable starting point. He wound up finding a pretty clean '37 Chevy coupe that had recently arrived locally from California. Although the car was set up as a gasser, Keith saw the beginning of the mild custom he had always dreamed of owning. A deal was struck, and the car was towed home to begin its rebirth. Teaming up with good friend Dave Paras of Paras Rod & Custom in Peabody, Massachusetts, they both studied the car to decide just how much of a chop it would need. A master of the craft, Dave performed a perfect 3-inch chop that gave the car just enough attitude and readied it for its transformation. After pulling the body off, Keith got busy preparing the stock chassis for all its updates, including a Heidt's independent frontend, rack-and-pinion steering, and a complete Air Ride Technologies 'bag system to slam the car to the pavement. In the power department, there was no question that a killer Nailhead needed to take up residence between the 'rails, and a 401-inch anchor was set into place dressed with just enough vintage speed equipment to keep it interesting. Add in shifting compliments of a 700-R4 linked to a Ford 9-inch rear, and you have one stout driveline that will keep this custom ahead of the pack.

With the body updates being finalized and the final custom updates almost in place, we know next season will be a wild one when Keith brings the car out for its first run. As with all serious projects, there are good friends who help bring it all together, and Keith wanted to be sure that both Dave Paras and Luke Karosi (publisher of the totally hot Kustoms Illustrated 'zine) get a solid nod for their overwhelming support since the start.