1929 Ford Roadster - Survivor

There are several songs about imagination, and just speaking the word can conjure wild visions of what the future should look like. As kids, and even now, many of us imagine what our current car could look like, or how one of our favorites would fit in our garage. John Rudisill has used his imagination many times over the years to build a classy succession of customs and rods. Never did he think that, after spending most of his life looking to the next build, he would find the perfect car in someone else's garage.

John thought he had the primo car when he built his '50 Ford woodie-a beautiful restoration with modern go-power, and one he has driven up and down the coast between homes in Oregon and Palm Springs, California. It will always be in his possession, and it's a proven reacher. But, you never know when another car will grab you by the seat of your pants, stand you upright, and say, take me home. John did have room in his garage from the sale of his '57 Ford custom, so another car was a possibility.

This roadster was in the garage of a friend, whom John and his wife, Debbie, were visiting in Pleasanton, California. It was recently purchased and not for sale. Needless to say, when the two saw this car, it was love at first sight. The car just has eyeball from one end to the other, and whether or not you're into the wide-white bias-ply look, it grabs your attention. John must have really leaned on his friend to sell the car, because in the end, he and Debbie drove it home.

The car originally came from a Southern Californian Tom Evens, who owned it for 35 years and had bought it off a lot in SoCal, with a Mustang for a trade-in. It appears now virtually the same as it was when originally built in 1962. Tom had the car restored several years ago, since time had taken its toll on some, but not all, of the components. The license plate is the same one that was issued back then, and the same pinstriper who did the car the first time is still plying his trade, and redid the car exactly as it was in 1962. When Tom had some problems that prevented him from shifting the four-speed, he decided to sell the car.

John contacted Tom, saying he had a car that would really get a lot of attention. The two met at the Beaches weekly cruise-in at Portland International Raceway, an event that brings in 1,000 cars and bikes every Wednesday. To stand out there, you really need something special. The car was found with no problem, and the consensus was wow! It was perfect, with every detail correct to the period. That was made easy by the car having been well preserved over the years, with nothing changed since it was conceived and built.

The basis for the rod is an original '32 Ford frame, with a Bell dropped axle, early Ford spindles, and '48 Ford brakes. The steering box is a Ford pickup unit, with a Bell three-spoke wheel. The frame was boxed, and new crossmembers installed, along with a 9-inch Ford with 3:25 gears. It is held in check with shop-built ladder bars in the back, and split 'bones in the front. Amazingly, most of the chrome is all still the same as it was when the car was first done. At the time, you could chrome all the goodies on your engine for $25! Originally, the GM V-8 was a 327ci and must have been tired, as it has been replaced with an early '84 Corvette 350ci engine, which is rowed by a BorgWarner T10 four-speed with a custom driveshaft to take up the slack. One interesting fact is that because of the lack of space with the Tri-power, the little alternator is from a Kabota tractor.