1930 Ford Coupe - 100% Hot Rod

When Gary Newman builds a hot rod, he builds a real hot rod.

Maybe it's because he's a traditionalist-or maybe it's because it's the only way he knows how, but Gary's again hit the hot rod nail on the head with this no-nonsense A coupe. You see, Gary's been into rodding since he was a lad of 13 years old, when his dad's Atlantic gas station was the "hangout" for many of the area's hardcore hot rodders. Gary's time spent surrounded by the hottest cars of the day made a huge impact on his outlook on just what it took (and still takes) to put together a car that'd not only look the look, but walk the walk, as well.

A few years ago Gary's pal Brian turned him on to the fact that there was a Model A coupe around town (Hanover, PA, that is) that was supposedly a California hot rod transplant with a bit of history behind it. And better yet, that it may be for sale. Well, Gary put out the word that he was interested, but never did find the car or its local owner, but the thought of it never left his mind. A few months later, while stopped at a local business, his daily driver (a smooth, slammed '61 Chevy wagon) drew the attention of a gent who engaged Gary in conversation. During its course the guy mentioned he had a hot rod, too-an old Ford coupe, as a matter of fact. Well, as luck sometimes has it, the car so casually mentioned was in fact the very California coupe pal Brian had told Gary about months before! As oftimes is the case, the coupe wasn't for sale, but like any die-hard, Gary didn't give up hope, and hey, at least he now knew who owned it and where it was.

A few months later Gary ran into the gent again-this time, though, the guy asked if he was still interested in the coupe and if he'd like to check it out. Without revealing his excitement, Gary agreed to at least take a look, and within minutes was staring at a cool little A coupe, complete with a Flathead V-8. Needless to say, the A was a bit rougher than Gary woulda liked, but it was the perfect foundation for a neat little hot rod, so with a quick call to his son Michael, the father and son duo loaded the car up on the trailer and gleefully dragged it home.

Gary and Michael tore into the coupe with delight, breaking it down into pieces with the intent to rebuild it as if it was 1967 again. As a foundation, Clark Bates whipped the guys together a pinched 2x4 frame to which Gary and Michael bolted a dropped I-beam, a pair of '40 spindles and brakes, and a split '36 Ford wishbone. Out back, they opted for a transverse spring-mounted Winters quick-change, a pair of lever-action shocks, and another set of split bones. With the car's foundation complete, they mounted up a quartet of 16-inch steel wheels shod with a set of blackwall Firestones, and it was ready for a bit of Motorvation. There was no question that the coupe would be Flathead-powered, so Michael got to work assembling a hot little 276-cube side-valver with a Merc crank, a Schneider cam, Ross pistons, and a vintage Thickston intake topped by a pair of 97s. One of the only contemporary concessions the pair made was to back the Flatty with a T5 five-speed, a bit more user-friendly than an early three-speed for a rod destined to be driven.

While Michael handled the driveline, the body was treated to a healthy chop and whipped back into shape. A '36 Ford dash was grafted to the A cowl, and a cool snap-in roof insert added, as well. With the bodywork complete, Gary's pal Clark slathered the body with a few new coats of Orion Silver urethane, and the guys then installed the body on the chassis. A bit of fresh wiring and a nice traditional rolled and pleated interior (by Mike Bankert) finished it off, and before long the cool little coupe was ready for the road, and shades of 1967.